A cash boost of £30 million will be handed out to towns and villages along the route of the controversial new High Speed Two railway in a bid to improve road and cycle safety – with Bucks County Council landing almost £4 million.

Funding for 13 areas along the Phase One route of the new rail line between London and the West Midlands was revealed by HS2 Minister Paul Maynard as part of National Road Safety Week.

The cash can be used for traffic calming measures, safer pedestrian crossings or safer junctions for cyclists, pedestrians and drivers.

The Department for Transport says the cash will help provide improved road safety for generations.

Paul Maynard, HS2 Minister, 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.

“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.”

Bucks County Council’s share of the cash will be £3,950,000, the DfT has confirmed.

Mark Thurston, HS2 chief executive, 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.

“That’s why we welcome today’s announcement and we look forward to working with local highways authorities along the route.

“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.”