Jobseekers targeted in ‘wheels to work’ project

JOBSEEKERS in remote areas are set to be given access to bikes or scooters under a “wheels to work” scheme after the Government unveiled £15m of funding for green transport projects in the region.

Nearly £5m will help fund the scheme in South Yorkshire along with a “Jobconnector” bus service between Grimethorpe and Wombwell and a campaign to persuade people walk, cycle or use public transport to get to work.

Another £4.6m from the Government’s Local Sustainable Transport Fund – designed to support green projects which also boost economic growth – will finance promotion of electric vehicles in York and improved walking, cycling and public transport.

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A project to link up public and community transport in the Yorkshire Dales will receive £1.1m and a West Yorkshire scheme to improve transport to work receives £4.2m.

Transport Minister Norman Baker said: “All winning schemes have one thing in common – they will help build strong local economies while addressing the urgent challenge of climate change.

“We have empowered local authorities to create packages of sustainable initiatives that are tailored for their local areas, and this is only the beginning – even more funding will be announced next summer following a second round of bids.”

The Cabinet member for City Strategy at York Council, Dave Merrett, said: “Providing better quality walking, cycling and public transport alternatives, and encouraging local residents to use them in place of a proportion of local car journeys, is central to our strategy for tackling congestion in York.

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“It will also allow us to promote electric vehicles that could help in course to turn round the worsening air quality situation in several parts of the city and contribute to tackling climate change.”

Skipton and Ripon MP Julian Smith said: “For the past year I have been arguing for a much stronger focus on the transport needs for our rural area and I am pleased that the Government has acknowledged this through today’s £1m commitment.”