Written question asked by Peter Kilfoyle (Labour) on Thursday, 13 June 2002, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Friday, 21 June 2002. It was answered by Lord Spellar (Labour) on Friday, 21 June 2002 on behalf of the Department for Transport.

Dept for Transport

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, how many proposals there have been for tram and light rail systems which his Department has rejected; and if will he list them.

Answer: Mr. Kilfoyle: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many proposals there have been for tram and light rail systems which his Department has rejected; and if he will list them. [62860] Mr. Spellar: New arrangements were introduced with the inception of Local Transport Plans in 1999. Proposals for new tram and light rail schemes normally need Transport and Works Act powers. If funding from my Department is essential for the project to proceed, promoters should seek a provisional view from my Department on whether the scheme passes the Government's appraisal tests which are used to decide whether a project is eligible for funding before seeking powers. Since the start of these arrangements, two light rail lines (Midland Metro extensions to Birmingham city centre and to Brierley Hill) have received a positive provisional view, a number of others are under consideration, and none have yet been given a negative provisional view.

Secondary information