§ Mr. SheldonTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make a statement on light rail funding; and what assessment he has made of the benefits of Greater Manchester passenger transport authority's plans to extend Metrolink to Ashton under Lyne via the proposed national stadium site. [1746]
§ Mr. NorrisThe Government fund light rail schemes out of the budget for local transport schemes, through the package approach. A separate budget for light rail does not exist, and such schemes can proceed only at the expense of other transport projects, both in the same area and in other parts of the country.
My support of light rail schemes is dependent on the following: whether the scheme can be demonstrated to be the right and most cost-effective solution to a particular urban transport problem; whether it has been planned within the context of a strategy or transport package to achieve mode shift away from the private car; and whether it will attract private sector investment. It should be remembered, however, that light rail is not the only solution to urban transport problems, and the difficulties and costs associated with developing schemes should not be underestimated.
We have not yet seen the economic case for the Metrolink extension to Ashton under Lyne, and I understand that Greater Manchester passenger transport executive has yet to apply for powers for this scheme under the Transport and Works Act 1992. Any progress 244W with this extension will depend on the priority attached to it by the Greater Manchester local authorities and the availability of resources.