HC Deb 16 January 2001 vol 361 c191W
Mr. Fearn

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what plans he has to include in the standard spending allowance an additional dedicated sum for gritting and treatment to roads and paths. [144913]

Ms Beverley Hughes

There is already a 'winter maintenance' element within the existing Highway Maintenance Standard Spending Assessment (SSA) calculation. Since SSAs are not ring-fenced, Sefton may choose to spend more or less on winter maintenance depending on local decisions on priorities. We have no plans to add any additional element or to ring fence the existing amount.