Transport Secretary Chris Grayling has announced £1 million of funding for the work of Transport for the South East.

The money will help to pay for the development of a transport strategy for the region as TfSE moves toward becoming a statutory body in the next two years.

The funding news comes as TfSE begins discussions on the first piece of its strategy, a review of economic connectivity in the South East, with transport users, operators, businesses and other partners.

Mr Grayling said: ‘This will help us build the modern and effective links our country needs, improving journey times, boosting housing development and economic growth, and getting people and goods where they need to be faster, safely and more comfortably.’

Cllr Keith Glazier, chairman of TfSE, said: ‘We’re grateful to the DfT for this vote of confidence in the work we’re doing with them to ensure we have an innovative and efficient network for decades to come.’