The UK government has declared significant levels of progress in its green transport sector after record investment in emissions reduction measures.
Transport Secretary Chris Grayling celebrated the fact that the government has now invested more than £600 million (€684.72 million) in green initiatives in the north of England, highlighting funding programmes for electric car charge points; development of electric and low-emission public transport options; and projects aimed at boosting cycling infrastructure projects across the region. Grayling noted, however, that local authorities and businesses had not made as much use of funding made available for environmental schemes as they could have.
Meanwhile UK green transport manufacturing in the Midlands is set to benefit from an additional investment of £28 million (€31.97 million) in Coventry’s new UK Battery Industrialisation Centre. The centre, which previously received an initial investment of £80 million (€91.31 million), will bring the UK to the forefront of the global battery industry with world leading testing facilities and practical training in battery manufacturing processes. The new tranche of funding was announced at the same time as the launch of the West Midlands’ Local Industrial Strategy, aimed at increasing industrial productivity and development of new technologies across the region.
Mayor of the West Midlands Andy Street said: “For Coventry to boast the UK’s Battery Industrialisation Centre is a major coup for the city and the wider West Midlands. This £108 million [€123.3 million] facility will give the city and the region a huge boost in the race to lead the world in the production of electric vehicles, which is an increasingly important market as we look to tackle air pollution and climate change. The Local Industrial Strategy being launched today also highlights advanced manufacturing, medical research and the creative and digital industries as distinct strengths of the West Midlands. The strategy will build on these strengths and other opportunities so we have a strong and resilient economic future that can benefit all communities across the whole region.”
