The Isle of Wight Council has started to deliver a £450,000 sustainable transport programme funded by the Department for Transport during the current financial year.
The projects are designed to support economic growth and reduce the Island’s carbon footprint, particularly by encouraging more people to participate in walking or cycling activities.
The funding will be used to build on the work already undertaken by the council and partner organisations to inspire changes in travel behaviour and is to be specifically used for marketing, providing training and improving skills to help people make healthier and more sustainable travel choices.
This is the third time that the council has secured funding from the Department for transport for sustainable transport projects. Previously the funding has supported the introduction of the Island Coaster bus service, provided grants to Island businesses to install cycling facilities such as bike racks and shelters, established a network of travel ambassadors and delivered school and workplace engagement activities to encourage cycling and sustainable travel.
In line with the funding guidance, the focus of this year’s funding will be on promoting more sustainable travel choices to commuters, young people accessing education and the tourism industry.
Councillor Shirley Smart, Executive member for public transport, tourism, recreation and heritage, said: “This funding award presents the Island with an excellent opportunity to continue to create opportunities for active travel, and follows previous similar funding awards in 2012 and 2015. We look forward to working in partnership with various organisations to deliver projects which inspire more people to enjoy walking and cycling on the Island, supporting health and wellbeing and quality of life outcomes.”
The Isle of Wight Council was one of only 21 local authorities in England to be awarded funding from the Department for Transport Sustainable Travel Transition Year fund in 2016/17.
The Isle of Wight Council’s bid document can be found here: https://www.iwight.com/Residents/Planning-Policy-new/Transport-Policy/Local-Sustainable-Transport-Fund-Project
Grant funding available
The Isle of Wight Council has issued two new grant-funding prospectuses for sustainable transport solutions. It is looking for organisations of any type to help it develop projects linked to the Cowes to Newport cycle track:
- Cycle Hubs – up to 6 hubs will be created that will provide, as a minimum, cycle storage, but may also provide repair and maintenance services and welfare facilities for cyclists. Cycle Hubs can be freestanding, bespoke units or provide space within existing buildings and facilities. They can be part of workplaces or transport hubs or built into accommodation or retail units. Grant funding of £67,000 is available.
- SMART Cycling Corridor – grant-funding worth up to £35,000 is available to any enterprise which can create a digital solution to inspire additional cycling trips on the cycleway. The key objective of the project will be to inspire additional users through mobile applications, open data and GPS information with a range of two-way real time data, gamification and experiential enhancements to achieve an ambitious trip increase.
Grant-making Prospectuses provide more information about the council’s offer and expectations. If your organisation can deliver a Cycle Hub or SMART Cycling Corridor in line with the published outcomes, please visit www.iwight.com/prospectus for further details.
