Ministers visit communities sharing in huge transport investment
Transport ministers announce Local Growth Deal benefits.
Transport Secretary Patrick McLoughlin, Baroness Kramer and Stephen Hammond have visited sites across England receiving a share of billions of pounds of Local Growth Deal investment.
The Local Growth Deals include around £3 billion of government funding for new local transport schemes – the largest investment of its kind for more than a decade.
Of this, around £1.8 billion is for over 200 projects starting next year with a further £1.3 billion for 120 potential new schemes to start from 2016/17 onwards.
The Secretary of State for Transport was in Lancashire yesterday (7 July 2014) where he visited Blackpool and Preston, both set to benefit from the Local Growth Deal. He also visited Lytham St Anne’s, where the deal will provide the funding needed to continue construction of the M55 St Anne’s Link Road, unlocking major development in the area.
He also saw how Department for Transport funding is helping tackle pinchpoints and potholes on Lancashire’s road network.
Patrick McLoughlin said:
Up and down the country people will see real benefits of the £3 billion announced today for transport schemes. Transport infrastructure is critical to keep the country moving and investing in these projects will help our long term economic plan, driving local and national growth.
Lancashire’s growth deal will see the county receiving £128 million of government investment, with transport heavily featured. Funding will support a number of schemes that look to capitalise on the strength of the Central Lancashire economy around Preston and improve transport links in other areas to employment and housing growth.
Baroness Kramer was in Dorset, where she visited Poole port and Bournemouth Airport. Dorset’s £50 million growth deal includes funding for upgrading the A338 spur road to the airport along with a package of other junction improvements to ease congestion for commuters in and around the area. Poole will receive funding to build on previous investment on its Twin Sails Bridge, opening the port and town centre for further development including new homes, marine and leisure facilities.
Across the country, many of the transport schemes being funded through the growth deals will provide a real boost for sustainable transport with around 50 schemes sharing close to £600 million of government money supporting public transport, walking and cycling.
Rail Minister Stephen Hammond visited Norfolk. The east of England will receive £517 million for 36 transport projects which will include new routes for local trains and trams, road junction improvements to ease congestion, new link roads to cut down on journey times, better public transport and improved cycling facilities.
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