Record transport investment approved to improve everyday journeys across York and North Yorkshire
People across York and North Yorkshire are set to benefit from a record programme of transport investment, aimed at making everyday journeys safer, easier and more accessible over the next four years.
Approved by the Mayor and Members of York and North Yorkshire Combined Authority, the investment will support improvements making travel safer, more accessible and support better connections across the region through to 2030.
The investment will help maintain and improve existing transport networks while supporting future enhancements that benefit residents, businesses and visitors.
David Skaith, Mayor of York and North Yorkshire said:
"We're investing record amounts to fix our streets and make them safer for everyone who uses them.
"This record investment of £456 million is a defining moment for our region, we’re moving away from short-term fixes and delivering the long-term solutions residents expect."
Developed in partnership with North Yorkshire Council and City of York Council, the programme sets out how devolved transport funding will be invested to deliver local priorities across York and North Yorkshire.
The approved programme includes improvements to local access routes, public spaces, walking, wheeling and cycling infrastructure, alongside measures to improve road safety and accessibility and connectivity for communities across the region including Safe Route to School schemes, upgrades to public rights of way, lighting enhancements and cycle parking.
York and North Yorkshire Combined Authority will now continue to work with North Yorkshire Council and City of York Council on developing a more detailed pipeline of projects and schemes to be delivered as part of the plan.
North Yorkshire Council’s leader, Cllr Carl Les, said:
“We are committed to improving journeys for our residents, businesses and visitors across North Yorkshire, and this funding will help to achieve this.
“There are very specific challenges in North Yorkshire to ensure safe and sustainable transport links across what is England’s largest county with vast rural areas.
“Having a reliable, accessible and resilient transport network is essential to supporting our communities, strengthening the economy and improving access to employment, education, healthcare and other vital services.”
Councillor Kate Ravilious, Executive Member for Transport at City of York Council, said:
“This extensive delivery plan, funded over four years, gives York the financial certainty we need to deliver a wide range of transport projects that will improve how people get around the city.
“It means greater investment in our roads and pavements, building on this year’s record investment in highway maintenance. It also enables us to develop a fully funded multi-year programme of transport capital schemes which will come to Executive for approval in the coming months.
“For York’s residents and businesses, it means real improvements on the ground that will create a more accessible, sustainable, and better connected city, from the centre to suburbs and rural villages, making travel easier for everyone.”
The Local Transport Delivery Plan has been developed alongside the Mayor's Local Transport Plan (MLTP), which will establish the regions long-term vision for transport in York and North Yorkshire. While the MLTP sets the strategic direction for the future of transport across the region, the LTDP sets out how funding will be invested to deliver improvements on the ground. The MLTP is currently the subject of a public consultation.