§ Mr. Simon HughesTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport (I) how many applications for section 56 grants under the Transport Act 1968 his Department has received; and in how many of these cases grants have been provided;
(2) if he will list those applications for section 56 grants under the Transport Act 1968 which have been successful indicating in each case the project concerned, the level of support provided and the date on which the grant application was approved.
§ Mr. FreemanSince 1985, when such grants became available for large new public transport infrastructure projects, there have been 12 applications. Of these, three have been approved and a further four are under consideration. A number of promoters have been in contact with the Department about the possibility of grants for other projects, but have not made full applications. The successful applications are listed in the table.
Project Date approved Grant £ million Merseyrail safety work March 1989 0.3 Manchester Metrolink October 1989 153.0 Sheffield Supertram December 1990 2 1 Approximate figure; grant is being paid towards 50 per cent, of eligible costs within a cash ceiling. 2 Exact figure not yet determined.