Asked by: Lord Vinson (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the (1) quality, and (2) safety, of the suspension of the Azuma trains being used on the East Coast mainline; whether (a) they, or (b) LNER, have received reports of increased customer discomfort since the Azuma trains were introduced; and in light of any such assessment or reports, what plans they have to support the rectification of any operational problems identified with these trains.
Answered by Baroness Vere of Norbiton - Parliamentary Secretary (HM Treasury)
Azuma trains were designed to modern standards for comfort and safety. Before the trains were delivered to London North Eastern Railway (LNER), a number of commissioning tests were carried out ensuring the quality of the ride was of an acceptable standard and safety specifications had been met. The comfort and safety of the trains in service and the rectification of any operational problems is the responsibility of the train operator, LNER, working in partnership with the train supplier and, if required, the Office of Rail and Road.
Asked by: Lord Vinson (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of reports that tougher emissions checks under the new MOT system may leave diesel car drivers facing expensive repair bills or the need to scrap their cars; and whether they will consider introducing a compensation scheme for drivers of cars that fail their MOT as a result of recent changes to emissions standards.
Answered by Baroness Sugg
Amendments to MOT testing for cars, which took effect on 20 May, include a test of emissions control systems on diesel vehicles. Where these are visibly defective, modified, or missing, or where smoke of any colour is emitted, a major fault will be recorded and the vehicle will fail its MOT. Some cars will not meet these standards, for example where diesel particulate filters have been removed, and these vehicles will require repairs in order to pass the MOT test if they are to remain in use. However, the Government is clear that vehicles using public roads must comply with the air pollutant emissions standards they were designed to meet. The Government currently has no plans to introduce a scrappage scheme for vehicles failing their MOT as a result of these changes.
Asked by: Lord Vinson (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask Her Majesty’s Government why there are 50 miles per hour speed restrictions on substantial lengths of the M1 where there is limited repair activity taking place; and what is the estimated cost of congestion and pollution caused by such restrictions over the past 12 months.
Answered by Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon - Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
Highways England’s primary concern is the safety and wellbeing of the travelling public and road workers. To keep traffic moving safely through works, and create as safe a working environment as possible, mandatory 50mph speed limits are put in place for the duration of the construction, whilst maintaining three running lanes during the daytime. Continually lifting and reinstating traffic management would extend the duration of the road works and add to costs.
In addition, a significant amount of work takes place off site and at night, to minimise the disruption that would otherwise occur. However, we do recognise that the length of roadworks on the M1 impacts on many drivers’ journeys and Highways England are looking at how they can use shorter lengths of roadworks on future schemes.
The cost of congestion and pollution effects of these roadworks for the past twelve months has not been quantified.