Doncaster's poor-quality pedestrian paths to be replaced with £5m funding boost

The Department for Transport revealed that £4.9m is to be spent in the borough as part of efforts to improve access to walking and cycling, also known as 'active travel'.

It was one of five projects in the region to get extra funding as Boris Johnson's so-called "infrastructure revolution" included £100m for a raft of road schemes.

Nearly £4m will be spent to maintain Anlaby Road, part of Hull’s Key Route Network, and just over £1m on maintaining the A635 in Goldthorpe, South Yorkshire.

The Department for Transport says 29 projects, ranging from fixing deteriorating roads and flood mitigation measures, through to repairing bridges that are part of local highway key routes, are getting funding.

The Government says the investment will make a lasting difference to the quality of local highways across the country.

Transport Secretary Grant Shapps said: “As the country begins the recovery from Covid-19, we need to get on the front foot and invest in infrastructure in every region to reignite the economy, helping better connect people with opportunities in the future.

“By investing £100m in local roads and reaffirming our commitment to better connecting communities, we are not just talking about levelling up – but making it happen.”

All 29 schemes announced are from the 2019/20 Local Highways Maintenance Challenge Fund. A competitive bidding round took place in autumn 2019 in which 98 bids were received. Some 33 projects were funded in February and the new funding allows a further 29 to proceed.

Transport for the North chief executive Barry White said: “Confirmed funding for essential road enhancements across the North is welcome news and will help to tackle the issues of congestion and resilience in local areas.

“However, to truly “level up” the North they must be followed by a commitment to a Northern Infrastructure Pipeline of road and rail schemes for our region, which will build the foundations of a sustainable transport network that supports recovery and future growth.

“Our developing Economic Recovery Plan for the North will set out the essential schemes that our region needs, and which we know can be delivered at pace to support our people, business and economy in post-Covid recovery and beyond.”