§ Ms WalleyTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what progress he has made in developing(a) comprehensive inventories, (b) risk management strategies and (c) management systems to fund street lighting. [16080]
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§ Mr. JamiesonA working group representing DTLR and representatives from local government and industry was set up in September to take forward these issues. The need for a comprehensive inventory has been recognised as an important step and proposals in draft form are being produced in a form which could be readily adopted by local authorities.
Research into a street lighting risk management strategy is being considered. This will be dependent on the collection of accurate information on street lighting stock and condition which is one of the aims of the street lighting inventory.
When inventories are in place showing sufficient information on street lighting stock at a local and national level, DTLR will consider ways in which this information could be used to allocate funding to highway authorities that would allow them to deal with their street lighting backlog.
§ Ms WalleyTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what plans he has to deal with street lighting dereliction; and if he will make a statement. [16081]
§ Ms KeebleThe Government are committed in the 10-year plan for transport to tackling the local road maintenance backlog, including the backlog for street lighting. Over £30 billion is being provided for local road maintenance over the next 10 years, and extra £9 billion above the funding levels in the previous 10 years.