§ Mr. SoamesTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will allocate specific funds to West Sussex County Council to improve road safety around schools in Mid Sussex. [67274]
§ Ms Glenda JacksonWe have already allocated over a million pounds of resources to West Sussex County Council which they could choose to use on capital works to improve road safety around schools in Mid Sussex. It is for the County Council to decide where this funding can be used most effectively to save lives and prevent casualties.
In the Local Transport Capital Expenditure Settlement for 1999–00 we have allocated £526,000 to the County Council for expenditure on Local Safety Schemes, and £400,000 for expenditure on rural and non-package minor works. In addition, we have allocated £100,000 for expenditure on the East Grinstead transport package, which includes a safer routes to schools initiative.
Further local transport capital funds for use in 2000–01 will be provided to all English highway authorities later this year following assessment of their local transport plans.