EASED: Government reveal £80million funding
Communities nationwide are set to benefit from eased traffic congestion after the government released £80million of jam-busting funding.
Transport Secretary Patrick McLoughlin announced that £25million of the bumper sum has been awarded to 15 schemes to tackle bottlenecks on the local road network.
The remaining £55million is now up for grabs, with local councils invited to submit bids by the end of October for a share of the kitty.
Many of the improvements are expected to be delivered in 2014 and 2015, with the number of schemes receiving Local Pinch Point Fund investment now at 87.
Since March this year the government have provided more than £215million to local authorities, which has enabled local transport improvements of more than £340million to go ahead.
Mr McLoughlin said: “Keeping traffic moving is vital to securing prosperity.
“By removing local bottlenecks and improving access to local development sites and communities, these schemes will help get people to and from work and power the economy.
“They also have the potential to help deliver new jobs and homes.
“The Local Pinch Point Fund is already making a difference on the ground.
“I am pleased that I can today announce a further 15 successful schemes which will receive £25million of funding from my Department.
“These schemes will help alleviate key local bottlenecks around the country, making life easier for the thousands of motorists and businesses who use the local road network every day.”
The areas benefitting from a share of the £25million allocated today are:
- Reading
- Barnsley
- Devon (two schemes)
- Telford
- Blackburn with Darwen
- Hampshire
- Torbay
- Hammersmith and Fulham
- York
- South Gloucestershire
- Wigan
- Lincolnshire
- Stockton
- Staffordshire
Image courtesy of garryknight, with thanks.
