Asked by: Gavin Williamson (Conservative - Stone, Great Wyrley and Penkridge)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what estimate her Department has made of the potential impact of changes to the weight of volumetric concrete mixers on the average number of miles driven by concrete mixers each year from 2028 onwards.
Answered by Lilian Greenwood - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
The Department ran a call for evidence from October to December 2023 seeking views on three potential options on weight limits for Volumetric Concrete Mixers (VCMs). The following factors were considered: reduction in payload per journey, increased waste, and increased vehicle mileage. Information received did not provide any compelling evidence for permitting a weight limit exemption specifically for VCMs on the grounds of mileage.
This is not a change to the policy on weights for VCMs but a decision to continue with the existing policy that a temporary exemption will come to an end in 2028.
Asked by: Gavin Williamson (Conservative - Stone, Great Wyrley and Penkridge)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if she will set out her (a) plans and (b) timetable for the disposing of properties owned by HS2 Ltd. following the cancellation of HS2 Phase 2a and 2b.
Answered by Lilian Greenwood - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
This government is carefully reviewing the position it has inherited on HS2 and wider rail infrastructure and will set out detailed plans in due course.
These will include our plans for HS2 Phase 2b safeguarding and a disposal programme for land and property acquired for HS2 that is no longer required.
Asked by: Gavin Williamson (Conservative - Stone, Great Wyrley and Penkridge)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, how many properties are owned by HS2 Ltd. in the village of Hopton in Staffordshire.
Answered by Lilian Greenwood - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
There are currently 43 properties in the village of Hopton, Staffordshire owned by the Secretary of State for Transport; these properties were acquired on behalf of the Government by HS2 Ltd.
Asked by: Gavin Williamson (Conservative - Stone, Great Wyrley and Penkridge)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, how many people in Staffordshire have not yet been paid compensation for land and properties compulsorily purchased by HS2 Ltd.
Answered by Lilian Greenwood - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
Individual properties and claimants can have multiple active claims at any given time so data in the form requested is not available.
Asked by: Gavin Williamson (Conservative - Stone, Great Wyrley and Penkridge)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, how many people have not yet been paid compensation for land and properties compulsorily purchased by HS2 Ltd.
Answered by Lilian Greenwood - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
Individual properties and claimants can have multiple active claims at any given time so data in the form requested is not available.
Asked by: Gavin Williamson (Conservative - Stone, Great Wyrley and Penkridge)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether funding allocated for ticketless travel in the Network North plan is now being used to implement the scheme.
Answered by Simon Lightwood - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
This government remains committed to improving the passenger experience and improving the railways. We are already working with local authorities to improve ticketing in the West Midlands and Greater Manchester. The previous Government made a number of funding commitments in the Network North Command Paper, and these will be examined closely in the coming months.
Asked by: Gavin Williamson (Conservative - Stone, Great Wyrley and Penkridge)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, when she plans to respond to the letter of 12 August 2024 from the Rt hon. Member for Stone, Great Wyrley and Penkridge on the M54/M6 Link Road.
Answered by Lilian Greenwood - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
I responded to the honourable member’s letter on 27 September 2024.
Asked by: Gavin Williamson (Conservative - Stone, Great Wyrley and Penkridge)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, when strategic development of the Parish of Millington and Rostherne to Liverpool section of Northern Powerhouse Rail commenced; who is responsible for overseeing that work; what the estimated timeline for completing the work is; and what budget his Department has allocated for delivering that section.
Answered by Huw Merriman
The Integrated Rail Plan (IRP) and Network North set out the strategic plan and funding for Northern Powerhouse Rail. The high-level route will continue to be developed as set out in the IRP. This includes sections of the track between the Parish of Millington and Rostherne and Liverpool. The government is working closely with our delivery partners including Network Rail and HS2 Ltd to achieve this. The government aims to complete Northern Powerhouse Rail by the mid-2040s.
Asked by: Gavin Williamson (Conservative - Stone, Great Wyrley and Penkridge)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, when strategic development of the Manchester Piccadilly to West Yorkshire section of Northern Powerhouse Rail commenced; who is responsible for overseeing that work; what the estimated timeline for completing the work is; and what budget his Department has allocated for delivering that section.
Answered by Huw Merriman
The Integrated Rail Plan (IRP) and Network North set out the strategic plan and funding for Northern Powerhouse Rail. The high-level route will continue to be developed as set out in the IRP. This includes sections of the track between Manchester Piccadilly to West Yorkshire. The government is working closely with our delivery partners including Network Rail and HS2 Ltd to achieve this. The government aims to complete Northern Powerhouse Rail by the mid-2040s.
Asked by: Gavin Williamson (Conservative - Stone, Great Wyrley and Penkridge)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if he will have discussions with the Leader of the House on making parliamentary time available for debate on a motion to formalise the point of truncation of Nothern Powerhouse Rail and the former HS2 Phase 2b; and what plans he has to (a) publish a supplementary environmental statement and (b) consult on that issue.
Answered by Huw Merriman
I will table a motion that would allow the High-Speed Rail (Crewe to Manchester) Bill to be adapted to deliver the Northern Powerhouse Rail between Manchester and the Parish of Millington and Rostherne shortly. The arrangements for a debate on the motion will be announced in the usual way.
The changes to the scheme will prompt a new supplementary environmental statement, which will be published in due course. As with previous environmental statements there will be a public consultation. Responses received to consultation will be analysed by an Independent Assessor appointed by parliament.