Asked by: Lord Patten (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of London Heathrow being the only international hub airport in the UK.
Answered by Baroness Vere of Norbiton - Parliamentary Secretary (HM Treasury)
In 2012, the Government established the independent Airports Commission to examine the nature, scale and timing of any requirement for additional capacity to maintain the UK’s global hub status. The Airports Commission carried out a detailed assessment of the UK aviation market and considered that it was served by a diverse system of airports, from a global aviation hub at Heathrow through large scale point-to-point airports, such as Manchester, Birmingham and Gatwick, down to small airports primarily focusing on maintaining lifeline routes.
Further assessment of the UK aviation market and its hub status was carried out by the Government as part of the development of the Airports National Policy Statement (ANPS), which provides the primary basis for decision making on development consent applications for a Northwest Runway at Heathrow Airport. The ANPS sets out the importance of Heathrow Airport’s position as one of the world’s major hub airports.
Asked by: Lord Patten (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask Her Majesty's Government, what assessment they have made of the effects on the (1) regional, and (2) national, economy of the decision of Loganair to cease serving Teesside International Airport.
Answered by Baroness Vere of Norbiton - Parliamentary Secretary (HM Treasury)
Whilst the decision by Loganair to withdraw from Teesside Airport is disappointing, it is ultimately a commercial decision by the airline.
The Government recognises the importance of regional airports to our aviation sector and to the communities they serve. We continue to support regional airports through various policy measures such as our introduction next year of a 50% cut in Air Passenger Duty on domestic flights.
Asked by: Lord Patten (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask Her Majesty's Government what estimate they have made of the cost to (1) London's economy, and (2) the national economy, of the industrial action taken by train drivers during the week ending 4 March.
Answered by Baroness Vere of Norbiton - Parliamentary Secretary (HM Treasury)
The Department is working closely with Transport for London (TfL) to ensure that London’s transport network is able to support the restart and economic recovery of the city. The Government’s commitment to supporting London’s transport network is ongoing, and we have provided close to £5 billion of support throughout the pandemic. However, transport in London is devolved and is the responsibility of the Mayor of London and TfL.
Asked by: Lord Patten (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask Her Majesty's Government what discussions they (1) have had, or (2) intend to have, with the Mayor of London regarding contributions by the Government to fund the cost of introducing driverless trains in London.
Answered by Baroness Vere of Norbiton - Parliamentary Secretary (HM Treasury)
The Government’s commitment to supporting London’s transport network is ongoing, and we have provided close to £5 billion of support throughout the pandemic. DfT officials are currently working with TfL to build an evidence-based recommendation on how to progress with driverless trains on the underground. This will inform any future decisions.
Asked by: Lord Patten (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask Her Majesty's Government when they expect (1) long-distance, and (2) commuter, train services into London mainline stations to reach the levels they were at prior to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Answered by Baroness Vere of Norbiton - Parliamentary Secretary (HM Treasury)
Following the move to Plan A and in anticipation of the lifting of all Covid-19 restrictions, the Department will be working closely with train operators to develop a passenger offer that it is fit for the future, and carefully balances capacity and performance, while protecting the public purse.
Asked by: Lord Patten (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the effects, if any, of the current reduction in rail services on those wishing to return to work in person.
Answered by Baroness Vere of Norbiton - Parliamentary Secretary (HM Treasury)
The Department has been working closely with rail operators as they mitigate the impact of staff absences on rail services.
The current temporary train timetable is providing passengers with certainty so they can plan their journeys confidently as they return to work in person. As staffing pressures ease and passenger demand increases, operators are increasing rail services accordingly to meet demand.
Asked by: Lord Patten (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the effects on (1) the economy, and (2) connectivity, of South West England of South Western Railway's decision to cease providing through services from Exeter to London Waterloo, with trains splitting at Salisbury.
Answered by Baroness Vere of Norbiton - Parliamentary Secretary (HM Treasury)
South Western Railway advises that its temporary timetable, which commenced on Monday 17 January 2022, comfortably retains enough capacity to meet demand whilst ensuring that many services for key workers and schools have been retained.
The impact of the latest COVID variant has led to a sharp increase in staff absenteeism and a drop in passenger demand. Consequently, as part of the overall reductions in service, direct services between Exeter to London Waterloo will not be available during the temporary timetable period, as was the case in the same period last year.
South Western Railway has assured the Department that the timetable will be kept under constant review.
Asked by: Lord Patten (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the adequacy of notice given by South Western Railway on 12 January of substantial timetable changes coming into effect on 17 January.
Answered by Baroness Vere of Norbiton - Parliamentary Secretary (HM Treasury)
South Western Railway has responded to the Omicron variant which has seen a sharp increase in staff absenteeism and a sharp drop in passenger demand.
Rather than make weekly changes to the timetable, South Western Railway initiated a temporary timetable which commenced on Monday 17 January 2022. This will give customers greater notice of the planned timetable over the coming weeks.
Asked by: Lord Patten (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask Her Majesty's Government what measures. if any, they are taking (1) to ensure the economic sustainability, and (2) to mitigate the environmental impact, of the Cambridge to Oxford direct rail link.
Answered by Baroness Vere of Norbiton - Parliamentary Secretary (HM Treasury)
The full East West Rail (EWR) scheme (Oxford to Cambridge) is planned to be delivered, and operational for passenger and freight services, by the end of the decade. We are currently working hard with the East West Railway Company and Network Rail to develop the right future service patterns for the scheme. This will help ensure that EWR objectives are achieved and provide the best possible connectivity for the communities and customers.
Plans, including costs, for the whole scheme are still in development. We will release further details in due course.
Environmental implications and ensuring economic sustainability have been important parts of the decision-making process for the EWR scheme.
Asked by: Lord Patten (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask Her Majesty's Government what is the estimated cost of completing the Cambridge to Oxford direct rail link.
Answered by Baroness Vere of Norbiton - Parliamentary Secretary (HM Treasury)
The full East West Rail (EWR) scheme (Oxford to Cambridge) is planned to be delivered, and operational for passenger and freight services, by the end of the decade. We are currently working hard with the East West Railway Company and Network Rail to develop the right future service patterns for the scheme. This will help ensure that EWR objectives are achieved and provide the best possible connectivity for the communities and customers.
Plans, including costs, for the whole scheme are still in development. We will release further details in due course.
Environmental implications and ensuring economic sustainability have been important parts of the decision-making process for the EWR scheme.