Asked by: Mark Menzies (Independent - Fylde)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, pursuant to the Answer of 21 December 2017 to Question 120042, for what reasons the Answer of 11 December 2017 to Question 117958 stated that the decision to increase service frequency would be a commercial decision for the Train Operating Company to make when his Department has stated that it is not feasible for Northern Rail to increase the frequency of trains from the current hourly service on the South Fylde line without upgrading the existing single-track line infrastructure.
Answered by Lord Johnson of Marylebone
In the event that the South Fylde line did upgrade the existing single-track line infrastructure or the Train Operating Company were able to otherwise realise greater capacity on the network through other means it would be a commercial decision for the Train Operating Company to make. The current terms of our franchise agreement do not require or financially support the Train Operating Company’s operation of an additional level of frequency beyond the current levels.
Asked by: Mark Menzies (Independent - Fylde)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, pursuant to the Answer of 14 December 2017 to Question 118759, what representations his Department has received on a business case for increasing the frequency of train services on the South Fylde line to (a) Lytham, (b) Ansdell and (c) St Annes; and if he will make a statement.
Answered by Paul Maynard
The Department has not received representations on a business case for increasing the frequency of train services on the South Fylde line.
Asked by: Mark Menzies (Independent - Fylde)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, pursuant to the Answer of 11 December 2017 to Question 117958 and to the Answer of 14 December 2017 to Question 118756, what information his Department holds on the basis for Northern Rail making a commercial decision to increase the frequency of trains from the current hourly service on the South Fylde line without upgrading the existing single-track line infrastructure.
Answered by Paul Maynard
The Department does not hold any information on the basis for Northern Rail making a commercial decision to increase the frequency of trains from the current hourly service on the South Fylde line without upgrading the existing single-track line infrastructure as it has been deemed not feasible as outlined in the previous Parliamentary question UIN 118756.
Asked by: Mark Menzies (Independent - Fylde)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, pursuant to the Answer of 14 December 2017 to Question 118759, what discussions his Department has had with local bodies or promoters on the business case for public funding to improve connectivity in Fylde constituency by increasing the frequency of train services on the South Fylde line and installing any necessary supporting infrastructure.
Answered by Paul Maynard
The Department for Transport has had no such discussions.
Asked by: Mark Menzies (Independent - Fylde)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if he will take steps to challenge European Aviation Safety Agency regulations that prevent the Civil Aviation Authority from granting medical certificates to allow HIV positive individuals to become commercial airline pilots.
Answered by John Hayes
The Department for Transport and the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) support a rule change in granting medical certificates to allow individuals with HIV to become commercial airline pilots, where this is supported by evidence-based medical research. The Chief Executive of CAA has written to the Executive Director of the European Aviation Safety Agency, asking them to commission the necessary research without delay. The CAA has already been working with, and is seeking advice from, HIV experts including the British HIV Association, to further its understanding and gather the necessary information, which could enable a change in the rules.
Asked by: Mark Menzies (Independent - Fylde)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, pursuant to the Answer of 11 December 2017 to Question 117958, what discussions his Department has had with Network Rail on installing the requisite infrastructure to enable the doubling of the frequency of train services on the South Fylde line.
Answered by Paul Maynard
In line with our devolution policies, it would be for a local body or promoter to develop the business case for public funding to improve local connectivity by increasing the frequency of train services on the South Fylde line and installing any necessary supporting infrastructure.
Blackpool will however benefit from the upgrade to the Preston - Blackpool currently in delivery. The tracks are being replaced and realigned to make journeys better. At Kirkham & Wesham station, new tracks and a new platform will help to better manage train services and reduce delays.
Asked by: Mark Menzies (Independent - Fylde)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, pursuant to the Answer of 11 December 2017 to Question 117958, what assessment his Department has made of the practicability of Northern Rail increasing the frequency of train services on the South Fylde line without Network Rail taking steps to update the existing single-track line.
Answered by Paul Maynard
Given that the branch is single-track from Blackpool South to Kirkham & Wesham, and the typical journey time is about 27 minutes in each direction, we have assessed that an hourly service is the best that can be managed on the existing infrastructure.