§ Mr. SymsTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions (1) in which cities(a) tram and (b) guided bus systems have been opened over the past four years; [3542]
(2) what plans he has to introduce new rapid transit lines broken down by (a) the cities in which he intends to introduce them, (b) the number of lines he will introduce in each city and (c) the date for commencement of each project; [3429]
(3) in which cities he intends to introduce (a) new trams and (b) guided bus systems over the next 10 years indicating in each case (i) when work is expected to commence and (ii) when the system is expected to open. [3541]
§ Ms KeebleIt is for local authorities to put forward proposals for light rail or guided bus schemes as part of their Local Transport Plan, or the Mayor's Transport Strategy in the case of London. Where Government funding is sought, we require a thorough appraisal of the scheme. Since 1997, five new light rail lines have opened: two extensions to the Manchester Metrolink, the Midland Metro line to Wolverhampton, the Croydon Tramlink and the Docklands Light Railway extension to Lewisham. No new guided bus schemes have been opened within this period. The charts set out those light rail and guided bus schemes that have been approved or given provisional approval with construction and approximate opening dates.
13W
Guided bus Scheme City Construction Opens A63/A64 York Road and Selby Road Leeds Under way September 2001 A641 Manchester Road Bradford Under way Autumn 2001 Crawley Fastway Crawley to Gatwick Preliminary works commenced. Major works start February 2002 Completion of all three phases by 2005 Chester/Deeside Transport System Chester Seeking TWA Powers Dependent on TWA application Leigh Manchester Seeking TWA powers. Dependent on TWA application We are also aware of proposals for new light rail lines in Merseyside, Hull, Bath, East Lancashire and Blackpool and for further extensions to the Manchester Metrolink, the South Yorkshire Supertram, the Midland Metro, Nottingham Express Transit and the Tyne and Wear Metro. There are proposals for guided bus schemes between Luton and Dunstable, in Northampton and in Cambridge.
For London, the Mayor's Transport Strategy includes proposals for four tram or bus transit schemes—East London Transit, Greenwich Waterfront Transit, Uxbridge Road Transit and Cross River Transit. The Mayor and Transport for London will consult on each of these proposals to decide which, if any, should be taken forward, with a view to completing planning, determining funding and financing and starting the construction of any preferred scheme or schemes by 2004.