Local sustainable transport schemes get extra cash

Monday, August 11, 2014 - 15:04
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More funding for sustainable transport

ER and greener transport for communities

Seven communities in England are set to benefit from £900,000 additional government funding to extend their sustainable transport schemes, Baroness Kramer has announced.

The funding has been allocated to existing local projects supported by the Department for Transport’s Local Sustainable Transport Fund.

Lib Dem peer and Transport Minister, Baroness Kramer, said: “We’re serious about making transport better for the environment, whether that is by cutting carbon or improving air quality.
“Encouraging more people to cycle or use public transport makes sense for local economies, because it reduces congestion and improves public health.”

This latest announcement comes hot on the heels of the £440 million which the Lib Dems announced for sustainable transport schemes last month, and it is hoped that the additional money will help communities to build on their success and see even more people making new travel choices.

Those benefiting from funding are:

  • Bournemouth Borough Council: £50,000 for design of a high quality cycle route serving schools and employment centres
  • Dorset County Council: £64,000 towards plans for 20mph zones in Weymouth and Dorchester town centres
  • Hertfordshire County Council: £130,000 towards a raft of schemes encouraging greater uptake of cycling, walking and bus use
  • Leicestershire County Council: £160,000 for a range of schemes including better information at bus stops, encouraging parents to leave the car at home for the school run and loaning mopeds to jobseekers to help them find and access work
  • Lincolnshire County Council: £350,000 to build on successful projects encouraging more people to choose public transport, cycling or walking to get about
  • Shropshire Council: £84,000 for schemes to promote cycling, walking and public transport
  • Wokingham Borough Council: £62,000 to extend a programme to help households plan more sustainable travel

This announcement acts as part of £2billion the government is investing on a wide range of measures to drive forward sustainable transport, including encouraging the uptake of electric cars and other ultra-low emission vehicles and schemes to promote greener public transport, cycling and walking.

2 Comments

  1. “…including …..other ultra-low emission vehicles” Codswallop!

    Countless big businesses and Local Authorities have asked us (justebikes) if our electric bikes qualify for grants under under Gov’s sustainable transport initiatives. I took this question to the transport minister – he said two-wheeled electric bikes don’t qualify…. the money’s only for cars.

    A Sparta electric bike can travel 960 miles for cost of a 1st class stamp.

    • Very interesting stuff! Thanks for the comment James