Written question asked by Baroness McIntosh of Pickering (Conservative) on Tuesday, 1 May 2007, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Thursday, 3 May 2007. It was answered by Stephen Ladyman (Labour) on Friday, 18 May 2007 on behalf of the Department for Transport.

Roads: Tolls

Question: (3) if he will make it his policy not to link applications for projects under transport infrastructure funds to road pricing schemes.

Answer: Ministers have met representatives of local transport authorities and Transport for London and departmental officials have regular ongoing contact.No decisions have been taken on areas to take forward local road pricing. 10 areas have been awarded pump-priming funding to support the development of Transport Innovation Fund packages that address local congestion problems. The guidance we have issued has made clear that TIF will be used to support packages that combine investment in transport with demand management measures, such as road pricing. These packages will need to address problems in a way that supports economic growth, and supports other objectives for environmental protection, safety and social inclusion. We expect to receive the first bids for TIP support this summer.However, TIP is additional to other transport investment. We are continuing to invest record sums in local transport for all local authorities in England. Funding for transport infrastructure in the English regions outside of London can still be accessed through the Regional Funding Allocation process.

Secondary information