Asked by: Baroness Pidgeon (Liberal Democrat - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask His Majesty's Government, following the transfer of South Western Railway services into public ownership, what steps they are taking to ensure comprehensive wi-fi services on those trains.
Answered by Lord Hendy of Richmond Hill - Minister of State (Department for Transport)
South-Western Railway has made some recent upgrades to Wi-Fi and customer satisfaction with Wi-Fi has been on a positive trend since these upgrades were made. There may be opportunities to consider further improvements in the future, and these would be subject to a positive business case which balances the needs of passengers and taxpayers.
Asked by: Baroness Pidgeon (Liberal Democrat - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask His Majesty's Government what plans they have to use artificial intelligence to modernise Great British Railway's systems and improve its efficiency in the areas of (1) customer experience, (2) railway operations, including planning and management of train operations, and (3) infrastructure management.
Answered by Lord Hendy of Richmond Hill - Minister of State (Department for Transport)
There are significant opportunities for using artificial intelligence to improve rail services, reliability and safety, modernise rail infrastructure, and reduce costs. This Government is committed to creating a unified and simplified railway, putting passengers and customers first, through the creation of Great British Railways and through the public ownership of franchised passenger services.
Great British Railways will work in partnership with private sector companies to unlock and accelerate innovation across the rail network, including through the increased use of artificial intelligence, and to equip the rail sector with the skills and capabilities needed to achieve this. Great British Railways’ work in this area will align with the Government’s Transport AI Action Plan, published in June 2025.
Asked by: Baroness Pidgeon (Liberal Democrat - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask His Majesty's Government, following the transfer of South Western Railway services into public ownership, what progress they have made towards providing catering services on longer distance routes, such as London Waterloo to Exeter.
Answered by Lord Hendy of Richmond Hill - Minister of State (Department for Transport)
South-Western Railway (SWR) successfully transferred into public ownership on the 25 May 2025. The current priorities of SWR are to improve operational performance and introduce the new Class 701 fleet.
I have asked the new Managing Director of South-Western in due course to review catering on longer distance routes including the London Waterloo to Exeter service - any decision will be subject to a positive financial case which balances the need of passengers and taxpayers.
Asked by: Baroness Pidgeon (Liberal Democrat - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask His Majesty's Government what recent discussions they have had with Sunderland City Council about changes to the Port of Sunderland Byelaws 1978.
Answered by Lord Hendy of Richmond Hill - Minister of State (Department for Transport)
The Department has not recently engaged in discussion with Sunderland City Council regarding changes to the Port of Sunderland Byelaws 1978.
Asked by: Baroness Pidgeon (Liberal Democrat - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask His Majesty's Government what steps they will take to increase rail freight through the Channel Tunnel and support a more sustainable logistics network across the UK and Europe.
Answered by Lord Hendy of Richmond Hill - Minister of State (Department for Transport)
The Government is keen to see the growth of international rail freight, which supports the Government’s growth mission. DfT officials engage regularly with the sector to discuss the potential to increase the number of international freight flows through the Channel Tunnel.
While it is ultimately a commercial decision for industry as to whether to operate new services, the Government is engaging with the International rail freight sector to examine potential measures to facilitate cross channel rail freight. The Department also welcomes ORR’s recent decision to reduce HS1 access charges for freight as part of its control period determination, as well as Network Rail’s freight track access charge discount scheme, both of which will help to facilitate growth in international rail freight.
Asked by: Baroness Pidgeon (Liberal Democrat - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask His Majesty's Government, in the context of their negotiations on the UK–US trade agreement, what priority they are giving to engaging with the UN World Forum for Harmonisation of Vehicle Regulations to support multilateral cooperation on improved vehicle safety.
Answered by Lord Hendy of Richmond Hill - Minister of State (Department for Transport)
The Government continues to prioritise engagement with the UN World Forum for Harmonisation of Vehicle Regulations (WP.29) and recognises it as the key forum for multilateral cooperation to improve vehicle safety.
We actively participate in WP.29 and fully support the importance of international regulations in enhancing road safety.
Asked by: Baroness Pidgeon (Liberal Democrat - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask His Majesty's Government, following the publication of the Office of Rail and Road’s independent review of train operators’ revenue protection practices, what plans they have to ensure best practice in revenue protection as part of the transition to Great British Railways.
Answered by Lord Hendy of Richmond Hill - Minister of State (Department for Transport)
Through the creation of Great British Railways, we are bringing operators together, which will naturally put an end to some of the siloed behaviours that have contributed to opaque and inconsistent revenue protection practices. This transition will ensure a more unified approach across the sector, ensuring passengers are treated fairly and in accordance with the correct procedures.
In addition, the industry has already begun work with revenue protection leads across the rail sector, providing a platform to share best practices regularly. We will respond to the next steps for the report by summer 2025.
Asked by: Baroness Pidgeon (Liberal Democrat - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask His Majesty's Government what plans they have to work with European counterparts to address infrastructure bottlenecks and ensure new HS2 and domestic rail capacity can be used to improve international rail services and connectivity.
Answered by Lord Hendy of Richmond Hill - Minister of State (Department for Transport)
The Government fully supports the growth of international rail passenger services given the environmental, social and economic benefits they provide.
My officials continue to engage on a regular basis with infrastructure managers and European partners to discuss the potential for new routes and potential market entrants, particularly given the unique requirements of operating through the Channel Tunnel.
Asked by: Baroness Pidgeon (Liberal Democrat - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask His Majesty's Government, with reference to the report by the Campaign for Better Transport titled Runways to railways: unlocking the potential of the Channel Tunnel, what steps they will take to ensure that international rail connectivity is addressed within the current domestic rail reform agenda, to fully realise the economic and environmental benefits identified in the report.
Answered by Lord Hendy of Richmond Hill - Minister of State (Department for Transport)
The Government fully supports a thriving and competitive international rail passenger services market, given the benefits it can bring including potentially greater choice, new service offers and lower fares for passengers.
The Government welcomes the Campaign for Better Transport’s report, and recognises the significant growth potential of international rail connectivity. DfT officials are engaging proactively with international partners and industry counterparts, including prospective operators, to discuss the potential for new routes and services and help facilitate these where possible.
Asked by: Baroness Pidgeon (Liberal Democrat - 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 15 May (HL7132), whether the consultation will set out a timeline for implementing UN Global Technical Regulation No. 22 in the UK, and whether they will publish that timeline.
Answered by Lord Hendy of Richmond Hill - Minister of State (Department for Transport)
A proposed timeline for implementing UN Global Technical Regulation No. 22 in the UK will be set out in the consultation. The Government aims to publish this consultation later this year.