South Yorkshire to receive millions of pounds for transport improvements - but figure is much less than the amount hoped for
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Chancellor Rishi Sunak announced in this month’s Budget that the Sheffield City Region (SCR) will receive £166 million in Transforming Cities Fund (TCF) money.
But SCR bosses had hoped to receive up to £220 million and estimated a lower end sum of £180 million.
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Hide AdSCR Mayor Dan Jarvis welcomed the investment and said central government had also ‘indicated support’ for Supertram renewal which is up in 2024.
The TCF cash will be used for a number of transport and infrastructure schemes including proposals for the AMID corridor which connects Sheffield and Rotherham.
A report highlights the Sheffield Parkway and the M1 which is regularly hit with congestion issues and is monitored through an air quality zone.
Transport chiefs have said this has resulted from a ‘lack of effective public transport connections’ to new areas of employment at Waverley.
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Hide AdDocuments also highlight congestion around the Inner Ring Road in Sheffield city centre and on radial routes to the west and south of the city where ‘buses are often delayed at peak times’.
The money will be spent on a new station on the tram-train network at Magna along with park and ride facilities; improvements to Darnall railway station; trials of low-emission buses to reduce pollution and identifying routes where public transport is often caught up in traffic jams.
Despite the lower amount, Sheffield City Region mayor, Dan Jarvis said the money is a ‘significant investment’ and welcomed more money for flood defences.
Mayor Jarvis said: “We have secured £166m funding for South Yorkshire’s transport network...this is significant investment, which will make a huge difference to passengers across the region: reducing journey times, cutting congestion and improving punctuality and reliability.
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Hide Ad“We have had to fight hard for this cash, but it will make a big difference to people’s lives, and I welcome the announcement that there is more investment to follow.
“The Government has indicated its support for the Supertram renewal as part of £4.2 billion additional transport funding available to Combined Authorities.”