Lancaster in line for £100m transport funding
A major scheme which would see £100m invested in transport in Lancashire has taken a step closer to becoming a reality.
The project includes new homes in Lancaster and the development of the city’s university, including a new Health Innovation Campus.
Lancashire County Council has submitted a bid for £100m from the Government’s Housing Infrastructure Fund (HIF) Forward Fund to help pay for transport infrastructure improvements in south Lancaster.
The proposals will now move to the ‘co-development’ stage, where Government officials will work alongside the council to develop the bid and assess the project in more detail.
The HIF Forward Fund would support a range of transport infrastructure initiatives, including a bus rapid transit network and dedicated cycle route between south Lancaster and the city centre, along with other improvements to deal with flood and drainage risks.
Other improvements would also include a re-configured Junction 33 of the M6, allowing residents and businesses in south Lancaster to access the motorway network without needing to travel through either the city centre or Galgate.
The proposals are designed to support the delivery of the Health Innovation Campus and the wider expansion plans of Lancaster University, as well as the Garden Village at Bailrigg.
The bid from the county council was made with the backing of Lancaster City Council, Lancaster University and the Lancashire Enterprise Partnership.
Cnty Cllr Geoff Driver, leader of Lancashire County Council, said: “It’s great news that the county council has been successful in the latest stage of this process.
“This is not a guarantee of funding for the project, but it is an indication from the Government of the strength and quality of our bid.
“These are ambitious plans for Lancaster, which will benefit many people who live and work in the district. In particular, the changes to the motorway junction will help to reduce congestion at the crossroads in Galgate, which we know is a longstanding local issue.
“Detailed plans take time to get right and we’ll need to bring together the necessary funding, but this is an important step forward.”
The HIF is a new £4.1bn national infrastructure investment programme designed to unlock the delivery of up to 400,000 new homes in areas of high demand in England.
Housing Secretary Sajid Javid said: “This Government is committed to working with communities to build the homes this country needs and ensure the right infrastructure is in place to support them.
“We will now be working closely with 45 areas shortlisted to apply for government investment. These key projects will help unlock more much needed homes by delivering the roads, schools and doctor’s surgeries that communities need.”
The plans for the Garden Village are currently being developed by Lancaster City Council, with opportunities for public consultation as part of the planning process.
As part of the wider plans for this part of the city, significant Growth Deal funds have already been secured to re-configure Junction 33 on the M6 to support new housing and employment growth opportunities, including the new Health Innovation Campus at Lancaster University.
