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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 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.
, 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.
