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.
Asked by: James Cartlidge (Conservative - South Suffolk)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether she plans to take steps to help tackle congestion at Copdock Junction of the A14 and A12 in Suffolk.
Answered by Lilian Greenwood - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
Proposed improvements to Junction 55 of the A14, Copdock Junction remain under consideration for delivery in a future Road Investment Strategy.
Asked by: James Cartlidge (Conservative - South Suffolk)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether he plans to announce additional access for all funding for railway station accessibility; and if he will make a statement.
Answered by Nusrat Ghani
We have announced the funding currently available for the 2019-2024 rail Control Period. In addition to the 73 Access for All stations announced last year, we will shortly be announcing additional projects selected to benefit from £20m of Mid-Tier funding. Future funding decisions will be made at a later time. However, I would like to assure you that I am committed to improving access at all stations, and will continue to seek further opportunities, and funding, to make more improvements.
Asked by: James Cartlidge (Conservative - South Suffolk)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if he will make an assessment of the adequacy of innovation in the delivery of bus services funding; and if he will make a statement.
Answered by George Freeman
In 2018/19, bus operators received around £2.1bn of support from the public sector, with around £1bn of funding for older and disabled people’s concessions and £850m of subsidy for socially necessary services provided by local authorities and funded via MHCLG’s Revenue Support Grant.
In addition, the Department for Transport provides £250m of support to local authorities and bus operators via Bus Service Operator Grant (BSOG). In October 2019, the Government committed to review how BSOG is paid to ensure it supports the environment and improved passenger journeys.
In October 2019, the Government published A Better Deal for Bus Users, which sets out the Government’s plans for buses, including providing local authorities with an additional £30m of funding in 2020/21 and publishing a buses strategy.
Asked by: James Cartlidge (Conservative - South Suffolk)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what estimate he has made of the costs to haulage companies of theft from commercial vehicles in each of the last three years.
Answered by Jesse Norman
The Department for Transport does not routinely gather data on, or formally assess the economic impacts of, crime against commercial vehicles.
Asked by: James Cartlidge (Conservative - South Suffolk)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment he has made of the effect on insurance premiums of theft from commercial vehicles.
Answered by Jesse Norman
Theft from commercial vehicles is not a risk required by law to be covered by motor insurance although it can often be purchased as an added extra.
The setting of premiums is a commercial decision for individual insurers and the Government does not generally intervene or seek to control the market.
The independent financial services regulators, the Financial Conduct Authority and the Prudential Regulation Authority, regularly monitor the insurance market to make sure that it functions well.