Good transport links are essential to any new housing development, and this money from the Community Infrastructure Fund will unlock the potential in the region for delivering the new homes that will help to ease long-term housing need from first time buyers and families on waiting lists.
The 8 projects that will deliver a range of new vital transport projects across the East of England are.
- Cambridge Gateway £3m
- Postwick Hub, in Norwich Greater Norwich Development Partnership £21m
- Ipswich central area transport improvements in the Haven Gateway £3.45m
- New A12 Junction, Colchester in the Haven Gateway £11.2m
- King's Lynn South Transport Major £5.3m
- First Avenue, Multi-modal Corridor, Phase II, Harlow London-Harlow-Stansted growth Area £3.58m
- Luton Parkway Station £1m
- Harlow A414 duelling at a cost of £9.9m
This funding will also support 718 jobs in the region as part of the Government's fiscal stimulus to support the economy in the current climate.
Margaret Beckett said:
"This funding will help to deliver new homes that the East of England desperately needs to meet long term demand from first time buyers and families on waiting lists. We know that good transport links are vital to successful communities and these projects will unlock the potential for new housing where it is needed. By investing today in tomorrow's infrastructure we are helping to ensure the foundations are in place to support economic recovery, while also creating and safeguarding jobs right now."
Paul Clark said:
"I am delighted by the quality and range of schemes that we are funding. Around 60 per cent of the schemes that we are supporting include sustainable transport initiatives - reflecting a real commitment to supporting housing growth through sustainable means.
"Transport is essential to supporting housing growth and the Community Infrastructure Fund is real evidence of the significant focus that Government places on this critical policy."
Minister for the East of England, Barbara Follett said:
"This is good news for the people of East of England. The funding announced today will help to improve vital transport links and support the resolution of the region's long term housing needs."
The 29 national schemes allocated funding are all small to medium scale transport projects in locations that are committed to building more homes and are keen to deliver improvements to their transport infrastructure to support this growth, as part of the government's specially designated Growth Areas and Growth Points programme.
The 29 schemes that have been allocated funding today show the important role transport infrastructure can play in developing new communities.
Another 26 schemes are being invited to submit full business cases for consideration for a further £30m from the Community Infrastructure Fund together with any remaining funding from the first round. Decisions will be announced over the summer.
Reflecting the Government's commitment to promoting travel choice, as part of the action against climate change, over half the schemes announced today by Communities and Local Government and the Department for Transport propose sustainable transport solutions such as bus routes, rail improvement or park and ride facilities, with some schemes covering a combination of travel modes.
The Community Infrastructure Fund is being managed on behalf of Government by the Homes and Communities Agency.
