HC Deb 03 July 2000 vol 353 cc89-90W
Mr. Jenkin

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions (1) if he will list the funding made available in each year since 1984–85 to each local authority for spending on schemes to encourage cycling; [128378]

(2) how much the Government spent in each year since 1984–85 on schemes to encourage cycling. [128379]

Mr. Hill

This information is not available in the form requested.

As far as local authority schemes are concerned no separate funding is made available to encourage cycling. It is for individual authorities to decide the amount spent on cycling from their overall total allocation of funding.

Between 1991–92 and 1999–2000, local highway authorities received funding for integrated transport packages and minor works, including cycling, as part of the annual local transport capital settlement. From 2000–01 onwards, authorities will receive an integrated capital block allocation each year for all local transport and maintenance purposes except schemes costing more than £5 million, which are funded separately.

The following table gives details of allocations from 1991–92 to 2000–01, from which spending on schemes to encourage cycling could be made.

£ million
Year Amount available
1991–92 120
1992–93 109
1993–94 125
1994–95 70
1995–96 128
1996–97 118
1997–98 79
1998–99 85
1999–2000 160
2000–01 250

As to other expenditure the Department funds research into promoting cycling and making it safer. We issue guidance based on the results of research through our Local Transport Notes and Traffic Advisory Leaflets. In addition we are funding the marketing of the National Cycling Strategy and in 1996–97 around £2 million were provided by the Department to fund schemes in the Cycle Challenge project.

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