Money set aside to improve transport links across Barnsley has been accepted by ruling cabinet members – paving the way for a series of schemes to take place.
Smithies Bridge, Royston and Penistone – as well as active travel hubs at Elsecar and Darton – will all receive work thanks to the City Region Sustainable Transport Settlement (CRSTS) grant, according to the Barnsley Chronicle.
Discussed by Barnsley Council’s cabinet members on Wednesday, a total of £70m will make its way to the town, albeit in phases.
In the forthcoming tranche, £2m will be spent on a new Royston link road, £840,000 on Penistone Bridge End, £280,000 on Smithies Bridge and more than £300,000 on the two active travel schemes.
The schemes are yet to be designed and consultation with local people will take place once details are known, the council confirmed.
A report said: “In September 2021, the South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority (SYMCA) submitted a bid to the Department for Transport (DfT) to secure funding from the CRSTS.
“Working to an anticipated, overall expected allocation of £400m, a SYMCA request was to submit a list of schemes that met with the DfT criteria.
“In April 2022 it was announced that the allocation was £570m, with Barnsley’s allocation being over £70m, which includes a ‘top slice’ of £20m for highway maintenance.
“Accompanying documents for the schemes were submitted to SYMCA.
“These have now been appraised and approved by the SYMCA board last month.
“These approvals will release over £3.5m to allow the schemes to progress to option appraisal and outline business case although in the case of the Elsecar and Darton schemes, as the scheme value is below £2m, these will go straight to full business case.
“Since the award of the funding, highway design teams have already had several outline business cases approved by the SYMCA.
“On acceptance of these monies there is no additional funding requirement from the council.
“The transport service will need to ensure the project spend remains within the available funding allocation for each stage of the process, ensuring sound financial management throughout the delivery of the schemes.”
More than 200 responses were received to a survey in July, which asked commuters about issues they encounter on Barnsley’s road network.
This, the council say, will inform future decisions and which congested areas are targeted.
“Each of the schemes that have received approval will then necessitate a full consultation event, so that residents, businesses and stakeholders can have a say on potential solutions or options,” the report added.
“Better connectivity, affordable and inclusive travel, a cleaner environment and a healthier population are all key aims.”
