FUNDING to improve Ely Station has been unlocked after �9million was secured to reduce congestion and grow Cambridgeshire’s economy.

Cambridgeshire County Council’s successful bid to Government has secured a total of �9million in extra cash for transport in the county.

It received �5million from the Government’s Local Sustainable Transport Fund, the equal highest amount awarded to any local authority.

But the grant unlocked a further �4.2million to be spent on transport improvements some of which will be spent on improvements to Ely Station.

The east-west corridor at Alconbury to Cambridge via Cambridge Science Park will also benefit.

Councillor Ian Bates, county council Cabinet member for growth and planning, said: “This is great news for Cambridgeshire and is part of our drive to invest in measures to improve our infrastructure to show that Cambridgeshire is open for business.

“We are delighted the Government has recognised that our plans will not only boost the local economy but will help the national economy grow as well.

“The fact we got the joint largest grant in the country shows how good our bid was. This means more opportunities for business, more jobs and a better quality of life for our residents.

“These measures complement the work we are already carrying out such as the bold move to invest in creating a new Cambridge Science Park station. They will also bring broader benefits across the whole county and build on the public transport and cycling improvements that we are already making.”

Improvements will range from infrastructure schemes such as new or improved cycle routes, and cycle parking, through to better public transport systems and enhanced signage and maps.

Support will be offered to employers in the corridors to develop their own workplace travel plans to help employees travel to work more sustainably. This could include providing showers and lockers at workplaces or personalised travel planning advice to employees.

Households in the areas will also be offered help in finding out more about their travel options for getting to work, school or other important journeys.

The programme will also improve the availability and quality of travel information, such as upgrades to the Real Time Passenger Information system which provides live bus journey information for passengers.

Funding will be spent between 2012 and 2015.