House of Commons Hansard Written Answers for 14 Mar 2006 (pt 6)

14 Mar 2006 : Column 2062W—continued

Transport Infrastructure

Chris Grayling: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what investment in transport infrastructure schemes to support economic regeneration is being considered in Objective 1 areas in England; what the schemes are; how much public spending is envisaged; and when he expects decisions to be made. [54943]

Ms Buck: Three areas of England received Objective One status (Cornwall; South Yorkshire; and Merseyside) At the present a number of major infrastructure schemes (mostly those over £5 million) are being considered and developed. Announcements on funding will be made in due course, following completion of detailed assessment and in light of the advice received from each region on their funding priorities.

In addition to major infrastructure schemes, each relevant transport authority will be considering transport projects that support regeneration in their areas. These proposals are likely to be detailed in the final second Local Transport Plans due to be submitted to my department by 31 March 2006.

On 28 February the Government launched a consultation on the UK's draft National Strategic Reference Framework for the Structural Funds from 2007–13. This will establish the broad priorities for future Structural Funds programmes in the UK, and provide Programme Managers with an initial basis to begin planning for the 2007–13 Financial Perspective.

The consultation will end on 22 May, and the Department of Trade and Industry aims to publish a response to the consultation within three months of that date.

For ease of reference I have provided the information requested in chart form as follows.

Scheme description Est. public sector funding proposed Timetable for decision

Cornwall

Isles of Scilly Sea Link—replacement of existing passenger and freight sea connection. The Scillonian III summer passenger ship and the Gry Maritha all year freight and winter passenger service both reach the end of their operational life in 2009. Improvements would also be required to the harbour facilities at both Penzance and St. Mary's. £32 million Bid submitted—possible decision later this year.

Highway Agency Schemes

A39 Camelford Distributor Road £6.8 million (approved DfT contribution) Scheme provisionally approved in 2000. Subsequent approval stages dependent on local authority progress with scheme preparation and Ministerial consideration of regional advice on priorities.

A391 St. Austell to A30 Bodmin £30.35 million (approved DfT contribution) Scheme provisionally approved in 2003. Subsequent approval stages dependent on local authority progress with scheme preparation and Ministerial consideration of regional advice on priorities.

A30 Bodmin—Indian Queens £93 million (Latest approved budget) Actual start of works—July 2005.

A38 Dobwalls Bypass £36 million (Latest approved budget) Estimated start of works 2006–07.

A30 Carland Cross to Chiverton Cross £125 million (Latest approved budget) Subsequent approval dependent on Ministerial consideration of regional advice on priorities.

A30 Temple to Higher Carblake Improvement £41 million (Latest approved budget) Subsequent approval dependent on Ministerial consideration of regional advice on priorities.

South Yorkshire

South Yorkshire Supertram—a bid is currently being considering for funding in respect of two extensions to this system £132 million. A decision on entry to the approval process will be made in due course.

Doncaster A638 Quality Bus Corridor. Scheme to provide park and ride sites and bus lanes on the main Northern and Southern routes into Doncaster, to provide increased journey times. £15.3 million. The Department is currently considering a bid for full approval from Doncaster Metropolitan Borough Council.

Yorcard pilot—The aim of this scheme is to pilot the use of smartcard technology on selected bus and rail services and assess its impact, particularly on boarding and journey times. Cost to DfT £4 million, total cost £6.9 million. The Department is expecting to receive a bid for Full Approval in the near future.

Highway Agency Schemes

A63 West Bawtry Road Improvement £5.028 million (approved DfT contribution) Scheme provisionally approved in 2000. Subsequent approval stages dependent on local authority progress with scheme preparation and Ministerial consideration of regional advice on priorities.

A57(T) Junction 31 to Todwick Crossroads £6.264 million (approved DfT contribution) Scheme provisionally approved in 2001. Subsequent approval stages dependent on local authority progress with scheme preparation and Ministerial consideration of regional advice on priorities.

A628 Cudworth and West Green Bypass £17.198 million (approved DfT contribution) Scheme provisionally approved in 2001. Subsequent approval stages dependent on local authority progress with scheme preparation and Ministerial consideration of regional advice on priorities.

Finningley and Rossington Regeneration Route £72. 177 million (promoters bid for funding) Possible decision on scheme new bid approval later in the year.

Waverley Link Road £8.130 million (promoters bid for funding) Possible decision on scheme new bid approval later in the year.

M1 Junction 31 to 32 Widening £20 million (Latest approved budget) To be progressed for future construction beyond April 2008.

M1 Junction 32 to 34S Widening £139 million (Latest approved budget) To be progressed for future construction beyond April 2008.

M1 Junction 34N to 37 Widening £246 million (Latest approved budget) To be progressed for future construction beyond April 2008.

M1 Junction 37 to 39 Widening £224 million (Latest approved budget) To be progressed for future construction beyond April 2008.

Merseyside

Liverpool South Parkway—This scheme will provide: an interchange to local bus services and Liverpool John Lennon airport; a park and ride; and facilities for local passengers accessing rail services. Presently under construction. Contribution of £6.332 million (total cost of £16.043 million) Notification received of a cost increase to £32.171 million and a way forward is now being considered by promoters.

Central Station refurbishment scheme—The scheme will allow access to Liverpool City centre from merseyrail stations extending into the wider city region and beyond. It is the closest station to the major retail development within the Paradise Street Development area. £9.8 million Assessment process not advanced to the point where Secretary of State views have been sought

Rail Freight Access to the Port of Liverpool—This scheme will increase capacity and efficiency of rail freight to and from the Merseyports. £9 million Assessment process not advanced to the point where Secretary of State views have been sought.

Borderlands Electrification (Wrexham-Bidston Rail line)—Scheme will electrify some or all of the line south from Bidston to Wrexham (North Wales) to improve connectivity of the line's catchment to Birkenhead and Liverpool, offering access to jobs and services £35 million Assessment process not advanced to the point where Secretary of State views have been sought.

Highway Agency Schemes

Edge Lane West £15.85 million (approved DfT contribution) Scheme provisionally approved in 2004. Subsequent approval stages dependent on local authority progress with scheme preparation and Ministerial consideration of regional advice on priorities.

Hall Lane Improvement Scheme £12.2 million (approved DfT contribution) Scheme provisionally approved in 2002. Subsequent approval stages dependent on local authority progress with scheme preparation and Ministerial consideration of regional advice on priorities.

M62 Junction 6 Improvements £38 million (Latest approved budget) Estimated start of works—2007–08

14 Mar 2006 : Column 2065W

Scheme description	Est. public sector funding proposed	Timetable for decision
Cornwall
Isles of Scilly Sea Link—replacement of existing passenger and freight sea connection. The Scillonian III summer passenger ship and the Gry Maritha all year freight and winter passenger service both reach the end of their operational life in 2009. Improvements would also be required to the harbour facilities at both Penzance and St. Mary's.	£32 million	Bid submitted—possible decision later this year.

Highway Agency Schemes
A39 Camelford Distributor Road	£6.8 million (approved DfT contribution)	Scheme provisionally approved in 2000. Subsequent approval stages dependent on local authority progress with scheme preparation and Ministerial consideration of regional advice on priorities.
A391 St. Austell to A30 Bodmin	£30.35 million (approved DfT contribution)	Scheme provisionally approved in 2003. Subsequent approval stages dependent on local authority progress with scheme preparation and Ministerial consideration of regional advice on priorities.
A30 Bodmin—Indian Queens	£93 million (Latest approved budget)	Actual start of works—July 2005.
A38 Dobwalls Bypass	£36 million (Latest approved budget)	Estimated start of works 2006–07.
A30 Carland Cross to Chiverton Cross	£125 million (Latest approved budget)	Subsequent approval dependent on Ministerial consideration of regional advice on priorities.
A30 Temple to Higher Carblake Improvement	£41 million (Latest approved budget)	Subsequent approval dependent on Ministerial consideration of regional advice on priorities.

South Yorkshire
South Yorkshire Supertram—a bid is currently being considering for funding in respect of two extensions to this system	£132 million.	A decision on entry to the approval process will be made in due course.
Doncaster A638 Quality Bus Corridor. Scheme to provide park and ride sites and bus lanes on the main Northern and Southern routes into Doncaster, to provide increased journey times.	£15.3 million.	The Department is currently considering a bid for full approval from Doncaster Metropolitan Borough Council.
Yorcard pilot—The aim of this scheme is to pilot the use of smartcard technology on selected bus and rail services and assess its impact, particularly on boarding and journey times.	Cost to DfT £4 million, total cost £6.9 million.	The Department is expecting to receive a bid for Full Approval in the near future.

Highway Agency Schemes
A63 West Bawtry Road Improvement	£5.028 million (approved DfT contribution)	Scheme provisionally approved in 2000. Subsequent approval stages dependent on local authority progress with scheme preparation and Ministerial consideration of regional advice on priorities.
A57(T) Junction 31 to Todwick Crossroads	£6.264 million (approved DfT contribution)	Scheme provisionally approved in 2001. Subsequent approval stages dependent on local authority progress with scheme preparation and Ministerial consideration of regional advice on priorities.
A628 Cudworth and West Green Bypass	£17.198 million (approved DfT contribution)	Scheme provisionally approved in 2001. Subsequent approval stages dependent on local authority progress with scheme preparation and Ministerial consideration of regional advice on priorities.
Finningley and Rossington Regeneration Route	£72. 177 million (promoters bid for funding)	Possible decision on scheme new bid approval later in the year.
Waverley Link Road	£8.130 million (promoters bid for funding)	Possible decision on scheme new bid approval later in the year.
M1 Junction 31 to 32 Widening	£20 million (Latest approved budget)	To be progressed for future construction beyond April 2008.
M1 Junction 32 to 34S Widening	£139 million (Latest approved budget)	To be progressed for future construction beyond April 2008.
M1 Junction 34N to 37 Widening	£246 million (Latest approved budget)	To be progressed for future construction beyond April 2008.
M1 Junction 37 to 39 Widening	£224 million (Latest approved budget)	To be progressed for future construction beyond April 2008.

Merseyside
Liverpool South Parkway—This scheme will provide: an interchange to local bus services and Liverpool John Lennon airport; a park and ride; and facilities for local passengers accessing rail services. Presently under construction.	Contribution of £6.332 million (total cost of £16.043 million)	Notification received of a cost increase to £32.171 million and a way forward is now being considered by promoters.
Central Station refurbishment scheme—The scheme will allow access to Liverpool City centre from merseyrail stations extending into the wider city region and beyond. It is the closest station to the major retail development within the Paradise Street Development area.	£9.8 million	Assessment process not advanced to the point where Secretary of State views have been sought
Rail Freight Access to the Port of Liverpool—This scheme will increase capacity and efficiency of rail freight to and from the Merseyports.	£9 million	Assessment process not advanced to the point where Secretary of State views have been sought.
Borderlands Electrification (Wrexham-Bidston Rail line)—Scheme will electrify some or all of the line south from Bidston to Wrexham (North Wales) to improve connectivity of the line's catchment to Birkenhead and Liverpool, offering access to jobs and services	£35 million	Assessment process not advanced to the point where Secretary of State views have been sought.

Highway Agency Schemes
Edge Lane West	£15.85 million (approved DfT contribution)	Scheme provisionally approved in 2004. Subsequent approval stages dependent on local authority progress with scheme preparation and Ministerial consideration of regional advice on priorities.
Hall Lane Improvement Scheme	£12.2 million (approved DfT contribution)	Scheme provisionally approved in 2002. Subsequent approval stages dependent on local authority progress with scheme preparation and Ministerial consideration of regional advice on priorities.
M62 Junction 6 Improvements	£38 million (Latest approved budget)	Estimated start of works—2007–08

Chris Grayling: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will list the schemes for investment in the transport infrastructure which have been announced by his Department and for which (a) no date has been set for the commencement of construction and (b) funding has yet to be allocated. [46130]

Ms Buck: Transport schemes of any significant scale will need to pass through several stages from initial conception to execution. This will include the initial proposal, outline and full business case, planning approval, funding and construction. The Department may make announcements at any or all of these stages to keep Parliament and the public informed and to assist the various stakeholders to progress the project as efficiently as possible. In addition, announcements may be made if for any reason—including, for example, changing regional priorities or estimates of cost—projects have to be reappraised.

At any one time there will be a substantial number of schemes which are in the process of being developed and for which final funding allocations or commencement dates have not yet been determined.

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