§ Mr. Tony Lloydasked the Secretary of State for Transport if he will indicate which light rail passenger transport systems have received funding from central Government; and what was the amount of such assistance.
§ Mr. David MitchellThe capital cost of the Tyne and Wear Metro has amounted to about £280 million. Of this some two thirds has been met by central Government grant. In addition, the first phase of the London Docklands light railway, currently under construction, will cost £77 million. It is funded equally by London Regional Transport and the London Docklands Development Corporation out of central Government grants; up to two-thirds of the LRT grant is recovered from London ratepayers.
§ Mr. Tony Lloydasked the Secretary of State for Transport if he plans to provide financial assistance for the proposed light rapid transit system in Greater Manchester.
§ Mr. David MitchellI am considering an application by Greater Manchester passenger transport executive for a grant under section 56 of the Transport Act 1968 towards the cost of its proposed light rapid transit system. The PTE has, however, acknowledged that it needs to undertake further work before the project can be fully appraised.