Asked by: Lord Roberts of Llandudno (Liberal Democrat - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask His Majesty's Government what training they have made available, if any, to enable those with overseas driving qualifications to retrain for work in the UK.
Answered by Baroness Vere of Norbiton - Parliamentary Secretary (HM Treasury)
Those with overseas driving qualifications that are not exchangeable in GB can drive small vehicles (cars up to 3,500kg and motorcycles), provided entitlement is shown on their licence, for 12 months from the date they become resident in GB. During these 12 months, those with overseas driving qualifications are able to retrain for work in the UK. After this time, unless they have a licence from a country designated for driving licence exchange purposes, they are required to take a GB driving test.
The 12-month period is a concession that allows drivers who live and regularly drive in GB to continue to do so before having to demonstrate that they comply with the standards that apply to GB licence holders.
Asked by: Lord Roberts of Llandudno (Liberal Democrat - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask His Majesty's Government what support they are providing to ensure the continuation of rural bus services.
Answered by Baroness Vere of Norbiton - Parliamentary Secretary (HM Treasury)
The Government has provided nearly £2 billion of support since March 2020 through emergency and recovery grants to mitigate the impacts of the pandemic on the bus sector. This includes a six-month extension to the Bus Recovery Grant to provide up to £130 million to continue supporting bus services in England outside London until the end of March of this year.
Our £20 million Rural Mobility Fund (RMF) is supporting 16 innovative, demand-led minibus trials in rural and suburban areas across 15 local authorities in England. These pilots are exploring whether Demand Responsive Transport (DRT) can serve these communities more effectively than traditional public transport solutions alone.
The Government is also providing £60 million to help bus operators cap single fares at £2 on services in England outside London from 1 January to 31 March 2023. Over 130 operators covering more than 4,600 routes throughout England are participating in the scheme, including in rural areas, which will help increase patronage on buses and help millions save on their regular travel costs.
We have engaged extensively with rural stakeholders on how new transport modes can benefit rural communities in developing the soon to be published Future of Transport: Rural Strategy.
Asked by: Lord Roberts of Llandudno (Liberal Democrat - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask His Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to resolve current industrial action amongst railway workers.
Answered by Baroness Vere of Norbiton - Parliamentary Secretary (HM Treasury)
The Transport Secretary wants to see an end to the rail industrial disputes, which are affecting passengers, the industry and the rail workers themselves. He is very clear that it is for employers and Trade Unions to negotiate the details of essential workforce reforms that would enable an affordable pay deal. Ministers’ role is to facilitate and support the ongoing discussions between the rail industry and Trade Unions regarding workforce reform and pay.
Asked by: Lord Roberts of Llandudno (Liberal Democrat - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask His Majesty's Government what steps they will take to ensure that there is a direct Holyhead to Euston rail link.
Answered by Baroness Vere of Norbiton - Parliamentary Secretary (HM Treasury)
Avanti West Coast is currently operating a reduced timetable due to staff shortages. From 12 December Avanti plans to reinstate direct services between London and Holyhead in each direction.
Asked by: Lord Roberts of Llandudno (Liberal Democrat - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask Her Majesty's Government what plans, if any, they have to encourage rail companies to allow Ukrainian refugees to travel free of charge on UK rail networks.
Answered by Baroness Vere of Norbiton - Parliamentary Secretary (HM Treasury)
The Department for Transport is considering what can be offered to Ukrainian refugees by way of free rail travel, along with other Government initiatives.
Asked by: Lord Roberts of Llandudno (Liberal Democrat - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask Her Majesty's Government what data they hold on the effectiveness of the MOT in preventing road accidents.
Answered by Baroness Vere of Norbiton - Parliamentary Secretary (HM Treasury)
The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) collects data on the proportion of vehicles presented for MOT tests that fail, as well as the most common defects that are detected. Last year, 29.9% of vehicles failed their MOT test for ‘major’ or ‘dangerous’ defects, that is, those defects most likely to have an impact on road safety. The MOT test ensures that vehicles with such defects cannot be driven legally, and is an important part of ensuring that vehicles on our roads are safe. The vast majority of road accidents are caused by driver error. Estimates are that only around 2% of accidents are directly caused by mechanical vehicle defects.
Asked by: Lord Roberts of Llandudno (Liberal Democrat - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask Her Majesty's Government what discussions they have had about an underwater tunnel connecting Holyhead and Dublin; and which (1) ministers, and (2) civil service teams, have been involved in any such discussions.
Answered by Baroness Vere of Norbiton - Parliamentary Secretary (HM Treasury)
As part of the Union Connectivity Review (UCR), independently chaired by Sir Peter Hendy CBE, an assessment will be made on the feasibility of a fixed transport link between Great Britain and Northern Ireland. This study will solely focus on the technical viability of such a construction and will outline an estimation of its potential costs and timescales.
As with the wider UCR, the Fixed Link Feasibility Study is independent of Government and is being led by Professor Douglas Oakervee CBE and Professor Gordon Masterton OBE, with support from a dedicated engineering function.
As with any assessment at this early stage, it is important to consider the broad range of options, so a route between Holyhead and Dublin is being assessed as a comparator. Since this route is not the main focus of the study, only high-level discussions around it have taken place. These have been facilitated by the independent technical team leading the study.
Asked by: Lord Roberts of Llandudno (Liberal Democrat - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask Her Majesty's Government what plans they have to safeguard the Holyhead to London line as part of the proposed reorganisation of Rail Services in England .
Answered by Baroness Vere of Norbiton - Parliamentary Secretary (HM Treasury)
On 20th May, Government published Great British Railways: The Williams-Shapps Plan for Rail – a blueprint for a more customer focused, reliable and growing railway. The biggest reform and simplification of our railways in 30 years will bring “track and train” together under single national leadership in a new public body – Great British Railways – accountable to ministers. Great British Railways will own the infrastructure, collect fare revenue, run and plan the network, set the timetable and most fares.
As set out in The Williams-Shapps Plan for Rail, a joint working agreement between Transport for Wales and Great British Railways will be explored to improve the rail offer in Wales.
Asked by: Lord Roberts of Llandudno (Liberal Democrat - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask Her Majesty's Government what changes are being made to improve traffic conditions at the port of Holyhead; and what changes are being made in the surrounding area in order to improve access to the port.
Answered by Baroness Vere of Norbiton - Parliamentary Secretary (HM Treasury)
The Union Connectivity Review, led by Sir Peter Hendy CBE is focusing on improving transport connectivity between England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. The review is carefully considering and evaluating all strategically significant routes across the UK, including access to ports such as Holyhead.
Asked by: Lord Roberts of Llandudno (Liberal Democrat - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask Her Majesty's Government what recent assessment they have made of the effect of the UK’s departure from the EU on ferry crossings from Ireland to Welsh ports since 1 January.
Answered by Baroness Vere of Norbiton - Parliamentary Secretary (HM Treasury)
The Department for Transport has had a number of discussions with ferry, port and haulage operators, in relation to Irish Sea traffic, since 1 January. It is too early to identify any longer-term trends or say what the longer-term impacts will be. The Government is, however, confident that Welsh ports, and Holyhead in particular, will continue to provide critical routes to and from the Republic of Ireland and continental Europe, irrespective of direct links for haulage between Ireland and France. The land bridge route has significant advantages for hauliers over maritime routes and the Government is confident that Welsh ports will continue to thrive, as we build on the opportunities provided by being an independent trading nation.