Asked by: James Cartlidge (Conservative - South Suffolk)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if she will take steps to expedite the approval process for (a) the Ely Area Capacity Enhancement and (b) upgrades to the Haughley Rail Junction.
Answered by Lilian Greenwood - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
Despite its public statements of support, the previous government made no funding available for the Ely Area Capacity Enhancement (EACE) or upgrades to Haughley Junction.
The Chancellor has been clear about the state of the nation's finances and has launched a multi-year Spending Review. The Transport Secretary is conducting a thorough review of the previous government's transport plans to ensure that our transport infrastructure portfolio drives economic growth and delivers value for money for taxpayers. Decisions about EACE and upgrades to Haughley Junction will be informed by this review process and confirmed in due course.
Asked by: James Cartlidge (Conservative - South Suffolk)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if she will make an assessment of the potential impact of MAERSK’s decision to relocate all UK operations from the Port of Felixstowe on (a) the surrounding road network, (b) Orwell Bridge and (c) Copdock Interchange.
Answered by Mike Kane - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
Changes to shipping schedules and ports of call is standard practice within the shipping and ports market, with changes to shipping alliances being cyclical. At this time, it is not clear that the relocation of Maersk’s 2M Alliance operations away from Felixstowe will lead to any overarching change in cargo volumes, as their 2M partner, MSC, undertook many of the services and continues to call at the port. Additionally, some cargo is route based and does not automatically move when a shipping provider does. Finally, the potential opening of capacity at the port provides commercial opportunities for other shipping lines. Until there has been a period of re-adjustment within the market it is too early to understand the impacts on road links serving Felixstowe. The Department and National Highways will always consider relevant wider impacts in the operation, maintenance and plans for future enhancements on specific key infrastructure serving our ports.
Asked by: James Cartlidge (Conservative - South Suffolk)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if she will make an assessment of the potential impact of the time taken for a decision to be made in relation to (a) the Ely Area Capacity Enhancement and (b) upgrades to Haughley Rail Junction on the (i) Orwell Bridge, (ii) Copdock Interchange and (iii) wider road networks in the Ipswich area.
Answered by Simon Lightwood - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
The 2022 Outline Business Case for the Ely Area Capacity Enhancement (EACE) forecast that the scheme would lead to 98,000 fewer lorry journeys every year, implying benefits to the Ipswich road network. Despite its public statements of support, the previous government made no funding available for EACE or upgrades to Haughley Junction.
The Chancellor has been clear about the state of the nation's finances and has launched a multi-year Spending Review. The Transport Secretary is conducting a thorough review of the previous government's transport plans to ensure that our transport infrastructure portfolio drives economic growth and delivers value for money for taxpayers. Decisions EACE and upgrades to Haughley Junction will be informed by this review process and confirmed in due course.
Asked by: James Cartlidge (Conservative - South Suffolk)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if she will make it her policy to review the effectiveness of National Highways' deployment of traffic officers on the A14 during serious accidents.
Answered by Lilian Greenwood - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
The police manage all incidents on the A14. National Highways is informed by the police of all incidents on the A14 and provides traffic officer support for serious incidents when a unit is available to attend.
Asked by: James Cartlidge (Conservative - South Suffolk)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment she has made of the adequacy of bus services in South Suffolk constituency.
Answered by Simon Lightwood - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
Good local bus services are an essential part of prosperous and sustainable communities. As announced in the King’s Speech, the government will introduce the Buses Bill to put the power over local bus services back in the hands of local leaders right across England, to ensure networks can meet the needs to the communities who rely on them, including in South Suffolk.
In addition, the government has confirmed £955 million for the 2025 to 2026 financial year to support and improve bus services in England outside London. This includes £243 million for bus operators and £712 million allocated to local authorities across the country. Local authorities can use this funding to introduce new bus routes, make services more frequent and protect crucial bus routes for local communities. Suffolk County Council has been allocated £8.7 million.
Asked by: James Cartlidge (Conservative - South Suffolk)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if she will estimate the number of passengers in South Suffolk constituency for whom the £2 bus fare cap has been applied.
Answered by Simon Lightwood - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
The £2 fare cap was launched by the Department for Transport (DfT) on 1 January 2023.
The DfT published an interim report in September 2023 setting out emerging trends in key outcomes from the first two months of the scheme. The report is available on GOV.UK at: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/evaluation-of-the-2-bus-fare-cap/2-bus-fare-cap-evaluation-interim-report-february-2023.
Patronage in Suffolk appears to be continuing to recover following the COVID-19 pandemic. DfT does not collect patronage data lower than local transport authority level and is unable to make an assessment of bus usage for South Suffolk.
Asked by: James Cartlidge (Conservative - South Suffolk)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what plans she has for the £2 bus fare cap beyond December 2024.
Answered by Simon Lightwood - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
Delivering reliable and affordable public transport services for passengers is one of the government’s top priorities as we know how important this is for passengers and for local growth. The Department for Transport is looking at the future of the £2 fare cap as a matter of urgency and is considering the most appropriate and affordable approach for the future of the scheme.
Asked by: James Cartlidge (Conservative - South Suffolk)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if she will make an assessment of the potential impact of maintenance works on the Orwell Bridge being scheduled as part of Highways England’s Significant Structures Scheme on traffic flows in that area.
Answered by Lilian Greenwood - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
National Highways recognises the importance of the Orwell Bridge and the impact its closure will have for residents and the local economy. The planning for the replacement of the bridge’s bearings is currently at the preliminary design phase, part of which includes National Highways undertaking a series of studies to look at the impact of the works on the road users, as well as reviewing potential options for traffic management and their impact on the local community. This is in addition to environmental assessments and impact on traffic on the river if necessary.
Asked by: James Cartlidge (Conservative - South Suffolk)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what her planned timetable is for funding remedial work on the Orwell Bridge, Suffolk; and if she will take steps to accelerate the provision of that funding.
Answered by Lilian Greenwood - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
The replacement of all 4 bridge joints on Orwell Bridge had been included within a scheme of planned works scheduled for construction starting in 2027. Due to the recent failure of one of the two westbound joints, National Highways is accelerating the replacement of both joints on the westbound carriageway to start within the current financial year. National Highways is in the process of developing the proposal for replacing the 2 eastbound joints as part of the planned scheme of works.
Asked by: James Cartlidge (Conservative - South Suffolk)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment she has made of the economic impact of (a) part and (b) full closures of the Orwell Bridge, Suffolk.
Answered by Lilian Greenwood - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
National Highways has not conducted specific economic impact assessments for either partial or full closures of the Orwell Bridge. The decision to close the bridge, whether due to unplanned events or for planned maintenance, prioritises safety. Such closures are essential to ensure the safety of drivers, National Highways workers, the emergency services, and to keep the bridge safe and serviceable. These closures are also integral to the essential maintenance schedule for the transport network.