Asked by: Phil Brickell (Labour - Bolton West)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what representation non legacy groups have in her Department's Expert Bus Manufacturers Panel.
Answered by Simon Lightwood - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
The membership of the UK Bus Manufacturing Expert Panel comprises two classifications: Standing Members and Additional Members. Standing Members include Government departments and wider industry bodies. Industry bodies include the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT), the Urban Transport Group (UTG), Confederation of Passenger Transport (CPT) and the Association of Local Bus Managers (ALBUM).
Additional Members will be invited to relevant meetings when particular issues are under consideration. These include bus manufacturers, operators and mayoral combined authorities. This decision was taken to ensure that the expertise of additional members is reflected during relevant meetings when specific issues are under discussion.
Asked by: Phil Brickell (Labour - Bolton West)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what discussions she has had with the Chancellor of the Exchequer on long-term funding for active travel.
Answered by Simon Lightwood - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
The Government recognises that investment in high quality active travel infrastructure supports its economic growth, health and net zero missions by helping to revitalise high streets; enabling people to live longer, healthier lives; and helping to reduce transport emissions. The Department announced the details of almost £300 million of funding for active travel in 2024/5 and 2025/6 on 12 February.
The Department’s Ministers will be having regular discussions with their Treasury counterparts as part of the ongoing Spending Review which will conclude later this Spring.
Asked by: Phil Brickell (Labour - Bolton West)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what discussions she has had with the Greater Manchester Active Travel Commissioner on encouraging (a) walking and (b) cycling across the Greater Manchester region.
Answered by Simon Lightwood - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
Active Travel England (part of the Department for Transport) has engaged regularly with Greater Manchester’s Active Travel Commissioner over the last year, including on the role active travel can play in supporting the development of the Bee Network. This is supported by Active Travel England’s ongoing discussions with officials at Transport for Greater Manchester.
Asked by: Phil Brickell (Labour - Bolton West)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps her Department is taking to encourage active travel in Bolton West constituency.
Answered by Simon Lightwood - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
Bolton West is part of the Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA) area. GMCA was awarded over £5 million through the fifth round of the Active Travel Fund in 2024 to 2025 and will receive over £15 million as part of the integrated settlements for 2025 to 2026. The funding can be used to develop new walking and cycling routes and for behaviour change initiatives, such as cycle training. Decisions on priorities for the funding, including locations in the Greater Manchester area, are matters for the combined authority.
Asked by: Phil Brickell (Labour - Bolton West)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps she is taking to harmonise the licensing requirements for private hire vehicles for every local authority in England.
Answered by Simon Lightwood - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
The Government is responsible for setting the regulatory structure within which licensing authorities in England administer the taxi and private hire vehicle licensing regime. Under this system licensing authorities have the flexibility to set the standards they consider appropriate to demonstrate that a private hire vehicle driver or operator are fit to hold a licence and that vehicles are safe.
The Department for Transport has however issued statutory and best practice guidance to assist licensing authorities. These aim to promote a consistency in licensing requirements and polices for both taxis and private hire vehicles by setting high but proportionate requirements to enable the sector to provide safe and accessible services that meet a wide range of passenger needs.