£840 million boost to improve transport links in UK cities

02/10/18

The government has announced plans to help communities across the UK with a £840 million boost to upgrade public transport links.

Local authorities in Derby and Nottingham, Leicester City, the North East, Norwich, Plymouth, Portsmouth, Southampton, Sheffield, Stoke-on-Trent and West Yorkshire will bid for a share of the funding.

Over the next four years, the new allocation of funding will be used to improve transport links in city regions, linking travel to work areas, increasing access to jobs and helping ensure that businesses have the infrastructure they need to thrive.

This funding could go towards upgrades such as new bus routes between residential areas and major employment hubs, smart technology aimed at reducing congestion, or rolling out docking stations for e-bikes.

Prime Minister Theresa May said: “Our great cities and their suburbs are home to millions of people and world-beating businesses.

“We want to help them succeed, so as part of our modern Industrial Strategy we will fund £840 million of upgrades for better, safer, faster transport links.

“These improvements to vital infrastructure will help spread growth beyond London and empower local businesses to create more, better-paying jobs – opening up more opportunities to help people get on in life and be rewarded for their hard work.”

Transport Secretary Chris Grayling added: “Good bus, cycle and tram routes play a huge role in increasing the vitality and vibrancy of cities.

“These 10 areas now have the chance to transform their transport systems – making it easier for people to get around and enhance links to work, school or shops.”

The ten shortlisted city regions will each receive an initial £50,000 as well as bespoke support from government to co-develop the strongest cases for investment. Once finalised, funding decisions will consider the relative strength of each bid and their impact on improving connectivity, supporting employment and driving up productivity.

While the city regions finalise proposals, £60 million from the Fund will be made available over the next year to share across transport schemes aimed at tackling head on some of the most pressing challenges faced by communities.