Government announces £345m for local roads and transport

The Government has announced funding totalling £345.3m to improve local roads and public transport across England, including £101m for two roads through the Large Local Majors fund and cash from the National Productivity Investment Fund (NPIF).

Transport secretary Chris Grayling announced Programme Entry approval funding for two road schemes under the Majors fund in Worcester and Middlewich.

The Carrington Bridge project in Worcester to alleviate congestion on the A4440 Southern Relief Road will receive £54.5m towards a total cost of £62m.

The Middlewich Eastern Bypass, which aims to alleviate congestion in the town centre and facilitate the expansion of the Magnitude employment site will receive £46.8m towards a total cost of £56.9m.

The Department for Transport (DfT) revealed the latest winners from the NPIF covering 76 projects across the country totalling £244m. This includes over awards totalling more than £100m to three northern regions announced by the chancellor earlier this month.

Schemes include the delivery of contactless payment options across Nottingham’s bus and tram network; creating a new link for buses in Plymouth providing direct access to Derriford hospital; and improvements on the A66 in Darlington, which the DfT said will help unlock 2,600 houses and 4,300 jobs by improving travel connections.

Simon Neilson, president of the Association of Directors for Environment, Economy, Planning and Transport (ADEPT) said: The announcement of £350m for local roads is good news.

‘Competitive bidding for funding such as the NPIF adds to the ongoing pressure on local authorities’ dwindling resources, however every journey starts and end on a local road and new funding has to be welcomed.