To match an exact phrase, use quotation marks around the search term. eg. "Parliamentary Estate". Use "OR" or "AND" as link words to form more complex queries.


Keep yourself up-to-date with the latest developments by exploring our subscription options to receive notifications direct to your inbox

Written Question
A12: Essex
Monday 16th December 2024

Asked by: Priti Patel (Conservative - Witham)

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, pursuant to the Answer of 6 December 2024 to Question 16758 on A12: Essex, if she will make an assessment of the potential impact of delays to the implementation of the A12 widening Scheme on (a) the economy, (b) road safety and (c) the projected cost to the public purse of the A12 widening scheme.

Answered by Lilian Greenwood - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)

As set out in the Fixing the Foundations policy paper, this government has inherited £22bn worth of unfunded pressures from the previous government, including £2.9bn of unfunded transport commitments. There has not been a spending review since 2021.

It was announced in the Autumn Budget that Phase 2 of the Spending Review will conclude in late spring 2025. Until this time, it is not possible to assess the full impact of the financial inheritance on the A12 widening scheme and in turn its impact on (a) the economy, (b) road safety and (c) the projected cost to the public purse of the scheme.


Written Question
East Anglia Rail Franchise: Access and Infrastructure
Thursday 12th December 2024

Asked by: Priti Patel (Conservative - Witham)

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, with reference to the Written Statement of 4 December 2024, HCWS281 on Railway Passenger Services, whether she plans to (a) improve (i) step-free access and (ii) rail infrastructure for Greater Anglia services and (b) redevelop stations on the Greater Anglia route.

Answered by Simon Lightwood - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)

The Access for All programme has delivered step free access at more than 250 stations across Britain. Ministers are carefully considering the best approach to the Access for All programme. We are unable to comment on next steps regarding specific stations including on Greater Anglia services at the moment.

Greater Anglia have taken steps to improve station accessibility with their work on virtual trains and station tours and a new accessible footbridge will be installed at Stowmarket during 2025. The business planning round for 25/26 is currently underway and proposals regarding redevelopments and rail infrastructure will be reviewed with decisions made in due course.


Written Question
East Anglia Rail Franchise: Nationalisation
Thursday 12th December 2024

Asked by: Priti Patel (Conservative - Witham)

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, with reference to the Written Statement of 4 December 2024, HCWS281 on Railway Passenger Services, what plans she has to review (a) service quality, (b) ticket pricing, (c) the business model and (d) timetables before the Greater Anglia rail franchise is transferred to public ownership.

Answered by Simon Lightwood - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)

Greater Anglia will be brought into public ownership, with its date for transfer scheduled for Autumn 2025. The business planning round for 2025/26 is currently underway and plans regarding service quality, ticket pricing, business model and timetables will be agreed in due course. The Department will continue to hold operators to account for their performance and ensure the best outcomes for passengers.


Written Question
East Anglia Rail Franchise: Nationalisation
Thursday 12th December 2024

Asked by: Priti Patel (Conservative - Witham)

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, with reference to the Written Statement of 4 December 2024, HCWS281 on Railway Passenger Services, what plans she has to consult (a) Members of Parliament, (b) local authorities, (c) passenger representatives and (d) business representatives before the Greater Anglia franchise is transferred into public ownership in autumn 2025.

Answered by Simon Lightwood - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)

The Written Statement, HCWS281, outlined that Greater Anglia’s services will transfer into public ownership in autumn 2025 and that an expiry notice will be issued to Greater Anglia in due course to confirm the exact date. Bringing passenger services into public ownership was a clear manifesto commitment and the Department has no plans to consult on this.

Bringing these services into public ownership is an initial step towards wider rail reform, including establishing Great British Railways. The Department will set out proposals for these further, fundamental reforms in a consultation which will be launched around the turn of the year.


Written Question
Transport: Infrastructure
Thursday 12th December 2024

Asked by: Priti Patel (Conservative - Witham)

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, with reference to Plan for Change: Milestones for mission-led government, published on 5 December 2024, CP 1210, what transport infrastructure projects are under consideration; and whether the (a) A12 Widening Scheme and (b) A120 dualling scheme are included.

Answered by Lilian Greenwood - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)

The government’s 'Plan for Change' sets out that, through reforms and rule changes, 150 planning decisions on major infrastructure projects would be fast-tracked by the end of this Parliament. Rather than specifying schemes at this stage, this is about setting up an efficient and effective approach to making timely decisions for those projects that require it in the coming years.

A Development Consent Order planning permission on the A12 (Chelmsford to A120) was already granted in January 2024. The future of the A12 (Chelmsford to A120) scheme is being considered alongside other road projects, as part of Phase 2 of the Spending Review.

Given significant affordability challenges in RIS3, the previous government announced that the A120 (Braintree to A12) dualling scheme, alongside all other schemes in the RIS3 pipeline, would be deferred to RIS4, for potential delivery beyond 2030.


Written Question
A12: Essex
Friday 6th December 2024

Asked by: Priti Patel (Conservative - Witham)

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if she will make an estimate of the potential impact of the time taken to determine the application for the A12 Junction 19 to Junction 25 widening scheme on (a) the economy, (b) road safety and (c) the cost of the scheme.

Answered by Lilian Greenwood - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)

The Development Consent Order (DCO) application for the A12 Chelmsford to A120 widening scheme, was granted on 12 January 2024. I can confirm that the DCO was determined within the statutory timeframes.


Written Question
Roads: Repairs and Maintenance
Tuesday 3rd December 2024

Asked by: Priti Patel (Conservative - Witham)

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, with reference to paragraph 4.96 of the Autumn Budget 2024, HC 295, published on 30 October 2024, how her Department plans to allocate the additional £500 million for local roads maintenance baseline funding in the 2024-25 financial year; and by what method her Department plans to use to distribute that funding.

Answered by Lilian Greenwood - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)

This Government takes the condition of local roads very seriously and is committed to maintaining and renewing the local highway network. The Government will confirm 2025/26 funding allocations to English local highway authorities, including Essex County Council, in due course.


Written Question
Roads: Essex
Tuesday 3rd December 2024

Asked by: Priti Patel (Conservative - Witham)

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, when she plans to publish funding allocations for highways in Essex County Council for the 2025-26 financial year.

Answered by Lilian Greenwood - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)

This Government takes the condition of local roads very seriously and is committed to maintaining and renewing the local highway network. The Government will confirm 2025/26 funding allocations to English local highway authorities, including Essex County Council, in due course.


Written Question
A120: Repairs and Maintenance
Friday 8th November 2024

Asked by: Priti Patel (Conservative - Witham)

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if she will provide funding for the A120 dual carriageway scheme.

Answered by Lilian Greenwood - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)

The A120 Braintree to A12 dualling scheme is part of the pipeline of projects being considered for possible delivery as part of a future Road Investment Strategy beyond 2030.


Written Question
Railway Stations: Disability
Wednesday 6th November 2024

Asked by: Priti Patel (Conservative - Witham)

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if she will provide funding to improve step-free access at railway stations.

Answered by Simon Lightwood - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)

The Government is committed to improving the accessibility of the railway and recognises the social and economic benefits this brings to communities. Since its launch in 2006, the Access for All programme has delivered step free access at more than 250 stations across Great Britain.

Since April 2024, Access for All projects have entered into passenger service at nine stations, with a further 25 stations scheduled to enter into passenger service by April 2025.