Green light for multimillion-pound transport centre and traffic projects
A £28m package of measures to help manage congestion across the region has been given the green light.
The West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA) board has approved £16m funding for a regional control centre and £12m for road and traffic signal improvement projects focused on congestion hotspots.
The first phase of the package will see a Regional Transport Coordination Centre (RTCC) set up by the end of this year to provide transport bosses with an ‘at a glance’ view of the whole transport system; helping them to identify and solve problems more quickly as congestion builds.
Data monitored and collected by the centre will be used to help shape future improvements to the road network by highlighting congestion hot spots.
The WMCA said this will also help keep the region moving during major sporting and cultural events such as Coventry City of Culture in 2021 and the Commonwealth Games in 2022.
Mayor of the West Midlands Andy Street said: “This investment means anyone who visits, works or lives in the West Midlands should benefit from more accurate travel information, better alternative options during disruption, more reliable journey times and ultimately, less time sitting in traffic.
“It will also see new and better technology introduced to help experts spot congestion before it becomes a problem which in turn will help reduce the impact on our local economy and the quality of our air.”
Cllr Roger Lawrence, WMCA portfolio holder for transport and leader of City of Wolverhampton Council, added: “This can be a huge step forward for tackling congestion in the West Midlands and supporting our investments in transport infrastructure. Never before have we been able to manage roads and public transport on this scale.
“TfWM made a commitment last year, to make better use of devolved powers to manage congestion, air quality and road safety.
“Through continued devolved funding such as the Transforming Cities Fund we are rapidly delivering on this promise, and I am delighted that we will soon be delivering more reliable journey times for people travelling in the West Midlands.”
