Asked by: Alex Norris (Labour (Co-op) - Nottingham North)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, pursuant to the Answer of 4 February 2020 to Question 9106, on Transport: Midlands, what comparative assessment he has made of the level of funding allocated from the public purse to transport programmes in the (a) East Midlands and (b) West Midlands.
Answered by George Freeman
All transport schemes are assessed on the merits of their case. We are taking steps to improve transport infrastructure where needed, to level-up the country, including across the Midlands, such as developing the Midlands Rail Hub. Our most recent public analysis shows that over the period 18/19 to 20/21 we will have spent an average of £264 per head in the East Midlands each year and £255 in the West Midlands.
Asked by: Alex Norris (Labour (Co-op) - Nottingham North)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, when the work to electrify the Midland Mainline will commence.
Answered by Chris Heaton-Harris - Secretary of State for Northern Ireland
Electrification works between Bedford and Kettering, as part of the Midland Main Line enhancement programme, are underway. Electric services on this route are planned to commence from December 2020.
The Midland Main Line enhancements programme will support better journeys from 2020, including faster journeys in the peak and more seats, with further improvements from 2022 with a fleet of brand new bi-mode trains.
Asked by: Alex Norris (Labour (Co-op) - Nottingham North)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, pursuant to Answers of 2 February 2019, 12 March 2019, 14 March 2019, 7 May 2019 and 9 May 2019 to Questions 252470, 251220, 232503, 231454 and 220057 on taxis: licensing, when the Government plans to bring forward legislative proposals on taxi and private hire.
Answered by Nusrat Ghani - Minister of State (Minister for Europe)
I refer the honourable gentleman to my previous answers to the questions he has referenced.
Asked by: Alex Norris (Labour (Co-op) - Nottingham North)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, pursuant to the Answer of 19 December 2017 to Question 118502, what the estimates used by his Department as determined by the Office of the Rail Regulator for the current control period are.
Answered by Jesse Norman
Full track access charges are published by Network Rail on the following website:
The difference between the average maintenance cost per mile of track applied by Network Rail to franchisees operating electric trains and bi-mode trains for the control period in question indicated that track maintenance costs were expected to be approximately 11-12% higher than electric trains of the same design.
The final track access charges relating to the Intercity Express Programme trains will be published by Network Rail in due course.
Whilst heavier than the electric Intercity Express Programme trains the bi-modes are still lighter than the High Speed Trains they are replacing which means less track wear and damage with lower operating costs – a benefit to the taxpayer.
Through the use of bi-modes we can improve journeys for passengers sooner and reduce the need for as much disruptive engineering work.
Asked by: Alex Norris (Labour (Co-op) - Nottingham North)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what estimate has he made of the difference between the average maintenance cost per kilometre of track to Network Rail of franchises operating (a) dedicated intercity electric trains and (b) bi-mode trains.
Answered by Paul Maynard - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Work and Pensions)
The Department assessed the impact of electric and bi-mode trains using track access charges rates determined by the ORR for the current Control Period. The estimate contributed to the assessment that ordering bi-mode trains provides value for money to the taxpayer.
Asked by: Alex Norris (Labour (Co-op) - Nottingham North)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment has he made of the potential effect of diesel particulates from bi-mode trains on the health of (a) passengers, (b) railway workers and (c) people who live near to railway lines.
Answered by Paul Maynard - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Work and Pensions)
The new bi-mode trains will be cleaner than the diesel trains that they replace. In addition, when running on the electrified part of the network the engines can be switched off completely and therefore will not produce any diesel particulates.
The table below shows the emissions standards met by Intercity Express Train (Class 800) rolling stock. From 2017, Class 800 trains will progressively replace Class 43 rolling stock on the network (also shown below):
Train class | Year manufactured | Engine emissions standard | Particulate Matter emissions standard | Nitrogen oxides (NOx) emissions standard |
Class 800 – Intercity Express Train | 2015 onwards | EU NRMM Stage IIIB | 0.025 g/kWh (grams per kilowatt hour) | 4.0 g/kWh |
Class 43 – High Speed Train | 1975-1982 (re-engined in 2005-2010) | UIC II (following engine overhaul in 2000s) | 0.250 g/kWh | 9.5 g/kWh |
The standards shown above are maximum emission levels, shown in grams per unit of energy (kilowatt hours). Class 800 trains can operate under diesel or overhead electrical power; the above data relates to diesel operation only.
Asked by: Alex Norris (Labour (Co-op) - Nottingham North)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if will issue statutory guidance to licensing authorities requiring disability equality training as a license condition for all drivers.
Answered by John Hayes
Taxi and private hire vehicle (PHV) services must be accessible to those who rely upon them, and disability awareness training can be effective in equipping drivers with the skills and knowledge to provide all passengers with the assistance they require. The Department is currently considering the responses to the consultation on the draft Accessibility Action Plan which will inform the updated Best Practice Guidance for taxi and PHV licensing authorities. It is the Department’s expectation that the guidance will include a recommendation that authorities should use their existing powers to require prospective drivers to complete disability awareness and equality training.
There are however no existing powers to give this guidance statutory status.
I announced in a Westminster Hall debate that I would be setting up a working group to consider current issues concerning taxi and PHV licensing. That group will report its findings to me in the new year.
Asked by: Alex Norris (Labour (Co-op) - Nottingham North)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether all rolling stock on the Midlands Mainline will be compliant with modern accessibility standards by 1 January 2020.
Answered by Paul Maynard - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Work and Pensions)
It is the responsibility for the operator of the East Midlands franchise to ensure the trains which are currently operated on the Midland Mainline meet modern accessibility standards by 2020. Any trains being introduced on to the line must also be built or modified to be compliant with those standards.
Asked by: Alex Norris (Labour (Co-op) - Nottingham North)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment he has made of the (a) cost and (b) effect on the environment of the development of bi-modal trains?
Answered by Paul Maynard - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Work and Pensions)
Rolling Stock is procured through a competitive process to achieve best value for money. The Government has been clear that bi-modes are likely to be more expensive than electric only trains, but do provide valuable flexibility. New diesels deliver an overall better environmental performance than existing diesel trains because they are subject to the latest emission standards but also offer the flexibility to operate in electric mode where there are electric wires.
Asked by: Alex Norris (Labour (Co-op) - Nottingham North)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps his Department has taken to prepare for the two-year gap between current high speed trains becoming non-compliant in 2020 and new bi-mode trains being available in 2022.
Answered by Paul Maynard - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Work and Pensions)
Any trains in passenger service after 31 December 2019 must comply with modern accessibility standards. The Department is closely monitoring the progress that industry and operators are making to ensure that the rights of passengers are protected by upgrading and renewing older rolling stock which will continue in service or replacing non-compliant trains by the end of 2019.