§ Mr. Bob RussellTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what(a) financial and (b) other assistance was given by the Government and Government agencies in the past five years to road safety and environmental improvement works to Colchester High Street; and what plans he has to support further road safety and environmental improvement works. [7654]
§ Ms Glenda JacksonOver the last five years £16.01 million (an average of £3.2 million per year) has been awarded to Essex County Council through the local transport settlement for local safety schemes and minor works. It is for the County Council to determine the most appropriate use for their allocations, but we expect them to target their most pressing accident sites. Over the last two years we have also awarded an additional £1.2 million to the County Council towards their package of transport proposals for Colchester. Allocations for 1998–99 have not yet been determined. In addition to this financial support, officials from the Department have provided technical advice on environmental measures for the High Street, including a 20 miles per hour zone, special traffic signals and a restricted parking zone.
§ Mr. RussellTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many representations he has received in the past five years from hon. Members, organisations or individuals, concerning road safety and environmental improvement works to Colchester High Street; and how many were objections to the works. [7653]
§ Ms JacksonMy right hon. Friend has had no representations about Colchester High Street from hon. Members. There have been several representations from other sources in support of the package of transport measures for Colchester which Essex County Council have promoted through their Transport Policies and Programme bids for 1996–97 and 1997–98.