Asked by: Luke Charters (Labour - York Outer)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment she has made of existing health and safety standards on (a) electric vehicles and (b) their batteries.
Answered by Lilian Greenwood - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
All vehicles used on UK roads must comply with rigorous safety requirements. The UK is actively involved in the ongoing development of international regulations for road vehicle approval at the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe. These regulations consider novel risks and potential safety concerns associated with hybrid and electric vehicles.
The crashworthiness regulations have been reviewed and amended accordingly, whilst a specific regulation dealing with electrical safety of vehicles has been updated to include provisions for the mechanical and electrical testing of the battery, its fire resistance, and electrical insulation.
Asked by: Luke Charters (Labour - York Outer)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if she will make an assessment of the potential economic merits of improving internet connectivity on the rail network.
Answered by Lilian Greenwood - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
I have asked my officials to explore the feasibility of a range of technology options to improve passenger connectivity on the rail network. This will include assessing the economic benefits of improving internet connectivity.
The Department is also measuring the strength of mobile signals along the rail network to fully understand where interventions are needed.
Asked by: Luke Charters (Labour - York Outer)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether she plans to take steps to increase the provision of bus services in rural areas with low connectivity in York Outer constituency.
Answered by Simon Lightwood - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
Good local bus services are an essential part of prosperous and sustainable communities, Since the de-regulation of buses in England, passenger numbers have declined, and the government is committed to delivering better bus services and growing passenger numbers.
As announced in the King’s Speech, the government will introduce the Better 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 and encourage passengers back onto buses right across England. The Department will work closely with local leaders and bus operators to deliver on these ambitions.