Trafford must wait until the New Year to learn if bids worth £46 million to 'level up' the area are successful.

The council submitted these bids to central government over summer.

On becoming Prime Minister, Rishi Sunak said an announcement on the outcome of this round, the second round since the £4.8 billion 'levelling up' scheme was revealed in 2020, was scheduled for before the end of this year.

But a letter to MPs last week said all bidders must wait until the New Year due to the number of applications and the standard of applications received.

The news is a blow to some bidders, who are seeing the cost of their proposals soaring as a result of inflation.

However, additional funds are to be allocated in response to this issue.

In Trafford, the bids are for investment into culture across the area, as well as into work in Partington and Sale.

'Connecting Culture', worth £10 million, aims to make improvements to cultural assets such as arts centres, cemeteries, libraries and parks, and to link them together into a heritage trail.

'Partington Regeneration', worth £16 million, aims to boost the health and wellbeing of residents in the town through the renovation of Partington Sports Village, Partington Youth Centre and the changing rooms on Cross Lane.

And 'Transforming Sale Town Centre', worth £20 million, aims to make improvements to active travel and public spaces in the town, with particular attention to Ashfield Road, Hayfield Street, Hereford Street, Northenden Road, School Road, Sibson Road, Springfield Road, Town Hall Junction and Waterside Plaza.

The letter to MPs last week, signed by minister Dehenna Davison, reads: "Having received such a high number of quality applications, the announcement has been delayed until the New Year to allow us to allocate additional funds.

"It is vitally important we give ourselves enough time to consider the outcome of assessments carefully before a final decision on applications is made.

"I appreciate that this delay will be disappointing for you given the huge amounts of work that has gone into applications, and I am grateful to you for your patience. 

"But I am also sure you will agree that the additional funds will enable a larger number of excellent bids to receive the support that they deserve."

The borough was not involved in an initial round of the £4.8 billion 'levelling up' scheme last year due to 'time constraints'.

The Messenger asked Trafford Council for a comment.

This article was written by Jack Tooth. Jack is the reporter for The Messenger and covers anything and everything from within the Metropolitan Borough of Trafford.

To contact him, email jack.tooth@newsquest.co.uk or follow @JTRTooth on Twitter.