Friday, August 1 - DEVON County Council is delighted that two of its proposals for funding transport improvements at major growth points have been short listed by the Government for a share of £200 million.

DEVON County Council is delighted that two of its proposals for funding transport improvements at major growth points have been short listed by the Government for a share of £200 million.

The money from the Community Infrastructure Fund is being used to support transport schemes which will help deliver new housing and employment areas.

Over 160 bids were submitted nationally, and two schemes in the Exeter area are included in the Government's shortlist of 36.

One of the Exeter schemes is the £1.5 million upgrade of the M5 Junction 30 to complete capacity improvements to ease congestion and increase the use of public transport and cycling.

The first phase of the development has recently been constructed and the final improvements will support the 2,900 homes planned for Cranbrook and an additional 800 homes in the nearby Newcourt area of Exeter.

The second proposal is for a sustainable transport link across the motorway, linking the site of the proposed Science Park at Redhayes with Monkerton and Pinhoe.

The aim is to provide safe and direct access for pedestrians and cyclists, and to create a public transport route.

The scheme has an estimated cost of up to £5million.

Councillor Humphrey Temperley, the County Council's Executive Member for Strategic Planning, Regional and International Affairs, said: "These are challenging times for delivering major development, and transport infrastructure is often the key to bringing sites forward.

"It is excellent news that Government has recognised how these key transport projects can help us maintain the momentum of Exeter's expanding economy."

Further work will now need to be carried out by the County Council during the autumn, to prepare a full business case for each scheme later this year.

Ministers will announce which schemes have been successful in gaining final approval for funding in early 2009.