Carl Sargeant, Minister for Local Government and Communities
This was published under the 2011 to 2016 administration of the Welsh Government
I am announcing my decision on the allocation of Transport Grant funds to local authorities in 2012-13 at 10:00hrs today.
This year I am pleased to announce total Transport Grant funding of £11.465 million which is in accordance with Welsh Government agreed budgets. Transport Grant (TG) is a mechanism by which we invest capital monies with Local Authorities to improve Wales’ transport infrastructure and at the same time help to support the local economy. Members will be aware that we are managing a transition from the TG funding mechanism to the Regional Transport Consortia Grant arrangement. This announcement is in addition to the allocation of £25 million I have approved for local authorities working together as Regional Transport Consortia, to deliver their Regional Transport Plans and Road Safety projects. I will announce a further round of funding allocations shortly to local authorities to support improvements to sustainable transport modes across Wales.
I am today announcing allocations to TG Road schemes in the existing programme that are coming to a close. Most of the schemes are open to traffic and complete and the associated costs for these relate to dealing with outstanding land issues and contractual agreements.
During 2011/12 construction work began on the final section of the Wrexham Industrial Estate Access Road and works continued on the Ysbyty Ystrad Fawr Highway Improvement in Ystrad Mynach to support the development of a new
hospital. These schemes will be completed in 2012/13. The Port Talbot Peripheral Distributor Road known locally as “Harbour Way”, is due to be competed in 2013/14.
It is important that schemes progress and are completed in order to assist with our broader strategic objectives of economic regeneration through stimulation of the local economy. However, the commitment to fund elements of these schemes which have yet to start construction has to be made within the context of affordability and the impact on future budgets is not excessive. We are working with the authorities’ concerned to maximise alternative funding possibilities to augment the considerable investment we are already making in the schemes concerned and to ensure the best value for money solutions are found. We have been successful in securing considerable ERDF Convergence Funding to help defray the costs of the £111 million Harbour Way scheme.
I am making £11.465 million available to local authorities to take forward and progress local road network improvements in 2012/13.
A copy of the allocations to individual authorities is attached for your information.