§ Mr. WigleyTo ask the Secretary of State for Wales for what reasons there is a lower limit of £5 million on transport grant projects in Wales; and what estimate he has made of the number of schemes to strengthen road bridges in Wales to meet the new European Union requirements that fall into a category of less than £5 million. [18296]
§ Mr. HagueThe £5 million transport grant threshold has been agreed with the local authority associations in Wales. They are of the view that smaller schemes are properly for the discretion of local authorities and should be funded from unhypothecated resources. Local authorities are responsible for identifying the bridges which need strengthening on non-trunk roads.