Funding to tackle congestion

Transport Secretary, Patrick McLoughlin, has announced £165m worth of funding to tackle congested roads across England. This is the second tranche of funding from the £190m Local Pinch Point Fund, first announced in December 2012. A further 62 schemes have won department funding, bringing the total number of projects financed by the fund to 72. Combined with local contributions, the total investment rises to more than £300m. According to the DfT, many of the schemes will help enhance provision for buses, as well as improving facilities for cycling and walking.

Transport Secretary, Patrick McLoughlin, said, ‘This government is taking action on both jobs and growth. The schemes we have announced today (31 May 2013) are designed to target key bottlenecks around the country, making life easier for the thousands of motorists and businesses who use the local road network every day. Investing in these schemes shows that the government is serious about accelerating growth where it is needed most. These schemes have the potential to help create more than 100,000 jobs and around 100,000 new homes. I look forward to seeing works underway as soon as possible.’