Council bids for £4 million to improve transport in Wellington

It could see electric charging points, variable messaging signs and improvements to public transport infrastructure.

The council has bid to the National Productivity Investment Fund, which was launched by the Department for Transport last autumn.

Local authorities were asked to submit bids for funding to relieve congestion, upgrade local roads and public transport networks, aid job creation and economic growth and support the delivery of new housing developments.

Councillor Lee Carter, Telford & Wrekin Council’s cabinet member for Finance,commercial services and economic development, said: “The Growing Wellington bid is to develop proposals to improve travel in and around Wellington to improve access to the town and support the vitality of the town centre.”

Councillor Angela McClements, Telford & Wrekin Council’s cabinet member for Transport and Infrastructure, said: “Should the bid be successful, the funding will be used on a series of themes including intelligent transport systems, car parking signing and variable messaging signs, electric vehicle charging points, cycling and walking improvements, wayfinding and upgrades to public transport infrastructure."

Works are planned to take place between April 2018 and the summer of 2021.

The first stage will be the detailed design along with consultation and development of the proposals with local stakeholders.

The potential follows the recent investment secured for Newport through the Marches LEP Growth Deal 3 funding, which will see more than£300,000 spent on potential improvements in Newport town centre along with the Council’s continuing investment through the Council’s Pride in Our High Street initiative.