The Prime Minister has announced ten cities that have been shortlisted for the next stage of the £1.7 billion Transforming Cities Fund
The chosen areas will benefit from from £840 million to upgrade public transport links.
The shortlisting of the city regions marks the next stage of the government’s modern Industrial Strategy which works to make it easier, safer and quicker for people to travel and get to work via improved transport connections.
Local authorities in Derby & Nottingham, Leicester City, the North East, Norwich, Plymouth, Portsmouth, Southampton, Sheffield, Stoke-on-Trent and West Yorkshire will bid for a share of the funding.
The Transforming Cities Fund is already delivering major improvements for people across England. Six Mayoral Combined Authorities have already received a share of £840 million to deliver schemes such as the Brierley Hill tram lines extension in the West Midlands and £160 million towards the Beeline Cycle Network in Greater Manchester.
Throughout the next four years, the funding will be used to link city regions more efficiently and linking travel to work areas to increase access to jobs by ensuring businesses have the infrastructure they need to thrive in place.
This funding could go towards upgrades such as new bus routes between residential areas and major employment hubs, smart technology aimed at reducing congestion, or rolling out docking stations for e-bikes.
Prime Minister Theresa May said: “Our great cities and their suburbs are home to millions of people and world-beating businesses.
“We want to help them succeed, so as part of our modern Industrial Strategy we will fund £840 million of upgrades for better, safer, faster transport links.
“These improvements to vital infrastructure will help spread growth beyond London and empower local businesses to create more, better-paying jobs – opening up more opportunities to help people get on in life and be rewarded for their hard work.”
Transport Secretary Chris Grayling said: “Good bus, cycle and tram routes play a huge role in increasing the vitality and vibrancy of cities.
“These 10 areas now have the chance to transform their transport systems – making it easier for people to get around and enhance links to work, school or shops.”
While the city regions finalise proposals, £60 million from the Fund will be made available over the next year to share across transport schemes aimed at tackling head on some of the most pressing challenges faced by communities.
