DfT confirms three-year £4billion investment in local transport

A further £4billion will be invested in delivering better, more integrated local transport over the next three years, Transport Minister Rosie Winterton confirmed today.

The Local Transport Capital Settlement will allow local authorities to plan and fund important community projects, such as bus infrastructure improvements, cycle lanes, new road safety measures, better street lighting and road maintenance.

The funding announced today is in addition to the £7.9billion planned to fund major transport projects across the regions between 06/07 and 2015/16.

Rosie Winterton said: "Well planned local transport can transform communities. We have already invested more than £8 billion over the past 7 years on projects to support this and I am today confirming £4 billion of sustained investment to continue to support local transport for the next three years.

"Tackling congestion, improving road safety and providing genuine alternatives to the car are essential to people's quality of life and the economy. And without good local transport none of this is achievable.

The Eddington transport study demonstrated how small local transport improvements that tackle congestion, improve integration and provide genuine alternatives to the car often provide the best returns.

"We are already making great progress in reducing road casualties, improving the condition of local roads and encouraging cycling. And through our commitment to long term funding for local transport we can continue the momentum."

The Local Transport Capital Settlement is allocated to local authorities to help them meet the needs of their communities. Today's investment includes £2,268million for highways capital maintenance and £1,768million for smaller transport improvement schemes.

Local authorities will also benefit from a share of a £286m grant to improve road safety over three years, announced last year.