HC Deb 26 February 2001 vol 363 cc318-9W
Jean Corston

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will set out, with statistical information relating as directly as possible to the Bristol, East constituency, the effects on Bristol of his Department's policies and actions since 2 May 1997. [150549]

Ms Beverley Hughes

Since May 1997 my Department has introduced and developed a variety of initiatives which will help regenerate the more disadvantaged areas of Bristol. Those in my hon. Friend's constituency include:

New Deal for Communities

£50 million of additional Government funding under the New Deal for Communities programme to support regeneration of Barton Hill and surrounding localities.

So far there has been a 20 per cent. reduction in crime in the area, a measurable increase in street cleanliness as part of Project Pathfinder and the Employment Service/Benefits Agency is now operating from a New Deal shop in St. Judes.

Transport

Major public transport investment from Bristol's Transport Settlements of £21.287 million over the period 1998–99 to 2001–2002. This was used in Bristol, East for a host of traffic management priorities such as traffic calming measures (for example on Robertson Road in Eastville). It was also used for Safer Routes to Schools schemes (such as Whitehall Primary).

Housing

Improvements to dwellings under the Housing Investment Programme (amounts to £67.308 million over the same period for Bristol as a whole).

Neighbourhood Renewal Fund

Over the next three years Bristol will receive £8.022 million from the Neighbourhood Renewal Fund to help main programme spending to deliver better outcomes for the most deprived communities.

Single Regeneration Budget

Single Regeneration Budget spending in east Bristol is for a seven-year scheme costing £16.8 million, of which the Single Regeneration Budget is contributing £7.6 million. The scheme is heavily dependent on local residents getting involved. In November 2000 a Community Safety Library and Resource Centre was opened. This is a drop-in centre giving advice to people in three of the most deprived wards on a wide range of topics, including racial harassment and help for victims of crime.

European Structural Funds

The European Structural Fund Objective 2 programme will also provide funding in the constituency, but although £121.2 million is available across the south-west region, it is not possible to say how much of this will benefit Bristol, East directly.