BARNSLEY Council’s ruling cabinet members approved around £2.6m in funding for its active travel schemes at a meeting this week.

The funding, from the South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority, will support a number of projects in the town.

A total of £898,000 was accepted in revenue funding for the development of a future pipeline of schemes, £987,000 was accepted from the tranche five of the SYMCA’s scheme and a potential £800,000 was also accepted at Wednesday’s meeting.

Coun James Higginbottom said: “This is for funding for things such as traffic models, new data collection systems, feasibility work, consultancy staff and funding for the active travel hub operation.

“Secondly, we have over £500,000 from Active Travel Tranche Five.

“This funding is for the development of active travel schemes to upgrade a pedestrian crossing and to develop schemes in the vicinity of schemes.

“Third there is a £460,000 which will pay for bike storage in local community centres.

“In total there is around £2.6m in total funding to support our activity travel programme.

“There is no financial ask from the council to progress the recommendations.

“I think it goes to show that when it comes to matters to transport, Barnsley is a council that delivers.”

Council leader Sir Steve Houghton added: “I want to express my thanks to the team.

“Pro rata we do really well out of SYMCA compare to other places.

“Significantly because we deliver schemes when others don’t.

“It’s more investment in Barnsley which is always a positive thing to have.”