Written question asked by Bob Russell (Liberal Democrat) on Tuesday, 21 March 2000, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Tuesday, 4 April 2000. It was answered by Keith Hill (Labour) on Tuesday, 4 April 2000 on behalf of the Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions.

Dept of the Environment Transport and the Regions

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, What plans he has to fund new tramway and light railway systems. (Failed OPQ).

Answer: Mr. Bob Russell: To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what plans he has to fund new tramway and light railway systems. [116164] Mr. Hill: We believe that light rail can have an important role to play in delivering integrated transport in major conurbations. Decisions on whether to provide Central Government support for light rail systems are taken on a case-by-case basis on the merits of the particular scheme. Where systems cannot be funded entirely from local sources or by the private sector, promoters must demonstrate that their scheme provides good value for money, forms an essential part of a local transport plan, and that the objectives of that plan cannot be met in better ways.

Secondary information