§ Mr. Wrigglesworthasked the Secretary of State for Transport what grants are available for road projects through the European Regional Development Fund; and what assistance has been given from this source towards such projects in the Northern Region.
§ Mr. William RodgersGrants are available through the European Regional Development Fund towards the cost of infrastructure projects in United Kingdom Government assisted areas directly linked with the development of industrial or service activities. In the latest allocation last December £2.7 million grant was awarded to road and infrastruction projects in England. Some £1.5 million of this—including a grant of £1.1 million towards the cost of the Middlesbrough Northern Route Stage I—related to schemes in the Northern Region.
Since the fund's inception in 1975, the Northern Region has been granted a total of some £2.75 million towards the cost of 15 road projects. In addition, some £1.5 million has been granted towards 34 infrastructure projects which contain an appreciable highway element.