Member Article

Yorkshire to get a slice of £64 million funding for green transport schemes

Transport Minister Baroness Kramer has announced that dozens of sustainable transport schemes have got the green light for government funding this week, including three in Yorkshire.

The Department for Transport is providing £64 million towards the schemes in the latest round of its Local sustainable Transport Fund, with Local Enterprise Partnerships investing over £100 million of the funding they received earlier this week as part of the Local Growth Fund. Further match funding will take the value of the package to over £440 million.

Baroness Kramer said: “We want more people to choose to travel in a way that cuts congestion and carbon, delivering economic and environmental benefits.

“This funding will make that choice easier for millions of people across the country, delivering new sustainable transport schemes throughout England.”

To be considered for funding, the schemes had to demonstrate how they would boost economic growth, reduce carbon emissions, improve air quality and encourage higher levels of cycling and walking to improve public health.

Yorkshire projects include i-Travel York, which aims to roll-out a Low Emissions Strategy, intensify engagement with businesses through workplace travel plan programme and provide a comprehensive residential campaign to reduce congestion and improve health on one of the most congested corridors.

It will also allow protection and continued investment in cycling promotion and bus marketing, receiving LSTF government funding of £1 million, and total funding of £2.47 million.

In Leeds, the go:green for growth in West Yorkshire project intents to compleme the Leeds City Region Strategic Economic Plan and building on current activities, the project will assist jobseekers, NEETs and young people into employment and training.

Door-to-door journeys by sustainable modes will be facilitated through further ‘Smart Ticketing’ developments to increase payment options.

To increase physical activity, the programme will continue go:cycling and expand CityConnect’s Best Foot Forward project to go:walking.

It will receive government funding of 2.8 million, and total funding of £4.36 million.

For Sheffield, the In Motion! All together better travel project. The programme will enhance sustainable connectivity in the region, using the In Motion! Brand to provide a clear message of the range of travel choices available to people.

The Sheffield programme will receive 4.8 million from the LSTF, with a total investment of £72.3 million.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Clare Burnett .