Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Emma Lewell and Simon Lightwood

Thursday 26th March 2026 Commons Chamber

[Emma Lewell (South Shields) (Lab)]

Heugh Street bridge in South Shields was closed over four months ago by the council, as it deemed it to be unsafe. It was used by over 5,000 vehicles per day and the closure is damaging my local economy. The council is currently unable to give any timescale for reopening the bridge and I am led to believe there is no funding for it to do so anyway. Can my hon. Friend the Minister please assist us in any way at all?

[Simon Lightwood]

I thank my hon. Friend for her question. This sounds like a scheme that could benefit from the structures fund.

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Emma Lewell and Simon Lightwood

Thursday 11th September 2025 Commons Chamber

[Emma Lewell (South Shields) (Lab)]

5. What steps she is taking to help improve local bus services.

[The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Transport (Simon Lightwood)]

This Government’s landmark Bus Services (No. 2) Bill will deliver a step change in local bus services around the country, putting power over buses back in the hands of local leaders and enabling the delivery of more reliable, safe and inclusive routes. We are also investing £1 billion to support and improve local bus services and keep them affordable; confirming multi-year funding to allow local authorities to plan and invest ahead; and extending the £3 bus fare cap to March 2027.

[Simon Lightwood]

I commend my hon. Friend for his commitment to improving local bus services in Worcester. We want better buses throughout the country, and I can assure him that the Government will continue to work with local leaders to give them the powers needed to deliver bus services that meet the needs of local communities.

[Emma Lewell]

My constituents are sick of being ignored when it comes to vital bus routes being withdrawn. More than 600 of them recently signed a petition after the unexpected and rapid withdrawal of the well used No. 17. Giving more powers to local councils does not always equate to communities having more of a say. Can the Minister please explain what checks and balances are in place to ensure that, as we devolve powers, residents really are listened to?

[Simon Lightwood]

I know the bus services in South Shields very well indeed, having been born there, and I know intimately from conversations with my family the struggles that my hon. Friend’s constituents are having with bus services. Our landmark Bus Services (No. 2) Bill will allow local leaders to take back control of bus services, and I am sure that Kim McGuinness, the Mayor of the North East, will be able to do just that.