HL Deb 02 May 2002 vol 634 cc142-3WA
Baroness Byford

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether the £24 million granted in 1999 over three years to British Waterways in support of the canal network has been spent; whether the backlog of overdue maintenance and repair to which it was directed has been eliminated; and whether any further grant is envisaged. [HL4025]

Lord Whitty

The £24 million additional grant awarded in 1999 has been spent towards the elimination of the safety maintenance backlog. An extra £18 million has been made available under SR2000 for the years 2002–03 and 2003–04. This enabled targets for eliminating the safety backlog and maintenance arrears to be brought forward to 2004 (from 2006) and 2021 (from 2025). Future funding needs will be considered as part of SR2002.