Plans for new cycling, walking and bus routes serving one of Coventry’s major development and growth areas are being drawn up following an award of over half a million pounds of funding for design and development works.

Transport for West Midlands (TfWM) is working with Coventry City Council to deliver the improvements to offer residents and workers greener transport options and support the new economic and housing development in the area.

£17m of the funding has come from the City Region Sustainable Transport Settlement awarded to TfWM, which is part of the West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA), last year. This is being topped up with contributions from developers along this key growth corridor.

Andy Street, Mayor of the West Midlands and WMCA chair, said: “Last year we secured landmark Government funding worth £1.3 billion to invest in our region’s transport infrastructure. We’ve already seen funding earmarked for a range of projects with many already underway across our rail, bus, Metro and Active Travel networks.

“South Coventry is one area set to benefit - with this City Regional Sustainable Transport Settlement package making it safer and easier for local people to walk, cycle and enjoy improved bus services - reducing traffic congestion at the same time as helping our health and environment.

“Modern transport infrastructure helps to transform a place for the better in and of itself but also acts as a catalyst drawing in further investment from companies and developers in the months and years ahead.”

The funding will enable scheme design work to progress with a view to commencing construction of the first elements of the package later this year with completion by 2026.