A MULTI-MILLION pound scheme which set out to boost employment and transport links across Barnsley will be discussed by ruling cabinet members in the town next month.
Key schemes including the town centre’s ‘digital campus’, the Dearne Valley corridor and junction 36 of the M1 were included in the plan, which formed the Transforming Cities Fund (TCF) bid.
The funding, which Barnsley was approved for last month, focuses on the three large areas which could most benefit from significant improvements across rail, public transport and active travel schemes with a view to encouraging business growth in the town.
The aim is to reduce journey times, cut congestion, improve punctuality and reliability, and bring about a wide range of benefits associated with active travel, such as health and wellbeing.
Barnsley will be given a share of £17.2m which will also be distributed between Castle Ward, Hexham, Huddersfield, Hull, Leeds, Middlesbrough, North Shields, Northallerton, Scarborough, Selby, Skipton, Sowerby Bridge and Wakefield.
Ruling cabinet members in the town are set to formally adopt Barnsley’s allocation, which has not yet been revealed, at a meeting on November 13.
Dan Jarvis, MP for Barnsley Central, oversaw the bid through his role as Mayor of Sheffield City Region.
“It’s critical that we improve the transport system in our region to create better access to major employment sites, reduce congestion, better integrate different modes of transport and make our transport network fit for the 21st century,” he added.
“I have seen first-hand what local areas can do when they come together to drive economic growth, but I’ve also seen how limited and constrained they are by the powers and resources available to them.
“By investing in developments such as these we will create jobs, attract investment, boost our tourism offer and also continue our strong track record in building places where people want to live and work.”
