EU member states have formally approved a list of 195 transport projects that will receive a combined total of €6.7bn (£5.2bn) of funding under the Connecting Europe Facility (CEF) programme.

The investment will unlock additional public and private co-financing for a combined amount of €9.6bn, and is expected to create up to 100,000 jobs by 2030.

The UK will receive over €45m in funding for air transportation schemes under the Single European Sky initiatives. Projects include the design of new air traffic control systems and systems for 10 Royal Air Force facilities.

Commissioner for transport Violeta Bulc said: “I am glad we have the support of the Member States for our multi-billion investment in 195 priority transport projects. The bulk of this funding has been allocated to central and eastern Europe, which will help bridge the deployment gap between EU regions. In doing so, the Connecting Europe Facility contributes to better, greener and safer transport all across Europe.”

Individual project grant agreements will now be prepared by the Innovation & Networks Executive Agency (INEA) and signed with the project beneficiaries by the end of the year.