05.11.18
West Midlands Combined Authority granted £43m for investment in travel projects
The West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA) will this week consider a £43m government investment in 10 projects designed to tackle congestion in the region.
In an announcement today, money from the Transforming Cities Fund would be used to support a range of projects including rail and tram links.
Projects supported include a £10m boost to help fund a new £18m bus and metro station at the Dudley Interchange; a £3m redevelopment of University Rail Station; and £5m granted towards improvements to New Street, High Street, and Victoria Square, to help create walkable links between bus, tram, and rail services.
Some £1.5m will also be granted to the West Midland’s Regional Transport Coordination Centre.
The grants of between £237,000 and £10m will be put before the West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA) Board for approval on Friday 9 November.
Further projects will see funds invested in highway improvements, cleaner buses and the planned Regional Transport Coordination Centre – which will monitor and act on congestion.
WMCA portfolio holder for transport and leader of City of Wolverhampton Council, Cllr Roger Lawrence, said the major projects are all designed to “keep the region moving.”
“This investment in sustainable transport will benefit commuters, improve air quality and support the wider economic growth of the West Midlands.”
Mayor of the West Midlands Andy Street added: “We know that may of our residents face daily frustrations as they travel and commute throughout the West Midlands and improving our transport network is a priority.
“So, we have agreed, with our transport and local authority partners, to help fund ten projects from across the whole region, which will make a real difference to residents whether they travel by car, bus, rail or cycle.”
Last year the WMCA was awarded £250m from the government’s Transforming Cities Fund to support sustainable transport, and £207m will fund the Midland Metro extension between Wednesbury and Brierley Hill.
This boost to rail transport in the Midlands is the latest of investments that will be discussed and promoted at TransCityRail Midlands 2019. Click here to find out more.
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