HC Deb 28 March 1994 vol 240 cc489-90W
Mr. Tipping

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) what financial support he plans for phases 2 and 3 of the Robin Hood line in Nottinghamshire; under what powers he will provide such assistance; in what financial years such assistance will be given; and if he will make a statement;

(2) what funding he intends to make available for phases 2 and 3 of the Robin Hood line in Nottinghamshire; how this funding might be paid; in what financial years this funding will be made available; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Ashton

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when he expects to make funds available for stage 3 of the Robin Hood railway line from Mansfield to Worksop.

Mr. Freeman

As my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Transport announced on 6 May 1993 resources of £6.5 million are to be made available for phase 2 of the Robin Hood line. An application by Nottinghamshire county council for grant under section 56 of the Transport Act 1968 is still being discussed. The £6.5 million will be a combination of grant and credit approvals under sections 53 and 54 of the Local Government and Housing Act 1989. The current project programme indicates that resources will be required in the 1994–95 financial year.

I am not yet satisfied with the case for phase 3 and my Department is discussing with the county council the further work needed on the appraisal. If the council wishes to bid for resources for phase 3, they will need to indicate in a future transport policies and programme submission how it fits into their overall strategy and priorities.