Asked by: Martin Wrigley (Liberal Democrat - Newton Abbot)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what progress her Department has made on publishing a road safety strategy.
Answered by Lilian Greenwood - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
Improving road safety is one of the Department’s highest priorities. Too many people are killed and seriously injured in road traffic collisions, and this Government will work hard to prevent these tragedies for all road users. The Department is developing a road safety strategy and will set out more details in due course.
Asked by: Martin Wrigley (Liberal Democrat - Newton Abbot)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if she will make it her policy to introduce measures to limit the brightness of LED car headlights.
Answered by Lilian Greenwood - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
All headlamps are designed and tested to international standards to ensure they are bright enough to light the road ahead but not so bright as to dazzle other road users. The standards define the beam pattern and maximum and minimum light intensities.
However, noting increased public concern, Government has commissioned independent research to better understand the root causes of headlamp glare and develop potential countermeasures. The work is underway and is due to deliver in summer 2025. Government will consider carefully the outcome of that research to determine what action might be appropriate.
Asked by: Martin Wrigley (Liberal Democrat - Newton Abbot)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what estimate she has made of the number of (a) Russian (ii) shadow fleet and (ii) trade vessels and (b) other vessels that have travelled to and from Russian ports that have entered UK waters in the last 12 months.
Answered by Mike Kane - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
I refer the hon Member to the answer I gave on 07 February 2025, to Question 27704.
Asked by: Martin Wrigley (Liberal Democrat - Newton Abbot)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what recent discussions she has had with Network rail on expanding rail electrification to Devon.
Answered by Lilian Greenwood - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
Department for Transport ministers have had no recent discussions with Network Rail on expanding rail electrification to Devon.
To deliver the government’s Net Zero commitment, the Government’s stated approach will be to electrify additional rail lines and deploy alternative traction technologies such as battery and hybrid where it makes operational and economic sense. This whole track and train approach ensures that we find the best solution for each situation, with a particular emphasis on taxpayer Value for Money.
Asked by: Martin Wrigley (Liberal Democrat - Newton Abbot)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps her Department is taking to help ensure that rail fares are affordable in Devon.
Answered by Simon Lightwood - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
We are committed to reforming the overcomplicated fares system with a view to simplifying rail fares across the country. Whilst it is our ambition through public ownership to deliver a more affordable railway, any long-term changes or concessions made to rail fares policy require balancing against the potential impacts on passengers, taxpayers and the railway. This year's 4.6 per cent increase will be the lowest absolute increase in three years and will support the Government's long-term plan to achieve financial sustainability of the railway.
Asked by: Martin Wrigley (Liberal Democrat - Newton Abbot)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if she will take steps to open additional railway stations in Devon.
Answered by Lilian Greenwood - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
The Government is funding the construction of a new Okehampton Interchange station which is planned to open in 2026. Future rail infrastructure investment, including new stations, will be considered as part of the current Spending Review, which will be concluded in June 2025.
Asked by: Martin Wrigley (Liberal Democrat - Newton Abbot)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of not completing phase 5 of the South West rail resilience programme on the economy.
Answered by Simon Lightwood - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
The Department is not intending to undertake any assessments of Phase 5 of the South-West Rail Resilience Programme whilst the Spending Review is ongoing.
Asked by: Martin Wrigley (Liberal Democrat - Newton Abbot)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, pursuant to the Answer of 7 February 2025 to Question 27628 on Railways: South West; whether the business case for completing phase 5 of the South West Rail Resilience programme includes (a) impacts and (b) costs related to access to health services in the region.
Answered by Simon Lightwood - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
Impacts and costs related to access to health services were not considered in the Outline Business Case for Phase 5 of the South West Rail Resilience Programme, prepared by Network Rail in early 2024.
Asked by: Martin Wrigley (Liberal Democrat - Newton Abbot)
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 time taken for construction between phases 4 and 5 of the rail resilience programme on the design team.
Answered by Simon Lightwood - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
The case for further assessment and delivery of Phase 5 of the South West Rail Resilience Programme will be considered as part of the current Spending Review.
Asked by: Martin Wrigley (Liberal Democrat - Newton Abbot)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if she will publish the cost of restarting phase 5 of the Dawlish rail resilience project design team.
Answered by Lilian Greenwood - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
A team at Network Rail is currently funded to develop the fifth phase of the South West Rail Resilience Programme. A decision on further funding will be subject to the outcome of the Spending Review.