Asked by: Mike Amesbury (Independent - Runcorn and Helsby)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what progress she has made on supporting the repair of potholes in Runcorn and Helsby constituency.
Answered by Lilian Greenwood - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
The Government takes the condition of local roads very seriously and is committed to maintaining and renewing the local highway network. This Government has a manifesto commitment to enable local highway authorities to fix up to a million extra potholes a year, and it will say more on this in due course after the forthcoming Budget and Spending Review.
Cheshire West and Chester Council and Halton Council are the local highway authorities for different parts of the Runcorn and Helsby constituency, and they are therefore responsible for the condition and maintenance of their local road networks.
Cheshire West and Chester Council will receive £11.1 million from this Department during 2024/25 to help them carry out their local highway maintenance responsibilities, and it is their responsibility to decide how that funding is used, based on local needs and priorities.
Halton Council is a member of the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority (LCRCA). LCRCA will receive £142.9 million from this Department during 2024/25 for investment in local transport networks in the Liverpool City Region as outlined in their programme business case and delivery plan. It is for LCRCA to decide how much of that funding is used for highway maintenance in Halton and its other five member authorities.
Asked by: Mike Amesbury (Independent - Runcorn and Helsby)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if she will make an assessment of the potential merits of providing free bus passes to blind passengers for travel before 9.30am.
Answered by Simon Lightwood - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
The English National Concessionary Travel Scheme (ENCTS) provides free off-peak bus travel to those with eligible disabilities and those of state pension age, currently sixty-six. Local authorities in England have the power to go beyond their statutory obligations under the ENCTS and offer additional discretionary concessions, such as extending the times at which concessionary passes can be used.
Asked by: Mike Amesbury (Independent - Runcorn and Helsby)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what plans she has for Ince and Elton train station.
Answered by Simon Lightwood - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
The Government believes that local transport authorities and local leaders are best placed to prioritise and take forward transport projects which are most appropriate for the areas they serve, particularly where they will support economic growth, job creation, more and better housing, and, ultimately, demonstrate a good business case.
I would encourage the Hon member to continue to engage with local stakeholders further on this.
Asked by: Mike Amesbury (Independent - Runcorn and Helsby)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what his Department's timescales are for making Local Transport Fund payments to local authorities.
Answered by Guy Opperman
The Local Transport Fund is a £4.7 billion fund beginning in 2025 for seven years. The money will start to be paid from early next year, giving councils time now to prepare. The Department will shortly publish advice for local authorities. We will ask local authorities to determine their local transport priorities and develop delivery plans so that they are ready to deliver improvements with Local Transport Fund funding from April 2025.
Asked by: Mike Amesbury (Independent - Runcorn and Helsby)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, when he plans to announce the outcome of Northwich Station’s Access for All funding bid.
Answered by Huw Merriman
As part of our recent Network North announcement, the Government confirmed £350m will be made available to improve the accessibility of our train stations. We are assessing over 300 nominations for Access for All, including a nomination for Northwich railway station. If successful, the funding will create an obstacle free, accessible route from the station entrance to platforms. Successful nominations will be announced in due course.
Asked by: Mike Amesbury (Independent - Runcorn and Helsby)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, when he plans to announce the outcome of Northwich Station’s Access for All funding bid.
Answered by Huw Merriman
As part of our recent Network North announcement, the Government confirmed £350m will be made available to improve the accessibility of our train stations. We are assessing over 300 nominations for the next round of Access for All funding, including a nomination for Northwich railway station. If successful, the funding will create an obstacle free, accessible route from the station entrance to platforms. Successful nominations will be announced in due course.
Asked by: Mike Amesbury (Independent - Runcorn and Helsby)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if he will make an assessment of the potential merits of introducing legislation to limit the use of LED bulbs in vehicle headlights.
Answered by Anthony Browne
All types of road vehicle headlamps are designed, tested and approved to internationally recognised standards to help prevent undue glare on a broad range of roads and environments. However, the Government is aware of concerns raised by members of the public in relation to headlamp glare and we are considering options for addressing this.
Asked by: Mike Amesbury (Independent - Runcorn and Helsby)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, when his Department plans to announce the outcome of Northwich station's Access for All funding bid.
Answered by Huw Merriman
As part of the Prime Minister's recent Network North announcement, the Government has confirmed £350m will be made available to improve the accessibility of our train stations. We are assessing over 300 nominations for Access for All funding from April 2024, including a nomination for Northwich station. If successful, the funding will create an obstacle free, accessible route from the station entrance to platforms. Successful nominations will be announced in due course.
Asked by: Mike Amesbury (Independent - Runcorn and Helsby)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if he will hold discussions with Network Rail on the adequacy of the timetable to complete repairs at Northwich rail station.
Answered by Huw Merriman
The station building exterior is planned for substantial completion by 29 January 2024 with further work planned to fit out the interior. We are working with our colleagues at Northern to confirm shortly.
Some of the scope of the work is outside of Network Rail ownership and we are liaising with ArchCo and the local authority to plan the work needed.
The reopening of the building and waiting room will be announced when the programme for the internal specification is finalised.
Asked by: Mike Amesbury (Independent - Runcorn and Helsby)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether his Department plans to publish the Passenger Demand Forecasting Handbook.
Answered by Huw Merriman
The Passenger Demand Forecasting Handbook is owned by the Passenger Demand Forecasting Council, of which the Department is a member. As per the Passenger Demand Forecasting Scheme rules only members and associate members of the scheme are granted a licence to the Passenger Demand Forecasting Handbook.