Silverdale receives share of £2 million ‘clean energy’ funding for green public transport

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Silverdale Parish Council has received funding to explore developing local, low carbon, public transport options.

The ‘clean energy’ grant, from a regional £2 million Community Energy Fund, will enable the Parish Council to look at green options to link Silverdale railway station, village and the surrounding National Landscapes of Arnside and Silverdale, by making Ultra-Low Emission Vehicles or EV available. The parish council has appointed consultants The TAS Partnership to produce a ‘Silverdale Sustainable Transport Study’ to identify options to improve transport in the local area for residents and visitors.

It’s hoped this will reduce private car use and associated CO2 emissions and improve public accessibility to healthcare facilities.

Now, people across Lancashire are being encouraged to apply for a slice of the fund to develop ‘clean energy’ projects in their area.

The Community Energy Fund can help groups get projects off the ground, such as solar panel networks, wind farms and hydro power, rural heat networks, electric vehicle charging points and car clubs.

Aimed at helping local communities to generate and cut their consumption of fossil fuel based energy, the scheme means community groups and eligible voluntary groups in urban and rural communities can apply for a part of £2million available locally to develop energy projects in their areas.

It’s being rolled out locally by the North West Net Zero Hub, one of five regional hubs nationwide, in conjunction with Lancashire County Council and funded by the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero as part of a national £10million programme.

County Councillor Shaun Turner, cabinet member for Environment and Climate Change at Lancashire County Council, said:

“We’re absolutely committed to protecting Lancashire’s environment and as an organisation it is one of our four key priorities.

“Reducing greenhouse gases, ensuring infrastructure and services are resilient to climate change and clean, affordable energy are all incredibly important.

“As a council we also know how crucial it is that we work with communities and partner organisations so that we can achieve these aims, as we cannot do it in isolation.

“We want to build on all the good work that has already been done and I’m really looking forward to seeing more clean, affordable energy schemes in Lancashire.”