North Ayrshire is set to benefit from a share of £37.4 million in funding for regeneration projects across the area. 

North and South Ayrshire have been awarded the Levelling Up cash after submitting a joint bid to the UK Government.

The funding will create new commercial buildings, better cycling and walking routes, and more electric vehicle charging points across the two local authority areas.

The money is the second highest award given to any UK project in the latest round of Levelling Up cash awards, announced on Monday.

Jamie Greene, Conservative MSP for West Scotland, has hailed the fresh funding as a big boost for the region. 

He said: “This latest round of UK Government Levelling Up Funding has once again delivered for communities right here in North Ayrshire.

“The funding which totals over £120 million is a huge boost for these community-led projects and I’m delighted that North Ayrshire will receive a well-deserved £37 million from the UK government for low carbon infrastructure.

“It’s fantastic that North Ayrshire has been earmarked for investment in sustainable projects. Our area will be leading the way in developing low carbon infrastructure."

As part of the bid - entitled Levelling Up For Ayrshire: Commercial and Low Carbon Infrastructure - South Ayrshire Council sought funding support for a proposed new 'flexible hangar space' at Prestwick Airport.

Levelling Up Secretary Michael Gove said: “Levelling Up means delivering local’s people’s priorities and bringing transformational change in communities that have, for too long, been overlooked and undervalued.

 “Today we are backing 55 projects across the UK with £1 billion to create new jobs and opportunities, power economic growth, and revitalise local areas. 

“This funding sits alongside our wider initiatives to spread growth, through devolving more money and power out of Westminster to towns and cities, putting in place bespoke interventions to places that need it most, and our long-term plan for towns.”