Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if he will make funding available to improve road safety and relieve traffic congestion at Seaton Lane, Seaham.

Seaton Lane is part of the local road network and is the responsibility of Durham County Council. The Department for Transport funds local road improvements by providing an annual integrated transport block grant to local authorities and by contributing about £7 billion towards the £12 billion Local Growth Fund, which Local Enterprise Partnerships can use to fund highway improvement schemes. The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government are working with Sunderland City Council to develop its bid to the Housing Infrastructure Fund. If successful, this would support the delivery of around 3,000 additional homes in South Sunderland and Durham, and will include funding for Durham County Council to improve the junction of the B1404 Seaton Lane and the B1285 Stockton Road.