FIVE of Northumberland’s biggest towns have been targeted for help in a £4.4m sustainable transport project aimed at improving access to employment and training for local people.
The Go Smarter Northumberland initiative focuses on Ashington, Blyth, Cramlington, Bedlington and Newbiggin-by-the-Sea, where transport has been identified as a barrier for locals seeking jobs and skills training. It is aimed at those who are claiming out of work benefits, looking for employment or keen to acquire work skills, as well as people already in work.
The Department of Transport has allocated £2.84m from its sustainable transport fund which, together with contributions from the county council and partners, results in £4.4m being available in the period up to 2015.
The project will improve services and infrastructure for bus users and cyclists to help them get to job and training opportunities in south east Northumberland and Tyne and Wear.
Go Smarter is enhancing the Cobalt Connect bus service by extending it to Bedlington and Ashington from Cramlington, and providing bicycle loans and training to help cyclists access work.
Future plans include improved mobile phone access to information about local bus services, a scooter hire scheme for people starting work, a smart card ticket to help new employees with public transport costs before they receive their first salary payment, improving reliability and convenience of bus services in Cramlington and Blyth, and support for local businesses to promote sustainable transport among employees.
The project was officially launched recently when transport minister Norman Baker was shown early progress on a £688,000 upgrade of Blyth bus station and the surrounding area.
It aims to make the area more attractive, and improve access and safety for passengers and cyclists.
Simon Reed, county council executive member for infrastructure and environment, said: “The Go Smarter Northumberland package of measures will offer vital support for those who find it hard to access work and education because of transport barriers. We are supporting sustainable transport by making it easier and more attractive for people to commute by public transport or by cycling.”
The project stems from the Government’s decision in 2011 to create the local sustainable transport fund to help stimulate economic growth and tackle climate change by cutting carbon emissions.
A report to county councillors by project manager, Sarah Rowell, said: “The project aims to support the local economy and facilitate economic development by delivering a package of low carbon, sustainable travel measures that improve access to jobs and training. The outputs will be improved infrastructure and services for cyclists and bus users, and promotional and educational schemes. The outcome is expected to be improved access to work, extended travel horizons and significant moves towards a low-carbon travel culture.”
