§ Norman BakerTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport what mechanism the Government plan to use 73W to deliver rural transport policy (a)with reference to the future of the Countryside Agency and (b)following the ending of Rural Bus Challenge. [176913]
§ Mr. McNultyTo support the delivery of rural transport policy we are providing funding to local authorities to improve transports services in rural areas through the Rural Bus Subsidy Grant. Since 1998 the Rural Bus Challenge and Countryside Agency funding have been instrumental in pump priming rural transport projects.
Decisions on the future of the Rural Bus Challenge scheme will be announced following completion of the current review of bus subsidies and the Government's Spending Review. I understand that the future of Countryside Agency funding, which is the responsibility of the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, is yet to be decided.
Other funding sources available to all transport authorities are capital resources made available through the Local Transport Plan system and revenue support for local transport schemes through the Revenue Support Grant System.