Asked by: Lord Weir of Ballyholme (Democratic Unionist Party - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask His Majesty's Government what capital commitment they have made, or plan to make, to improve disability access at stations across the railway network.
Answered by Lord Hendy of Richmond Hill - Minister of State (Department for Transport)
£350m is currently allocated to the Access for All programme until 2028/29. A further £75m programme of works to install platform edge tactile strips on at stations that did not already have them is approaching its completion. These investments are in addition to accessibility enhancements delivered as part of other major projects or industry renewal activities.
Asked by: Lord Weir of Ballyholme (Democratic Unionist Party - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask His Majesty's Government what discussions they have had with Transport for London on improving disability access across the London Underground.
Answered by Lord Hendy of Richmond Hill - Minister of State (Department for Transport)
Disabled people should be able to travel easily, confidently and with dignity. Ministers and officials have regular conversations with Transport for London on a variety of issues including accessibility of their network. Transport in London is devolved to the Mayor and TfL is responsible for managing the London Underground.
Asked by: Lord Weir of Ballyholme (Democratic Unionist Party - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask His Majesty's Government why DVLA forms can no longer be accessed and processed through Post Offices; and what plans they have to change this.
Answered by Baroness Vere of Norbiton
Most Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) forms are currently available from Post Offices that offer DVLA services.
Post Office Ltd currently provides a limited range of DVLA services and an extension to the current contract has been agreed, ensuring that DVLA services will be available at post offices until the end of March 2024.
The DVLA wants its customers to be able to access its services as quickly and as easily as possible and the role of front office counter services will form part of the considerations of future service offerings, utilising government agreements if necessary.
Asked by: Lord Weir of Ballyholme (Democratic Unionist Party - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask His Majesty's Government what is the timeframe for full implementation of all the recommendations of the Union connectivity review.
Answered by Baroness Vere of Norbiton
Lord Hendy of Richmond Hill’s independent Union Connectivity Review, published in November 2021, considered transport connectivity across the UK. Considering the scale and breadth of the review, we are taking the time necessary to consider Lord Hendy’s recommendations. We will publish our response as soon as is practicable.
Asked by: Lord Weir of Ballyholme (Democratic Unionist Party - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the impact of Flybe entering into administration on air travel between Northern Ireland and Great Britain; and what steps they are taking to mitigate any impact.
Answered by Baroness Vere of Norbiton
The Government recognises that this will be a difficult time for Flybe’s passengers and staff. Our immediate priority has been to support people travelling home and employees who have lost their jobs. We are working closely with regional airports to understand the impacts on their businesses and local jobs.
Connectivity between Northern Ireland and Great Britain is currently very strong and has largely recovered to 2019 levels. This includes a number of competing services between Belfast and London, the Public Service Obligation (PSO) from Derry / Londonderry to London, and routes from Northern Ireland to several cities throughout Great Britain.
Asked by: Lord Weir of Ballyholme (Democratic Unionist Party - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask His Majesty's Government which retained EU laws the Department for Transport is planning to reform or revoke in the event of a passage into law of the Retained EU Law (Revocation and Reform) Bill.
Answered by Baroness Vere of Norbiton
Individual departments are in the process of assessing their REUL and developing proposals for whether they intend to revoke or reform each piece of legislation or preserve it from the sunset.
The Department will be ambitious but mindful of ensuring that businesses and stakeholders are engaged and consulted in the usual way on policy changes, whilst upholding commitments already given at the despatch box.
Asked by: Lord Weir of Ballyholme (Democratic Unionist Party - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask His Majesty's Government what discussions they have had with representatives of Northern Irish (1) airports, or (2) airlines, operating routes from Northern Ireland focused on increasing air connectivity between Northern Ireland and the rest of the UK.
Answered by Baroness Vere of Norbiton
The number of flights between Northern Ireland (NI) and Great Britain (GB) is currently very strong with several competing services between Belfast and London, and routes from NI to several cities throughout the UK. The Government also continues to support the Public Service Obligation (PSO) from Derry/Londonderry to London.