Asked by: Andrew Rosindell (Conservative - Romford)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what recent steps he has taken with rail companies to help reduce rates of (a) suicide and (b) self-harm at railway stations in (i) Romford constituency and (ii) England.
Answered by Huw Merriman - Minister of State (Department for Transport)
Every rail operator is required to have a live Suicide Prevention Plan which covers requirements such as training of public facing staff in suicide prevention, putting in place mitigation measures at stations and promoting help seeking behaviour to vulnerable people at risk of suicide or self-harm.
Furthermore, every operator is also required to obtain and maintain accreditation to the Safeguarding on Rail Scheme, which is assessed independently by British Transport Police (BTP). The scheme requires operators to demonstrate how they are actively supporting vulnerable people on their network.
The BTP carries out a site visit following every suspected suicide on the railway to mitigate against future loss of life at the same location, and has a dedicated Harm Reduction Team (Hart) who work one to one with vulnerable individuals, joining up local authorities, the NHS and others to ensure the person is cared for and prevented from harming themselves on the rail network.
Asked by: Andrew Rosindell (Conservative - Romford)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what recent assessment he has made of the potential impact of increased volcanic activity in Iceland on aviation.
Answered by Anthony Browne - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
The Department of Transport maintains regular engagement with the Met Office who informs the Department of the type of volcanic activity and likelihood of eruption taking place in Europe. Over the past week, seismic activity at Reykjanes has reduced. The Met Offices’ current assessment of the Reykjanes volcano is that if an eruption were to happen this would be effusive (lava and gas dominant as opposed to ash-rich), similar to previous eruptions taken place in 2022 and 2023. Therefore, it would have a minimum impact on aviation.
In addition, the Department maintains regular engagement with NATS, CAA, Met Office, and UK airports, to understand the potential impacts of an eruption and existing contingencies in place to manage disruption to passengers and operations.
Asked by: Andrew Rosindell (Conservative - Romford)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps he has taken to work with rail service providers to help tackle (a) antisocial behaviour and (b) sexual assault on rail services in (i) England and (ii) Romford constituency.
Answered by Huw Merriman - Minister of State (Department for Transport)
Every rail operator that manages stations has an obligation to obtain and maintain Secure Stations Accreditation, assessed by the British Transport Police (BTP), for a number of their stations. The scheme requires operators to demonstrate that a station is designed and operated in a safe and secure way, considering issues such as lighting, CCTV and signage.
Operators are also required to obtain and maintain accreditation to the Safeguarding on Rail Scheme, again assessed independently by the BTP. The scheme requires operators to demonstrate how they are actively supporting vulnerable people on their network.
The Department for Transport is funding a pilot scheme in Essex where Thurrock Council, working with other local authorities and the BTP, will be using Transport Safety Officers to help tackle anti-social behaviour on and around the rail network.
The Department also supports the Rail Delivery Group ‘Zero Tolerance’ campaign against sexual harassment on the railway. The campaign informs people of the action they can take to report sexual harassment if they witness it and thereby help to combat it. A dedicated CrimeStoppers line is in operation for all those who wish to report anonymously.
The BTP will investigate every report of sexual harassment on the railway; incidents can be reported to BTP via text on 61016, via the Railway Guardian App, online, or in an emergency by dialling 999.
Asked by: Andrew Rosindell (Conservative - Romford)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether he is taking steps with the Secretary of State for the Home Department to help tackle car convoys making political protests that block roads.
Answered by Huw Merriman - Minister of State (Department for Transport)
Ministers in the Department have regular meetings with colleagues in various departments about what the Government can do to make sure the travelling public are inconvenienced as little as possible, while ensuring the right to protest is maintained. Operational decisions in relation to any specific event are a matter for the Police working in conjunction with the relevant highway authorities.
Asked by: Andrew Rosindell (Conservative - Romford)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether he has made an assessment of the potential merits of providing subsidies for traditional black cab drivers in the context of the growth of alternative taxi service providers.
Answered by Guy Opperman - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
The government has no plans to provide subsidies in this area.
Asked by: Andrew Rosindell (Conservative - Romford)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether he has taken steps to work with rail operators to tackle (a) trespass incidents and (b) the resultant disruption to rail services.
Answered by Huw Merriman - Minister of State (Department for Transport)
Network Rail (NR) and the wider rail industry collaborate to implement necessary mitigations against trespass and manage any disruption if these incidents occur. In the event of a trespass incident, operators and NR will issue extensive passenger communications, advising passengers of disruption and available options. Where disruption is predicted, or has begun to occur, contingency timetables will be implemented to ensure the maximum service possible can be operated.
Every rail operator that manages stations has an obligation to obtain and maintain Secure Stations Accreditation, assessed by BTP, for a number of their stations. The scheme requires operators to demonstrate how they ensure their station has a defined perimeter through the use for example, of walls, fencing or hedging, as well as ensuring the built environment allows appropriate visibility and sightlines, has good CCTV coverage, and has anti-trespass warning notices displayed.
Trespass can be either criminal, or because somebody is vulnerable and in crisis, therefore every operator is also required to obtain and maintain accreditation to the Safeguarding on Rail Scheme (SRS), again assessed independently by BTP. The scheme requires operators to demonstrate how they are actively supporting vulnerable people on their network.
Asked by: Andrew Rosindell (Conservative - Romford)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether he is taking steps to increase the availability of electric vehicle charging infrastructure for use by the logistics and warehousing sector.
Answered by Anthony Browne - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
The Government is working with fleets and industry bodies to understand the diverse charging requirements of fleets, including those used by the logistics and warehousing sector.
Through its Workplace Charging Scheme, the Government offers support to small and medium sized business for the installation of chargepoints, with grants of up to £350 per socket. As of 1 July 2023, 46,172 workplace installations have benefited from this scheme.
The Government is also working with industry stakeholders to develop a zero emission HGV and coach infrastructure strategy for publication in 2024. The strategy will set strategic direction and outline the roles and responsibilities of government and industry to deliver the refuelling and recharging infrastructure required to meet the end of sale dates for new non-zero emission HGVs.
Asked by: Andrew Rosindell (Conservative - Romford)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether he has had recent discussions with the Mayor of London on the adequacy of staffing levels at Transport for London.
Answered by Huw Merriman - Minister of State (Department for Transport)
The Secretary of State has not had any recent discussions with the Mayor regarding staffing levels at Transport for London (TfL). Transport in London is devolved to the Mayor and TfL, so operational and policy decisions, including staffing levels for TfL, are a matter solely for them.
Asked by: Andrew Rosindell (Conservative - Romford)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if he will make an assessment of the potential merits of charging airline passengers in line with their body weight.
Answered by Anthony Browne - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
Aviation is a competitive private sector business. I see no need to try to tell them how to price their products.
Asked by: Andrew Rosindell (Conservative - Romford)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what his policy is on the use of bilingual street signs in England.
Answered by Richard Holden - Minister without Portfolio (Cabinet Office)
The design and location of street name signs are matters for local authorities. The Department has published guidance for local authorities in Circular Roads 3/93 ‘Street Name Plates and the Numbering of Premises’.