Asked by: Matthew Pennycook (Labour - Greenwich and Woolwich)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what discussions he has had with Network Rail on the proposed closure of the Angerstein pedestrian level crossing as a result of upgrade works.
Answered by Andrew Jones
The Secretary of State for Transport has not had any discussions with Network Rail on the proposed closure of Angerstein pedestrian level crossing.
The management of level crossings on the UK rail network is an operational matter for Network Rail, who are the infrastructure managers of Britain’s railways.
Asked by: Matthew Pennycook (Labour - Greenwich and Woolwich)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what plans he has to issue guidance to local authorities on changes to the Blue Badge scheme extending eligibility to those with less visible conditions.
Answered by Jesse Norman
The Department for Transport is currently developing guidance, drawing on expertise from medical and healthcare professionals, as well as various disability organisations and local authorities, so that authorities will be able to assess applications under the expanded eligibility criteria for non-physical and hidden disabilities. The guidance will be published to coincide with a forthcoming revision of the statutory regulations, planned for the end of April.
Asked by: Matthew Pennycook (Labour - Greenwich and Woolwich)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, pursuant to the Answer of 7 June 2018 to Question 149570 on Thameslink Industry Readiness Board, whether anybody not associated with the parties represented at the Thameslink Industry Readiness Board has attended any meetings of that Board.
Answered by Lord Johnson of Marylebone
Meetings of the Thameslink Industry Readiness Board have only been attended by representatives of the parties listed in the reply to Question 149570.
Asked by: Matthew Pennycook (Labour - Greenwich and Woolwich)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, which body is planned to enforce carbon dioxide standards for cars and other product standards that reduce greenhouse gas emissions after the UK’s exit from the EU; and whether the Government plans for there to be any role for the proposed new environmental watchdog in such enforcement.
Answered by Chris Grayling
The body that will have oversight of carbon dioxide emission standards for newly registered cars and vans in the UK following EU Exit will depend on the agreement reached with the European Union. In the unlikely event the United Kingdom leaves the European Union without an agreement, it is intended that overall responsibility for the enforcement of new car and van carbon dioxide standards will fall to the Secretary of State for Transport, who may in turn appoint another person/body to act on their behalf.
Under any scenario, the UK Government has committed to pursuing a future approach that is at least as ambitious as the current arrangements for vehicle emissions regulation.
Asked by: Matthew Pennycook (Labour - Greenwich and Woolwich)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what the authority is for contractors working on behalf of Transport for London to conduct preparatory Silvertown Tunnel bore hole drilling works in Bugsbys Reach in advance of a decision on development consent for the proposed Silvertown Tunnel.
Answered by Lord Johnson of Marylebone
Transport in London is a matter for Transport for London (TfL) and the Mayor. We understand from TfL that these works are being carried out under a statutory permit granted by the Environment Agency.
It is standard procedure for investigative works such as these to be carried out in advance of major development proposals and the works are without prejudice to the Secretary of State’s determination of the application for development consent for the Silvertown Tunnel.
Asked by: Matthew Pennycook (Labour - Greenwich and Woolwich)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what recent estimate he has made of the additional funding required by his Department over the next two years to prepare effectively for the UK leaving the EU.
Answered by John Hayes
As announced at Autumn Budget 2017, HMT is making £3 billion of additional funding available over the next two years - £1.5 billion in both 18/19 and 19/20 – so that departments and the Devolved Administrations can continue to prepare effectively for Brexit. We are currently working with HMT and DExEU to establish what we need to prepare effectively, and what additional funding should be supplied – HM Treasury will aim to agree 2018/19 allocations in early 2018. Funding requirements for 19/20 will be affected by progress in negotiations with the EU and will therefore be decided at a later date. Additional funding received from the Reserve will be set out at Supplementary Estimates in the usual way.
Asked by: Matthew Pennycook (Labour - Greenwich and Woolwich)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps his Department is taking to deliver all deferred Access for All projects by the end of 2020.
Answered by Paul Maynard - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Work and Pensions)
We are committed to continuing to invest in the accessibility of the railway, which is why the Government’s Statement of Funds Available for Control Period 6 (2019-2024) published on 12 October, includes funding to continue to take forward the enhancements that were deferred from Control Period 5, as well as for continued investment in the accessibility of the railway. Network Rail are continuing to develop the deferred projects and construction will be completed as soon as possible.
Asked by: Matthew Pennycook (Labour - Greenwich and Woolwich)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment he has made of the adequacy of the geographical extent of the compulsory helicopter route under the London City control zone.
Answered by John Hayes
The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) is conducting a review of helicopter operations and the associated route structure around London to ensure that procedures remain fit for purpose. As part of its Regulatory Safety Management System the CAA is also conducting a review relating to the increase of tall structures along the River Thames.
Asked by: Matthew Pennycook (Labour - Greenwich and Woolwich)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment he has made of the potential merits of extending London City CTR control zones eastward to restrict helicopter flights over the Maritime Greenwich UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Answered by John Hayes
No such assessment has been made.
Asked by: Matthew Pennycook (Labour - Greenwich and Woolwich)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what recent assessment he has made of the effect of noise from flights approaching Heathrow Airport on people living in Greenwich and Woolwich constituency.
Answered by John Hayes
As stated in the Government’s 2013 Aviation Policy Framework, the Government expects airports to help local communities understand the noise impacts they are affected by, through monitoring and provision of information. It is the responsibility of the airport to determine what monitoring is appropriate, and to carry out such monitoring. Heathrow publishes a range of noise information on its website.
The Government appreciates that noise issues are important to communities and is therefore currently reviewing several aspects of national airspace and noise policies, and will consult on these in due course. My ministerial colleague, Lord Ahmad, the Minister for Aviation and officials at the Department for Transport have been engaging with stakeholders, including representatives of communities around airports, to ensure that any changes to existing policies balance the interests of communities with those of passengers and the industry.