Extra Government Cash To Improve Roads & Transport

Over £500m of government funding will be provided to improve roads and public transport across Leicestershire and Northamptonshire.

The cash has been reallocated after the scrapping of the northern leg of the HS2 project and will be awarded over a seven year period from April 2025, to give councils time to develop plans on how they will use it.

Over £238 million from the Government’s Local Transport Fund will be given for improvements in Leicestershire, over £149m for North Northamptonshire and over £162m for West Northamptonshire.

Harborough MP Neil O’Brien has welcomed the announcement:

The funding should help speed-up pothole repairs

Reacting to the news, Councillor Ozzy O’Shea, cabinet member for highways and transport at Leicestershire County Couuncil, said: “Roads and transport enable our residents to go about their everyday lives, connecting people with work, shops and health facilities so any extra funding is very welcome.

“What we really need to help us put in a place a long-term, joined up approach is Government confirmation of the yearly funding, and the money available for road maintenance and buses. This is what enables us to put a sustainable plan in place and do the most to help our residents.

“We now need to work through the detail to see how we can make the most of the money.”