Over 100 projects across the UK will share a combined £2.1 billion in government funding from the levelling up fund after the second round of the scheme allocation was announced.

The funding awarded includes £672 million towards improving transport infrastructure, £821 million for supporting city regeneration schemes and £594 million to support existing heritage sites.

The largest single grant was award to the Eden Project Morecambe. Being constructed as a twin to the existing Eden Project in Cornwall, the project has received £50 million in government funding but will still need to raise an additional £50 million from private sources to fully fund the £100 million project.

Lancaster Council leader Caroline Jackson said the project “presents a once-in-a-generation opportunity to reinvent and rejuvenate Morecambe into a 21st-century seaside resort and I’m excited to see work start this year”.

Other projects that received funding through the levelling up fund include £40 million for Blackpool and Wyre councils to build a carbon neutral university campus.  Also £50 million to Cornwall Council for the Mid Cornwall Metro rail improvement scheme and £20 million for Gateshead council to put towards the regeneration of the Gateshead Quays, the plan includes a new arena, exhibition centre and hotels.

This announcement is the second allocation announcement of the levelling up fund following the £1.7 billion that was given out to 105 projects in the first round in 2021. The government has confirmed that a third round of fund allocation will follow.