§ Mr. MoateTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many village bypass schemes not on primary routes have been accepted for transport supplementary grant during the most recent five years for which information is available.
§ Mr. Kenneth Carlisle[holding answer 1 December 1992]: Following is the information:
Year Number of schemes 1988–89 13 1989–90 12 1990–91 10 1991–92 7 1992–93 11
§ Mr. MoateTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport in what circumstances his Department could be expected favourably to consider for transport supplementary grant a village bypass scheme which is not on a designated primary route; what guidance he has issued to local highways authorities about this matter beyond the published criteria for transport supplementary grant; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Kenneth Carlisle[holding answer 1 December 1992]: My Department receives annual bids for eligible schemes from the 108 English local highway authorities. They are considered on their overall merits in competition. The number accepted for TSG depends on the level of resources available.
The Department issues an annual circular explaining the operation of the TSG system. The latest edition is local authority circular 3/92. It contains details of the eligibility criteria. All roads which are of more than local importance are eligible for TSG. In addition, guidance notes on the completion of the finance forms used to support bids for TSG are issued to each local highway authority. These notes include particulars of information required to support bids for TSG on individual major schemes.