§ 10. Paul Farrelly (Newcastle-under-Lyme)What grants and assistance have been given to north Staffordshire for the improvement of transport infrastructure since 1997. [81332]
§ The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Transport (Mr. David Jamieson)Funding for north Staffordshire is allocated to Stoke-on-Trent city council and Staffordshire county council. In the five years since 1997, they have received a total of £93.6 million in transport grant and borrowing approval. I am sure that my hon. Friend will be delighted to know that funding in his area through the local transport plans has doubled in recent years.
§ Paul FarrellyI thank my hon. Friend for that reply. I am sure that he is aware that north Staffordshire needs more investment and, frankly, more regeneration expertise to unlock the capital sums that the Government have already earmarked. A key priority is regeneration for the whole A500, A50 and A34 corridor running between Stoke-on-Trent and my constituency. Will his Department consider favourably any requests by the north Staffordshire—
§ Mr. SpeakerOrder. I will not allow an hon. Member to read out a supplementary question.
§ Mr. JamiesonMy hon. Friend will know that the completion of the A50 dual carriageway to the M1 has brought many benefits to his area. The public inquiry on the A50—the Potteries D road—to which he referred, was completed on 7 November and, subject to the usual planning consents, work will start next year.