Asked by: Sarah Dyke (Liberal Democrat - Somerton and Frome)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what support he is providing for public transport in Somerset.
Answered by Anthony Browne - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
The Government recognises the importance of high quality, affordable public transport and is committed to working with local authorities to support and improve services for passengers. We have taken action to help improve public transport in Somerset, including providing over £13 million to help deliver better bus services, and as part of the MetroWest Programme and May ‘23 Timetable, increased rail services are now running to and from the area.
Asked by: Sarah Dyke (Liberal Democrat - Somerton and Frome)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps his Department is taking to ensure that rural communities can access DVLA services after the end of the DVLA contract with the Post Office on 31 March 2024.
Answered by Guy Opperman - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
Post Office Ltd currently provides a limited range of Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) services, with the current contract recently being extended.
The vast majority of those licensing vehicles already do so online or via the DVLA’s automated telephone service, which is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Asked by: Sarah Dyke (Liberal Democrat - Somerton and Frome)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what his Department's target timeframe is for applicants to the Restoring Your Railway Fund to receive a response on the outcome of their Strategic Outline Business Case.
Answered by Huw Merriman - Minister of State (Department for Transport)
The timeframe for providing responses to schemes that have submitted applications to the Restoring Your Railway fund will vary. However, my Department will do everything possible to ensure that sponsors and promoters are provided with clear and timely information.
Asked by: Sarah Dyke (Liberal Democrat - Somerton and Frome)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment his Department has made of the effectiveness of the Restoring Your Railway Fund in reopening lines and stations.
Answered by Huw Merriman - Minister of State (Department for Transport)
The Restoring Your Railway (RYR) fund is levelling up the country by reconnecting people and communities. It has helped to deliver the Dartmoor line in November 2021, and Marsh Barton and Thanet Parkway stations in July 2023. It is also helping to deliver a number of schemes including the Northumberland line and the Metrowest 1b project which aims to connect Portishead to Bristol. The Network North announcement included commitments to progress a further 11 RYR bids, subject to successful business cases.