This week brought some very welcome news for Orton Malborne and Goldhay. The area has been awarded £20 million of Pride in Place funding, as part of a wider £40 million investment into the city to improve facilities; services, and spaces for our community.
It’s no secret that Orton has faced years of underinvestment. Too often, areas like ours have been overlooked, with promises made but little delivered. That’s why this announcement matters. It’s a chance to put things right and make sure residents see real, lasting improvements.
The funding will be spread over the next decade, giving us the chance to plan for long-term change rather than short-term fixes. It can be used for everything from new community facilities to upgrading local infrastructure, and from supporting young people to improving public spaces. That flexibility means it can be shaped to reflect the priorities of the people who live here, not a decision handed down from above.
I pushed hard for this funding because I know how much our community stands to gain from long-term investment. What matters now is not just the level of funding, but how it is used. £20 million has the power to transform our area – but only if residents are at the centre of shaping it.
That’s why I’ve been inviting ideas on what this money should go towards.
Already, people have been sharing thoughtful suggestions – whether that’s improving local parks, restoring astro-turf pitches, tackling unsafe walkways, upgrading street lighting, repairing roads and cycle paths, or creating more spaces for children and young people.
There have also been calls for better public transport, safer underpasses, and more welcoming community spaces.
These ideas show the pride people feel in their community, and the determination to make Orton an even better place to live. No single project will solve everything, but together they add up to a powerful vision for the future of our area.
Orton isn’t the only part of our city set to benefit – Paston, Gunthorpe, and the Welland will also receive funding. That means real opportunities across Peterborough, not just here in the south.
This investment demonstrates this Labour Government’s commitment to our region. After years of being overlooked, communities in Peterborough are finally being recognised as places worth investing in – places with potential, talent, and pride. It’s proof that government can and should listen to local voices, and back them with the resources needed to deliver change.
My role now is to make sure your voice is at the heart of this process, so the funding delivers the changes that matter most to you.
By working together, we can make sure this investment leaves a lasting legacy for Orton, so please do share your thoughts at samcarling.org/orton-funding