First round of Local Pinch Point Fund allocates £25m to remove highway bottlenecks

Date: 25/3/2013

The first round of funding from the £170 million Local Pinch Point Fund programme has been allocated to ten schemes across the country, Transport Secretary Patrick McLoughlin has revealed.

With £25 million having gone to various projects, the funding is designed to remove bottlenecks on local highway networks - an initiative devised to support economic growth and boost business development.

"Tackling bottlenecks on the highway network will help keep the country moving and the economy growing," the Minister said.

"I want to see this work underway and shovels in the ground as soon as possible, so I am announcing £25 million to fast track the first ten schemes."

The fund was initially announced by the Government in the 2012 Autumn Statement, with the aim being to improve the ease with which goods and people can negotiate local highways as the authorities look to stimulate economic activity.

Schemes that will benefit from the financial support are those that can be delivered quickly with immediate impact.

Posted by Sarah Bailey 

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