THE Mayor of the Sheffield City Region Dan Jarvis has formally submitted six active travel and public transport schemes to the government for consideration - including one proposed for Barnsley.
The schemes totalling almost £10m have been submitted to the government’s Transforming Cities Fund and cover Barnsley, Doncaster, Rotherham and Sheffield.
In Barnsley the plans are for an off-road direct cycle route along the A635, which will link Ardsley and Darfield to employment opportunities within the Dearne Valley. This comes after it was announced in September that Sheffield City Region was one of ten shortlisted areas in the country to receive Transforming Cities funding.
“It is critical that we improve the transport system across our region, to create better access to major employment sites, better integrate different modes of transport and create services and infrastructure fit for the 21st century,” said Dan. A crucial part of this is enabling people to travel in a more active way; whether that is by foot, bike or by public transport.
“By prioritising active travel we can improve people’s health, cut carbon emissions and reduce congestion.
“Following the publication of my transport vision last month, this submission to the Transforming Cities Fund is an important next step.
“I look forward to working with the Department for Transport as we develop our detailed plans.”
The government has been allocated £60m to be given to projects in this financial year, for schemes that can commence delivery before the end of March. In total, the Transforming Cities Fund is worth more than £2bn.
This bid from the Sheffield City Region, a total of £9.3m to go alongside £6.3m in match funding, has the support of all four local authorities involved as well as South Yorkshire Passenger Transport Executive, the region’s main bus operator, and the Sheffield City Region Local Enterprise Partnership.
Four of the schemes, including Barnsley, are to promote active travel. This includes the creation of cycle lanes, new cycle and pedestrian crossings, and a series of cycling and walking improvement works.
Together, the proposed works aim to enable people to choose affordable, greener and healthier forms of travel.
The schemes will better connect homes, transport interchanges, employment and recreational opportunities by using safer, more direct and convenient routes. A decision from the government as to which schemes will be progressed is expected to be announced before the end of March.
