Asked by: Stephen Timms (Labour - East Ham)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what plans he has for the UK to continue to participate in the EU's blue badge scheme after the UK leaves the EU.
Answered by Jesse Norman
The Blue Badge scheme is a UK scheme, enshrined in national legislation, and will continue after the UK’s exit from the EU.
The Government recognises the benefits of mutual recognition of badges across the EU for UK citizens travelling to Europe. We are considering carefully all the potential implications arising from the UK’s exit from the EU, including the implications for the continued recognition of Blue Badges.
Asked by: Stephen Timms (Labour - East Ham)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps his Department is taking to avoid disruption to arrangements for air travel between the UK and European destinations when the UK leaves the EU.
Answered by John Hayes
It will be in everyone's interest for air connections between the UK and EU to continue. The Government wants to negotiate the best possible relationship between the UK and EU, and is ready to begin discussions on aviation. The Government is well prepared to ensure suitable arrangements are put in place to ensure a smooth and orderly exit.
Asked by: Stephen Timms (Labour - East Ham)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what plans he has to lift the ban on flights from the UK to Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt.
Answered by John Hayes
My officials have regular discussions with UK airlines and others about flights from Sharm el Sheikh.
My aviation security experts continue to work closely with their Egyptian counterparts on the ground, sharing their expertise in establishing effective security arrangements.
We look forward to achieving the return of flights to Sharm el Sheikh, once we can be assured of there being the necessary secure and sustainable security situation.
Asked by: Stephen Timms (Labour - East Ham)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what recent assessment he has made of safety on international flights to Sharm el-Sheikh.
Answered by John Hayes
My Department carries out regular assessments of aviation security at all last points of departure airports to the UK from Egypt. It is long standing government policy not to comment in detail on security matters. However the Government works closely with international partners, including airlines, airports and the Egyptian Government, on security standards. Global aviation security arrangements are kept under constant review.
Asked by: Stephen Timms (Labour - East Ham)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what plans he has to improve connections between existing airports in the period before the proposed new runway at Heathrow Airport opens.
Answered by John Hayes
Airports and airlines operate in the private sector, it is therefore for airlines to determine which routes they operate. However Government recognises the importance of protecting existing domestic air routes to London that are in danger of being lost. Where appropriate Government will look to protect these routes through public service obligations.
The Government’s current road and rail investment programmes are seeing huge levels of investment in our transport network which will provide improved rail and road links to and between our country’s cities and airports.
The Government plans to develop a new Aviation strategy to replace the 2013 Aviation Policy Framework next year. As part of developing the strategy Government will consider the role of connections between existing airports, and Government’s use of public service obligations.
Asked by: Stephen Timms (Labour - East Ham)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if he will assess the merits of establishing a working group on future planning of Crossrail 2 which includes representatives from Transport for London and affected local authorities.
Answered by Paul Maynard - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Work and Pensions)
The government is working jointly with Transport for London (TfL) on Crossrail 2 development. TfL meets regularly with a range of senior stakeholders including local authorities to feed their views into the development of the scheme, and has structures and processes in place to continue this good engagement.
Asked by: Stephen Timms (Labour - East Ham)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps he plans to take to ensure that local authorities are (a) kept informed on and (b) can contribute to Transport for London's work on business cases for future development of Crossrail 2.
Answered by Paul Maynard - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Work and Pensions)
Transport for London meets regularly with local authorities to discuss Crossrail 2’s development, including working with local authorities to assess growth projects and associated infrastructure needs to ensure a robust business case is developed. Alongside this ongoing engagement, several formal consultations have already been held, and more will follow as the scheme develops.
Asked by: Stephen Timms (Labour - East Ham)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, pursuant to the Answer of 13 June 2016 to Question 39611, when he plans to consider whether there is a good business case and funding available for the eastern branch of Crossrail 2.
Answered by Andrew Jones
The business case for the core scheme is being revised for March 2017. Until this work is complete, we are not in a position to plan any further work on any potential eastern branch.
Transport for London is undertaking a study with the eastern boroughs, including Newham, on the future transport needs of the area in the context of already planned improvements.
Asked by: Stephen Timms (Labour - East Ham)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps he is taking to assess the case for the proposed Crossrail 2 Eastern Phase.
Answered by Robert Goodwill
No final decisions have yet been taken on the Crossrail 2 route. We have safeguarded a route from Angel to Hackney Central, which could form an eastern branch of Crossrail 2 at a later phase of the project, should there be a good business case and funding available for it. However, this is not being assessed as part of the core scheme under current consideration.
Asked by: Stephen Timms (Labour - East Ham)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether his Department has made an assessment of the number of people who live within 30 minutes' travel time of Stratford International Station by public transport.
Answered by Claire Perry
The Department for Transport has made no assessment of the number of people who live within 30 minutes’ travel time of Stratford International Station by public transport.