Jam tomorrow, says BRF
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by Derren Hayes • The British Road Federation has warned of increasing congestion and road chaos in the wake of a £130m cut in the local authority Transport Supplementary Grant budget.
TSGs give local authorities the chance to bid for Government grants of up to 50% of an overall transport project; in the past they have provided much needed cash for local authority road schemes. But the TSG budget has been reduced by 13% from £960m in 1995/96 to £830m for 1996/97. Funds for maintenance on principal roads have also been cut, from £140m in 1995/96 to £86m in 1996/97.
Only five of 25 bypasses proposed by local authorities can be started after the budget for new road building was also slashed from £22m last year to just £5.5m for 1996/97.
The BRF says: "Traditionally the local authority transport budget has given a much needed boost to local road schemes, but these figures leave very little room for manoeuvre."
The Department of Transport admits the plans are bad news for road users but says money will be concentrated more on certain schemes than in previous years.
• The Government has increased money for public transport and green schemes by 23%.