Wednesday, May 14, 2008

Government invests £1.25billion to improve local transport

People across the country will benefit from £1.25billion to improve local transport, Transport Secretary Douglas Alexander announced today.

The investment - the Local Transport Capital Settlement - is given to local authorities each year to help them deliver transport improvements in their communities.

The money will fund a range of improvements, including new road safety measures, better street lighting, road maintenance, park and ride facilities and cycle lanes.

Local authorities will also benefit from a share of £110million from a specific road safety grant. The grant means more money and flexibility for local authorities to deliver safer roads.

This year's investment delivers funding for 07/08. Some of this year's money is awarded according to the performance of local authorities in delivering better transport over the first five year Local Transport Plan period. Another part is based on the quality of their plans to improve transport over the next five years.

This investment is in addition to the funding for major transport projects across the country, which was announced in July this year as part of the Regional Funding Allocation process.

Douglas Alexander said:

"The Government has invested more than £9 billion in local transport over the last six years. The improvements made with this money have benefited passengers, motorists and local businesses across the country.

"We have seen sustained progress in reducing local road casualties. The condition of many local road networks is improving. Better infrastructure for buses, cyclists and pedestrians has been put in place so local transport is making a contribution to more sustainable development and economic growth".

The Department reviewed the delivery of the first Local Transport Plans, which local authorities produced for 2001/02 to 2005/06. The review highlighted many schemes across the country of particularly high quality.

Integrated transport allocations totalling £1,769 million across the country for 2008/09 to 2010/11, subject only to next year's spending review, are also included in today's announcement.

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