Written question asked by Gordon Prentice (Labour) on Tuesday, 15 January 2002, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Tuesday, 22 January 2002. It was answered by Kim Howells (Labour) on Tuesday, 22 January 2002 on behalf of the Department for Culture, Media and Sport.

Dept for Culture Media and Sport

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what estimate she has made of the number of locations and length of pre-1945 tramways which survive under tarmac or are otherwise intact; and what her policy is on their preservation.

Answer: Mr. Gordon Prentice: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what estimate she has made of the number of locations and length of pre-1945 tramways which survive under tarmac or are otherwise intact; and what her policy is on their preservation. [28577] Dr. Howells: A search of the schedule of ancient monuments has revealed that there are 11 entries on tramways. The majority of these form parts of industrial sites. Under the Monuments Protection Programme, this Department and English Heritage are undertaking a systematic review of England's archaeological resource, with a view to providing statutory protection, principally through scheduling and listing, to those sites identified as being of national interest. Transport systems, including tramways, are being assessed in this context.

Secondary information