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government today (November 24 2017) confirms allocation of £30 million to improve road and cycle safety in towns and villages along the HS2 route between London and the West Midlands
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funding will help provide improved road safety for generations
A cash boost of £30 million will be handed out to towns and villages along the route of the new High Speed Two railway to help improve road and cycle safety.
Funding for 13 areas along the Phase One route of the new rail line between London and the West Midlands has been revealed by HS2 Minister Paul Maynard today as part of National Road Safety Week.
The cash can be used for traffic calming measures, safer pedestrian crossings or safer junctions for cyclists, pedestrians and drivers.
Today’s announcement highlights the government’s determination to ensure HS2 is more than building a new railway. It will be a catalyst for economic growth, driving regeneration as well as improving the transport landscape around the track.
Paul Maynard, HS2 Minister, said:
This significant investment will mean a legacy of road and cycle safety improvements for people who live and work along the HS2 route between London and the West Midlands.
HS2 will become the backbone of our national rail network – supporting growth and regeneration and helping us build a Britain fit for the future. As part of Europe’s biggest infrastructure project, we are minimising the effects of building the new railway as much as possible.
This money will see areas up and down the route benefit from high quality road and cycle safety projects to ensure that England’s roads remain among the safest in the world.
Mark Thurston, HS2 Chief Executive, said:
Safety, environmental protection and being sensitive to the impact of our work on local communities are at the heart of HS2’s approach to construction. That’s why we welcome today’s announcement and we look forward to working with local highways authorities along the route. We all have a responsibility to ensure that the new funding leaves a positive local legacy of improved road safety for communities once HS2 is complete.
Once local authorities have agreed plans for projects, they will agree the release of funds with HS2 Ltd. Authorities must ensure that improvements made leave a lasting legacy of road safety.
Royal Assent was granted for Phase One of HS2 on February 23 2017 and preparatory works have been underway since then, including archaeological surveys and the creation of new wildlife habitats.
On November 9 2017 HS2 Ltd announced a £5 million Woodland Fund to help local landowners create new native, broadleaf woodlands and restore existing ancient woodland sites along the HS2 Phase One route.
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