Deadline for major transport projects in Coventry and Warwickshire

Details are being finalised to submit Coventry and Warwickshire’s future plans for major transport schemes to request government funding.

The Coventry and Warwickshire Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) organised a meeting last September to discuss Coventry and Warwickshire’s Major Transport Scheme Priorities for 2015-19.

Transport providers across the sub-region have now been urged to submit their final proposals for consideration before Friday, May 10 to the Local Transport Body (LTB) which has been established since September’s meeting.

The LTB consists of representatives from the CW LEP, Coventry City Council, Warwickshire County Council and Centro to identify, assess and prioritise the schemes which should be put forward to the Department of Transport next month.

Martin Yardley, chief executive of the CW LEP, said the significance of resolving major transport problems was key in the growth of the economy across Coventry and Warwickshire.

“The indication is that £21.5 million will be devolved from the government’s Comprehensive Spending Review to the LTB for funding for local major transport schemes,” he said.

“It is important that we have the facts and figures behind all the potential transport schemes in Coventry and Warwickshire which could alleviate some of the hot-spots in the sub-region which we are all aware of on our daily commutes.

“To ensure we have the up-to-date information we need to make an informed request to the Department of Transport we have asked business, transport providers, local authorities and local councils to provide details of schemes which will benefit the area whether it is improving motorway junctions, widening the road network or adding new rail links.

“The importance of an efficient transport system can’t be underestimated in growing the local economy which is the solitary aim of the LEP.

“By making suggestions to the government we can improve access and ease congestion as we aim to build on one of our sub-region’s key selling points which is our central location.”

Transport providers can submit their proposals by downloading a form from www.cwlep.com/local-transport-body by May 10.