Asked by: Gavin Newlands (Scottish National Party - Paisley and Renfrewshire North)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps he is taking to help increase participation in the cycle to work scheme.
Answered by Jesse Norman
The Department regularly promotes the cycle to work scheme, and in 2019 revised the scheme’s guidance so as to make it simpler for employers to offer it to their employees.
The Department previously commissioned Business in the Community and Sustrans to publish best practice guidance for employers and local authorities, highlighting how employers can enable more of their staff to cycle to work using the scheme.
Officials from this Department and HM Revenue & Customs are in regular contact on the scheme, and the Department regularly meets with the Cycle to Work Alliance in order to identify further opportunities to increase take-up of the scheme.
Asked by: Gavin Newlands (Scottish National Party - Paisley and Renfrewshire North)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, pursuant to the Answer of 7 December 2022 to Question 99878 on Buses: Exhaust Emissions, what recent estimate he has made of the total amount of funding allocated to local transport authorities under the Zero Emission Bus Regional Areas scheme where the procurement process has not yet been completed.
Answered by Richard Holden
£270 million funding was awarded from the Zero Emission Bus Regional Areas scheme to 17 local transport authorities.
In March 2023 the Department announced an additional £25.3m funding to four local areas for an additional 117 zero emission buses.
Once funding has been awarded the procurement of buses will be undertaken by either local transport authorities or bus operators.
Please see below Table 1 which presents information on how much funding each local transport authority received from the Zero Emission Bus Regional Areas (ZEBRA) scheme and whether buses have been ordered. The numbers in Table 1 are not official statistics: they are based on the latest publicly available information and are therefore subject to change.
Local Transport Authority | Funding awarded | Number of ZEBs | ZEB Status |
|
Cambridgeshire & Peterborough Combined Authority | £4,200,000 | 30 | Funded | Bus manufacturer subject to outcome of procurement process by local transport authority or bus operator. |
Kent County Council | £9,500,000 | 33 | Funded | Bus manufacturer subject to outcome of procurement process by local transport authority or bus operator. |
Leicester City Council | £19,000,000 | 96 | 90 ordered 6 on the road | 6 buses on the road supplied by Pelican & Coach UK and manufactured by Yutong 90 buses ordered from Wrightbus |
Milton Keynes City Council | £16,600,000 | 56 | Funded | Following the operator's withdrawal of support, the Department is working closely with Milton Keynes City Council to determine next steps. |
Warrington Borough Council | £21,400,000 | 105 | Funded | Bus manufacturer subject to outcome of procurement process by local transport authority or bus operator. |
South Yorkshire Combined Authority | £8,400,000 | 27 | Funded | Bus manufacturer subject to outcome of procurement process by local transport authority or bus operator. |
Norfolk County Council | £14,800,000 | 70 | 70 Ordered | Wrightbus |
North Yorkshire County Council | £7,800,000 | 39 | Funded | Bus manufacturer subject to outcome of procurement process by local transport authority or bus operator. |
Portsmouth City Council & Hampshire County Council | £12,800,000 | 62 | 62 Ordered | Wrightbus |
Blackpool Council | £19,600,000 | 115 | Funded | Bus manufacturer subject to outcome of procurement process by local transport authority or bus operator. |
Nottingham City Council | £15,200,000 | 78 | 12 ordered 66 funded | 12 buses supplied by Pelican & Coach UK and manufactured by Yutong. Bus manufacturer for 66 buses subject to outcome of procurement process by local transport authority or bus operator. |
Greater Manchester Combined Authority | £35,700,000 | 170 | Funded | Bus manufacturer subject to outcome of procurement process by local transport authority or bus operator. |
Hertfordshire County Council | £5,600,000 | 27 | Funded | Following the operator's withdrawal of support, the Department is working closely with Hertfordshire County Council Council to determine next steps. |
West Midlands Combined Authority | £30,400,000 | 124 | Funded | Bus manufacturer subject to outcome of procurement process by local transport authority or bus operator. |
City of York Council | £10,300,000 | 53 | 53 Ordered | Wrightbus |
West Yorkshire Combined Authority | £30,300,000 | 136 | 57 ordered | 57 buses ordered from Wrightbus Bus manufacturer for 79 buses subject to outcome of procurement process by local transport authority or bus operator. |
Oxfordshire County Council | £32,800,000 | 159 | 159 Ordered | 104 buses ordered from Wrightbus. 55 buses ordered from Alexander Dennis Limited. |
Asked by: Gavin Newlands (Scottish National Party - Paisley and Renfrewshire North)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what estimate he has made of the total amount of funding allocated to local transport authorities under the Zero Emission Bus Regional Areas scheme where the procurement process has not yet been completed.
Answered by Richard Holden
We have committed to funding 4,000 zero emission buses (ZEBs) this Parliament. Since February 2020 we have provided funding support for nearly 2,400 zero emission buses in England. Across the UK an estimated 3,250 ZEBs have been funded so far.
As part of the Government’s commitment to ZEBs, the Government awarded £270 million through the Zero Emission Bus Regional Areas (Scheme) to 17 local transport authorities which will support up to 1,278 zero emission buses.
Table 1 below presents information on whether zero emission buses have been ordered from funding from the ZEBRA scheme. The numbers in Table 1 are not official statistics: they are based on the latest publicly available information and are therefore subject to change.
Local transport authority | Funding | No. Buses | Status | Bus manufacturer |
Cambridgeshire & Peterborough Combined Authority | £4,200,000 | 30 | Funded | Bus manufacturer subject to outcome of procurement process by local transport authority or bus operator. |
Kent County Council | £9,500,000 | 33 | Funded | Bus manufacturer subject to outcome of procurement process by local transport authority or bus operator. |
Leicester City Council | £19,000,000 | 96 | 6 buses on the road 90 buses ordered | 6 buses on the road supplied by Pelican & Coach UK and manufactured by Yutong 90 buses ordered from Wrightbus |
Milton Keynes City Council (MKCC) | £16,600,000 | 56 | Funded – on hold | Following the operator's withdrawal of support, the Department is working closely with MKCC to determine next steps. |
Warrington Borough Council | £21,400,000 | 120 | Funded | Bus manufacturer subject to outcome of procurement process by local transport authority or bus operator. |
South Yorkshire Combined Authority | £8,400,000 | 27 | Funded | Bus manufacturer subject to outcome of procurement process by local transport authority or bus operator. |
Norfolk County Council | £3,300,000 | 15 | Ordered | Wrightbus |
North Yorkshire County Council | £7,800,000 | 39 | Funded | Bus manufacturer subject to outcome of procurement process by local transport authority or bus operator. |
Portsmouth City Council & Hampshire County Council | £6,600,000 | 34 | Ordered | Wrightbus |
Blackpool Council | £19,600,000 | 115 | Funded | Bus manufacturer subject to outcome of procurement process by local transport authority or bus operator. |
Nottingham City Council | £15,200,000 | 78 | 12 ordered. 66 funded. | 12 buses supplied by Pelican & Coach UK and manufactured by Yutong. Bus manufacturer for 66 buses subject to outcome of procurement process by local transport authority or bus operator. |
Greater Manchester Combined Authority | £35,700,000 | 170 | Funded | Bus manufacturer subject to outcome of procurement process by local transport authority or bus operator. |
Hertfordshire County Council | £5,600,000 | 27 | Funded | Bus manufacturer subject to outcome of procurement process by local transport authority or bus operator. |
West Midlands Combined Authority | £30,400,000 | 124 | Funded | Bus manufacturer subject to outcome of procurement process by local transport authority or bus operator. |
City of York Council | £8,400,000 | 44 | Ordered | Wrightbus |
West Yorkshire Combined Authority | £24,600,000 | 111 | 32 buses ordered 79 buses funded. | 32 buses ordered from Wrightbus Bus manufacturer for 79 buses subject to outcome of procurement process by local transport authority or bus operator. |
Oxfordshire County Council | £32,800,000 | 159 | Funded | Bus manufacturer subject to outcome of procurement process by local transport authority or bus operator. |
Asked by: Gavin Newlands (Scottish National Party - Paisley and Renfrewshire North)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether her Department will consult the general public on regulations for private e-scooter use on UK roads concurrently with the introduction of the Transport Bill to Parliament.
Answered by Lucy Frazer
Government plans to take forward legislation that will create a new Low-speed Zero Emission Vehicle (LZEV) category when parliamentary time allows. The legislation would enable subsequent regulations to be made in respect of e-scooters. We are working to ensure any future regulations are effective and proportionate, however no decisions have been made on the details of the regulations for e-scooter users or the manufacturers of private e-scooters. The Department will consult, including through a public consultation which we plan to publish, before any new arrangements come into force.
Asked by: Gavin Newlands (Scottish National Party - Paisley and Renfrewshire North)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether her Department plans to publish a public consultation on regulations for the (a) users and (b) manufacturers of private e-scooters.
Answered by Lucy Frazer
Government plans to take forward legislation that will create a new Low-speed Zero Emission Vehicle (LZEV) category when parliamentary time allows. The legislation would enable subsequent regulations to be made in respect of e-scooters. We are working to ensure any future regulations are effective and proportionate, however no decisions have been made on the details of the regulations for e-scooter users or the manufacturers of private e-scooters. The Department will consult, including through a public consultation which we plan to publish, before any new arrangements come into force.
Asked by: Gavin Newlands (Scottish National Party - Paisley and Renfrewshire North)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether her Department has taken recent steps to prepare regulations for the (a) users and (b) manufacturers of private e-scooters.
Answered by Lucy Frazer
Government plans to take forward legislation that will create a new Low-speed Zero Emission Vehicle (LZEV) category when parliamentary time allows. The legislation would enable subsequent regulations to be made in respect of e-scooters. We are working to ensure any future regulations are effective and proportionate, however no decisions have been made on the details of the regulations for e-scooter users or the manufacturers of private e-scooters. The Department will consult, including through a public consultation which we plan to publish, before any new arrangements come into force.
Asked by: Gavin Newlands (Scottish National Party - Paisley and Renfrewshire North)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether he has held discussions with representatives of (a) trade unions and staff, (b) the aviation industry and (c) the Health and Safety Executive on standards of air filtration on piloted aircraft since 1 January 2020.
Answered by Robert Courts
During the pandemic, air filtration onboard aircraft was of particular interest in relation to transmission of the COVID-19 virus. My officials have engaged with a wide range of stakeholders throughout the pandemic on a variety of issues, including aircraft filtrations systems and standards.
Asked by: Gavin Newlands (Scottish National Party - Paisley and Renfrewshire North)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment he has made of air quality standards in piloted aircraft; and if he will make a statement.
Answered by Robert Courts
Maintaining the safety record of UK aviation is something we take very seriously. That is why concerns raised about cabin air have been investigated at length in the UK and internationally over a number of years. These scientific research projects have not been able to confirm a link between perceived cabin air quality and illness, and show that the cabin/cockpit air quality is similar or better than what is observed in normal indoor environments.
The Government continues to support steps to further develop understanding of the air quality on board aircraft. The Aviation Health Unit within the Medical Department of the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) will continue to monitor issues around cabin air as part of their wider role as specialist adviser to the Government on aviation health issues.
Asked by: Gavin Newlands (Scottish National Party - Paisley and Renfrewshire North)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, how much has been levied in fixed track access charges for (a) all train operators and (b) each train operator for each financial year from 2016-17 to 2021-22.
Answered by Wendy Morton
The below table shows the amount levied in fixed track access charges for (a) all train operators and (b) each train operator for each financial year from 2016-17 to 2021-22.
| |||||||||
£m, cash prices |
| ||||||||
Franchised operator | 16/17 | 17/18 | 18/19 | 19/20 | 20/21 | 21/22 (1) |
| ||
Arriva Trains Wales | 15.3 | 18.6 | 24.0 |
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Transport for Wales |
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|
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| 4.5 | 32.9 |
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Keolis Amey Wales |
|
| 15.0 | 33.6 | 24.8 |
|
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c2c | 4.1 | 4.9 | 9.8 | 15.5 | 16.7 | 16.0 |
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Chiltern | 22.1 | 22.0 | 37.6 | 33.2 | 33.5 | 35.1 |
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Cross Country | 16.5 | 22.4 | 46.2 | 49.7 | 45.9 | 45.5 |
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Virgin East Coast | 22.4 | 27.2 | 18.1 |
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|
|
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London North Eastern Railway |
|
| 40.6 | 50.4 | 45.7 | 55.6 |
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East Midlands | 12.2 | 15.0 | 33.5 | 18.2 |
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East Midlands Railway |
|
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| 29.1 | 42.5 | 39.7 |
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Govia Thameslink Railway | 31.9 | 39.2 | 85.4 | 149.0 | 155.0 | 136.7 |
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First Great Western | 24.7 | 31.7 | 67.0 | 83.2 | 78.3 | 77.6 |
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Greater Anglia | 9.8 |
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|
|
|
|
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Abelio East Anglia | 8.4 | 22.2 | 47.2 | 45.3 | 55.8 | 52.2 |
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London Midland | 14.2 | 10.9 |
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|
|
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West Midlands Trains |
| 4.9 | 33.6 | 46.9 | 46.6 | 52.8 |
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London Overground | 2.6 |
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|
|
|
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Arriva Rail London | 1.6 | 5.2 | 11.0 | 19.6 | 21.7 | 22.3 |
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Merseyrail | 2.6 | 3.1 | 6.6 | 17.7 | 16.2 | 17.6 |
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MTR Crossrail | 2.0 | 2.4 | 31.1 | 69.9 | 79.9 | 79.6 |
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Arriva Rail North | 20.2 | 25.8 | 56.1 | 73.8 |
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Northern Trains |
|
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| 13.4 | 83.2 | 85.1 |
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Scotrail | 89.2 | 149.7 | 243.5 | 263.1 | 276.2 | 287.7 |
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Serco Sleeper | 4.2 | 7.0 | 11.0 | 4.0 | 4.2 | 4.5 |
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London & South Eastern Railway | 19.1 | 23.7 | 49.1 | 69.4 | 41.3 |
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Southeastern |
|
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| 35.4 | 70.5 |
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South West Trains | 20.9 | 9.4 |
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South Western Railway | 15.5 | 53.9 | 72.3 | 78.6 | 84.4 |
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Transpennine | 10.4 | 12.7 | 27.4 | 35.5 | 32.1 | 29.1 |
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Virgin West Coast | 35.8 | 43.0 | 91.1 | 42.1 |
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Avanti West Coast | 18.7 | 61.1 | 68.0 |
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Total | 390.2 | 516.5 | 1,038.8 | 1,253.6 | 1,279.3 | 1,293.0 |
| ||
Accounting adjustments (2) | 1.8 | 2.5 | (0.8) | 0.4 | (0.3) | (0.0) |
| ||
Total disclosed in Regulatory Financial Statements | 392.0 | 519.0 | 1,038.0 | 1,254.0 | 1,279.0 | 1,293.0 |
| ||
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Notes | |||||||||
(1) 21/22 figures have yet to be published and are subject to year end assurance and audit | |||||||||
(2) Accounting adjustments relate to some centrally managed items not attributable to an individual operator | |||||||||
Changes in franchises | |||||||||
During 2018/19 responsibility for the London North East rail franchise transferred from Virgin East Coast to London North Eastern Railway. | |||||||||
During 2018/19, London North Eastern Railway was created to operate the London North East rail franchise whilst the government assessed franchising options for this route. Therefore, income is recognised for the first time against this operator in that year | |||||||||
Abelio East Anglia replaced Greater Anglia as the franchise operator during 2016/17 which accounts for the movements between 2015/16 and 2016/17 for these two operators. | |||||||||
In 2016/17, Arriva Rail London assumed responsibility for the London overground concession previously run by London Overground Rail Operations. Therefore, there is a significant decrease in the revenue reported from London Overground in 2016/17 compared to 2015/16 with a corresponding increase in Arriva Rail London | |||||||||
In 2017/18, West Midlands Trains replaced London Midland as the franchise operator on the London North West route. This also resulted in a decrease in London Midland income in 2017/18 compared to the previous year. | |||||||||
In 2017/18, South Western Railway replaced South West Trains as the principle operator in the Wessex route. Consequently, the income earned by the latter was shown for the first time in 2017/18, whilst the former has a noticeable year-on-year decrease in their turnover in the above table in those years | |||||||||
Arriva Trains Wales – this franchise ended in October 2018. Responsibility for operations in this area moved to Keolis Amey Wales, which means that Arriva Trains Wales has a reduction in income in 2018/19 compared to 2017/18 | |||||||||
Keolis Amey Wales – this franchise commenced in October 2018, so reported income for the first time in 2018/19 | |||||||||
During 2019/20 Avanti West Coast replaced Virgin West Coast as the franchisee for the West Coast Main Line. As a result, Virgin West Coast income decreases in 2019/20 and Avanti West Coast reports income for the first time | |||||||||
During 2019/20 East Midlands Railway replaced East Midlands as the franchisee for the east midlands line. As a result, East Midlands income decreases in 2019/20 and East Midlands Railway reports income for the first time | |||||||||
During 2020/21 Transport for Wales replaced Keolis Amey Wales as the franchisee for Wales. As a result, Keolis Amey Wales income decreases in 2020/21 and Transport for Wales reports income for the first time | |||||||||
During 2019/2020 Northern Trains replaced Arriva Rail North as the franchisee for Northern. As a result, Arriva Rail North income decreases in 2019/20 and Northern Trains reports income for the first time | |||||||||
During 2020/21 Southeastern replaced London & South East Railway as the franchisee for South East. As a result, London & South East Railways income decreases in 2020/21 and Southeastern reports income for the first time |
Asked by: Gavin Newlands (Scottish National Party - Paisley and Renfrewshire North)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, how much and what proportion of overall revenue received through fixed track access charges derives from payments relating to rail infrastructure solely in Scotland for (a) each rail operator and (b) all rail operators.
Answered by Wendy Morton
The below table shows the total Network Rail revenue over the period 2016/17 to 2021/22 and how much of that total revenue comes from fixed track access charges and how much comes from fixed track access charges attributable to Scotland in both £m and % terms.
£m, cash prices | ||||||||
16/17 | 17/18 | 18/19 | 19/20 | 20/21 | 21/22 (1) | Ref | ||
Overall Network Rail revenue (2) | 6,763 | 7,132 | 8,837 | 8,981 | 9,601 | 9,980 | A | |
Total fixed track access charges | 392 | 519 | 1,038 | 1,254 | 1,279 | 1,293 | B | |
Fixed track access charges attributable to Scotland | 93 | 157 | 255 | 267 | 281 | 292 | C | |
Total fixed track access charges % of overall Network Rail revenue | 6% | 7% | 12% | 14% | 13% | 13% | D = B / C | |
Fixed track access charges attributable to Scotland % of overall Network Rail revenue | 1% | 2% | 3% | 3% | 3% | 3% | E = C / A | |
Breakdown of Scotland FTAC | ||||||||
Scotrail | 89 | 150 | 244 | 263 | 276 | 288 | ||
Serco Sleeper | 4 | 7 | 11 | 4 | 4 | 5 | ||
Accounting adjustments (3) | (0) | 0 | 1 | (0) | 1 | (0) | ||
Total | 93 | 157 | 255 | 267 | 281 | 292 | C | |
Notes | ||||||||
(1) 21/22 figures have yet to be published and are subject to year end assurance and audit | ||||||||
(2) This is the revenue definition used by ORR and included in Network Rail's published Regulatory Financial Statements | ||||||||
(3) Accounting adjustments relate to some centrally managed items not attributable to an individual operator |