Derelict buildings being renovated, restored bridges, regenerated town centres - just some of the things the UK Government says it will fund. The latest places to get a share of levelling up funding have been announced.

The fund, set up in 2021 gives money to schemes to "improve everyday life" including regenerating town centres and high streets, upgrading local transport, and investing in cultural and heritage assets. Seven Welsh schemes have been successful.

The Welsh money is going to:

• Almost £18m to encourage healthier ways of travel in Powys including by restoring footbridges and improving the National Cycle Network by resurfacing several paths and improving connectivity to popular tourist destinations
• £20m to transform a site on the Barry Dock waterfront into a vibrant public area, with a new business centre, food and drink outlets, and recreational and marina facilities
• More than £15m towards renovating a number of derelict buildings and creating more green areas in Llanelli town centre
• £20m for projects to develop and boost areas in Denbighshire, such as Rhyl, which will include regenerating the town centre, creating more community centres, improving cycle and footpaths, and improving routes between the town and coast
• £12m to restore and reopen the historic Grade II listed Newbridge bridge to pedestrians and cyclists, whilst Newbridge Road and Riverside Road will also be upgraded
• £15m to regenerate Port Talbot town centre with improvements to Civic Square, the refurbishment of Princess Royal Theatre, and improvements to green space at Riverside
• More than £10m to improve public accessibility across Pembroke town, focusing on Westgate, Eastgate and overall improvements to the environment

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Secretary of state for Wales David TC Davies said: "This is another hugely significant investment in transformative projects across Wales. From town centre regeneration to improving travel infrastructure, these schemes will have a positive impact for generations to come.

"The UK Government continues to invest in communities throughout Wales as we work towards our aims of growing the Welsh economy and levelling up the UK."

In Barry, it will mean the Vale of Glamorgan council's regeneration plans to bring a watersports centre to Barry Waterfront and a marina, along with a new park will be delivered within the next three to five years as well as new business space.

The council say there will also be further investment into the town’s active travel network on the waterfront. The proposals have been developed in partnership with local community organisations and Associated British Ports who will also be providing match funding. For the latest politics news in Wales sign up to our newsletter here.

Council leader Cllr Lis Burnett said: "This funding will enable us to take the transformation of Barry, and in particular the waterfront, to the next level. The Barry Making Waves project will be the next step on a regeneration journey that has seen significant investment in recent years. The levelling up funding will be used alongside the £20million Transforming Towns grant recently awarded to the Council to allow a whole-town approach to regeneration.

"At a time when the council’s budgets are under significant strain, this additional funding will provide money for the longer-term to deliver improvements that otherwise we simply could not afford. With both we are thinking for the long-term. Jobs and education are what will drive prosperity in the Vale over the course of this decade. The two regeneration projects will focus on creating sustainable jobs, more opportunities for learning and training, improved public infrastructure, and through it a better connection between the town centre and waterfront.

“The Making Waves initiative is one we have developed with local communities. To have a chance now to put into action plans that our residents have helped create is tremendously exciting. We will begin work on delivering this in the coming months and I am looking forward to seeing this work come to fruition over the next few years."