Transport schemes across England, designed to boost economic growth and reduce carbon emissions, were given the go ahead today thanks to £155 million of Government investment.

Liberal Democrat Transport Minister, Norman Baker said:

“I am delighted to be able to fund these excellent projects.

“All the winning schemes have one thing in common – they will help build strong local economies while addressing the urgent challenge of climate change.

“We have empowered local authorities to create packages of sustainable initiatives that are tailored for their local areas, and this is only the beginning – even more funding will be announced next summer following a second round of bids.”

Julian Huppert, co-chair of the Liberal Democrat parliamentary transport committee:

“Too often people face little choice but to get behind the wheel and join the morning rush hour gridlock.

“We want to make it easier for people to leave the car at home and use convenient, green local transport. That’s what this money does.

“Not only will this boost the local economy, it will make the morning commute easier, safer and more sustainable.”

39 projects have won funding as part of the first allocation from the Local Sustainable Transport Fund. They cover 8 regions and a total of 37 local authorities, with many more as partners. All have been judged to be effective in hitting the Fund’s two key objectives of creating growth and cutting carbon.

The successful schemes include a variety of measures such as smart ticketing, the promotion of infrastructure for electric vehicles, bus and rail improvement measures, cycling and walking and are designed to link together to create a sustainable transport package that delivers economic growth.

Successful bids include:

?South Yorkshire, where there are plans to introduce a ‘wheels to work scheme’ to help those in the most isolated areas get to work by bike, scooter or electric scooter, as well as new cycle infrastructure and a ‘Jobconnector’ bus service to provide access to a new employment site.

?Oxford, where the Council plans to support economic growth and development in the town centre by expanding the Park and Ride scheme, while introducing a single integrated smart card for car parking, bus and cycle hire.

?Lowestoft, where a new swing bridge for pedestrians and cyclists will enable residents and visitors to travel more easily within the town, targeting a congestion pinch point to bring additional footfall to local shops.

?Stratford upon Avon, where plans include a new rail station and supporting train services; park and ride bus service enhancement and a walking and cycling facility to link the station with key residential and employment areas.

?Hampshire, where there are plans for a package of measures including car sharing, electric vehicle charging posts and improvement to bus services, by providing better information and ticketing using a smart phone application.

?Plymouth, whose bid to introduce ITSO smart ticketing will support economic growth, reduce carbon and enhance social mobility throughout the South West of England.

More information about the fund can be found at the Department For Transport website