DfT launches £60m sustainable transport fund

Local authorities are being invited to bid for a share of the Department for Transport’s (DfT) £60 million green Sustainable Travel Access Fund.

The fund is designed to boost walking and cycling in local communities and has been launched to encourage councils to offer sustainable transport initiatives which can improve access to jobs, skills, training and education.

The cash, which will support projects over three years from 2017 to 2020, is part of a wider government fund of over £300m to boost walking and cycling during the current parliament.

Councils are being encouraged to look at opportunities to work together on devising schemes. The successful authorities will be asked to contribute 10% of their scheme costs.

They are encouraged to work alongside Local Enterprise Partnerships (LEPs), many of whom will be including sustainable transport measures, including walking and cycling investment, proposals to be submitted next month in a further round of Growth Deals where up to £1.8 billion will be available.

Cycling and walking Minister Robert Goodwill said: “Green sustainable transport schemes cut congestion, improve air quality and can make it easier for people to get around more efficiently and effectively.

“We are investing over £300m to support cycling and walking schemes in this parliament, and this new scheme is aimed at kick-starting innovative and sustainable council projects.”

The closing date for councils to bid for a share of the new fund is Friday 9 September. Councils across England can apply, excluding London which falls under the jurisdiction of the Mayor.