Vol. 531 No. 1
112 Mr. Naughten asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government the plans he has to provide funding to local authorities to allow them grit local and regional roads; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5100/01]
I have recently announced non-national road grant allocations for 2001 to local authorities of £319 million. This is an increase of 21% on the 2000 allocation and 82% on the 1997 allocation. In 2001 discretionary maintenance and improvement grants to county councils, from which gritting operations may be financed, have increased by 30% and 35% respectively compared with 2000.
