Asked by: John Hayes (Conservative - South Holland and The Deepings)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps she plans to take to help improve the (a) reliability and (b) frequency of bus services in (i) South Holland and the Deepings constituency and (ii) Lincolnshire.
Answered by Simon Lightwood - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
The government knows that Britain needs a modern transport network to help kickstart economic growth. Good local bus services are an essential part of prosperous and sustainable communities. As announced in the King’s Speech, the government will pass the Better Buses Bill to put the power over local bus services back in the hands of local leaders right across England, to ensure networks can meet the needs to the communities who rely on them, including in South Holland and the Deepings, and across Lincolnshire.
We also plan to empower local transport authorities through reforming bus funding. By giving local leaders more control and flexibility over bus funding they can plan ahead to deliver their local transport priorities. The Department will work closely with local leaders and bus operators to deliver on the government’s ambitions.
Asked by: Ben Goldsborough (Labour - South Norfolk)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps her Department is taking to support the use of buses in (a) South Norfolk constituency and (b) East Anglia.
Answered by Simon Lightwood - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
Good local bus services are an essential part of prosperous and sustainable communities, and the government is committed to delivering better bus services and growing passenger numbers. Since the de-regulation of buses in England, passenger numbers have declined, and the government is determined to fix this.
As announced in the King’s Speech, the government will pass the Better Buses Bill to put the power over local bus services back in the hands of local leaders right across England, to ensure networks can meet the needs to the communities who rely on them and encourage passengers back onto buses, including in South Norfolk, East Anglia and right across England. The Department will work closely with local leaders and bus operators to deliver on these ambitions.
Asked by: Julia Lopez (Conservative - Hornchurch and Upminster)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what her Department's planned timetable is for the completion of feasibility works for (a) platform six at Upminster station and (b) the other 50 projects granted Access for All accessibility funding on 24 May 2024.
Answered by Simon Lightwood - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
Following the previous government's announcement on 24th May 2024, we are carefully considering the best approach to the Access for All programme. Given the short time since the general election, I regret I am not yet able to comment on next steps regarding specific stations, including Upminster station. However, please be assured that we are committed to improving the accessibility of the railway and recognise the social and economic benefits this brings to communities.
Asked by: Alice Macdonald (Labour (Co-op) - Norwich North)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps her Department plans to take to increase rail capacity in the East of England.
Answered by Simon Lightwood - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
Greater Anglia are in the final stages of the £1.4 billion fleet transformation programme with all services now operated by new trains which provide many more seats and greater capacity for customers across the region. In addition, the Government is funding the construction of new stations at Cambridge South and Beaulieu Park, both of which are due to open in 2025 and will create additional rail capacity for the East.
Asked by: Baroness McIntosh of Pickering (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask His Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to prevent inappropriate cycling on pavements by pedal bikes, electric bikes and e-scooters.
Answered by Lord Hendy of Richmond Hill - Minister of State (Department for Transport)
Cycling on the pavement and on footpaths is an offence under Section 72 of the Highways Act 1835, other than in designated areas such as on bridleways and shared use paths. This applies to all cycles, whether electrically assisted or otherwise. The enforcement of cycling offences is a matter for the police.
It is illegal to use private e-scooters on public roads, cycle lanes and pavements, and rental e-scooters can only be used in national rental e-scooter trial areas. As with cycling offences, enforcement is a matter for the police.
Asked by: Lord Bradshaw (Liberal Democrat - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask His Majesty's Government what plans they have to review the assessment criteria used to forecast the results of investment in railway infrastructure.
Answered by Lord Hendy of Richmond Hill - Minister of State (Department for Transport)
The Department has a long-standing and established appraisal framework within Transport Analysis Guidance (TAG), which is aligned with HM Treasury Green Book on conducting welfare-based cost-benefit analysis to support a business case. Whilst this framework does not provide specific assessment criteria, it does provide general guidance on forecasting, estimating and assessing the costs and benefits of transport interventions, including railway infrastructure enhancements.
The Department continuously reviews its appraisal framework, through the TAG orderly release process, to improve the robustness of guidance provided and to reflect new research, trends and evaluation evidence. This typically involves a twice-yearly update to guidance, during Spring and Autumn.
Regarding railway infrastructure investment, the Department are actively considering research carried out by the Institute for Transport Studies, on behalf of the Rail Safety and Standards Board, and plan to bring forward improvements to associated guidance in the future.
Asked by: Claire Hanna (Social Democratic & Labour Party - Belfast South and Mid Down)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps she plans to take to help improve accessibility on flights for disabled passengers.
Answered by Mike Kane - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
Accessible air travel is a key priority, and everyone should be able to fly with ease and dignity. Government is committed to working closely with industry and stakeholders to make progress in improving aviation accessibility.
Asked by: Baroness Neville-Rolfe (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask His Majesty's Government what plans they have to license e-bikes and e-scooters to improve public safety.
Answered by Lord Hendy of Richmond Hill - Minister of State (Department for Transport)
The Government is committed to ensuring the safety of our roads for all road users, and will look for early opportunities to address the problems that can be caused by unregulated e-bike hire schemes and the illegal use of e-scooters.
Asked by: Lord Bradshaw (Liberal Democrat - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask His Majesty's Government whether any legislation they introduce regarding railways will include a review of the duties and powers of the Office of the Road and Rail Regulator, and how those duties and powers are being used.
Answered by Lord Hendy of Richmond Hill - Minister of State (Department for Transport)
As part of preparing for the introduction of the Railways Bill, the Department will review the powers and duties of the Office of Rail and Road that relate to rail. We expect ORR's role in safety regulation and in monitoring National Highways to continue.
Asked by: Neil O'Brien (Conservative - Harborough, Oadby and Wigston)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what discussions he has had with Network Rail on options to avoid the closure of Spion Kop bridge on Blaby Road Wigston during the next phase of electrification work on the midland mainline.
Answered by Lilian Greenwood - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
My Officials have been in discussion with Network Rail regarding the necessary works for Spion Kop bridge at Blaby Road.
The work is necessary to renew aging assets and enable the electrification of the railway. Network Rail are working with the local authority and are considering options for the works and are mindful of minimising the disruptive impacts of the works whilst also delivering the works efficiently.