Another bid to claw in £20m to overhaul Billingham’s centre is being sent in after the town missed out the first time around.

There was anger and disappointment when Stockton Council’s initial request to overhaul the town’s West Precinct using the Levelling Up Fund was rejected last year. Officials want to gain control of the area to rejuvenate parts of the “tired” town centre by dealing with “high vacancy rates and excess retail space” hitting the shopping district.

Better access and a more modern retail offering are part of the vision – and leaders agreed to borrow £10m to help fund the plan last year.

But Billingham didn’t make the shortlist – leading to one councillor accusing the government of “living in cloud cuckoo land” given well-heeled Yarm had benefited from the fund.

Read more: Smyths toy shop forced to close for the day after ramraid leaves trail of destruction

Now the council will have another go with the result expected in the autumn. Ahead of Thursday’s cabinet meeting, Cllr Nigel Cooke said the Levelling Up Fund would give them a chance to bring “real transformational change” to Billingham.

The cabinet member for regeneration added: “It was deeply disappointing to find out that we had been unsuccessful in round one of the funding as Billingham is in need of investment – and has so much potential. We are keen to make the most of this funding opportunity and I am confident that the new application for £20m in round two will be a strong and enhanced bid.

“Over the last ten years, we’ve shaped Billingham into a different type of place and experience but there are parts of the town that are still in need of investment. Our plans will create a town centre that is fit for purpose for future generations.”

The bid comes after rail bosses promised long-awaited work to overhaul disabled access to the town’s station would be done within 12 months. Cash from the Tees Valley Combined Authority (TVCA), Network Rail and Stockton Council is funding the £3.6m work.

Diggers moved in earlier this month with the promise of a new and improved bridge to connect the station’s two platforms and two lifts to be in “by Spring 2023” in the station’s biggest overhaul for 50 years. The car park will also see an overhaul.

Read more: Redevelopment of town centre 'eyesore' tower block identified as a key priority

Stockton North MP Alex Cunningham said: “For too long people in Billingham with mobility issues, bikes, and pushchairs, have been forced to travel further to get the train, so I’m delighted that spades are now in the ground at Billingham Station, and the station is set to have step-free access by Spring 2023. This has been a long, hard-won campaign by local councillors and residents – supported by my office – to ensure Billingham Station is fit for the twenty-first century and it’s great to see this campaign has paid off.”

Council leader Cllr Bob Cook added the authority had also “pushed hard” for the scheme. Kieran Dunkin, from Network Rail, said the work was expected to take between nine and 12 months – and thanked the Department for Transport, the council and the TVCA.

Read more: How Billingham rail station is being transformed with millions of pounds

Council leaders will discuss the Levelling Up Fund bid and plans for town centres across the borough this Thursday. Cash for an extension and better play equipment at Romano Park, Ingleby Barwick, Norton’s upcoming one-way loop and high street overhaul and progress on Yarm’s Town Hall heritage centre will all be on the agenda.

Keep up to date with all the latest news on our website, or follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

You can also follow our dedicated Teesside Facebook page for all the latest in the area by clicking here.

For all the top news updates from right across the region straight to your inbox, sign up to our newsletter here.

Have you got a story for us? Contact our newsdesk on newsdesk@nne.co.uk or contact 01325 505054