The UK Government has approved £30m for improving cycle and road safety for communities along the High Speed 2 (HS2) project.

The funding was confirmed by the government as part of the National Road Safety Week.

HS2 Minister Paul Maynard said: “This significant investment will mean a legacy of road and cycle safety improvements for people who live and work along the HS2 route between London and the West Midlands.

“HS2 will become the backbone of our national rail network – supporting growth and regeneration and helping us build a Britain fit for the future.

“As part of Europe’s biggest infrastructure project, we are minimising the effects of building the new railway as much as possible.

“As part of Europe’s biggest infrastructure project, we are minimising the effects of building the new railway as much as possible.”

“This money will see areas up and down the route benefit from high-quality road and cycle safety projects to ensure that England’s roads remain among the safest in the world.”

The funding will be used for traffic calming measures, safer pedestrian crossings or safer junctions for cyclists, and pedestrians in towns and villages along the HS2 route between London and the West Midlands.

HS2 chief executive Mark Thurston said: “Safety, environmental protection and being sensitive to the impact of our work on local communities are at the heart of HS2’s approach to construction.

“We all have a responsibility to ensure that the new funding leaves a positive local legacy of improved road safety for communities once HS2 is complete.”

Local authorities will agree to the release of funds with HS2 after they have agreed on plans for projects.