£175 million green-lit to improve roads and public transport in the East Midlands

The East Midlands Combined County Authority (EMCCA) Board has approved nearly £175 million in funding for transport in the region in the next year (2025/26) – with a further £19m also being consider down the line.  

£88 million of this funding is new to the region and is thanks to the East Midlands having a regional Mayor and a Combined County Authority.  

The money will be used for urgent road repairs, better transport connections, and projects that help people travel by foot or bike 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 (South Derby Growth Zone). Plus, EMCCA funding will support the works on the A614/A6097 scheme (Nottinghamshire). A commissioned study will start the work to review the potential for expanding the Nottingham Express Transit  system to support housing and job growth. 

Notable Projects: 

• Derby City Council will receive funding for several key projects, including the A52/A52T Spondon Interchange to allow better traffic flow and support active travel initiatives, making it easier and safer for pedestrians and cyclists. 

• Nottingham City Council will focus on improving major roads for walking and cycling, as well as upgrading real-time parking information systems. 

• Derbyshire County Council will invest in repairing roads and works to help prevent landslips, particularly on key routes. 

• Nottinghamshire County Council will focus on maintaining and upgrading its roads, along with planning for future transport projects.  

Funding Allocations: 

• £66 million for City Region Sustainable Transport Settlements 2 (CRSTS2): This funding will support road repairs, improvements to highways, and projects to make walking, cycling, and public transport easier. 

• £21 million for Bus Service Improvement Plans (BSIP): This funding will be used to make bus services more reliable, affordable, and accessible across the East Midlands. 

• £75 million for Highways Maintenance Block: EMCCA will receive this funding, £22m of which, is extra money the region is getting because it has a Mayoral Combined Authority. This will go on road repairs in 2025/26.  

• £12.86 million for Integrated Transport Block Funding: EMCCA is expecting this funding to deliver activities across the local transport network. 

• £7.27 million for Active Travel Fund: The region has been awarded this funding to improve walking, wheeling and cycling and infrastructure. 

Mayor of the East Midlands, Claire Ward, said: “This is a huge step forward for transport in the East Midlands. We want to investing millions to build a better, more connected future for our communities. This funding w make a real difference to everyday lives, making travel easier, safer, and more reliable, whether by bus, bike, or on foot, while also tackling much-needed road repairs.

“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.”

2025/26 is a transitional year for EMCCA as it works on planning and delivering more transport projects. The goal is to improve transport for everyone in the region, making it easier to travel and reducing the impact on the environment. EMCCA will make sure the money is spent wisely and track the progress of each project.  

EMCCA is the single public transport body for the whole region and services and resources from councils are currently being transferred over to the Authority.