Labour has promised to invest in seaside towns beyond 2011 via the Regional Development Agencies if it wins the election.

Yesterday, the party launched its Seaside Manifesto, which promises to  invest in infrastructure such as piers and educational buildings via RDAs beyond 2011, when its current Sea Change investment programme ends. It would also give regional ministers a new duty to promote their seaside towns.

Labour says the Conservatives’ plan to scrap RDAs would threaten key regeneration schemes in towns such as Blackpool (pictured).

The manifesto states that £220m invested  by the North West Development Agency and £86m by the East of England Development Agency have been particularly crucial to delivering new infrastructure in Southport, Morecombe and Lowestoft.

Labour leader Gordon Brown launched the manifesto in Great Yarmouth alongside businessman Duncan Bannatyne . The party says he will lead a review into the economic and tourism potential of seaside towns in the UK.

Gordon Brown said: “We are seeing nothing less than a renaissance in our coastal towns, but there is still more to do to ensure Britain’s seaside towns celebrate the ir unique assets and maximise their potential as holiday destinations.”

To read the manifesto, click here: Labour’s Seaside Manifesto

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