Asked by: Max Wilkinson (Liberal Democrat - Cheltenham)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether she plans to implement the policies in her Department's policy paper entitled The plan for drivers, published on 2 October 2023.
Answered by Lilian Greenwood - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
“The Plan for Drivers” was published by the previous government. The Department is considering the measures within it in the light of this Government’s priorities.
Asked by: Max Wilkinson (Liberal Democrat - Cheltenham)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment she has made of the impact of train cancellations by Great Western Railway on passengers travelling to and from Cheltenham Spa station on (a) weekdays and (b) weekends.
Answered by Simon Lightwood - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
The Rail Minister recently met with Great Western Railway and Network Rail Western route to review recent performance and made it clear that both organisations must address issues contributing to cancellations. Officials continue to monitor both organisations’ performance against targets and when performance falls below these, appropriate action will be taken to address this.
Asked by: Max Wilkinson (Liberal Democrat - Cheltenham)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps her Department is taking to help improve the (a) punctuality and (b) performance of Cross Country rail services (i) to and (ii) from Cheltenham Spa.
Answered by Simon Lightwood - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
CrossCountry has recently been placed on a formal Remedial Plan to ensure it takes action to address performance issues across its network and increases essential driver training. This is expected to result in a more reliable service following the implementation of the plan. The Department will closely monitor the progress of the plan and if CrossCountry fails to deliver, further action will be taken in line with its contractual terms.
Asked by: Max Wilkinson (Liberal Democrat - Cheltenham)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether her Department has had discussions with Network Rail about its intentions to allow its land between Cheltenham Spa rail station and Lansdown Road, Cheltenham to be used to facilitate the development of the Gloucestershire Cycle Spine.
Answered by Simon Lightwood - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
The Department has not directly discussed land access with Network Rail for this route but is supporting and providing funding to Sustrans and Gloucestershire County Council (GCC) to deliver a route between Cheltenham Spa Station and Lansdown Road as part of the Cycle Rail Programme. We understand that Great Western Railway, Network Rail and GCC are working closely together to progress this project. GCC is responsible for securing appropriate land access agreements with Network Rail.