Asked by: Luke Taylor (Liberal Democrat - Sutton and Cheam)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether her Department's Roads Investment Committee has considered funding alterations to the London South Circular in the last year.
Answered by Simon Lightwood - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
No, it has not. Responsibility for progressing any work on the London South Circular is a matter for Transport for London.
The Catford town centre scheme, which includes proposed alterations to the London South Circular, was originally part of the Department’s Major Road Network (MRN) programme. Following the outcome of the Spending Review, however, responsibility for this and other London MRN schemes has been passed to Transport for London (TfL). It is for them to take forward this and other MRN schemes in London as part of their Spending Review settlement.
Asked by: Luke Taylor (Liberal Democrat - Sutton and Cheam)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether the proposed Crossrail 2 route will include Worcester Park station.
Answered by Simon Lightwood - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
The development of Crossrail 2 was paused in 2020, and whilst the route through Central London remains safeguarded to protect it from conflicting development, the Government currently has no plans to move forward with the scheme.
Asked by: Luke Taylor (Liberal Democrat - Sutton and Cheam)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps she is taking to improve the reliability of Govia Thameslink Railway train services between Sutton Common and Wimbledon.
Answered by Simon Lightwood - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
Govia Thameslink Railway and Network Rail are working closely to improve reliability of services between Sutton Common and Wimbledon, including through better management of trespass incidents, improving signalling infrastructure reliability and increasing the train driver establishment to improve availability and avoid cancellations.
Department officials continuously monitor the performance of the train operating company across a range of measures, set out in its National Rail Contract, and meet regularly with senior management to scrutinise and challenge its performance.
Asked by: Luke Taylor (Liberal Democrat - Sutton and Cheam)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps she is taking to encourage cyclists to undertake Bikeability training.
Answered by Simon Lightwood - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
In February, the Department and Active Travel England (ATE) announced £30 million to provide Bikeability cycle training to children. The Bikeability Trust operates a number of outreach programmes to encourage more people to access cycle training, including Cycle to School Week and Get Cycling in Schools. Outside of the Bikeability schools programme, local authorities can use revenue funding awarded by ATE to support cycle training delivery for children and adults.
Asked by: Luke Taylor (Liberal Democrat - Sutton and Cheam)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether her Department is taking steps to reduce aviation carbon emissions by (a) introducing frequent flier levies and (b) reducing the use of domestic short haul flights where train alternatives exist.
Answered by Mike Kane
The government is committed to delivering greener transport, supporting its missions to make Britain a clean energy superpower and kickstart economic growth.
We have already made significant strides to decarbonise the aviation sector including through the introduction of a sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) mandate, legislating for a Revenue Certainty Mechanism to encourage investment in UK SAF production, and delivering a modernised airspace to help make flights more efficient and greener.
A frequent flyer levy is a taxation issue which is a matter for the Treasury. In the last Budget, the Chancellor announced changes to Air Passenger Duty (APD), which is the principal tax on the aviation sector. This included a 13% increase in APD rates for 2026/27 and a further 50% increase for larger private and business jets. APD generates revenue that funds government priorities, including tackling climate change.
Domestic air travel in the UK is vital for supporting jobs, trade and investment, and ensures regional connectivity. Alongside being a gateway to international opportunities, domestic flights help maintain social and family ties and strengthen the bonds between the four nations.
Asked by: Luke Taylor (Liberal Democrat - Sutton and Cheam)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if she will make an assessment of the potential merits of introducing measures to limit the brightness of LED car headlights.
Answered by Lilian Greenwood - Government Whip, Lord Commissioner of HM Treasury
All types of road vehicle headlamps are designed, tested, and approved to internationally recognised standards to help prevent undue glare and ensure safety on a broad range of roads and environments.
However, noting increased public concern, Government has commissioned independent research to better understand the root causes of headlamp glare. The work is underway and is due to deliver in summer 2025.
Asked by: Luke Taylor (Liberal Democrat - Sutton and Cheam)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether she has had discussions with train operators on the level of demand for train services at Worcester Park station post Covid-19.
Answered by Simon Lightwood - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
Department officials are in regular conversation with South Western Railway regarding their service provision in response to demand. When reviewing train services, the Department needs to assess business cases and balance demand with value for the taxpayer in its considerations.
Asked by: Luke Taylor (Liberal Democrat - Sutton and Cheam)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether her Department recognises the use of Malaysian driving licenses.
Answered by Lilian Greenwood - Government Whip, Lord Commissioner of HM Treasury
The Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency is currently working towards putting in place a driving licence exchange agreement with Malaysia. This is subject to public consultation and the introduction of domestic legislation.
Currently, holders of a driving licence issued in Malaysia who become resident in the UK can drive small vehicles (motorcars and motorcycles) for up to 12 months from the date they become resident in the UK. To continue driving after this period the licence holder must apply for a provisional driving licence and pass both a theory and practical driving test here. If the holder of a driving licence issued in Malaysia is only visiting the UK they can drive using their Malaysian licence for up to 12 months from the date they last entered the UK.
Asked by: Luke Taylor (Liberal Democrat - Sutton and Cheam)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether she has made representations to the Mayor of London on the Taxi and Private Hire Vehicle Action Plan.
Answered by Simon Lightwood - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
The Secretary of State has not made any representations to the Mayor of London on the Taxi and Private Hire Vehicle Action Plan. The Government sets the regulatory structure within which 263 licensing authorities in England license the taxi and private hire vehicle sector and issues guidance to assist them in doing this. Transport for London is the licensing authority for London. The Taxi and Private Hire Action Plan is a matter for the Mayor of London and Transport for London.
Asked by: Luke Taylor (Liberal Democrat - Sutton and Cheam)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, for what reason late-night services at Worcester Park station are not being reinstated between Thursday and Sunday.
Answered by Simon Lightwood - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
Worcester Park continues to have a later train on Fridays and Saturdays from London Waterloo, but there is judged to be insufficient demand to justify the costs of a similar provision on Thursdays and Sundays.