With one of the fastest growing economies in the country, and three significant growth areas wholly or partly in the region, the area faces unique transport challenges as it prepares to support additional homes and jobs whilst at the same time protecting the existing quality of its communities.
Rosie Winterton announced that as part of the settlement, a £2.5million scheme to improve Luton's Kimpton Road, Windmill Road, Osborne Road and Osborne Road bridge will go ahead, allowing better road conditions for motorists travelling on these routes.
The recent Eddington Transport Study demonstrated that relatively low cost schemes can play a major role in creating a sustainable, efficient local transport network. It is these types of schemes - better roads, improved road safety measures, street lighting, maintenance, park and ride, cycle lanes - that the Local Transport Capital Settlement is aimed at supporting.
Rosie Winterton said:
"I'm delighted that we can provide this funding to support the local schemes that can help meet the East's own unique challenges. I know from my visits here over the summer that a lot of work has been undertaken to reduce car use and promote healthier, more sustainable alternatives. I hope this funding will allow this good work to continue."
Minister for the East of England, Barbara Follett said:
"I welcome this funding, which will help motorists, cyclists, pedestrians and public transport users throughout the East of England. I am particularly pleased by the priority given to environmentally friendly and healthier forms of transport in our region."
Examples of recent transport projects that make a genuine difference in the region include:
- Norfolk's 'Safer and Healthier Journeys to School' where new road crossings, footways and cycleways have seen 4,000 more children travelling to school on foot or by bike than two years ago.
- The expansion of Luton's cycle route network from 9km in 2003 to 70km today.
- Over £4m improvements to the A131 to improve local journey times and congestion levels in the Essex Growth Area.
- New walking and cycling routes in Peterborough lit by solar-powered LED lights as routemarkers.
- A number of motorcycle safety initiatives including a 'Motorcycling Matters' website and Emergency Aid for Bikers courses.
This is in addition to larger schemes such as the £5.5bn Thameslink modernisation increasing capacity from Bedford to London by up to 70% by 2011; £92.5m towards the Cambridgeshire Guided Busway from St Ives to Cambridge; and £32m towards improving safety on the A14 between Haughley New Street and Stowmarket in Suffolk.
The Local Transport Capital Settlement is given to local authorities to help them deliver transport improvements. Whilst previous Capital Settlements were issued on an annual basis, this settlement provides increases for the three year period to 2010/11 giving Local Authorities greater certainty to plan for the coming years.
The East of England will also benefit from £42 million through the Specific Road Safety Grant announced last year. The grant means more money and flexibility for local authorities to deliver safer roads.
