Asked by: Ed Davey (Liberal Democrat - Kingston and Surbiton)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what data sharing agreements his Department has in place with the (a) Mayor of London and (b) DVLA to facilitate enforcement of the ULEZ.
Answered by Richard Holden - Minister without Portfolio (Cabinet Office)
Transport in London is devolved to the Mayor and Transport for London (TfL) and it is their responsibility to manage and oversee the transport network. This includes decisions with regards to road schemes which charge users. The Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) on behalf of the Secretary of State for Transport, has a data sharing agreement in place with Transport for London to provide information about UK registered vehicles.
These arrangements are in keeping with the Road Traffic (Vehicle Emissions) (Fixed Penalty) (England) Regulations 2002. The release of DVLA information for this purpose is governed by Regulation 27 of the Road Vehicles (Registration and Licensing) Regulations 2002.
Asked by: Ed Davey (Liberal Democrat - Kingston and Surbiton)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, how many and what proportion of registered private cars would (a) meet and (b) not meet the London Ultra Low Emission Zone standard by fuel type in each local authority area.
Answered by Richard Holden - Minister without Portfolio (Cabinet Office)
Transport in London is devolved to the Mayor and TfL, and it is their responsibility to manage and oversee the transport network. This includes decisions with regards to road schemes which charge users. It was for the Mayor to assess the impact of the expansion of the ULEZ on those with private cars. DfT does not hold this information centrally.
Asked by: Ed Davey (Liberal Democrat - Kingston and Surbiton)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, when the results of the government consultation on the availability and accessibility of public electric car charging infrastructure will be published.
Answered by Trudy Harrison
The Government is committed to ensuring an accessible and inclusively designed electric vehicle (EV) charging network is available for all consumers.
We have consulted on using our powers under the Automated Electric Vehicles Act (2018) to improve the consumer experience at public chargepoints. Proposals included opening public chargepoint data; improving the reliability of the network; streamlining the payment methods offered to drivers; and increasing pricing transparency. We are seeking to lay legislation in 2022.
We have also consulted on introducing accessibility requirements at EV chargepoints in autumn 2021. We will publish a response in 2022.
Asked by: Ed Davey (Liberal Democrat - Kingston and Surbiton)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps his Department is taking to ensure that the infrastructure needed for the UK’s transition to electric vehicles is accessible for people with disabilities.
Answered by Trudy Harrison
The Government is committed to ensuring an accessible and inclusively designed electric vehicle (EV) charging network is available for all consumers.
That is why we are partnering with national disability charity Motability to commission the British Standards Institution (BSI) to develop accessibility standards for public EV chargepoints. These standards – to be finalised by summer 2022 – are being developed in collaboration with consumer groups, chargepoint operators and other stakeholders. Guidance will consider aspects such as kerb height, cable weight, adequate space between bollards and chargepoints being of a height suitable for wheelchair users. It will also consider chargepoints in the context of their surrounding built environment to ensure pedestrians and other road users’ needs are reflected.
We consulted on introducing accessibility requirements at EV chargepoints in autumn 2021. We will publish a response in 2022.
Asked by: Ed Davey (Liberal Democrat - Kingston and Surbiton)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, with reference to his Department's press release of 26 February 2021, what progress he has made in improving facilities for disabled passengers at each of the 124 stations awarded funding through the Access for All programme; and if he will estimate when the accessibility improvements will be completed for each station where the works have not been finished; and if he will make a statement.
Answered by Chris Heaton-Harris - Secretary of State for Northern Ireland
The Access for All programme has delivered step free accessible routes at more than 200 stations and smaller scale access improvements at more than 1500 stations. All Access for All projects are due to be completed by 2024.
We have made progress in completing the 124 stations due to receive funding under the Mid-Tier programme, with works at 4 stations already completed and the remaining stations in various stages of development and design. Further details can be found at:
Asked by: Ed Davey (Liberal Democrat - Kingston and Surbiton)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether he issued a ministerial direction in relation to the temporary closure of the Manchester Piccadilly to Rose Hill Marple railway line.
Answered by Chris Heaton-Harris - Secretary of State for Northern Ireland
Following my meeting with the operator on 4 September, and after reviewing its options, Northern is introducing two trains in the morning, Monday to Friday, for Rose Hill-Marple from today, which will help school children and morning commuters. There will be an additional afternoon service, arriving at Rose Hill-Marple at 1514 and arriving Manchester Piccadilly half an hour later. From the 26 October schools’ half-term, Northern will provide a regular service every 90 minutes during the day between Manchester Piccadilly and Rose Hill Marple.
Asked by: Ed Davey (Liberal Democrat - Kingston and Surbiton)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if he will publish the impact assessment on the effect on local communities of the decision to suspend services on the Manchester Piccadilly to Rose Hill Marple Line.
Answered by Chris Heaton-Harris - Secretary of State for Northern Ireland
Nationally all train operators have been asked to restore a timetable that maximises passenger travel opportunities, whilst maintaining good performance levels in services.
Having been alerted to the issues around the Rose Hill service by the Hon Member for Hazel Grove, I convened a meeting of local MPs and Northern Trains Ltd (NTL).
Like other operators, NTL has been working to an emergency timetable rather than its full service agreement timetable whilst the impacts of COVID-19 continue. Following the meeting outlined above, NTL is reviewing options again to see how it can support the affected communities and understands completely that the rapid return of a resilient timetable on this line is a Government priority.
Asked by: Ed Davey (Liberal Democrat - Kingston and Surbiton)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether his Department plans as operator of last resort to instruct Northern Rail to maintain passenger services in accordance with its franchise agreement on the Manchester Piccadilly to Rose Hill Marple line.
Answered by Chris Heaton-Harris - Secretary of State for Northern Ireland
Nationally all train operators have been asked to restore a timetable that maximises passenger travel opportunities, whilst maintaining good performance levels in services.
Having been alerted to the issues around the Rose Hill service by the Hon Member for Hazel Grove, I convened a meeting of local MPs and Northern Trains Ltd (NTL).
Like other operators, NTL has been working to an emergency timetable rather than its full service agreement timetable whilst the impacts of COVID-19 continue. Following the meeting outlined above, NTL is reviewing options again to see how it can support the affected communities and understands completely that the rapid return of a resilient timetable on this line is a Government priority.
Asked by: Ed Davey (Liberal Democrat - Kingston and Surbiton)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if he will reopen the Manchester Piccadilly to Rose Hill Marple Line.
Answered by Chris Heaton-Harris - Secretary of State for Northern Ireland
Nationally all train operators have been asked to restore a timetable that maximises passenger travel opportunities, whilst maintaining good performance levels in services.
Having been alerted to the issues around the Rose Hill service by the Hon Member for Hazel Grove, I convened a meeting of local MPs and Northern Trains Ltd (NTL).
Like other operators, NTL has been working to an emergency timetable rather than its full service agreement timetable whilst the impacts of COVID-19 continue. Following the meeting outlined above, NTL is reviewing options again to see how it can support the affected communities and understands completely that the rapid return of a resilient timetable on this line is a Government priority.
Asked by: Ed Davey (Liberal Democrat - Kingston and Surbiton)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if he will make it his policy for all UK internal flights to be sustainably powered by 2030; and if he will make a statement.
Answered by Kelly Tolhurst
It is critical that aviation plays its part in delivering the UK’s net zero ambitions.
The Transport and Business Secretaries co-chaired the new Jet Zero Council on 22 July which brought together senior leaders in aviation, aerospace and academia to drive high ambition in the delivery of new technologies and innovative ways to cut aviation emissions.
We will also consult on our position on aviation and climate change later this year.