Somerset Council wins active travel grants
Somerset Council has been awarded £1,583,322 by central government for active travel – specifically walking and cycling. The council has received funding for two scheme it had applied for under the latest round of grants for cycling and walking schemes. It is all part of a round of £200m granted across the country. Of this £23m was allocated to 49 schemes in the south west.
Transport secretary Mark Harper announced: “This £200m investment will improve road safety, ease congestion across the South West and on public transport, and ultimately improve the health and wellbeing of the millions of people choosing active travel.”
Government says that active travel is also estimated to bring a £36.5 billion boost for the economy in a year. This will be through increased high street spending and better access to jobs. As Mr Harper says: “delivering on our priority to grow the economy.”