Multi-millions agreed to progress key transport improvements

Multi-millions agreed to progress key transport improvements

The Combined Authority for Cambridgeshire and Peterborough have today agreed multi-million pounds of investment into transport improvement schemes in the region.

The Board agreed that £2.25m will be made available to commission feasibility studies and business cases into key strategic schemes including the dualling of the A47, the A47 to M11 extension and the upgrading of the A10.

Charles Roberts, Portfolio Holder for Transport and Infrastructure said: “The Combined Authority is committed to improving transport connections and delivering sustainable growth across the area.

Devolution has given the Combined Authority the power to consider bold and innovative solutions to overcome long-standing infrastructure needs and we will work hard to ensure that the most effective solutions are thoroughly investigated to ensure they can be delivered.”

Furthermore, the Committee were asked to approve four schemes to be submitted to the National Productivity Investment Fund (NPIF) run by the Department for Transport. The go-ahead was given to enter bids for funding for Junction 18 improvements on the A47, for a package of junction improvements in March to address congestion problems, improvements to junctions providing access to the Wisbech South development area, and the A605 Whittlesey access Phase 2.

Mayor James Palmer said: “If the bids for funding are successful, the money will collectively support the delivery of around 7,000 new homes, the creation of around 3,000 new jobs and will help address traffic congestion.

“Transport infrastructure improvements are a key element of both my 100 day plan and for the future development of the region, and today’s meeting has demonstrated that the Combined Authority members are all committed to working together to bring forward much needed development to boost the future economic growth of our region.”

As part of the Autumn Statement 2016 the Government announced the creation of the National Productivity Investment Fund (NPIF), worth a total of £23bn for investment in areas that are key to boosting productivity, transport, digital communication, R&D and housing.
In January 2017, the Department for Transport (DfT) allocated £185m from the NPIF to local highways authorities to upgrade local roads in 2017/18 of which Cambridgeshire was allocated £2.89m and Peterborough £0.77m. The DfT subsequently announced that £490m from the NPIF would be available through a competitive bidding process for spend in Financial Year 2018/19 and 2019/20.

Further detail of the schemes can be found within the agenda papers for the Combined Authority meeting on 28th June 2016.