York and North Yorkshire Combined Authority: First long-term deal backed by record investment to boost region’s transport network

York and North Yorkshire Combined Authority has today approved the first long term deal for the region's transport network, backed by record levels of investment.

The four-year strategy worth £456.2 million will provide unprecedented levels of funding and greater flexibility, unlocked by the creation of the Combined Authority.

It will fast-track a massive programme to repair crumbling roads, tackling potholes while transforming safety for those walking, wheeling and cycling.

The settlement set out during a meeting at County Hall in Northallerton this morning has been agreed to cover a four-year period from 2026 to 2030. 

The Combined Authority will allocate £298.4 million for highways maintenance and £17.5 million for active travel. An additional £30 million has been ringfenced to support safer streets, making the school run safer for parents and their children.

In its first year, covering the 2026/27 financial year, the Combined Authority will pass £70.9 million directly to our local authorities for highways maintenance, representing a significant increase on the previous year.

North Yorkshire Council will receive £63.8 million for highways maintenance in 2026/27, a substantial increase from the £57.8 million received the previous year.

While City of York Council will see its allocation rise to £7.1 million in the same period, up from £4.4 million in 2025/26.

David Skaith, the Mayor of York and North Yorkshire, said: 

“This record investment of £456 million is a defining moment for our region, we're moving away from short-term fixes and delivering the long-term solutions residents expect. 

“We're now in the driving seat with greater funding and local control that was previously out of reach and I'm investing a record amount to fix our streets and make them safer for everyone that uses them.”

Beyond immediate repairs, the long-term delivery plan sets aside £112 million for significant strategic schemes. This includes enhancing bus and rail station access and improving key transport corridors. Local councils and delivery partners will now be invited to submit specific schemes to tap into this transformational funding pot.

The decision marks a shift toward greater local control, with the Combined Authority now holding the flexibility to direct government funding where it is needed most across York and North Yorkshire.