Wheels in motion for bid
HALTON Borough Council is mulling a bid for a share of £60m in funding aimed at boosting environmentally friendly modes of travel.
The local authority said it is considering submitting a joint bid to the Sustainable Transport Access Fund (STAF) as part of the Liverpool City Region.
Last Thursday, July 7, the Government announced that £60m was up for grabs for schemes aimed at boosting air quality and access to jobs, skills, training and education.
The Department For Transport (DfT) said the cash will support projects over three years from 2017-20, and is part of a wider £300m Whitehall bid to increase walking and cycling during this parliament.
Local authorities awarded cash will be asked to contribute 10% to scheme costs and are encouraged to work along- side local enterprise partnerships, many of which are expected to include sustainable transport measures such as walking and cycling investment in proposals to be submitted next month in a further round of city region growth deals with up to £1.8bn available.
Halton Council has until September 9 to submit its bid.
Robert Goodwill, cycling and walking minister, said: “Green sustainable transport schemes cut congestion, improve air quality and can make it easier for people to get around more efficiently.
“We are investing over £300m to support cycling and walking schemes in this parliament, and this new scheme is aimed at kickstarting innovative and sustainable council projects.”
A council spokesman said: “Merseytravel will co-ordinate the submission but its early days at the moment.”