§ Mr. TrotterTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport whether he will make a statement about the funding of local public transport schemes in England.
§ Mr. FreemanWe are providing resources for the £120 million Manchester metrolink light rail scheme, including more than £50 million of grant. Construction is well advanced, and operations should begin late next year.
Subject to my receiving assurances from the South Yorkshire passenger transport authority about costs, 409W contributions to be made by the parties involved, and transfer in due course to the private sector, the £230 million supertram project proposed for Sheffield will he the next light rail scheme to go ahead. Substantial Government grant suppport will be provided.
As I announced on 26 November, we are reserving resources for a start on the electrification of the railway infrastructure in the Bradford area.
Light rail schemes are being actively considered in other areas. Parliament has granted powers for a number of lines, including the proposed midland metro line between Birmingham and Wolverhampton. The appraisal of that scheme is currently in progress, and we hope that it will be completed as soon as possible. If it proves satisfactory, we will be ready to consider paying grant next year towards the cost of developing the scheme in detail. We will consider other proposals on the same basis, subject to the availability of resources.
We also remain committed to taking full advantage of the important contribution which the bus can make to improving the quality of public transport in urban areas. We are examining urgently the proposals put forward by the Bus and Coach Council, including the possibility of earmarking resources for measures to promote bus use, and hope to respond in the new year.