£70m travel deal secured which could turn Portsmouth into an ‘economic powerhouse’

Portsmouth City Council has confirmed a framework with Tarmac-owned contractor Alun Griffiths to deliver road, highways and associated redevelopment works over the next eight years.

It is hoped the works will improve walking, cycling and public transport, adding to future plans regenerate other aspects of the city centre – including the high streets.

Councillor Lynne Stagg, the council's traffic and transport boss, explained the move would create a 'more sustainable future' for the city. She said: 'This contract will play an important role in delivering this transformation and mean we have a contractor ready to start on site as soon as our plans are finalised.

'Not only will this help us create a more sustainable future but improving how accessible our city centre is and having better ways for people to move around it will help growth and prosperity for the city.'

The deal has not been made with any specific plans in mind, but is in place ready for any work that will need doing.

It comes as Portsmouth could be awarded a slice of a £117m fund from government - the transforming cities fund - to improve transport in and out of the city.

The deal is for a maximum of £70m but the council is not committed to spending any money until a plan for the work is finalised.

Opposition spokesman for transport, Tory Cllr Simon Bosher, believed the deal with Alun Griffiths could complement any future transport improvements in the city. 'It knits it all together so Portsmouth will become an economic superpower of the south coast,' he said.

'It just means we are another step closer to move forward in terms of redeveloping the city centre. The exciting bit is going to come when we have got some plans in place which will go out to consultation for the public to see.

'We need to address air quality and make the city centre fit for purpose when it comes to pedestrian and cycling access. This provides an opportunity to make it fit for purpose in the 21st century.'

The deal will also take into consideration the need for air quality improvement in Portsmouth.

As previously reported a chargeable clean air zone is due to be imposed in an area in the south west of the city next year. Vehicles affected will include non-compliant lorries, buses, coaches, taxis, heavy goods vehicles and potentially vans and minibuses.

The agreement with Alun Griffiths will start on September 14 and will run for an initial term of four years, extendable to up to eight years.

It is not known where the cash for the framework will come from but could be paid for by a mix of government grants and council funds.

The deal is separate to plans to improve cycling and walking in the city that have been made during the Covid pandemic.

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