HC Deb 31 March 1988 vol 130 cc616-7W
Mr. Gould

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what proportion of the transport programme is spent in the inner cities.

Mr. Peter Bottomley

Around 40 per cent. of the value of the national road programme is accounted for by schemes under construction or in preparation which will benefit inner cities.

About 30 per cent. of the value of all local road schemes accepted for transport supplementary grant consist of schemes costing over £1 million in or assisting inner cities. In addition, there are a large number of smaller schemes which will help transport and provide safety benefit in inner cities.

Over 80 per cent. of grants paid in respect of schemes currently being undertaken under section 56 of the Transport Act 1968 and nearly 60 per cent. of grants paid in respect of current schemes under the Industrial Development Act are supporting inner city projects.

Inner cities also benefit from a substantial, though unquantifiable, proportion of Government grants to British Rail and London Regional Transport.