Multi-million pound public transport win for Leamington and Warwick
Warwickshire County Council has welcomed the Department for Transport’s announcement that a £14.8 million scheme to introduce a raft of public transport improvements in Leamington and Warwick has been approved.
The Government has announced the Warwickshire scheme would be among the latest three transport schemes in the West Midlands to get the all clear.
The scheme in Leamington and Warwick joins a congestion tackling project in Dudley and a £10.36 million plan to improve public transport access to Birmingham International Airport and NEC in getting the go ahead.
Leamington and Warwick’s scheme was considered as part of a ten-year programme of transport improvements to tackle congestion, improve safety and invest in public transport.
In July of last year the Government asked the Regional Assembly, the Regional Development Agency and other partners for advice on transport priorities for the £979 million it has provisionally allocated for transport investment in the region up to 2015/16.
The Government expects to fund 34 transport schemes in the West Midlands and the Leamington and Warwick scheme is among the latest three approved.
The Leamington and Warwick Integrated Public Transport Improvements (SPARK) includes a park and ride, new bus stations at Warwick and Leamington Spa, bus priority routes and 20 new buses.
The aim of the scheme is to provide integrated transport provision that will improve connectivity and accessibility between Warwick and Leamington Spa. It will also provide better access to rail, and a reduction in congestion by providing a viable alternative to the car on what are currently busy corridors between the two towns.
John Deegan, Warwickshire County Council’s Strategic Director of Environment and Economy, said: “I welcome the Government announcement, and I’m looking forward to the implementation of this scheme as soon as possible.”
Cllr Martin Heatley, Warwickshire County Council’s Portfolio Holder for the Environment, said: “Improving public transport links is crucial to both ensuring the economic and environmental sustainability of the area.”
Government Transport Minister Gillian Merron said: “By giving regions a long term funding guideline and involving them in the decision making process, we have for the first time given them a bigger say in which transport schemes are delivered locally.”