§ Mr. LewisTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) what estimate he has made of the amount of section 56 funding required in 1996–97 for construction of the Salford quays and Eccles extension to be started 1996; [7161]
(2) when he plans to announce his Department's contribution to the funding for the Salford quays and Eccles Metrolink extension. [7159]
§ Mr. NorrisGreater Manchester passenger transport authority has yet to obtain powers under the Transport and Works Act 1992 for the Metrolink extension between Salford quays and Eccles. GMPTA has bid for funding for the extension as far as Salford quays in the 1996–97 local transport settlement. We are announcing details of the settlement today. I am afraid that we have been unable to find resources for the scheme in 1996–97.
§ Mr. LewisTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport what discussions he plans between his Department and the Greater Manchester transport authority in respect of starting construction of the Salford quays and Eccles Metrolink extension during 1996. [7160]
§ Mr. NorrisMy Department will he happy to have further discussions with Greater Manchester passenger transport authority about its proposed Metrolink extension to Salford quays and Eccles.