Midlands councils bid for public transport funding

A joint outline business case has been submitted by Derby City Council and Nottingham City Council for up to £188 million of funding to improve public transport, reduce congestion and better connect the two cities.

As part of the Department for Transport’s Transforming Cities Fund, the authorities want the investment to improve bus priority by advancing technologies for urban and inter-urban bus services , as well as upgrading and extending the network of tram and bus-based Park & Ride sites across the area.

If successful, the funding will also boost walking and cycling infrastructure, including Nottingham’s cycle routes though the Boots Enterprise Zone and Beeston to the edge of the urban area, as well as arterial urban cycle routes through green gaps between Derby, Nottingham and the airport.

Matthew Holmes, deputy leader of Derby City Council, said: “As a council, we are committed to improving infrastructure to enable our businesses to grow and people to have better access to jobs and learning. We also want to work collaboratively with our neighbours and businesses across the region to address the continuing imbalance in Government funding between the East Midlands and the South East.

“The National Infrastructure Commission said last year in their National Infrastructure Assessment that where cities can demonstrate credible joined-up plans that show how infrastructure can release housing and employment, they should be given the devolved powers and funding to be able to invest in their areas.

“If we are successful later in the year, this funding will help us make a difference in air quality, cutting carbon emissions and making all sustainable transport in the city more accessible and more attractive to people. We very much look forward to continuing to work closely with Nottingham City Council, transport providers and partners to improve connectivity around the region.”

The Department for Transport launched the Transforming Cities Fund in 2018 with 12 city-regions invited to bid for funding from a total pot of £1.28 billion. The final business case will be submitted in November 2019.