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Dept for Transport

Answer

Miss McIntosh: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make a statement on (a) his de- trunking programme and (b) the level of resources transferred from his Department to local highway authorities for this purpose. [222482] Mr. Jamieson: The information requested is as follows: (a) The policy of transferring non-core trunk roads (de-trunking) to local highway authorities was first set out in the White Paper A New Deal for Transport published in July 1998. De-trunking allows the Highways Agency to concentrate on the operation of the strategic (core) trunk road network, whilst enabling local authorities to consider their own priorities for the improvement of non-core routes. The aim has been to transfer some 3,200 kms (30 per cent.) of the trunk road network (as it was in April 1999) to local authorities in a phased programme. To date more than three-quarters (around 2,500 kms) of the programme has been completed since April 2001. (b) Prior to the de-trunking of a road, the Highways Agency and local authority agree an appropriate level of funding for annual routine maintenance and in some cases' outstanding capital maintenance projects. The methodology for calculating the funding has been approved by the Local Government Association to ensure a fair transfer of resources. In the years following de-trunking, the authority can also make supplementary bids for additional funds for capital maintenance projects (bridge replacement, resurfacing etc.) on de- trunked roads as part of the LTP process. In 2004-05 around £33.1 million of routine maintenance funds, and £31.6 million of capital maintenance funds were transferred from the Highways Agency to local authorities for all de-trunked roads.

Secondary information

Type

Written question

Reference

432 c812W; 222482

Session

2004-05

Subjects

Finance Functions Highways Agency Local government Roads Repairs and maintenance

Contains statistics

Yes

Link

View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk