§ Mr. GaleTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will amend the Standard Spending Assessment formula to make lighting column replacement eligible for capital funding under the transport policy programme; and if he will make a statement. [103766]
§ Ms Beverley HughesOther than in exceptional circumstances, the replacement of lighting columns should be treated as revenue expenditure. Provision for this expenditure is made in Standard Spending Assessments and reflected in the distribution of Revenue Support Grant. Capital allocations made on the basis of local transport plans (replacement for the Transport Policies and Programme system) should not be used for the maintenance of lighting columns.