Sep. 29 2025
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Source Page: Cutting-edge rail ticket technology trials launch in the NorthSep. 29 2025
Source Page: Over £4 million government backing for next-gen aviation technology projectsAsked by: Lord Jopling (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the effect that closures of the M6 in Cumbria are having on traffic congestion in Kendal; and what plans they have to amend their scheme for the construction of bridges on the motorway to avoid diverting traffic through the town.
Answered by Lord Hendy of Richmond Hill - Minister of State (Department for Transport)
National Highway’s (NH) will always need to prioritise the safety of both road users and its work force. At times for the M6 Lune Gorge scheme, this will mean full motorway closures are needed between Junction 37 and 38 to allow high risk construction activities to take place. Due to the layout of this section of the network, the only suitable diversion route is via the M6 J36, A590, A591, through Kendal, A6 exiting at M6 J39. Diversion routes are planned in advance with local councils.
NH has reviewed traffic flow data on the M6 and will use over-night closures, when traffic is much less, in order to minimise the impact to both drivers and local communities.
For certain activities, such as bridge demolition, there will also need to be weekend closures. NH recognises the potential disruption these may cause and will look to minimise the use of them.
When a diversion route does need to be used, this will be communicated well in advance in order to reduce the impact on communities such as Kendal.
NH is planning to deploy innovative construction methods, such as particular types of cranes and rolling roadblocks, to reduce the number of full closures needed, and the diversion of traffic through Kendal.
Asked by: Lord Bishop of Sheffield (Bishops - Bishops)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the safety, security, and resilience of national and regional transport infrastructure, with particular reference to South Yorkshire.
Answered by Lord Hendy of Richmond Hill - Minister of State (Department for Transport)
The Department for Transport works closely with transport operators to assess the risks to transport infrastructure arising from, for example, severe weather, security threats or accidents. These risk assessments are used by national and local government and the transport industry to inform planning at all levels. This includes the South Yorkshire Local Resilience Forum.
Following the publication of the UK Government’s Resilience Action Plan in July 2025, the Department for Transport is working with cross-government and transport sector stakeholders to identify transport-specific opportunities and interventions to address gaps identified in capabilities.
South Yorkshire will also receive £570 million in City Region Sustainable Transport Settlement (CRSTS) funding by March 2027. Following this, the region will benefit from a £1.5 billion share of the £15.6 billion Transport for City Regions (TCR) settlement. This will fund a number of active travel improvement schemes—including segregated cycleways, improved footpaths, and highways upgrades—that will improve safety for both active travel and road users. The Magna Tinsley scheme, for example, incorporates safety by design. It has already delivered a new toucan crossing at the Sheffield Road/Raby Street junction to provide a safe crossing point from Tinsley Village across Sheffield Road. Further improvements are planned, including segregated cycleways and improved footways.
Asked by: Lord Glenarthur (Conservative - Excepted Hereditary)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask His Majesty's Government what is their policy towards the sustainability of general aviation, particularly in the fields of flying and engineering training, air ambulance activities, police aviation, and the offshore and onshore commercial helicopter sectors.
Answered by Lord Hendy of Richmond Hill - Minister of State (Department for Transport)
General Aviation continues to be considered as part of our wider work around the opportunities and challenges facing the wider aviation sector. The Department will continue to work with industry and the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) to raise the profile of aviation careers and remove barriers to access so the aviation sector can grow and innovate, including in General Aviation.
Asked by: Lord Glenarthur (Conservative - Excepted Hereditary)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask His Majesty's Government whether they will continue policy development within the Department for Transport relating to general aviation.
Answered by Lord Hendy of Richmond Hill - Minister of State (Department for Transport)
The Department is focused on delivering the Government’s priorities; building a stronger economy, creating opportunities across all regions and achieving our ambition for Great Britain to be a clean energy super power. General Aviation has a role to play, supporting jobs and skills, connecting communities and preserving our rich aviation heritage and will continue to be considered as part of our wider approach to the opportunities and challenges facing the wider aviation sector.