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 5 projects that will deliver a range of new vital transport projects across the East Midlands are:
- Waterside Sanvey Gate Junction Improvement, Leicester £1.85m
- Birstall Park and Ride, Leicester £2.75m
- A14 Kettering Ramp Metering £1.3m
- Northampton Modal-Shift Measures £6.87m
- Northampton to Wellingborough Bus Rapid Transit £5.3m
This funding will also support 189 jobs in the region as part of the Government's fiscal stimulus to support the economy in the current climate.
A further transport scheme in the East Midlands has been shortlisted for funding and a final decision will be made over the summer.
Housing Minister Margaret Beckett said:
"This funding will help to deliver new homes that the East Midlands desperately need 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."
Transport Minister 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."
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.
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