Asked by: Alec Shelbrooke (Conservative - Wetherby and Easingwold)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, pursuant to the Answer of 14 October 2024 to Question 8237 on Buses: Greater London, what information her Department holds on the number and proportion of buses operating in the UK which were made in the UK.
Answered by Simon Lightwood - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
The Department does not hold information on the number or proportion of buses operating in the UK that were made in the UK.
Asked by: Alec Shelbrooke (Conservative - Wetherby and Easingwold)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps her Department is taking to help tackle bus vandalism.
Answered by Simon Lightwood - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
The government is committed to improving bus services so they are more inclusive and enable all passengers to travel safely, confidently and with dignity. As announced in the King’s Speech, the government will introduce a new Buses Bill later in this parliamentary session that will give local leaders the freedom to take decisions to deliver their local transport priorities and ensure networks meet the needs of the communities who rely on them. More detail on measures within the Bill will be set out in due course.
The Department for Transport (DfT) also supports the Bus and Coach sector via our published ‘Security Recommended Best Practice Guidance’ which was developed to advise the bus and coach industry on security measures to protect against acts of violence, especially terrorism.
Asked by: Alec Shelbrooke (Conservative - Wetherby and Easingwold)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps her Department is taking to tackle rail vandalism.
Answered by Simon Lightwood - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
The British Transport Police (BTP) are responsible for policing the rail network in Great Britain and tackling rail vandalism is a priority for them given it is a key factor in causing disruption on the railways.
The BTP use the 10 principles of crime prevention to tackle rail vandalism and they work in close partnership with the rail industry, including Network Rail and Train Operating Companies, to ensure there is a joined-up approach.
BTP carry out Post Incident Site Visits at locations that have been targeted to provide advice around security and environmental features to reduce the likelihood that a location will be targeted again. Where an area is identified as a Hot Spot, BTP will undertake surveys and assess the area to identify ways to tackle the vandalism taking place there.
BTP respond to incidents across the rail network and pursue offenders daily.
Asked by: Alec Shelbrooke (Conservative - Wetherby and Easingwold)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what progress she has made on the new headquarters for Great British Railways in Derby.
Answered by Simon Lightwood - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
Work to develop options for a HQ location is under way. Derby City Council and other industry partners are involved in a continuing dialogue to set out the vision for the HQ and the sector within Derby, bringing high-skilled jobs to a city already brimming with rail industry talent. The Secretary of State recently visited Derby to deliver a speech updating on our plans for rail reform.
Asked by: Alec Shelbrooke (Conservative - Wetherby and Easingwold)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether she has had discussions with Northern rail on fare prosecutions.
Answered by Simon Lightwood - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
The Secretary of State has made clear she expects all operators to ensure their policy on ticketing is clear and fair for passengers at all times. Ticketing has become far too complicated, which is why we plan to simplify it as part of the biggest overhaul of our railways in a generation.
Asked by: Alec Shelbrooke (Conservative - Wetherby and Easingwold)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what discussions she has had with the Mayor of Manchester on the relocation of Trafford Park Rail Freight Terminal.
Answered by Simon Lightwood - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
The Government recognises the economic and environmental potential of rail freight is significant and is fully committed to supporting its growth.
No discussions have taken place with the Mayor of Manchester about the relocation of Trafford Park Rail Freight Terminal.
Asked by: Alec Shelbrooke (Conservative - Wetherby and Easingwold)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether she plans to (a) reduce the scope and (b) delay the delivery of the Transpennine Route Upgrade project.
Answered by Simon Lightwood - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
The design and delivery of the Transpennine Route Upgrade programme is proceeding rapidly, with no current plans for changing its scope.
Asked by: Alec Shelbrooke (Conservative - Wetherby and Easingwold)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps her Department is taking to help West Yorkshire Combined Authority reopen Bradford Interchange’s bus station.
Answered by Simon Lightwood - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
Local authorities, rather than central government, are responsible for the bus stops and shelters in their area. Any decisions regarding the reopening of Bradford Interchange bus station are for West Yorkshire Combined Authority to make.
Asked by: Alec Shelbrooke (Conservative - Wetherby and Easingwold)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps her Department is taking with the West Yorkshire Combined Authority to help protect bus (a) stock, (b) drivers and (c) passengers following the arson attack on a bus in Harehills on 18 July 2024.
Answered by Simon Lightwood - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
The Department for Transport works closely with the bus and coach sector to advise them on protective security issues, and in 2018 published best practice guidance to advise the sector on security measures to protect against acts of violence. The guidance is available to view on GOV.UK at: https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/875547/bus-and-coach-security-recommended-best-practice.pdf. The Department is currently in the process of updating this guidance, working in partnership with industry, and expects to publish an enhanced document later this year.
Asked by: Alec Shelbrooke (Conservative - Wetherby and Easingwold)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of parked cars causing blockages outside bus stations on levels of delays to regional bus networks.
Answered by Simon Lightwood - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
98% of local authorities have civil enforcement powers in relation to parking and are responsible for enforcement on the roads within their authority. Local authorities have powers to implement a range of parking restrictions on their networks and are responsible for deciding what restrictions may be necessary.