News
PBA Welcomes Urban Challenge Fund
29th March 2010
The decision of the Department for Transport (DfT) to replace the Transport Innovation Fund (TIF) with the new Urban Challenge Fund (UCF) is seen as a positive step forward by Peter Brett Associates LLP (PBA).
The Reading Journey to Work Area TIF Partnership submitted its formal Phase 1 bid at the end of January 2010. The comprehensive approach to putting together this bid means it is a strong contender for the UCF.
Scott Witchalls, partner at PBA, said: “We are pleased to see that the Department for Transport has used the work for the Reading bid to help shape the new Urban Challenge Fund.
“PBA welcomes the UCF’s approach to consider the wider aspects of transport, to incorporate economics, health and wellbeing in addition to congestion. The initiative understands the links between these attributes, and its approach can apply to both small towns and large metropolitans, with scope for smaller scale schemes to demonstrate significant returns."
PBA expects bids for UCF funding to emerge from the end of 2010.
"It is likely that the approach we have adopted in developing the package will also fit well with the Conservative’s planned Carbon Reduction Fund," said Scott.
Peter Brett Associates was re-appointed by Reading Borough Council in 2009 to provide transport planning advice for the next five years.