Local authorities outside of London can now submit their expressions of interest for a share of new funding to repair and upgrade traffic signals.
From today (12 April) councils can use the Local Council Roads Innovation Group (LCRIG) website to apply for a share of the £15 million of extra money which has been allocated to supplement existing local authority spending on the upgrade and maintenance of traffic signals and associated equipment.
LCRIG is working with the Department for Transport to gather information for the allocation of traffic signals maintenance grant funding for 2021/22.
Chief executive Martin Duffy said: “This is a unique opportunity for councils to apply for funding which will enable them to upgrade their traffic signals. All authorities are striving to improve road safety and reduce collisions so having designated funding which can help them make improvements to technology that helps deliver these outcomes is most welcome.
“Through our close working relationship with the Department for Transport we have been able to put together a process that will allow councils to apply for the funding in a simple and straightforward way. I’d encourage all councils to submit their applications.”
In order to qualify for this funding, councils will be asked to provide evidence of their current traffic signal maintenance policies and practices. Those applying for the funding will be asked to provide details of the following:
- The size of your traffic signals asset estate
- Maintenance and funding issues
- Needs and priorities
- Strategies for planning for the future
- Links to wider targets
- Preparedness for future technology opportunities
The application process, which is designed to be simple and straightforward, involves authorities providing evidence of the policies they have in place for using their traffic signals, existing maintenance programmes and their aspirations for the future.
Those applying can provide any supporting information, policies, standards or other published information which they feel will be of use in this assessment.
The assessment of submissions will start after the closing date and successful authorities who have been awarded grant funding will be informed as soon as possible.
Funding will be awarded in blocks of between £300,000 and £500,000 will be paid out to between 30 and 50 local authorities to support programmes of work over the coming 24 months.
The application process will run for four weeks and will close on 12 May. You can apply for the funding via the LCRIG website – www.lcrig.org.uk
In the first instance LCRIG ask that any councils interested in submitting an application should contact Secretariat Susanne Ingham at susanne.ingham@lcrig.org.uk
Applicants will be asked to provide details of the contact(s) who will be making the application and they’ll then be sent login details so they can access the portal.
Those that have already expressed an interest have been sent login details.
The information is being collected by LCRIG on behalf of the Department for Transport. It will only be accessible to DfT and will be used in assessing allocation of the 2021/22 Traffic Signals Maintenance Grant settlement.
However, when submissions have been completed applicants will be presented with an LCRIG questionnaire. The information collected as part of this will enable LCRIG to provide the DfT and each council that contributes with an overview of the national status of signals.
(Picture – Transport Technology Forum)
