Portsmouth wins £455,000 to promote green forms of transport

The UK Department for Transport has announced that Portsmouth has won £455,000 from the government to promote green forms of transport.

The funding for Portsmouth City Council forms part of £20.6million which is being given out nationally for 23 sustainable travel initiatives across England, to boost economies by offering cheap, clean, and healthy travel options to access jobs and education opportunities.

Transport Minister Robert Goodwill said: “Green transport cuts congestion and improves air quality. It also offers the cheapest and healthiest way for people to access jobs and education.

“Portsmouth’s green travel scheme will make a real difference for residents and help provide better air quality for everyone. Our £21m funding across England shows we are committed to improving lives through investment in sustainable transport.”

Successful local authorities demonstrated they could cut emissions, support socioeconomic growth, and increase cycling and walking in their areas.

This funding continues the government’s commitment to green transport. Over £300million is committed to support cycling and walking over this Parliament. More than £6billion will be provided for local road maintenance up to 2021, benefiting cyclists and motorists with well-surfaced roads and cycle paths.

The government have also announced that they aim to make almost every car and van zero-emission by the year 2050. Green transport schemes have seen the introduction of thousands of low-emissions buses by operators on routes all over England.