HC Deb 24 July 2002 vol 389 c1272W
Mr. Chope

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make a statement on the review of the planning process for transport projects to which transport funding announced by the Chancellor of the Exchequer on 15 July are linked. [71255]

Mr. Jamieson

[holding answer 19 July 2002]: This will be the subject of discussions between my Department and that of the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister.

Mr. Chope

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what the(a) benchmark lead times for major infrastructure transport projects and (b) shortened lead times are which form part of the delivery reform measures to which transport funding announced by the Chancellor of the Exchequer on 15 July are linked. [71259]

Mr. Jamieson

[holding answer 19 July 2002]: It is too early to provide precise details of the work to streamline processes for transport planning and delivery, but it is the intention to build on the improvements already made by the Highways Agency, while the SRA will be working with the rail industry to develop special purpose vehicles to deliver major rail projects more effectively.