TWO major projects costing �7 million that will improve transport links to the planned Cranbrook development have been given the green light by the Department of Transport.

TWO major projects costing �7 million that will improve transport links to the planned Cranbrook development have been given the green light by the Department of Transport.Last week, Hallam Land Management and developers Taylor-Wimpey, Persimmon Homes and Redrow Homes said that they were hopeful that building work on the new 2,900-home town north of Rockbeare would begin this year.The two projects - junction 30 Improvement on the M5 costing �1.5m and new segregated crossing worth �5.5m - are part of a national �151m package that will support the development of new housing.The money comes from the Community Infrastructure Fund - and The Department for Communities and Local Government say the projects will 'unlock the potential in the region' for delivering the new homes.The DCLG added the projects would also support 279 jobs in the region as part of the Government's fiscal stimulus to support the economy in the current climate. Ben Bradshaw, Exeter MP and Minister for the South West, said: "I am pleased that the South West has been successful in securing funding ...under the Community Infrastructure Fund. "The transport schemes...will provide the infrastructure for thousands of new homes to be built and support 279 jobs in the region as part of the Government's fiscal stimulus to support the economy."The 29 national schemes are transport projects in Government designated Growth Point Areas - locations that are committed to building more homes and are keen to deliver improvements to their transport infrastructure to support this growth - one of them being Cranbrook. Secretary of State for Housing, Margaret Beckett, said: "We know that good transport links are vital to successful communities and these projects will unlock the potential for new housing where it is needed. By investing today, in tomorrow's infrastructure, we are helping to ensure the foundations are in place to support economic recovery, while also creating and safeguarding jobs right now." More than half the schemes propose sustainable transport solutions such as bus routes, rail improvement or park-and-ride facilities, with some schemes covering a combination of travel modes.