Road Investment Strategy

Debate between Nicholas Brown and Lord McLoughlin

Monday 1st December 2014 Commons Chamber

[Mr McLoughlin]

I have already been accused of being over-ambitious. I am sure that my hon. Friend will repeatedly make the case for the dualling of the whole of that route, but the plans that we have outlined today will go a long way towards providing some of the shorter-term improvements for the road.

[Mr Nicholas Brown (Newcastle upon Tyne East) (Lab)]

I welcome what the Secretary of State has said about the importance of the A1 linking the Tyne and Wear conurbation with the Edinburgh-Glasgow conurbation. I also welcome the work that he has announced today, but it will still leave 25 miles of single track that ought to be dualled. Will he set out his plans for the future dualling of the road on the English side of the border?

[Mr McLoughlin]

In Yorkshire and the north-east, there will be 26 schemes worth £3 billion, including 18 new schemes worth £2.3 billion, the A1(M) to Newcastle will be fully open by 2017 and the A1 will be dualled to Ellingham, 34 miles north of Newcastle, so I think we have made a start in the right direction. It is a pity that that start was not made in the 13 years when the right hon. Gentleman and his Government had responsibility for these matters.

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Nicholas Brown and Lord McLoughlin

Thursday 23rd October 2014 Commons Chamber

[Mr McLoughlin]

I am more than happy to meet the hon. Gentleman and other hon. Members to consider the proposal. It goes to show that rail services in the south-west, and not only in the north, are being pressed on us all the time.

[Mr Nicholas Brown (Newcastle upon Tyne East) (Lab)]

T8. What are the Minister’s proposals for the future structures of trust ports?

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Nicholas Brown and Lord McLoughlin

Thursday 8th May 2014 Commons Chamber

[Mr McLoughlin]

I think we are making progress. The right hon. Gentleman mentioned in his question the fact that the Chief Secretary is involved. If the Chief Secretary and the Transport Secretary are of one mind on this, I very much hope that we will be able to make some progress.

[Mr Nicholas Brown (Newcastle upon Tyne East) (Lab)]

What accounts for the delay between the tentative announcement of yet another study and the setting up of the study? What is left to be studied of this much-studied question? Will the Transport Secretary confirm to the House that the study is but a prelude to the commencement of the actual work?

[Mr McLoughlin]

I think I will look at the wording of that when I see it in Hansard. This is an important road and a lot of work has already gone on to widen the A1, as well as a lot of work that is being undertaken at present. We are now talking about the area north of Newcastle and it is important that when the works are being carried out, measures are put in place to deal with the environmental consequences and the objections that people might raise.

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Nicholas Brown and Lord McLoughlin

Thursday 20th March 2014 Commons Chamber

[Mr Nicholas Brown (Newcastle upon Tyne East) (Lab)]

3. When he next plans to meet representatives of the Passenger Transport Executive Group.

[The Secretary of State for Transport (Mr Patrick McLoughlin)]

There are no arrangements in place at present. However, while it has been some time since my last meeting with the group, I have met representatives individually in the intervening period. I would therefore welcome the opportunity to meet PTEG or indeed with representatives of any of the local government organisations from Newcastle.

[Mr Brown]

There is quite a lot to discuss—for example, quality contracts—but of immediate concern is the impact of the new combined authorities on the existing joint boards. Can the Secretary of State say anything today that would reassure the employees of the existing joint boards, who are uncertain about their future?

[Mr McLoughlin]

The proposals for the combined authorities would see the passenger transport executives continuing to provide an executive function on transport issues across the board. The exception to that is west Yorkshire, where the local authorities have decided to dissolve their PTEs in addition to the integrated transport authority. The powers and duties of the PTE will be transferred to the new combined authority. I am more than happy to meet the right hon. Gentleman to discuss his worries.

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Nicholas Brown and Lord McLoughlin

Thursday 27th June 2013 Commons Chamber

[Mr McLoughlin]

It is vital that we have cover, and that if there is low availability pairing arrangements ensure that others take over that cover. We will not demur from our responsibility.

[Mr Nicholas Brown (Newcastle upon Tyne East) (Lab)]

Q2. What his policy is on quality contracts for bus services.

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Nicholas Brown and Lord McLoughlin

Thursday 29th November 2012 Commons Chamber

[Mr McLoughlin]

A number of representations on young drivers have been made to the Department for Transport and, as I said in that interview, they are all worth considering and investigating properly to see whether we can reduce the terrible toll that is sometimes caused by young drivers. However, that is not so of all young drivers. We read about the horrendous cases, but not about the many cases where young drivers behave and act responsibly on the road, as do other road users.

[Mr Nicholas Brown (Newcastle upon Tyne East) (Lab)]

9. What progress he has made on dualling the A1 north of Newcastle; and if he will make a statement.