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Thanet

Answer

The Transport Act 2000, as amended by the Local Transport Act 2008, has provided a new policy framework benefiting all local transport authorities. The framework gives greater certainty of funding, while encouraging more strategic transport planning with local consultation, and increasing local flexibility and discretion over resources. It was accompanied by a significant increase in capital funding: support from the Department for transport investment in Kent, within which transport authority South Thanet falls, has risen more than fourfold over the last decade.Investment in Kent county council's local transport plan has delivered a number of improvements to the quality, safety and accessibility of the local transport network. Between 2004 and 2008, bus patronage per head of population increased by 19 per cent., and the number of people killed or seriously injured on the local highway network decreased by 36 per cent. in the period 2001-07.In 2003, Kent county council was awarded £447,000 from the Department's 'Urban Bus Challenge' fund to develop the 'Thanet Loop' bus service. The Thanet Loop has provided a simplified, high-frequency network of services linking Margate, Broadstairs and Ramsgate with the Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother Hospital and the Westwood Cross shopping centre. The service achieved a 20 per cent. increase in patronage in its first year of operation.In 2005, the county council submitted a successful bid to the Department for 'Kickstart' revenue funding of the 'Dover and Deal Diamond' bus route. The £371,000 award facilitated the implementation of a frequent and fully accessible service, providing Sandwich, Deal, Dover and the Kent coalfield regeneration area with enhanced public transport links to Canterbury, as well as improved bus stop infrastructure funded by the county council.It was announced in August 2009 that the Department had approved Kent County council's major scheme business case for the construction of the £87 million East Kent Access Road. The project will provide high quality road links between areas of deprivation in Thanet and Dover and the major employment sites at the port of Dover, the channel tunnel, and the Eurokent business park in Ramsgate. It is anticipated that construction of the new road will be completed in autumn 2012.

Secondary information

Type

Written question

Reference

505 c673-4W; 315638

Session

2009-10

Subjects

Department for Transport Thanet

Link

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