Shropshire Council leader welcomes transport fund

English councils will be given access to a multi-billion pound fund under plans unveiled by transport secretary Chris Grayling.

The scheme involves creating a major road network to allow local authorities to take a share of the vehicle excise duty-funded National Roads Fund (NRF).

Peter Nutting, the leader of Shropshire Council said he welcomed any funding.

He said: “I welcome any extra sources of funding for the authority.

“Shropshire Council is underfunded and the government does not treat us as well as it should, particularly around roads and transport.

“Any extra sources of funding would be welcome.”

Motoring groups also welcomed the announcement, saying many communities are “crying out” for urgent road investment.

The plan will help councils enhance or replace the most important A-roads under their management, the Department for Transport (DfT) said.

Mr Grayling said: “Getting transport spending right is crucial for the country’s future.

“The Transport Investment Strategy sets out a blueprint for how we can harness the power of transport investment to drive balanced economic growth, unlock new housing projects, and support the Government’s modern industrial strategy.

“This Government is taking the big transport decisions for Britain’s future like HS2 and Heathrow, while delivering the biggest investment in roads and rail for a generation.

“At the heart of our approach is a plan to make transport work for the people who use it and for the wider economy.”

Under the strategy, road improvement programmes will be judged on how they contribute to creating a more geographically balanced economy, increase productivity or growth and tackle congestion.

The DfT pledged to support every part of the country.

In some cases give priority to smaller schemes that are “proven solutions” so passengers and drivers get the benefits quicker.

AA president Edmund King said: “Many communities are crying out for their local bypass to be built to enhance their local environment and quality of life.

“Local authority A-roads have become the poor relation or country cousins in comparison to the amounts spent on motorways and the strategic road network.

“It is imperative that the status and spending on the most important of these roads is elevated.”

Steve Gooding, director of the RAC Foundation, said the DfT’s plan recognises that many of the most important roads connecting towns and cities are “the responsibility of cash-strapped local councils”.

He went on: “Drivers have long felt that too many of the billions they pay in motoring taxes each year get siphoned away to other deserving causes.

“The announcement is a big step on the way to winning back their trust.”