Asked by: Robin Swann (Ulster Unionist Party - South Antrim)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, with reference to the Answer of 11 October 2024 to Question 8083 on Roads: Safety, what her planned timetable is for laying the secondary legislation required to commence section 19 of the Road Safety Act 2006.
Answered by Lilian Greenwood - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
Officials continue to work on the complex draft regulations that would be required to commence Section 19 of the Road Safety Act 2006. When this work is completed the Government will give consideration to enabling Section 19 to come to fruition in respect of mandated driving instruction standards for emergency services.
Asked by: Robin Swann (Ulster Unionist Party - South Antrim)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, pursuant to the Answer of 20 May 2025 to Question 52794 on Lisburn-Antrim Railway Line, what funding is available for the reopening of rail lines across the United Kingdom.
Answered by Simon Lightwood - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
While transport is largely devolved to Northern Ireland, the UK Government was uniquely able to offer funding for specific rail feasibility studies through Union Connectivity Development Fund. This fund was set up to address recommendations and next steps raised by the Union Connectivity Review.
The Government is currently working to finalise what will be a challenging Spending Review - while this work is continuing, I cannot comment further on funding availability.
Asked by: Robin Swann (Ulster Unionist Party - South Antrim)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what progress she has made on the Union Connectivity Fund feasibility study for the reopening of the Antrim to Lisburn rail line.
Answered by Simon Lightwood - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
The Department provided funding to Translink through the Union Connectivity Fund to deliver a feasibility study for the reopening of the Antrim to Lisburn rail line. The Department understands from Translink that they plan to publish their findings over the Summer and that they will engage with stakeholders to present the results.
Asked by: Robin Swann (Ulster Unionist Party - South Antrim)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, pursuant to the Answer of 3 March 2025 to Question 32525 on Airports, which airports are designated Level 3.
Answered by Mike Kane - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
There are currently 9 Level 3 coordinated airports in the UK: London Heathrow, London Gatwick, London City, London Stansted, London Luton, Birmingham, Manchester, Bristol and Leeds Bradford. Leeds Bradford is Level 3 coordinated for summer season only, the other airports are Level 3 coordinated on year-round basis.
Asked by: Robin Swann (Ulster Unionist Party - South Antrim)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what is required for an airport to be designated as a level 3 airport.
Answered by Mike Kane - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
For an airport to be designated as Level 3 slot coordinated, and therefore requiring the formal allocation of slots by an independent coordinator, the demand for operating services should exceed the airport infrastructure’s capacity for at least one scheduling period. Secretary of State approval is required to designate any airport as Level 3 slot coordinated.
Asked by: Robin Swann (Ulster Unionist Party - South Antrim)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if he will have discussions with the Northern Ireland Executive on (a) establishing a watchdog to regulate the cost of charging electric vehicles and (b) encouraging electric vehicle use.
Answered by Lilian Greenwood - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
We are committed to the transition from internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles to electric vehicles, as this will drive economic growth, help the UK meet its climate change obligations and improve air quality.
To support that transition, the Department for Transport continues to work closely with the Northern Ireland Executive. Transport is a devolved matter, so this would be the decision of the Executive.
Asked by: Robin Swann (Ulster Unionist Party - South Antrim)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if she will publish a breakdown of funding for passengers with reduced mobility services at United Kingdom airports provided by her Department.
Answered by Mike Kane - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
Under the UK law, the managing body of the airport is responsible for ensuring the provision of free assistance, for disabled or less mobile passengers. The UK aviation sector operates in a private market, therefore the sector is responsible for funding the provision of assistance.
Asked by: Robin Swann (Ulster Unionist Party - South Antrim)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether the cross-Government Taskforce on motor insurance will include representation from Northern Ireland.
Answered by Lilian Greenwood - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
We recognise that the concerns the Taskforce will work on are shared across the UK. Therefore, we have proposed a meeting of the Taskforce that includes representatives from the Scottish Government, Welsh Government and Northern Ireland Executive to discuss any key differences in markets across the UK and how these affect the cost of insurance for consumers.
This Government committed in its manifesto to tackle the high costs of motor insurance. To deliver on this commitment, the UK Government formed a cross-government Taskforce on motor insurance, co-chaired by the Department for Transport and His Majesty’s Treasury, which met for the first time on 16th October.
The Taskforce is comprised of ministers from relevant Government Departments and by the Financial Conduct Authority and Competition and Markets Authority. The Taskforce is supported by a separate Stakeholder Panel of industry experts representing the insurance, motor, and consumer sector.
This Taskforce has a strategic remit to set the direction for UK Government policy, identifying short- and long-term actions for departments that may contribute to stabilising or reducing premiums, while maintaining appropriate levels of cover. It will evaluate the impact of increased insurance costs on consumers and the insurance industry, including how this impacts different demographics, geographies and communities.
Asked by: Robin Swann (Ulster Unionist Party - South Antrim)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what her planned timetable is for laying the secondary legislation required to commence section 19 of the Road Safety Act 2006.
Answered by Lilian Greenwood - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
Ministers are giving consideration to this matter. An update will be provided in due course.
Asked by: Robin Swann (Ulster Unionist Party - South Antrim)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether she has made an assessment of the potential impact of the Civil Aviation Authority's Airport Accessibility Performance Framework on the quality of assistance at airports; what steps she is taking to monitor that quality; what assessment she has made of the adequacy of such monitoring; and what (a) enforcement and (b) accountability measures are in place.
Answered by Mike Kane - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) assesses airports on a yearly basis to ensure airports are meeting their legal obligations, and provides a rating on the airports performance against its Airport Accessibility Performance Framework. It is for the the CAA as the independent regulator to develop the tools it needs to assess performance and take enforcement action as needed. The Department for Transport is committed to ensuring aviation is accessible, and it will continue to work with the CAA, industry and stakeholders to ensure that everyone can fly with dignity and ease.