Councils set to receive Government's £1.2bn transport improvement fund

The government has now allocated the £1.2bn roads funding to improve connectivity, cut congestion and shorten journey times to councils across England.

The local roads funding will be shared out for the 2017 to 2018 financial year, Transport Minister Andrew Jones announced.

The new National Productivity Investment Fund, announced in the Autumn Statement, and the Pothole Action Fund will provide a significant part of the fund.

The fund also includes an amount of £75m which councils can bid for to repair and maintain local infrastructure such as bridges, street lighting and rural roads.

Transport Minister Andrew Jones said: “Roads play a significant part in everyday life linking people with jobs and businesses with customers, which is why this government is investing record amounts improving and maintaining highways across the country to help motorists.

“The funding we have allocated today is focused on relieving congestion and providing important upgrades to ensure our roads are fit for the future - helping to build an economy that works for everyone.”

To further reduce the number of potholes, the Department for Transport (DfT) is set to begin a new trial, in partnership with Thurrock and York Councils. A pothole-spotter system, mounted to refuse collection vehicles, comprising of high-definition cameras, integrated navigation system and intelligent software, will be deployed to identify road surface problems before they become potholes.

This announcement comes just as transport is proving to be a hot topic among different regions around the country. Earlier this week, a new report published from the North East England Chamber of Commerce has said that the region’s transport infrastructure must improve if the North East is to achieve its economic potential.

In addition, there has also been increased talks regardingthe proposed Trans-Pennine Tunnel. It is believed that a new transport link from the M60 to the M1 would, not only better connect Manchester to Sheffield, but also have a significant economical impact in the in the North.

Out of the £1.2bn fund, £210m has been delivered from the National Productivity Investment Fund, which was announced in the Autumn Statement when the Chancellor committed to invest an extra £1.3bn improving the road network over the course of the Parliament.

From this, £185m will be allocated in the 2017 to 2018 financial year to local highway authorities in England, outside London, to improve local highways and public transport networks with the remainder of the funding of £25m being available for safer roads to help address some of the most dangerous A roads.

£801m is to be shared across local highway authorities in England, outside London, to help improve the condition of local roads, and £70m will be used across local highway authorities in England, outside London, from the Pothole Action Fund.

Local highway authorities in England, outside London, will be able to bid for £75m from the Highways Maintenance Challenge Fund, which will help repair and maintain local highway infrastructure, such as bridges, lighting and rural roads.

A further £75m from the Highways Maintenance Incentive Element will also be completed for through a self-assessment questionnaire in order to reward those who demonstrate they truly understand the value of their asset.

Looking to promote your product/service to SME businesses in your region? Find out how Bdaily can help →