HC Deb 25 November 1996 vol 286 cc5-6
4. Mr. Congdon

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how much was spent on (a) roads and (b) public transport in Greater London in 1995–96. [4005]

The Minister for Transport in London (Mr. John Bowls)

Spending comes from a variety of public and private sources. In 1995–96, those included Government grant of £904 million to London Transport, £37 million to the docklands light railway, £124 million to local authorities, £13.5 million to the Traffic Director for London and £220 million to the Highways Agency.

Figures for Railtrack and the Office of Passenger Rail Franchising in Greater London are not identified separately.

Mr. Congdon

I very much welcome the significant investment there has been in public transport in London, particularly the money spent on the underground and the Jubilee line extension, as well as the commitment to spend £125 million on Croydon light rail. Does my hon. Friend agree that it is also important, particularly in south London, to ensure that access to the motorway network is improved—not so much by building new roads as by significantly improving the existing transport infrastructure to maintain the competitiveness of centres such as Croydon?

Mr. Bowis

My hon. Friend is right: it is important to ensure the smooth running of our roads. We shall certainly bear in mind the fact that one of the most important ways of achieving that end involves the red route network, which will enable the orbital routes to flow more freely. My hon. Friend is also right to pay tribute to the high level of investment in public transport in London—four times more in real terms has been invested this year in London Transport than in 1979. Substantial progress has been made under this Government. In the past hour, we have been able to announce that the Croydon tramlink deal has been signed and will proceed.

Mr. Cohen

The stop-go building of the M11 link road through Wanstead and Leytonstone has caused considerable inconvenience to local residents, is an environmental eyesore and has created crime traps. The Highways Authority has ruled out the possibility of environmental compensation for the area. Will the Minister accept that that is unreasonable and will he consider the possibility of environmental compensation?

Mr. Bowis

The hon. Gentleman pays tribute to the Government's plan to improve London's roads, particularly the M11-Hackney link. I do not think that I heard him pay tribute to the fact that, in the past couple of weeks, the go-ahead for the last two sections of that road has been announced—his constituents' problems should be moving towards a resolution. The hon. Gentleman may want to have a word with his own Front-Bench team, who have imposed a moratorium on all new road building.

Mr. Evennett

I, too, welcome the figures that my hon. Friend has given this afternoon. Is he aware that people in my constituency are demanding a balance between road and rail expenditure and are looking to a new crossing of the Thames between Woolwich and Dartford? When will he be able to say more about those issues?

Mr. Bowis

My hon. Friend is right to say that river crossings are important to his constituents and to many others. He will know that a package of river crossings, including Woolwich, Gallions Reach and Blackwall, is being carefully examined as part of the infrastructure that London needs to be effective. If he has read today's Evening Standard—I believe everything I see in that—he will know of the welcome news that we have given the go-ahead for the escape ramp for the Blackwall tunnel, which will also be good news for those trying to get across the river in an efficient and effective way.