Councils gets share of £4m for congestion busting

The Government is to award £4m for tech projects which will cut congestion, speed up journeys and clean up the environment.

Apps that notify motorists of congestion and free parking spaces, and real time journey information for visually impaired passengers, are just some of the projects that will receive a share of £4m government technology funding.

Nineteen councils across England competed for between £50,000 and £300,000 each for their ideas to improve journeys through digital innovation.

The government money will be spent on developing cutting edge technology such as apps and sensors which can be used to cut congestion, improve parking in city centres and alert drivers when electric car charging points become available.

Successful bidders include £234,000 for Blackpool to use Bluetooth technology to cut congestion and £300,000 for Warrington to provide real-time information to businesses and public through on-street information displays, social media and phone apps.

Roads Minister Andrew Jones said: “I congratulate the winners for coming up with cutting-edge, innovative ideas that will transform journeys for passengers and motorists across the country.

“Technology is rapidly evolving and this important work shows that if we get it right, it can cut congestion, speed up journeys, clean up the environment, and improve accessibility.”