Wiltshire lands £375,000 for public transport schemes

Wiltshire County Council has been awarded £375,000 for public transport infrastructure developments.

The funding will enable the authority to push ahead with new schemes and apply for further funding.

The funding comes from two government-funded schemes: £275,000 from ATE’s Capability Fund, and £100,000 from the Active Travel Fund 4 extension.

The funding is on top of the £978,000 the council has already received as part of Active Travel Fund 4, awarded in the financial year 2022/23.

The larger grant will be spent on the development of walking and cycling in Melksham, Calne and Royal Wootton Bassett, along with feasibility studies, development and designs.

Tamara Reay, cabinet member for transport and assets, said: “We’re committed to enabling residents to live healthier lives and improving walking, cycling and wheeling routes in Wiltshire.

“This is part of our Business Plan commitment to improve the air quality and support the decarbonisation of transport in our county.

“That’s why this funding is so welcome – it will be spent on both installing new infrastructure to make it easier for people to choose to leave their cars at home, as well as planning for more new projects, which will then put us in a good position to successfully bid for more funding.”