Town wins millions for carbon-cutting transport scheme

John Dickens • Published 25 May 2012 10:00 2 Comments

A CARBON-CUTTING transport scheme has been given the green light after the town was handed a slice of £113m Department for Transport funding.

Slough has received £4.3m for its Smarter Travel scheme which includes a revamp of the town's cycling infrastructure and will see shuttle buses ferry workers to employment hubs.

The scheme aims to reduce rush hour congestion on main roads by increasing the use of walking, public transport and cycling.

The project won funding as part of the second allocation from the Local Sustainable Transport Fund.

Cllr James Swindlehurst, commissioner for neighbourhood and renewals, said: "It's quite a success with the Government ramping back on schemes it is funding.

"It proves the Government acknowledge we, as a council, are delivering. We submitted a bid for £4.9m and we got close to that."

It was one of 30 successful schemes across the country. The projects are designed to create a sustainable transport package that delivers economic growth.

The South East will benefit from six of the carbon-cutting schemes after £18.5m was given to the region by Transport Minister Norman Baker.

Mr Baker said: "The schemes we are funding will benefit those living in the South East by cutting carbon emissions, reducing congestion and stimulating economic growth in the area.

"By investing in these schemes we are signalling our commitment to green growth which will help to kick-start economic activity in the region while improving access to healthier forms of transport and addressing the problem of climate change."

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This article appeared in Slough Observer 25 May 12

Have your say. Post a comment on this article.

• 

  19jessie
  1 post
  May 26, 12:02
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  What a joke. This council allows developments to go ahead inceasing the traffic around already gridlocked areas despite people protesting, Huntercombe Lane on the old wyeth site being a prime example, under section 106 they receive money from the developer even though these developments should never be passed they know that it will just add to the chaos, the above Cllr pushing for this development then they get money from the goverment to reduce Carbon that they have had a big hand in increasing what a farce
  
  Typical labour
  
  Recommend?   Yes 3     No 0

• 

  JUDGE1066
  304 posts
  May 26, 22:08
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  If i had a pound for every time Swindlehurst's name was connected to these ideas, how the hell are the powers that be going to " increase the use of walking" what the hell is that all about, you'd have to hold a gun to some peoples heads to get them away from X Factor and Big Macs, as for improving cycle lanes, are we going to see roads shut to cars and lorries? thought not!
  
  This town has become a complete joke under Labour, they know that no one will oppose them, so they do as they please, I wish i could turn back the clock 40 years and remember Slough before it swallowed up the villages of Langley and Cippenham....I suppose the only thing to do is move, like so many before me, 11 months and counting!
  
  Recommend?   Yes 0     No 0

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