A SCHEME which could allow York to push ahead with major transport projects worth about £80 million over the next ten years is set to be backed by city leaders.

City of York Council’s cabinet will be asked to support an initiative which has the backing of West Yorkshire councils as part of a joint Local Transport Body, giving local authorities the power to decide how funding for key transport schemes should be spent.

Each council is being asked to outline their support for establishing a £1 billion West Yorkshire Plus Transport Fund, with the partnership potentially seeing York receive funding for improvements to the Outer Ring Road, creating a bus interchange near York Station and enhancing Park&Ride facilities, including ones at Clifton Moor.

Funding for the proposals would come from various sources, including Department for Transport grants.

Councils would also be required to make contributions, with York’s share being £452,000 in 2014/15 and rising to about £4 million a year by 2022/23. This would need to be maintained for the next 30 years.

Being a member of the fund would allow York to benefit from arrangements which distribute extra business rates created by infrastructure improvements among the authorities involved. The project could also pave the way for better rail services and links between York and Castleford, Wakefield and Leeds Bradford Airport.