Vol. 505 No. 6
33 Mr. O'Shea asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government if his attention has been drawn to the poor state of many footpaths in urban areas; the plans, if any, he has to provide additional resources for repair and renewal of footpaths in view of the potential for accidents; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14373/99]
Total grants for urban roads have been increased to some £22 million in 1999, an increase of over 90 per cent on the initial 1997 allocation. The need to improve the condition of many footpaths was an important factor in this increased allocation: a new feature of the 1999 grants to urban authorities is the reservation of £4.2 million of the discretionary block grant specifically for restoration works on footpaths and carriageways.
I am confident that these initiatives, supplemented by urban authorities, own resources, will accelerate progress in improving urban footpaths.
