Plans to relocate a coach park at Bath Quays North to Odd Down Park and Ride – costing £1.8 million pounds – is one of many projects across the region given the go-ahead today (Wednesday 28 June) by the West of England Joint Committee of the new Combined Authority.
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. They underpin the aims of The Local Growth Fund and Economic Development Fund of supporting economic growth and improving connectivity.
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; and
- £3.3m towards 14 separate transport projects across the region including new cycle paths and bus lane enforcement.
The Local Growth Fund is awarded to Local Enterprise Partnerships (LEPs) who consider competitive bids that demonstrate they will create new infrastructure to encourage growth, support business investment and create jobs. Any additional funding required has been found from other local and Government sources.
West of England Mayor Tim Bowles said: “Through the Local Growth Fund the Joint Committee can approve projects that will deliver much-needed infrastructure for the region. Today we’ve approved a range of large and small transport projects that add up to deliver a better-connected region.”
Local Enterprise Partnership interim chair Professor Steve West said: “Approval for these projects show that we can work together to make the West of England an attractive option for business and industry. As part of the area’s wider funding programme, these are important steps in ensuring that our transport infrastructure meets the growth needs of the region.”
The Joint West of England Committee met for the first time on June 28 and is the decision making body for issues relating to the four unitary authorities and the Local Enterprise Partnership.
Details of the meeting can be found at www.westofengland-ca.org.uk
FOR YOUR INFORMATION:
- 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.
