Three major transport projects have been put forward by the D2N2 Local Enterprise Partnership as part of an ambitious growth plan.
D2N2 has submitted three project bids to the Department for Transport’s Local Transport Majors Fund (LTMF); which was announced in the Government’s December 2015 Autumn Statement and set-up to fund substantial infrastructure projects to aid economic growth.
The three transport projects submitted to Government for funding by D2N2 – a private sector-led Partnership working with business, local authorities, higher and further education providers, and community and voluntary organisations to grow the economy and jobs across Derby, Derbyshire, Nottingham and Nottinghamshire – are:
- A515 Ashbourne Bypass – £200,000 is being sought as part of a joint project bid with Derbyshire County Council. Phase One funding from the Local Transport Majors Fund would develop the details of this project to alleviate traffic issues in and around Ashbourne; to then form a business case for further roadworks which would show an economic benefit.
- Southern Derby Integrated Transport Link – A partnership project worth £4.25million (£3.75m of which is being sought from the Local Transport Majors Fund) with Derby City Council, South Derbyshire District Council, Derbyshire County Council and landowners along the proposed route. This project is critical to both the next phase of Infinity Park Derby, the Nottingham and Derby Enterprise Zone site, and for accelerating housing growth in South Derbyshire and Derby City.
Phase One funding from the LTMF will enable feasibility work to be completed, leading to two planning applications; one for the Wragley Way housing site in South Derbyshire and the other for the road itself, including connection points at Infinity Park Derby and on or around the A50.
- D2N2 Gateway Connectivity – Phase One of this £2.96m project (£2.3m set to come from the LTMF) would examine possible future connections between stage two of the proposed HS2 high speed rail line – which, if agreed, would pass through the D2N2 area, creating a Toton rail hub and Staveley maintenance depot – and any future extensions to the current NET tram network. A second part would look at the feasibility of a further bridge crossing over the River Trent.
Government is due to decide on all Local Transport Majors Fund application bids around the time of the 2016 Autumn Statement, to be held in late November or early December. Successful projects will receive Phase One funding to develop project details and a business case, which would form the basis to apply for further funding. Project bids for the D2N2 LEP’s area would be made part of its wider Local Growth Fund 3 programme.
Peter Richardson, D2N2 Chair, said: “Transport is a vital part of our work as a Local Enterprise Partnership. As well as helping businesses to grow, we need to provide them with the right infrastructure. These Local Transport Majors projects will look to aid our existing businesses and also attract investors to the area, strengthening our position as the UK’s most inspirational postcode.”
For more information on the D2N2 Local Enterprise Partnership, visit web link – http://www.d2n2lep.org
For more information on the Local Transport Majors Fund, visit https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/background-to-local-major-transport-schemes
For further information about this media release contact D2N2 LEP Social Media and Marketing Officer Sam Burbage on 0115 9578254 or email: sam.burbage@d2n2lep.org
