Two sub-national transport bodies in Southwest England, Western Gateway STB and Peninsula Transport STB, have combined resources to offer up to £100,000 in funding (£50,000 each) to support rural transport initiatives. This initiative aims to enhance mobility and accessibility in some of the region’s most remote communities.
Eligible organisations—including charities, businesses, local authorities, and community groups—can apply for grants of up to £50,000 to develop transport schemes that improve connectivity and livability in rural areas. Each fund may be allocated across multiple pilot projects within the respective STB region.
The Western Gateway area covers Gloucestershire to Bournemouth, including cities such as Bristol, Gloucester, Cheltenham, Salisbury, and Bath, as well as towns like Weymouth, Stroud, Tewkesbury, Dorchester, and Cirencester. The Peninsula Transport region extends across Cornwall, Devon, Plymouth, Somerset, and Torbay.
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Applicants should focus on addressing one or more of six key rural challenges: operational sustainability of transport, contributing to Net Zero goals, enhancing affordability and equity in rural mobility, meeting local community needs, and promoting sustainable tourism transport.
Cllr Andy Hadley and Cllr Sarah Warren of the Western Gateway Board emphasize the importance of supporting rural and coastal communities, many of which are isolated. “About a quarter of our residents live in rural areas, and many more visit. Funding these pilot schemes will improve access, increase opportunities, stimulate local economies, and protect the environment,” they stated.
Past projects funded by Western Gateway include a weekend shuttle bus service between Bridport and West Bay in Dorset, demand-responsive transport promotion in Gloucestershire, and support for e-bikes and car hire in the Forest of Dean. Similarly, Peninsula Transport has backed a community-led bus service around Bodmin and Lanivet.
Cllr John Stephens, Chair of Peninsula Transport, highlighted the ongoing commitment to rural connectivity: “These projects tackle transport barriers that many rural residents face daily. Through this second round of funding and our South West Rural Mobility Strategy, we aim to create sustainable, fairer, and more accessible travel solutions.”
Applications for the funding open immediately and will close on Sunday, 5th October 2025. Interested parties are encouraged to apply promptly to bring transformative transport solutions to their communities.