City transport gets £16m boost as Nottingham prepares for major upgrades
More than £16m of external funding will be invested in Nottingham’s transport network during 2025/26, following support from the new East Midlands Combined County Authority (EMCCA).
The funding is expected to be officially accepted by Nottingham City Council at its executive board meeting on Tuesday 22 April.
EMCCA has taken over responsibility for allocating local transport funding and will support Nottingham projects through four key streams.
Claire Ward Mayor of the East Midlands said: “I am delighted we have been given this additional funding to invest in our roads and local transport programmes across the region. This is more than filling potholes and getting people from A to B, it’s about transforming lives and communities, and it will give us a fantastic opportunity to connect people across the region and make it easier to access jobs, skills training, health appointments, and our incredible tourist attractions.”
Over £7.5m will come from the City Region Sustainable Transport Settlements (CRSTS) programme, a new regional funding stream.
This will double the city’s highway maintenance budget, allowing for resurfacing and preventative work on roads including Porchester Road, Bestwood Park Drive, Valley Road, and Arnold Road.
The funding will also support upgrades to the Parksmart car park signage system, the continuation of the Future Transport Zones programme, and a feasibility study into realigning Maid Marian Way as part of the next phase of the Broad Marsh regeneration.
An additional £3.4m from the Local Transport Plan Integrated Transport block will fund various projects, including improvements to walking and cycling routes, upgrades to traffic signals with energy-efficient LEDs, and support for the Workplace Travel Service programme.
The money will also help improve rights of way and install solar-powered real-time bus stop displays in areas without electrical connections.
The Active Travel Fund will contribute £576,000 towards the next phase of walking and cycling upgrades on Porchester Road, with work starting immediately.
A further £4.9m from the Bus Service Improvement Plan will help accelerate the shift to electric buses.
Local operators will be able to bid for funding to purchase new electric buses and upgrade depots with EV charging infrastructure.
Councillor Neghat Khan, leader of Nottingham City Council and executive member for strategic regeneration, transport and communications said: “We are delighted to receive this investment into Nottingham thanks to the East Midlands Combined County Authority. A 100% increase in the money we have available to maintain and fix our roads will mean we’re able to make a big difference in tackling the potholes which risk the safety of cyclists, drivers and pedestrians. Thanks to this funding, we’ll be able to make many positive changes to Keep Nottingham Moving, promote integrated transport and active travel, support our local economy, reduce carbon emissions and improve air quality, creating a happier, healthier city.”
