£1.8m to improve bus and travel services

Over £1.8m of grants to help fund local transport schemes in the area has been secured by Powys County Council.

The council will receive £1.81m from the Welsh Government’s Local Transport Fund to purchase new public transport buses and improve paths along two important canals in the county, as well as progressing active travel projects in Montgomeryshire.

Nine new buses will be purchased for the TrawsCymru bus service that operates in the county thanks to £1.55m to improve bus provision in Powys.

£200,000 will be used on improving paths along the Montgomery and Brecon canals, while £60,000 will be used to progress active travel projects in Machynlleth and Welshpool.

Cllr Aled Davies, Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Public Transport, said: “I’m delighted the council has been successful in securing over £1.5m from the Welsh Government to improve the county’s bus provision by purchasing new buses.

“Bus journey experiences for passengers that use the TrawsCymru service will improve when these new buses are purchased and I hope that it will also attract more people to use this important public transport service.”

Cllr Phyl Davies, Cabinet Member for Highways, said: “Both the Monmouthshire and Brecon and the Montgomery canals are important tourism destinations so this money is welcomed and will benefit visitors who walk along the canal paths.

“Active travel is important to the council as it enables the people of Powys to walk and cycle and to do so safely. The funding will help us meet our aspirations to improve active travel facilities in both Machynlleth and Welshpool.”