HC Deb 20 March 2000 vol 346 cc394-5W
Mr. Bob Russell

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what action he is taking to ensure that local authorities meet the Government's accident reduction targets; and if he will make a statement. [114890]

Mr. Hill

The Government's Road Safety Strategy, "Tomorrow's Roads—Safer for Everyone", included new national casualty reduction targets to be met by 2010. To achieve these targets we must work in partnership with others, including local authorities. The strategy outlines what we expect of local authorities. Within their local transport plan (LTP) authorities must devise a local road safety strategy including local casualty reduction targets in support of the national targets. We are providing authorities with additional resources for implementation.

The integrated transport element of capital allocations, which includes road safety schemes, will be £250 million in 2000–01, 20 per cent. higher than in the current year. Authorities will be required to produce annual progress reports setting out performance against the indicators and targets contained within the LTP. Authorities will be asked to look again at LTPs which fail to deliver against their targets and we reserve the right to reduce allocations to poorly performing authorities or introduce the selective ring-fencing of resources.