17.02.20
Councils' joint £100m transport transformation plan
Derby City Council and Nottingham City Council are eagerly awaiting a decision from the Department for Transport on a joint submission for over £100m for the second phase of the Transforming Cities Fund.
The shared ambition aims to improve connections between the two areas including major employment sites, making it radically easier to get from home to work.
It has also been designed to promote active travel and the use of public transport, contributing to climate change targets and cleaner air in the areas. In line with recent government plans to support more active travel, plans include improved cycle lanes and bus routes along key routes.
Also set out in the plans is the delivery of Derby’s first dedicated mass transit link, featuring a high quality electric Rapid Transit (eRT) route running right across the city centre, linking key intra-city destinations and public areas.
Three new ‘smart’ park and ride hubs, with improved cycling and public transport links have also been proposed within the plans and a demand responsive transport service, linking the rail station and city centre to key employment sites, encouraging commuters to look for alternatives to car travel.
Bus reliability would get a boost under the new plans with priority corridors and infrastructure upgrades.
The two regions of Derby and Nottingham will also benefit from better connections to East Midlands airport if plans are to be greenlighted, with improved real time information, bus priority lanes, cashless payment and seamless ticketing, bike share programmes and the expansion of the rapid electric charge point network.
Councillor Matthew Holmes, Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Planning, Regeneration and Transport said:
“The Council has been determined to make this a truly ambitious bid, demonstrating that Derby is ready to transform transport across the City area and enhance the links between Derby and Nottingham.
“The economic benefits will be huge for both cities because this level of investment offers the chance to implement some really exciting changes, bringing mass transit to the city, and creating public transport innovations and transport experiences.
“A key part of the proposals, for example, is a dramatic expansion of sustainable travel options. These include a network of cycle lanes and an improved environment to encourage walking.
“The overarching ambition is to radically improve the connections between where people live and work, and provide better access to employment and training. As part of our commitment to clear air, we have also designed our programme to deliver significant reductions in emissions, encourage a more active and healthier population, and to support inward investment and regeneration projects.”
Photo: Derby City Council