Oral Answers to Questions

Michael Wheeler Excerpts

Thursday 13th February 2025 Commons Chamber

[Sam Rushworth (Bishop Auckland) (Lab)]

3. What steps she is taking to help improve local bus services.

[Michael Wheeler (Worsley and Eccles) (Lab)]

13. What steps she is taking to help improve local bus services.

[Jade Botterill (Ossett and Denby Dale) (Lab)]

17. What steps she is taking to help improve local bus services.

--- Later in debate ---

[Simon Lightwood]

I thank my hon. Friend for his question. The Government know how important local bus services are in providing access to education and allowing young people to get around. Empowering local leaders to improve services is at the heart of our reforms, including through the introduction of the Bus Services (No. 2) Bill, so that bus services deliver for hard-working families and communities throughout the country.

[Michael Wheeler]

My constituents in Worsley and Eccles face high levels of congestion on our roads, especially during their rush-hour commute. We benefit from Greater Manchester’s Bee network, but it only takes a temporary set of traffic lights, roadworks or an accident to back things up. Will the Minister outline what steps are being taken to give the necessary powers and encouragement to our local communities and decision makers to create joined-up public and private transport networks that will alleviate congestion?

[Simon Lightwood]

My hon. Friend is absolutely right to highlight this issue and will know that this Government are acting quickly to respond to his concerns. As outlined in the “English Devolution” White Paper, we will empower strategic authorities to play a greater role in co-ordinating their local road networks. That includes removing unnecessary Secretary of State consent requirements for certain local highway decisions, potentially including lane rental schemes, which will speed up decision making.

Oral Answers to Questions

Michael Wheeler Excerpts

Thursday 9th January 2025 Commons Chamber

The Secretary of State was asked—

[Michael Wheeler (Worsley and Eccles) (Lab)]

1. What financial support she is providing to local transport authorities and mayors.

[Mr Speaker]

Welcome, Secretary of State.

--- Later in debate ---

[Heidi Alexander]

In the Budget, the Government confirmed more than £1 billion of funding to support bus services, an additional £200 million for the city region sustainable transport settlements for eligible mayors, more than £650 million for local transport outside the city regions, a £500 million increase in local highways maintenance, and £485 million in capital funding for Transport for London.

[Michael Wheeler]

I begin by welcoming the Secretary of State to the Dispatch Box for her first question time. She brings great experience of working to bring transport authorities together. My constituency of Worsley and Eccles suffers from regular serious rush-hour congestion. How can she support transport authorities in urban areas to work with neighbouring authorities to ensure a strategic approach is taken across commuter belts to alleviate congestion?

[Heidi Alexander]

I thank my hon. Friend for his kind words, and I assure him that the Government are committed to improving local transport across individual local authority boundaries. We have provided more than £1 billion in funding to the Greater Manchester combined authority in his area, which takes a strategic approach to managing transport across its region. My right hon. Friend the Deputy Prime Minister has also set out ambitious measures in the recent “English Devolution” White Paper to support more joined-up running of local transport networks, which people rely upon every day.