A County Durham transport plan which saw its funding significantly cut by £50 million has been approved, writes Local Democracy Reporter, Bill Edgar.
Durham County Council will receive just £23 million worth of funding despite the previous Conservative government pledging to invest £72.8 million.
Earlier this year, shocked council leaders at the time said the “short-sighted” decision would have a “huge impact”.
Amanda Hopgood, former council leader, said: “The loss of £50 million is a hammer blow for our residents, especially those in our rural towns and villages that would have benefited from the investment.”
The latest package to improve transport infrastructure and local services was approved by the North East Combined Authority this week.
It includes active travel measures in Durham city, the replacement of the Baths Footbridge, and the development of the Stockton and Darlington Railway walking and cycling route.
The county was initially awarded a share of the £4.7 billion LTF in February 2024, as the Tories announced a diversion of funds following the decision to scrap the northern leg of the HS2 rail project.
It was claimed that Durham receiving cash from that pot was seen as essential for transport upgrades in the county between 2025 and 2027.
While other parts of the North East are receiving money from the City Region Sustainable Transport Settlements programme, the fact that Durham was late signing up to the North East devolution deal meant it was excluded from negotiations that led to a reported £147 million being earmarked for Newcastle, Gateshead, Northumberland, North Tyneside, South Tyneside, and Sunderland.
The £72.8 million allocation announced in February 2024 was intended to make up for that.
Speaking earlier this year, North East mayor Kim McGuinness criticised RIshi Sunak’s government for not delivering the full funding. “It is obvious the £72.8 million the last Conservative prime minister promised to Durham was a fairytale which never existed in the Government’s accounts because of the mess it had made of the country’s finances. I’m bringing real money to our region for transport from the new Government.”
Meanwhile, the North East Combined Authority has pledged £16 million to improve regional bus services, which include extending the £2.50 fare cap for passengers.
A trial of additional park and ride sites around Durham City will also take place alongside new and enhanced waiting facilities, including at Milburngate.
Bill Edgar
Reporter for the Local Democracy Reporter Service.
South West Durham News covering news across County Durham.
