Warwickshire champions Midlands transport
Warwickshire County Council has clinched half a million pounds in government funding to demonstrate how tackling transport issues can help combat climate change.
And in securing the money the county becomes the only authority in the Midlands to benefit from the Department for Transport cash.
Warwickshire has now been asked by the Government office to act as a champion for the Midlands on transport issues, demonstrating to others the best practice in the county.
Warwickshire gained the money to target four key areas:
Traffic and highway management to help reduce bus journey times.
Reducing street lighting material use and energy consumption.
Improving drainage solutions.
Reducing material use while maintaining asset value.
The exact split of the money between these four areas and specific projects is still being decided upon by Warwickshire County Council.
All of the projects are likely to have a climate change theme and help Warwickshire work towards its environmental targets.
Roger Newham, the county council’s Chief Transport Planner, said: “I’m delighted to see Warwickshire being recognised by the Department for Transport and becoming a regional champion.
“Climate change is arguably the most significant environmental issue facing Warwickshire and the UK as a whole and the effects (real and potential) are well documented. It is vital that climate change issues, including measures to help reduce energy consumption, are taken into account when managing the highway asset.
“During 2007 the county council launched its climate change strategy, the overarching aim of which is to ‘reduce greenhouse gas emissions in Warwickshire to at least the level set out by Government policy; 15-18 per cent reduction by 2010 and a 60 per cent reduction by 2050 (against 1990 levels).
“It is vital that the highway asset both adapts to help meet the Warwickshire climate change targets, and responds to the effects of climate change (for example more extreme weather conditions). The four key areas above will be targeted to help achieve this.
“For example, by making bus journeys more attractive we reduce congestion and improve air quality, or by using the extensive flood mapping and data recovered in the last couple of years we can better prepare drainage ahead of possible severe weather.”