Today, the Government has announced a £5 billion funding boost for bus and bikes routes, to help create cleaner, greener and more convenient transport routes outside of London.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson said:
“Local transport connections have a truly transformative role to play in levelling up infrastructure across the country.
“Our daily journeys for work or leisure are about so much more than just getting from A to B – they are the key to accessing skilled jobs and opportunities, boosting businesses and unlocking economic growth for towns, cities and regions across this country.
“That’s why improving connectivity by overhauling bus services and making cycling easier than ever is such an important step forward, to make sure every community has the foundations it needs to thrive.”
The funding boost will go to improving a number of services, estimated to create more than 250 miles of new cycleways and introduce at least 4000 new Zero Emission Buses.
In addition, it will provide more frequent services, new priority schemes to create more efficient routes and affordable fares.
Later this year, a new National Bus Strategy will be published detailing further plans to overhaul bus networks.
Transport Secretary Grant Shapps said:
“We want everyone across this country to have the transport services they need to improve their lives and opportunities – to do that, we must invest in the here and now.
“Through today’s buses funding we’ll be bringing about a transformation in bus services to every community, speeding up journeys and capping fares to make high-quality services the norm.
“Our long-term commitment to cycling could not be clearer, with money for new routes, more cyclist support and new ‘Mini-Holland’ schemes, set to make our streets the safest they have been for cyclists.”
MP for Gosport, Hill Head, Stubbington and Lee-On-The-Solent, Caroline Dinenage, has worked hard to improve public transport services across the Gosport Constituency. Caroline is well aware of the importance of local bus routes and regularly meets with First Bus, local Councillors and stakeholders to help improve public services, campaigning for the expansion of the Eclipse Bus Scheme which was approved in Spring 2019.
She commented:
“Gosport has infamous congestion and traffic problems getting in and out of our peninsula. I know that many of my constituents heavily rely on public transport day to day for easier and greener travel.
“I am very pleased to see this investment into buses and cycling infrastructure outside of London. It will not only help my constituents get from A to B, but also reduce congestion and traffic pollution across the country. I look forward to seeing the benefits it will bring to our local area.”
