§ Mr. Don FosterTo 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. MayTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many light rail passengers there have been in each of the last five years. [66570]
§ Mr. JamiesonThe 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. MayTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make a statement on each proposed light rail scheme under consideration. [66578]
§ Mr. JamiesonThe light rail schemes currently being appraised by the Department for Transport on which
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§ Mr. JamiesonThe 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.