Cities across the UK have been invited to bid for a share of an £840 million transport improvement fund, the Prime Minister has announced.
Theresa May said the funding would help “spread growth beyond London and empower local businesses to create more, better-paying jobs”.
Local authorities in Derby and Nottingham, Leicester, the North East, Norwich, Plymouth, Portsmouth, Southampton, Sheffield, Stoke-on-Trent and West Yorkshire have been invited to bid for a share of the funding.
The Government say the extra cash could go towards new bus routes and major employment hubs, smart technology aimed at reducing congestion, or rolling out docking stations for e-bikes.
Mrs May said: “Our great cities and their suburbs are home to millions of people and world-beating businesses. We want to help them succeed, so as part of our modern industrial strategy we will fund £840 million of upgrades for better, safer, faster transport links.
“These improvements to vital infrastructure will help spread growth beyond London and empower local businesses to create more, better-paying jobs – opening up more opportunities to help people get on in life and be rewarded for their hard work.”
Transport Secretary Chris Grayling added: “Good bus, cycle and tram routes play a huge role in increasing the vitality and vibrancy of cities. These 10 areas now have the chance to transform their transport systems – making it easier for people to get around and enhance links to work, school or shops.”
The ten shortlisted city regions will each receive an initial £50,000 as well as support from Government to co-develop the strongest cases for investment.
Once finalised, ministers will consider the relative strength of each bid and their impact on “improving connectivity, supporting employment and driving up productivity”.
The announcement marks the next stage of the £1.7 billion transforming cities fund, which has so far handed cash to councils in the West Midlands, Greater Manchester, Cambridge and Peterborough, Liverpool, the West of England and Tees Valley.
