Millions of people across the UK are benefiting from a new £104 million funding for local transport.
Unlike previous allocations focused on the Metropolitan Centre, this latest round expands resources to England’s largest non-city towns, rural communities and regions.
The investment, part of the Local Transportation Grant (LTG), will allow local authorities to design and provide projects that will make the biggest difference to their residents.
Councils in the Northwest, Yorkshire, Humber, East Midlands and West Midlands have undergone significant uplifts that allow for detailed plans to be developed to suit the needs of the community.
Heidi Alexander, UK Secretary of Transport, explained the importance of this investment. “Transportation connections are the foundation of a thriving community, and that is why we help local authorities change the journey of millions of people across the UK.
“This investment will help the council improve transportation for local people – from cleaner baths to safer cycling routes, linking the community with employment, education and critical services.
“By putting resources directly into the hands of local leaders, we ensure that every part of the country will benefit from a better transport link that supports economic growth and provides opportunities.”
How local governments use their funds
The grant gives legislature the flexibility to choose ways to improve their local transportation network. Potential projects include:
Introducing a new zero-emission bus. Improved accessibility for disabled passengers. Tackling the crowds in the busy town centre. Upgraded lighting and a new pedestrian intersection make the street safer. Creating a better cycling infrastructure.
With this flexible approach, investments ensure that you support your most important journey, whether you commute to work, access to education, or to reach rural essential shops and services.
Enhance work, education and services
Reliable and affordable local transportation plays a key role in connecting people with opportunities.
Short trips under 5 miles account for about 70% of travel. In other words, small improvements can have a major impact on daily life.
By addressing transport barriers, the council will help residents access new jobs, training opportunities and public services, while reducing social isolation in hard-to-reach communities.
David Skys, mayor of York and North Yorkshire, added:
“After decades of neglect, we cannot realize our transport aspirations overnight. However, this funding is a welcome boost to help our community bring together the skills and expertise needed to provide transport improvements across York and North Yorkshire that we want and see.”
Community Benefits
The potential benefits of this fund are not merely improving roads and bus routes.
The important results are:
By giving local councils the freedom to plan and prioritize, fundraising promises long-term benefits far beyond transportation alone.
Building on previous commitments
This £104 million boost follows the government’s broad £2.2 billion commitment to providing councils with multi-year certainty for planning and investment.
Together, these measures represent one of the most important UK efforts to support local transport in decades, ensuring that even smaller towns and rural areas are better connected and more resilient in the future.
Source link
