The green light is set to be given to a massive programme of transport improvements in Nottingham that has received unprecedented financial backing from the UK government.
A £161m package of schemes will strengthen connections between major employment sites in the city, upgrade public transport and improve options for people on foot or bikes.
A number of the full schemes will now see temporary measures go in first to encourage people to walk and cycle more as lockdown is lifted.
Nottingham City Council put together a joint bid with Derby City Council for a share of the government’s Transforming Cities Fund, which was the only one in the country to receive the full amount requested from the Department of Transport. Some schemes will see improved connections between the two cities, such as upgrading cycle links.
Go ahead for the schemes is expected to be given at next week’s Executive Board meeting (June 16), including:
- Cycle lane improvements along key routes to employment sites
- Increasing the number of parking spaces at tram Park & Ride sites
- ‘Bus priority corridors’ – upgrading the signals at key junctions to improve bus reliability on major routes
- Improvements for public transport passengers, pedestrians and cyclists in the area around Nottingham Station
- Bike hire improvements, including electric bikes
- A new bus Park & Ride site near the A60/A614 junction north of Nottingham, along with bus priority and signal upgrades on the A60
- A major upgrade to the real-time information system at bus stops
- Introducing contactless payment
- Expanding the rapid electric charge point network for cars and taxis
- Workplace Travel Service – continued funding for the council’s business support package, which helps businesses offer sustainable travel options for their staff.
Further transport improvements will be carried out under the Future Transport Zone programme, after Nottingham was named as one of four areas in the country to trial innovate transport solutions and technologies. The government has awarded a grant of £16.7m for a number of schemes, including trials of e-scooters and e-bikes and improvements to traffic information and ticketing, which are also set to be approved by the council’s Executive Board.
Councillor Adele Williams, Nottingham City Council’s portfolio holder for transport said: “At a time when alternative ways of travelling are being recognised as increasingly important, it’s fantastic that Nottingham is once again at the forefront, securing unprecedented levels of government funding for a wide range of schemes that will make a big difference for local people.
“We’re building on the good foundations of our excellent public transport system and some great walking and cycling facilities. These schemes will help to connect some of the gaps in our cycle network, especially to employment sites. We plan to put some ‘pop-up’ facilities in ahead of the full schemes so people can start to use these routes as lockdown restrictions are eased.”
