To match an exact phrase, use quotation marks around the search term. eg. "Parliamentary Estate". Use "OR" or "AND" as link words to form more complex queries.


Keep yourself up-to-date with the latest developments by exploring our subscription options to receive notifications direct to your inbox

Written Question
Driving: Eyesight
Monday 29th January 2024

Asked by: Matthew Pennycook (Labour - Greenwich and Woolwich)

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, under what circumstances DVLA drivers’ medical visual (a) field and (b) acuity testing will be administered free of charge.

Answered by Guy Opperman - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)

When the Driver and Vehicle Licencing Agency (DVLA) is investigating whether a licence holder or applicant with a visual disorder is fit to drive, all costs of any tests commissioned by the DVLA as part of that investigation are paid for by the DVLA and not the applicant.


Written Question
Southeastern Trains: Timetables
Tuesday 21st March 2023

Asked by: Matthew Pennycook (Labour - Greenwich and Woolwich)

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether Southeastern have requested a derogation from the requirement to consult in relation to possible timetable changes in May 2023.

Answered by Huw Merriman - Minister of State (Department for Transport)

Southeastern’s contract with the Department requires it to carry out formal consultation when considering material changes to its timetable.

Southeastern is not considering material changes to its timetable in May 2023 and therefore is not required to conduct a formal consultation. Southeastern is considering making some key targeted changes in May 2023, including adding additional services in the peaks, to better match fluctuating demand and in doing so will continue to take passenger and stakeholder feedback onboard.


Written Question
London Bridge Station: Overcrowding
Tuesday 21st March 2023

Asked by: Matthew Pennycook (Labour - Greenwich and Woolwich)

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether his Department has made an assessment of the potential risk of overcrowding at London Bridge Station in the context of additional usage relating to the timetable implemented by Southeastern on 11 December 2022.

Answered by Huw Merriman - Minister of State (Department for Transport)

London Bridge was specifically rebuilt at a cost over £1 billion between 2012 and 2018 to facilitate easy interchange for passengers. It is a fully accessible station, with lifts to all platforms. Network Rail, who manage London Bridge, and all train operators that use the station, including Southeastern, are constantly assessing demand and passenger flows and have plans in place to ensure that if the station does get crowded, it always remains safe.


Written Question
Southeastern Trains: Standards
Tuesday 21st March 2023

Asked by: Matthew Pennycook (Labour - Greenwich and Woolwich)

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what information the Department holds on Southeastern train punctuality at recorded station stops for each quarter since January 2022.

Answered by Huw Merriman - Minister of State (Department for Transport)

The Department monitors operational performance closely and engages with the rail industry at all levels. Southeastern has a Service Contract that sets quantifiable performance targets and the Department holds data on train punctuality by period at recorded station stops as recorded by Network Rail which includes information for Southeastern.

The Office of Rail and Road (ORR) publishes statistics showing train punctuality at recorded station stops for Southeastern on a periodic basis on the following links at:

https://dataportal.orr.gov.uk/statistics/performance/passenger-rail-performance/table-3138-train-punctuality-at-recorded-station-stops-by-operator-periodic/; and on a quarterly basis at,

https://dataportal.orr.gov.uk/statistics/performance/passenger-rail-performance/table-3133-train-punctuality-at-recorded-station-stops-by-operator/.


Written Question
Maidstone Line
Monday 20th March 2023

Asked by: Matthew Pennycook (Labour - Greenwich and Woolwich)

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether his Department has made a recent assessment of the potential impact of changes in demand for services on the Maidstone East line into central London stations.

Answered by Huw Merriman - Minister of State (Department for Transport)

The Department monitors the performance of all train operators, including Southeastern, very closely and regular discussions take place covering all aspects of their services including levels of demand. Officials are working closely with Southeastern to understand changes in travel patterns and fluctuations in demand across all routes including services on the Maidstone East line.

Southeastern have two timetable changes a year, in line with the rest of the rail industry. Any changes made are kept under review and can be adjusted, where appropriate, to reflect fluctuations in demand. Southeastern will continue to listen and keep stakeholders informed of developments. The Department will continue engagement with industry to ensure passengers and taxpayers remain at the heart of changes implemented.


Written Question
Southeastern Trains: Timetables
Thursday 16th March 2023

Asked by: Matthew Pennycook (Labour - Greenwich and Woolwich)

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether his Department is taking steps to ensure Southeastern is required to consult passengers on possible timetable changes in May 2023.

Answered by Huw Merriman - Minister of State (Department for Transport)

Southeastern’s contract with the Department requires it to carry out formal consultation when considering material changes to its timetable. Southeastern is not considering material changes to its timetable in May 2023 and therefore is not required to conduct a formal consultation. However, Southeastern is considering making some key targeted changes, including adding additional services in the peaks, to better match fluctuating demand and in doing so will continue to take passenger and stakeholder feedback onboard.


Written Question
Southeastern Trains: Timetables
Thursday 16th March 2023

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 his Department has made of the potential impact of the new National Rail timetable on the reliability of Southeastern train services.

Answered by Huw Merriman - Minister of State (Department for Transport)

Department officials monitor Southeastern performance very closely and regular discussions take place covering all aspects of its service. There has been significant disruption to Southeastern services over recent months driven by industrial action, multiple infrastructure incidents and mobilising the new timetable, introduced on 11 December 2022.

Southeastern and Network Rail have established a Joint Task Force and have already made several changes, including operating additional services and lengthening some trains where demand is higher than expected. This work continues and will provide further tactical interventions as well as focusing on improving underlying performance. There is evidence that it is having a positive impact with underlying performance on an improving trend in recent weeks. My officials and I continue to monitor Southeastern performance very closely whilst Southeastern will continue to keep stakeholders informed of developments.


Written Question
Southeastern Trains: Overcrowding
Thursday 16th March 2023

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 his Department has made of potential overcrowding on the (a) Greenwich, (b) Woolwich, (c) Bexleyheath and (d) Sidcup train services at peak travel times.

Answered by Huw Merriman - Minister of State (Department for Transport)

There has been significant disruption to Southeastern services over recent months driven by industrial action, multiple infrastructure incidents and mobilising the new timetable, introduced on 11 December 2022.

When there is disruption it can cause crowding both at stations and on trains, especially at peak times. A joint task force has been set up by Network Rail and Southeastern focusing on improving underlying performance and to consider tactical interventions. Several changes have already been made including operating additional services and lengthening some trains where demand is higher than expected. Southeastern continues to assess performance and demand in order to consider further targeted interventions. Department officials and I continue to monitor this work very closely whilst Southeastern will continue to keep stakeholders informed of developments.


Written Question
Southeastern Trains: Standards
Thursday 16th March 2023

Asked by: Matthew Pennycook (Labour - Greenwich and Woolwich)

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment his Department has made of the punctuality of Southeastern train services since 11 December 2022.

Answered by Huw Merriman - Minister of State (Department for Transport)

There has been significant disruption to Southeastern services over recent months driven by industrial action, multiple infrastructure incidents and mobilising the new timetable introduced on 11 December.

Southeastern and Network Rail have established a Joint Task Force and have already made several changes, including operating additional services, and lengthening some trains where demand is higher than expected in the peaks. This work continues and will provide further tactical interventions as well as focusing on improving underlying performance. There is evidence that it is having a positive impact with underlying performance on an improving trend in recent weeks.

My officials and I continue to monitor Southeastern performance very closely whilst Southeastern will continue to keep stakeholders informed of developments.


Written Question
Railways: Standards
Thursday 16th March 2023

Asked by: Matthew Pennycook (Labour - Greenwich and Woolwich)

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what data his Department holds on the proportion of scheduled services cancelled since 11 December 2022.

Answered by Huw Merriman - Minister of State (Department for Transport)

The Office for Rail and Road (ORR) collect and publish data on trains cancelled by operator. Data is available up to the end of Rail Period 11 (4 February 2023) and can be found on the ORR website in Table 3124).