Written question asked by Norman Baker (Liberal Democrat) on Wednesday, 26 May 2004, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 7 June 2004. It was answered by Tony McNulty (Labour) on Monday, 7 June 2004 on behalf of the Department for Transport.

Dept for Transport

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what mechanism the Government plans to use to deliver rural transport policy (a) with reference to the future of the Countryside Agency and (b) following the ending of Rural Bus Challenge.

Answer: Norman Baker: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what mechanism the Government plan to use to deliver rural transport policy (a) with reference to the future of the Countryside Agency and (b) following the ending of Rural Bus Challenge. [176913] Mr. McNulty: To support the delivery of rural transport policy we are providing funding to local authorities to improve transport services in rural areas through the Rural Bus Subsidy Grant. Since 1998 the Rural Bus Challenge and Countryside Agency funding have been instrumental in pump priming rural transport projects. Decisions on the future of the Rural Bus Challenge scheme will be announced following completion of the current review of bus subsidies and the Government's Spending Review. I understand that the future of Countryside Agency funding, which is the responsibility of the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, is yet to be decided. Other funding sources available to all transport authorities are capital resources made available through the Local Transport Plan system and revenue support for local transport schemes through the Revenue Support Grant System.

Secondary information