SUSTAINABLE transport projects in Crewe will be boosted by a £3.5 million Government handout.

The Local Sustainable Transport Fund (LSTF) money will be earmarked for use on a variety of different green schemes.

Among proposals is a new high-frequency shuttle bus to link residential areas in the north west of the town with employment areas in the south east.

There are also plans for new shared cycle and pedestrian routes, subsidised bus tickets for job seekers, and expanding the Wheels 2 work scheme , which loans bikes and mopeds to people having difficulty reaching work.

New real-time local transport information, accessible by smartphone and the internet is also planned.

The funding is part of Cheshire East’s All Change for Crewe regeneration programme, which aims to unlock the growth potential of the town in a low carbon way, and make Crewe a nationally-significant economic powerhouse by 2030. Clr Peter Groves, Cabinet support member with responsibility for prosperity and economic regeneration, said: “This £3.5m of funding will have immediate and long-lasting effects on the prospects for economic growth and sustainable transport.”

The Government has previously given £6.17m of funding for development of Crewe station, and £27m for the Crewe Green Link Road South - a dual carriageway linking the A500 Hough Shavington bypass and the A5020.

Councillor Rod Menlove, Cabinet member with responsibility for environment, added: “The LSTF will help transform Crewe’s transport network, boost infrastructure and maximise the benefits of new investment. This will help unlock the enormous growth potential of Crewe in a low-carbon way.

Funding will be spent over the next two and half years until March 2015.