Ken Skates AM, Cabinet Secretary for Economy and Transport
This was published under the 2016 to 2021 administration of the Welsh Government
Today I am allocating £32.9 million in transport grants to local authorities across Wales for schemes that support my economic priorities for jobs and growth, promote economic activity through improved access to employment, encourage active and sustainable travel and connect communities. All local authorities were invited to submit applications for funding and over 100 applications were received.
The Local Transport Fund of £28.8 million will support 52 schemes across 21 local authorities and the Local Transport Network Fund of £4.1 million will support 14 schemes across 12 local authorities.
The grants include over £20 million to improve integrated public transport. I am delighted to announce that this includes £3.6 million to begin construction of the new bus interchange in Merthyr Tydfil. In north Wales, I am investing £3.6 million to improve public transport and active travel to Deeside Industrial Park, and I am allocating over £3 million to local authorities across mid and south west Wales to enhance public transport corridors and interchange.
The grants are a substantial investment to support sustainable local economic growth, enhance public transport facilities, create and improve routes that will encourage more people in Wales to walk and cycle.
This investment in local transport schemes further boosts the grants announced by the Deputy Minister last week. These included the allocation £19 million from the Active Travel Fund, and £10.9 million for the creation of Safe Routes in Communities and road safety schemes. Today we publish the schemes benefiting from £12.7 million, which will create opportunities to make everyday journeys by bike and on foot for many more people, and the share each local authority will receive from the £6.3 million to undertake design and feasibility work and fund minor improvements on their networks.
A full list of successful schemes by local authority will be published on the Welsh Government website.