Asked by: Baroness Pidgeon (Liberal Democrat - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the Transport for London's submission to the consultation on the Revised National Policy Statement (NPS) on Airport capacity in 2017, which found that 61–69 per cent of people travelling to Heathrow Airport would need to use public transport to meet the requirement of no increase in airport related traffic as a result of expansion; and how this will be included in any assessment of promoters of expansion at Heathrow going forward.
Answered by Lord Hendy of Richmond Hill - Minister of State (Department for Transport)
The Government recognises the vital role that public transport has in surface access to an expanded Heathrow airport. As part of the review of the Airports National Policy Statement (ANPS), launched on 22 October 2025, we are reviewing the public transport targets required to support sustainable access to a third runway, as well as the impacts on the road network.
Transport for London will be a key stakeholder in this process, and my department will work closely with them. A revised ANPS will be published for public consultation by Summer 26.
Asked by: Baroness Pidgeon (Liberal Democrat - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask His Majesty's Government when they will publish their strategic objectives for (1) passenger mode share, and (2) rail access, to Heathrow as part of the revised Airports National Policy Statement.
Answered by Lord Hendy of Richmond Hill - Minister of State (Department for Transport)
The Government recognises the vital role that surface access will play as part of any future expansion of Heathrow Airport, and public transport including rail access will be a key part of this.
As part of the review of the Airports National Policy Statement (ANPS), launched on 22 October 2025, we will consider the Government’s strategic objectives for surface access, including public transport mode share targets and rail access. A draft ANPS will be published for consultation by summer 2026.
Asked by: Baroness Pidgeon (Liberal Democrat - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask His Majesty's Government whether they will publish the metrics of each of the four tests that proposed schemes to expand Heathrow Airport will have to meet, and if so, when.
Answered by Lord Hendy of Richmond Hill - Minister of State (Department for Transport)
On 22 October the Government formally commenced the review of the Airports National Policy Statement (ANPS), which provides the primary basis for decision-making on whether to grant development consent for a new runway at Heathrow. The review will reflect important changes in legislation, policy, and data and set the four tests that any proposed scheme must meet on economic growth, climate, air quality and noise.
As part of the review, the Government will develop analysis on the economic and environmental impacts of expansion at Heathrow, which will inform the four tests. We expect to publish any revisions to the ANPS for consultation by summer 2026, together with supporting assessments.
Asked by: Baroness Pidgeon (Liberal Democrat - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask His Majesty's Government whether they will ensure that surface rail access, including the Southern Rail Link and the Western Rail Link, are non-negotiable conditions as part of the assessment of promoted schemes for Heathrow Airport.
Answered by Lord Hendy of Richmond Hill - Minister of State (Department for Transport)
The Government recognises the vital role that surface access will play as part of any future expansion of Heathrow Airport. As part of the review of the Airports National Policy Statement (ANPS), launched on 22 October 2025, we will consider the transport infrastructure required to support a third runway, including rail connectivity and mode share targets.
While it would not be appropriate to pre-empt the outcome of the ANPS review at this stage, I can say it will be the responsibility of any expansion promoter to set out a surface access strategy demonstrating how they will meet the requirements set out in the ANPS.
Asked by: Baroness Pidgeon (Liberal Democrat - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask His Majesty's Government whether they will adopt the World Health Organization's noise level guidelines to address noise pollution from the operations of Heathrow Airport.
Answered by Lord Hendy of Richmond Hill - Minister of State (Department for Transport)
The Government is reviewing the evidence underpinning the World Health Organization's Guidelines together with more recent evidence. This review is being undertaken by the Government’s Interdepartmental Group on Costs and Benefits (Noise) to consider whether any updates should be made to relevant Government guidance.
Asked by: Baroness Pidgeon (Liberal Democrat - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask His Majesty's Government what is the timeline for making a decision on the application from Transport for London to run the Northern City Line between Moorgate and Hertfordshire.
Answered by Lord Hendy of Richmond Hill - Minister of State (Department for Transport)
Transport for London (TfL) has submitted a business case for the devolution of Great Northern inner services, which include the Northern City Line. No decision has yet been made. The Department is reviewing the proposal and working with TfL to assess its benefits and wider implications, such as supporting housing growth—for example, the potential development of 21,000 homes at Crew’s Hill. A timeline for a decision has not been set, but this work is continuing.
Asked by: Baroness Pidgeon (Liberal Democrat - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask His Majesty's Government whether South Western Railway, Greater Anglia or c2c will run Boxing Day services this year, following the nationalisation of those companies.
Answered by Lord Hendy of Richmond Hill - Minister of State (Department for Transport)
Greater Anglia plans to run Stansted Express services on Boxing Day this year. Services are expected to operate every 30 minutes and due to engineering work these services will start and terminate from Tottenham Hale.
South Western Railway and c2c are not running Boxing Day services this year.
The Department requires its operators to plan services and rail timetables that are designed to meet expected passenger demand. These should be resilient and provide value for money for the taxpayer.
Typically, demand for services on Boxing Day is low and much of the network is closed to provide opportunity for essential maintenance. We expect operators and in future, Great British Railways, to continue to consider the case for Boxing Day services where there is demand and they do not further increase the burden on taxpayers.
Asked by: Baroness Pidgeon (Liberal Democrat - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask His Majesty's Government what support they are providing to help with the infrastructure needed for future electric or hydrogen heavy goods vehicles.
Answered by Lord Hendy of Richmond Hill - Minister of State (Department for Transport)
The Government is supporting the uptake of zero emission heavy goods vehicles (HGVs) and their supporting charging and fuelling infrastructure through initiatives such as the Plug-In Truck Grant, which is reducing the upfront cost of zero emission HGVs, the £30 million Depot Charging Scheme and the up to £200 million Zero Emission HGV and Infrastructure Demonstrator (ZEHID). ZEHID has already funded over 300 Zero Emission HGVs and 73 planned infrastructure locations, representing over 360 chargers which will be operational by March 2026. We will set out further detail on our strategic approach to infrastructure, in due course.
Asked by: Baroness Pidgeon (Liberal Democrat - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask His Majesty's Government what plans they have for supporting the decarbonisation of heavy goods vehicles.
Answered by Lord Hendy of Richmond Hill - Minister of State (Department for Transport)
The Government is supporting the uptake of zero emission heavy goods vehicles (HGVs) and their supporting charging and fuelling infrastructure through initiatives such as the Plug-In Truck Grant, which is reducing the upfront cost of zero emission HGVs, the £30 million Depot Charging Scheme and the up to £200 million Zero Emission HGV and Infrastructure Demonstrator (ZEHID). ZEHID has already funded over 300 Zero Emission HGVs and 73 planned infrastructure locations, representing over 360 chargers which will be operational by March 2026. We will set out further detail on our strategic approach to infrastructure, in due course.
Asked by: Baroness Pidgeon (Liberal Democrat - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask His Majesty's Government what discussions they have had with technology companies about how to improve road safety; and which technology companies they have engaged with on this issue.
Answered by Lord Hendy of Richmond Hill - Minister of State (Department for Transport)
The Government treats road safety seriously and is committed to reducing the numbers of those killed and injured on our roads.
DfT are working to realise the potential of road safety data from a wide range of sources, from emerging vehicle technologies and connected vehicle data, to health data and more traditional datasets. By collecting and linking this data, and applying advanced analytical techniques, we aim to generate insights which support evidence-based improvements across the safe system. Our objective is to ensure that data is used for public good, strengthening safety outcomes while maintaining constructive collaboration with industry partners.
Following external analysis of the specific benefits and costs of a range of new vehicle safety technologies, the Government is exploring options for updates to our national type-approval legislation to mandate fitment of these safety technologies and vehicle design features in Great Britain. My department will set out more details in due course.