HC Deb 02 July 2002 vol 388 cc217-8W
Mr. Don Foster

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how he will ensure that funds allocated to local authorities to clear the road maintenance backlog are used for this purpose. [66010]

Light rail scheme Start date
Tyne and Wear Metro Original system opened between 1980 and 1984
Newcastle airport extension opened 1991
Extension to Sunderland and South Hylton opened on 31 March 2002
Docklands Light Railway (London) First phase opened 1987
Bank extension opened 1991
Beckton extension opened 1994
Lewisham extension opened 1999
Manchester Metrolink Altrincham-Bury opened 1992
Extension to Salford Quays and Eccles opened in 1999 and 2000 respectively
South Yorkshire Supertram (Sheffield) Opened in stages during 1994–95
Midland Metro Opened in 1999
Croydon Tramlink Opened in June 2000

Mrs. May

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many light rail passengers there have been in each of the last five years. [66570]

Mr. Jamieson

The following is the most recent information available:

Million
Year Number of light rail Year passenger journeys
1996–97 73
1997–98 79
1998–99 85
1999–2000 94
2000–01 120

Mrs. May

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make a statement on each proposed light rail scheme under consideration. [66578]

Mr. Jamieson

The light rail schemes currently being appraised by the Department for Transport on which

Mr. Jamieson

The Best Value regime, introduced by the Local Government Act 1999, requires continuous improvement in highway maintenance. Authorities are required to report annually against Best Value indicators, which measure carriageway condition on all classes of local authority roads.

DfT is working with local authorities to develop highway management systems which will lead to more consistent standards and a better system for effective targeting of resources.