Asked by: Lord Stevens of Kirkwhelpington (Crossbench - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask His Majesty's Government what plans are in place to protect rail customers and staff following reports that dozens of British Transport Police stations are facing possible closure.
Answered by Lord Hendy of Richmond Hill - Minister of State (Department for Transport)
The safety of passengers and rail staff on the network is a priority for the Department and the rail industry, including the British Transport Police (BTP).
We will continue to work with BTP and the rail industry to consider how best to deploy their available budget in the coming financial year to ensure the safety of those on the rail network. It is important to stress that no final decisions have yet been made.
Asked by: Lord Stevens of Kirkwhelpington (Crossbench - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Transport:
Her Majesty's Government what action they are taking regarding restrictions on drones, particularly in controlled airspace, in the light of the closure of the runway at Gatwick Airport in July.
Answered by Lord Callanan - Shadow Minister (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
Regulations are already in place prohibiting the misuse of drones and offences exist in order to deter and, if necessary, prosecute operators for malicious or negligent use. Under the Air Navigation Order 2016, it is an offence to endanger an aircraft and if convicted, a person can face a prison sentence of up to 5 years.
The Government takes the safety risks of drones to aviation very seriously. We have already taken action on this by working with the Civil Aviation Authority and industry to raise awareness of the rules amongst drone operators and the general public. The Government intends to introduce further measures once we have fully analysed the evidence presented through our consultation process. We are exploring options, such as improving deterrents for the misuse of drones and measures to improve communication to drone users of ‘no drone flying zones’. The Government response to the consultation will be published in the near future.
Asked by: Lord Stevens of Kirkwhelpington (Crossbench - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they are planning to conduct statutory five-yearly reviews of all UK airspace allocation, both civil and military.
Answered by Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon
The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) has a duty to classify UK airspace and to keep such classification under review, under the Directions given by Government. In exercising this air navigation function the CAA must also reasonably apply a number of provisions, including to secure the most efficient use of airspace and to satisfy the requirements of operators and owners of all classes of aircraft.
This year we have begun the process of developing a new Government strategy for UK aviation as a whole. We will be consulting widely throughout 2017, starting in the next few weeks. This will include seeking views from those involved in civil, general and military aviation. This will be an ambitious programme of work, leading to publication of an Aviation Strategy White Paper at the end of 2018.
Asked by: Lord Stevens of Kirkwhelpington (Crossbench - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have to better harmonise civil, general and military aviation activity within the UK, especially in congested areas such as the south-east of England.
Answered by Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon
The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) has a duty to classify UK airspace and to keep such classification under review, under the Directions given by Government. In exercising this air navigation function the CAA must also reasonably apply a number of provisions, including to secure the most efficient use of airspace and to satisfy the requirements of operators and owners of all classes of aircraft.
This year we have begun the process of developing a new Government strategy for UK aviation as a whole. We will be consulting widely throughout 2017, starting in the next few weeks. This will include seeking views from those involved in civil, general and military aviation. This will be an ambitious programme of work, leading to publication of an Aviation Strategy White Paper at the end of 2018.
Asked by: Lord Stevens of Kirkwhelpington (Crossbench - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they will consider the introduction of new rules to ensure that no airfield can be closed without a full independent economic appraisal and audit of its contribution to local, national and international connectivity.
Answered by Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon
The majority of airfields in the UK are privately owned and operated. Operational decisions are therefore a commercial matter.
The Government will be starting work on a new aviation strategy this year. We will be considering a number of issues within the general aviation sector and the role that aerodromes play in supporting connectivity.
Asked by: Lord Stevens of Kirkwhelpington (Crossbench - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they intend to clarify the rules covering the operation of seaplanes for personal and recreational use around the UK.
Answered by Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon
The Government has no plans at present to clarify the rules covering the operation of seaplanes for personal and recreational use.
Asked by: Lord Stevens of Kirkwhelpington (Crossbench - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what is the status of proposals to improve the A1 by making it all dual-carriageway.
Answered by Baroness Kramer - Liberal Democrat Lords Spokesperson (Treasury and Economy)
As part of the Government’s £15 billion investment commitment for the strategic road network announced on the 1st December, the Department for Transport’s Road Investment Strategy includes committed funding to dual the single carriageway sections of the A1 from Morpeth to Ellingham, providing 13 more miles of dual carriageway and tripling the amount of continuous dual carriageway north of Newcastle.
The Government will continue to consider the case for improvements to the remaining single carriageway sections of the A1 between Ellingham and the Scottish border - the only elements of the 330 mile A1 outside London that is not dual carriageway or motorway standard.
Asked by: Lord Stevens of Kirkwhelpington (Crossbench - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Baroness Kramer on 12 March (WA 375), in relation to the Single European Sky ATM Research (SESAR), how many work packages have to date involved general aviation.
Answered by Baroness Kramer - Liberal Democrat Lords Spokesperson (Treasury and Economy)
The SESAR Joint Undertaking is the EU public/private partnership which is responsible for managing the SESAR programme. The SESAR Joint Undertaking seeks to involve all affected stakeholders, including General Aviation, in the development of all work packages to ensure the technologies meet their needs.
Asked by: Lord Stevens of Kirkwhelpington (Crossbench - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Baroness Kramer on 12 March (WA 375), in relation to the United Kingdom general aviation sector, what action has been taken to ensure cross-party cooperation and support for the Civil Aviation Authority in encouraging the growth of a vibrant United Kingdom general aviation sector.
Answered by Baroness Kramer - Liberal Democrat Lords Spokesperson (Treasury and Economy)
The Government and Civil Aviation Authority are taking forward a programme of work aimed at encouraging the growth of a vibrant general aviation sector. This has involved consultation with a wide range of stakeholders. My Noble Friend, Lord Rotherwick, secured a Question for Short Debate on the regulation of general aviation on 21 January 2014 [Official Report, column GC319], at which there was wide support for our programme of work.