The DfT has announced a £560m Local Sustainable Transport Fund, which will be available for local authorities to bid for from 2011-2015.
In a written statement, Norman Baker, parliamentary under-secretary of state for transport, said: “The guidance will invite local transport authorities in England (outside London) to apply for funding to support the cost of a range of sustainable travel measures.
“Packages might, for example, include measures that promote walking and cycling, encourage modal shift, manage effectively demands on the network, secure better traffic management, improve road safety and improve access and mobility for local communities.
“The guidance will also set out the criteria against which decisions on the allocation of funding will be taken. The criteria will include meeting the core objectives of supporting economic growth and reducing carbon.
“Bids will also need to demonstrate value for money, deliverability and affordability of package proposals. We wish to support as many local transport authorities as possible through the Fund.”
Cycling England has recommended a number of resources to assist local authorities to prepare bids. These include a short DVD demonstrating successful initiatives from the first six cycling demonstration towns, and a summary of the headline results from the first three years of the cycling demonstration towns’ programme.
Click here to read Norman Baker’s statement, or click here to read the full Cycling England report.
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