§ Mr. Damian GreenTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) what assessment he has made of the levels of private sector investment in(a) commercial and (b) housing property along the lines of light rail routes in each year since 1997; [171947]
(2) what assessment he has made of the effect that light rail systems have had on urban regeneration since 1997; and if he will make a statement. [171948]
§ Mr. McNultyThe Department makes no annual assessment of the levels of private investment along light rail routes. The Department part funded a programme of research on the regeneration impacts of Sheffield Supertram which concluded in 1997. This showed little effect, however the tram only became fully operational in 1995 and any significant changes would be more gradual.