§ Mr. Bob RussellTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what plans he has to fund further tram or light railway systems; and if he will make a statement. [108725]
§ Mr. HillCentral Government support is available to local authorities to fund light rapid transit systems in the form of grant under section 56 of the Transport Act 1968. Revenue support is provided through the local government finance system to meet the cost of borrowing undertaken by authorities to finance capital expenditure on major transport schemes and for eligible expenditure on local authority Private Finance Initiative projects.
§ Mr. Bob RussellTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what research his Department has undertaken into the benefits of tram/light railway systems(a) in the UK and (b) in other European Union countries; and if he will make a statement. [108726]
§ Mr. HillMy Department has contributed to studies on the impact of Manchester Metrolink, South Yorkshire Supertram and Croydon Tramlink. Reports on Manchester Metrolink and South Yorkshire Supertram have now been completed. The Department has also funded a report into light rail and complementary measures, which covers European systems. This was published in May 1998. A follow-up study is being undertaken. Copies of the completed reports have been placed in the Library.