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Darling tackles mis-spending...
16:14 25 Sep 2003
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Transport secretary Alistair Darling has pledged to tackle
mis-spending by local authorities, writes Ross Pearman.
During an evidence session on the Department for Transport's (DfT) annual report into the 10-Year Transport Plan last week, Darling told the House of Commons Transport Select Committee that councils that actually carry out roads maintenance would be rewarded with cash from those that fail to do so.
"It is important that the money gets spent and we are now looking at ways of tightening up its use by introducing closer reviews and changing financial allocations. We want to be giving the money to those who do things rather than those who choose not to," he said. The minister ruled out the re-introduction of ring-fencing for transport funds.
One leading civil engineer said: "If you drain the transport resources from one area to another there will be an unfair geographical imbalance for contractors. This is not the way to tackle the problem."
During an evidence session on the Department for Transport's (DfT) annual report into the 10-Year Transport Plan last week, Darling told the House of Commons Transport Select Committee that councils that actually carry out roads maintenance would be rewarded with cash from those that fail to do so.
"It is important that the money gets spent and we are now looking at ways of tightening up its use by introducing closer reviews and changing financial allocations. We want to be giving the money to those who do things rather than those who choose not to," he said. The minister ruled out the re-introduction of ring-fencing for transport funds.
One leading civil engineer said: "If you drain the transport resources from one area to another there will be an unfair geographical imbalance for contractors. This is not the way to tackle the problem."
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