Funding boost for West of England transport projects

Credit: PA

A number of transport projects across the region have received the go-ahead following a meeting of the West of England Joint Committee.

Projects worth more than £17m were approved and awarded funding of just over £10m to improve walking and cycling links, public spaces, public transport and road safety in the region.

The projects are:

  • £2.8m towards speeding up a strengthening, maintenance and improvement scheme for the Bromley Heath Viaduct reducing the time taken from 52 to 33 weeks.

  • £2.2m towards a new single platform rail station next to the Park and Ride at Portway on the Severn Beach Line.

  • £1.8m to relocate a coach park in Bath from Bath Quays North to Odd Down Park and Ride.

  • £3.3m towards 14 separate transport projects across the region including new cycle paths and bus lane enforcement

In February 2017 it was announced by the Communities Secretary Sajid Javid that the West of England had secured £52.8m through the third round of the Local Growth Fund to cover individual projects until 2020/21.

The schemes approved in the sustainable transport packages 2017/18 are:

Bath and North East Somerset

- A39/B3116 junction improvements (£400,000 from Local Growth Fund GF for £550,000 scheme). Improvements to aid traffic flow at the ‘two headed man’ pinch point.

- Cycle Investment Package – three schemes (£40,000 from LGF for £60,000 scheme). Combination of improvements in Midsomer Norton and Bath City Riverside Enterprise Area and grants for employers to encourage cycling and walking to work.

- Safer Routes to Schools (£75,000 from LGF for £125,000 scheme). Progression of design and delivery of schemes to benefit schools in the area .

Bristol

- Rupert Street Bus Priority (£200,000 fully funded). Re-allocating road space so buses take priority where bus passengers already outnumber car occupants by three to one.

- Access to the Arena (£800,000 fully funded). Improving access facilities and drop off points along Albert Road for coaches and taxis.

- Airport Road Cycle Path (£75,000 fully funded). Detailed designs for a continuous cycle route along Airport Road

North Somerset

- Weston Town Centre Regeneration (£500,000 from Local Growth Fund for £700,000 scheme). Visual and physical improvements around the Town Square, South Parade and Regents Street area for walking and cycling.

- Coastal Towns Cycle Route (£10,000 from LGF for £33,0000 scheme) Preliminary works to improve a walking and cycling path, including a missing link on Uphill Road North.

South Gloucestershire

- Access to Emerson’s Green Enterprise Area (£430,000 from LGF for £460,000 scheme). Further construction of the Yate Spur cycle route and design of the Pucklechurch Link for cyclists.

- Access to Bristol North Fringe (£80,000 fully funded). Start of project to improve walking and cycling along the A38 in Filton and Patchway.

- Access to Avonmouth and Severnside Enterprise Area (£450,000 fully funded). Walking and cycling improvements along the A403 between Ableton Lane to Central Avenue for commuter and leisure use.

- Bus Network Enforcement (£240,000 fully funded). Strengthened enforcement of bus lanes with eight poles for cameras and five movable cameras.