Asked by: Baroness Deech (Crossbench - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask His Majesty's Government what consideration they have given to (1) a statutory inquiry, or (2) an inquiry by the Office of Road and Rail, into the redevelopment of Oxford station by Network Rail to investigate (a) the sufficiency of preliminary planning, (b) the overrun and overspend of that project, (c) the progress in building a new platform and entrance, and (d) any compensation owed to businesses and residents in Oxford as a result of the impact of that project.
Answered by Lord Hendy of Richmond Hill - Minister of State (Department for Transport)
There are no plans for either sort of enquiry, as Network Rail has apologised (as I have, as the former chair) for the prolonged time the works have taken, and the inconvenience it has caused to residents and businesses. It has also, through the former Chief Executive, Sir Andrew Haines, made sure that lessons have been learned about the false optimism which accompanied the original plan and timescale for the works, and those learnings have been applied to other projects and schemes.
I agreed with Network Rail that they would focus on getting Botley Road reopened by August, and progress is continuing on developing Network Rail’s plans to deliver the new platform and western entrance. Network Rail will present credible plans to the department to deliver this work over the coming months.
I am very sorry that these delays have impacted the local community and businesses in the area, which is why I agreed that Network Rail should make goodwill payments totalling £850,000 to businesses most impacted by the works. Network Rail, working with the Valuation Office and Oxford City Council, also agreed a reduction of up to 15% in business rates, backdated to 2023. Finally, a range of mitigation measures, including reimbursement of residents parking, provision of dedicated buses for those with mobility impairments and improvements to local roads have been put in place to reduce the impacts on residents.
Asked by: Baroness Deech (Crossbench - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Lord Hendy of Richmond Hill on 12 September (HL9963), what action they will take to follow up on their report Low Traffic Neighbourhoods, published in March 2024, which noted insufficient research on the economic impact of low traffic neighbourhoods.
Answered by Lord Hendy of Richmond Hill - Minister of State (Department for Transport)
The Government is clear that traffic management measures such as low traffic neighbourhoods (LTNs) are a matter for local authorities as they know their areas best. The Department has no plans to undertake further research on the impacts of LTNs.
Asked by: Baroness Deech (Crossbench - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask His Majesty's Government what consideration they have given to a requirement that a county council should (1) heed the majority of responses to a consultation regarding the introduction of low traffic neighbourhoods and congestion charges and (2) publish how they considered consultation feedback.
Answered by Lord Hendy of Richmond Hill - Minister of State (Department for Transport)
The Government is clear that traffic management measures such as low traffic neighbourhoods are a matter for local authorities as they know their areas best. Traffic management schemes should always be developed through engagement with local communities. This is a long-standing policy and there are no plans to change it.
It is also for local authorities to assess the impact on businesses and others of their traffic management schemes. The Department commissioned research into the impacts of low-traffic neighbourhoods which was published in March 2024 and is available on the Department’s website.
As a matter of good practice authorities should always obtain a wide range of views on traffic management schemes, including from those directly impacted by them and those with particular requirements, and should provide information on how consultation responses have been acted on. However, the Department has no plans to make this a legal requirement.
Experimental Traffic Regulation Orders (ETROs) must be made following the procedures set out in the Local Authorities’ Traffic Orders (Procedure) (England and Wales) Regulations 1996. These already include a requirement for ongoing consultation for 6 months once in place, with statutory consultees including bus operators, emergency services and freight industry representatives. An ETRO may be in place for a maximum of 18 months after which the authority must either revoke it or make it permanent. The Government considers that these requirements provide sufficient time to allow objections to be made.
Asked by: Baroness Deech (Crossbench - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask His Majesty's Government what steps can be taken to facilitate legal challenges to traffic management decisions by a local authority including legal aid availability, extended time limits for review of experimental traffic orders and plain language guidance for affected residents.
Answered by Lord Hendy of Richmond Hill - Minister of State (Department for Transport)
The Government is clear that traffic management measures such as low traffic neighbourhoods are a matter for local authorities as they know their areas best. Traffic management schemes should always be developed through engagement with local communities. This is a long-standing policy and there are no plans to change it.
It is also for local authorities to assess the impact on businesses and others of their traffic management schemes. The Department commissioned research into the impacts of low-traffic neighbourhoods which was published in March 2024 and is available on the Department’s website.
As a matter of good practice authorities should always obtain a wide range of views on traffic management schemes, including from those directly impacted by them and those with particular requirements, and should provide information on how consultation responses have been acted on. However, the Department has no plans to make this a legal requirement.
Experimental Traffic Regulation Orders (ETROs) must be made following the procedures set out in the Local Authorities’ Traffic Orders (Procedure) (England and Wales) Regulations 1996. These already include a requirement for ongoing consultation for 6 months once in place, with statutory consultees including bus operators, emergency services and freight industry representatives. An ETRO may be in place for a maximum of 18 months after which the authority must either revoke it or make it permanent. The Government considers that these requirements provide sufficient time to allow objections to be made.
Asked by: Baroness Deech (Crossbench - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the impact on local businesses caused by low traffic neighbourhoods across councils in England.
Answered by Lord Hendy of Richmond Hill - Minister of State (Department for Transport)
The Government is clear that traffic management measures such as low traffic neighbourhoods are a matter for local authorities as they know their areas best. Traffic management schemes should always be developed through engagement with local communities. This is a long-standing policy and there are no plans to change it.
It is also for local authorities to assess the impact on businesses and others of their traffic management schemes. The Department commissioned research into the impacts of low-traffic neighbourhoods which was published in March 2024 and is available on the Department’s website.
As a matter of good practice authorities should always obtain a wide range of views on traffic management schemes, including from those directly impacted by them and those with particular requirements, and should provide information on how consultation responses have been acted on. However, the Department has no plans to make this a legal requirement.
Experimental Traffic Regulation Orders (ETROs) must be made following the procedures set out in the Local Authorities’ Traffic Orders (Procedure) (England and Wales) Regulations 1996. These already include a requirement for ongoing consultation for 6 months once in place, with statutory consultees including bus operators, emergency services and freight industry representatives. An ETRO may be in place for a maximum of 18 months after which the authority must either revoke it or make it permanent. The Government considers that these requirements provide sufficient time to allow objections to be made.
Asked by: Baroness Deech (Crossbench - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of Network Rail’s management of the replacement of the bridge at Oxford station, with reference to its effects on local residents, disabled people and businesses; and when they expect the work to be completed.
Answered by Lord Hendy of Richmond Hill - Minister of State (Department for Transport)
Network Rail and Great Western Railway are executing plans to mitigate the impacts of the closure of Botley Road on station users, the wider public and businesses during the current closure of Botley Road. Work is underway to provide additional support for persons with reduced mobility as well as improvements to wayfinding, lighting and access to the station. Network Rail is working with Thames Water to produce a plan to complete critical utility works and to re-open the road. I have promised to meet stakeholders with Andrew Haines, the Chief Executive of Network Rail, as soon as there is a robust plan in place to complete the works. In the meantime, we welcome all further ideas on the most effective ways of mitigating the effects of the delays on local people, businesses and railway passengers, as we understand and regret the delays in delivering the works and the effect this is having.
Asked by: Baroness Deech (Crossbench - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the performance of Network Rail in replacing the Oxford railway bridge which has involved closing the main road (A420) into the city centre for the past 16 months and postponing the reopening indefinitely.
Answered by Lord Hendy of Richmond Hill - Minister of State (Department for Transport)
Network Rail has not undertaken an assessment of the impacts and social costs resulting from the continuing closure of the A420 (Botley Road) to deliver the Oxford station improvements. Network Rail is working to produce a plan to complete the works and re-open the road. When this has been finalised I propose to meet with stakeholders to discuss it. I wrote to you on 2 September and explained that Network Rail and Great Western Railway are executing a plan to mitigate the impacts of the road closure on those accessing the station and city centre, including persons with restricted mobility. I expect Network Rail to continue to promote Oxford as being open for business throughout this critical and challenging phase.
Asked by: Baroness Deech (Crossbench - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the economic and social cost to Oxford of the closure of the A420 into the city; and what steps they plan to take, if any, to ensure that Network Rail is held accountable for the impact of the long-term closure of the road.
Answered by Lord Hendy of Richmond Hill - Minister of State (Department for Transport)
Network Rail has not undertaken an assessment of the impacts and social costs resulting from the continuing closure of the A420 (Botley Road) to deliver the Oxford station improvements. Network Rail is working to produce a plan to complete the works and re-open the road. When this has been finalised I propose to meet with stakeholders to discuss it. I wrote to you on 2 September and explained that Network Rail and Great Western Railway are executing a plan to mitigate the impacts of the road closure on those accessing the station and city centre, including persons with restricted mobility. I expect Network Rail to continue to promote Oxford as being open for business throughout this critical and challenging phase.
Asked by: Baroness Deech (Crossbench - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask His Majesty's Government what discussions they have had with Network Rail concerning the impact on (1) local businesses, (2) older people, (3) disabled people, and (4) pregnant people, of the extended closure of Botley Road as part of the redevelopment of Oxford's rail station; and whether they intend to make resources available to Network Rail to mitigate that impact.
Answered by Lord Hendy of Richmond Hill - Minister of State (Department for Transport)
I wrote to you on 2 September and explained that Network Rail and Great Western Railway are executing a plan to mitigate the impacts of the closure of Botley Road on station users, the wider public and businesses during the current closure of Botley Road. Work is under way to provide additional support for persons with reduced mobility as well as improvements to wayfinding, lighting and access to the station. Network Rail is working to produce a plan to complete the works and re-open the road. When this has been finalised I propose to meet with stakeholders to discuss it.
Asked by: Baroness Deech (Crossbench - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask His Majesty's Government what discussions they have had with (1) Network Rail and (2) Oxfordshire County Council to ensure appropriate access from West Oxford to Oxford Station for disabled and elderly passengers, including travel by bus.
Answered by Lord Davies of Gower - Shadow Minister (Home Office)
I am advised that Network Rail continue to work closely with Oxford County Council and consult with local accessibility groups in planning the works at Oxford station. Disabled parking is available near the station, marshals are on hand to assist passengers and extra buses are providing accessible transport from Botley Road to the city centre during the period of the road closure.