§ Jon TrickettTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport when he expects work to(a) commence and (b) be completed on the link road between the Hemsworth bypass and the A1; how much funding he has made available for this purpose; and if he will make a statement. [149671]
1377W
§ Mr. JamiesonThis scheme is awaiting the completion of the necessary statutory procedures. We confirmed in the 2004–05 Local Transport Capital Expenditure Settlement, announced last month, that we would provide sufficient resources for completion of the scheme up to a maximum of £11.261 million. However, Wakefield Metropolitan District Council recently notified us of a cost increase of £9.337 million over and above this agreed contribution. I cannot make a decision on the case for additional funding until the statutory procedures have been completed.