EMCCA sets ambition for transport across the East Midlands
The newly formed East Midlands Combined County Authority (EMCCA) has approved nearly £175 million in funding for transport in the region in the next year. This includes £88million of funding that is new to the region through the East Midlands’ regional Mayor and the Combined County Authority.
The money will be used for urgent road repairs, better transport connections, and active travel projects and will be divided between EMCCA and four local councils, Derby City Council, Derbyshire County Council, Nottingham City Council and Nottinghamshire County Council.
EMCCA will manage funding for large regional projects, such as junction improvement works which are a key planning condition for enabling the new A50 junction, and supporting works on the A614/A6097 scheme in Nottinghamshire.
Work is also underway to review the potential of expanding the Nottingham Express Transit system to support housing and job growth.
Other notable projects include:
Derby City Council’s A52/A52T Spondon Interchange to allow better traffic flow and support active travel initiatives.
Nottingham City Council improvement of major roads for walking and cycling, as well as upgrading real-time parking information systems.
Derbyshire County Council’s road repair and works to prevent landslips, and
Nottinghamshire County Council’s maintaining and upgrading its roads, along with planning for future transport projects.
Some £21 million will also be used for Bus Service Improvement Plans (BSIP), £75 million for highways maintenance, £12.86 million for integrated transport and £7.27 million for active travel Fund.
Mayor of the East Midlands, Claire Ward, said, “By working closely with our local councils and partners, we will ensure every pound is spent wisely to improve transport links, reduce congestion, and support greener, more sustainable ways to travel. This is about more than just infrastructure – it’s about connecting people to opportunities, whether that’s jobs, skills training, education, or our fantastic local attractions.
“Our ambition is clear: to create a transport system that not only meets the needs of today but also lays the foundations for a stronger, more prosperous East Midlands in the future. We want this region to be a place where people and businesses can thrive, and this funding, when approved, will be a major step toward achieving that vision.”