NEW life could be breathed into Brierley Hill High Street if funding plans come to fruition.

Council chiefs have submitted a bid for up to £16 million from the Government’s £675 million Future High Streets Fund to improve housing, transport and retail opportunities in the town.

The Fund, launched by Chancellor Phillip Hammond last year, aims to reinvigorate beleaguered high streets.

If the funding is granted, the money will be used to encourage more housing on the High Street, improve older heritage buildings, enhance transport infrastructure and to work with the private sector to encourage more investment into the town.

The funding bid comes as work to begin building the Metro extension from Wednesbury to Brierley Hill was officially given the green light last week.

Councillor Qadar Zada, leader of the council, said: "With the Metro coming into Brierley Hill, and the reinvigoration of the Waterfront thanks to the DY5 Enterprise Zone, this is the perfect time to be looking at investing money in Brierley Hill High Street.

"I am therefore pleased to announce that we will be submitting a bid to the Future High Streets Fund. The cash would allow us to breathe new life into both the housing and retail offer there, and is much needed.

"As it is a national pot there is bound to be stiff competition, but we are hopeful we have an attractive proposition on the table and we look forward to hearing the response.”

The successful applicants to the bid scheme will be announced in the summer.