Department for Transport 2025-06-25

Welcomes multi-year funding deal for Transport for London, which is a significant settlement providing stability and long-term planning benefits.

Emphasises the importance of listening to local communities on road safety strategy development. Highlights increased funding for Bracknell Forest Council's transport needs.

Highlights £2 billion secured for Derby and Nottingham, noting it as a significant step towards ensuring equitable growth through transportation across the region.

Welcomes funding increases for Essex's bus travel but stresses the importance of accountability in local authorities to ensure funds are used efficiently and transparently.

Questions whether additional money allocated for mayoral combined authorities is genuinely new or reallocated from other pots, reflecting on the philosophy behind devolution.

Expresses concern about potential urban concentration of place-based transport investment and advocates for more transformative investment in regions outside mayoral combined authorities.

The MP emphasises the importance of bus services in her constituency, citing specific local examples such as the No. 65 bus connecting Monmouth and Chepstow.

She expresses frustration over the congestion on the A27 road and calls for strategic investment in key arterial roads to unlock economic growth and ease daily pressures on communities.

The MP agrees with the importance of transport for connecting communities but criticises the current Government's lack of detail in rail funding commitments, particularly regarding the Midlands Rail Hub and Aldridge train station.

Expressed concern that the franchising arrangements in the Bus Services (No. 2) Bill would have little attraction for small local authorities like his constituency on the Isle of Wight, due to potential financial risks.

Welcomed the Government's ambition in transport but urged them to go further. Highlighted the importance of improved transport links for Bradford and called for additional funding for a new railway station, linking Bradford to Huddersfield on the trans-Pennine line.

Feeling underwhelmed by the Chancellor's transport offering, raised questions over funding and support for active travel. Criticised the lack of new money to support radical change in rural public transport.

Emphasised the importance of access to transport in Monmouthshire as a rural county, highlighting how local bus services enable young people without driving licenses to get to work and other essential destinations.

Agrees with the Government's strategy to deliver better transport links between London and south Wales. Emphasises Reading's benefit from the Elizabeth line and the positive impact of new rail services on housing and business growth.

Welcomes capital investment in transport but highlights a 5% cut to operational expenditure during the spending review period. Suggests full electrification of busy inter-city routes, promotion of rail freight over road upgrades, and improving accessibility at existing stations.

Agrees that the electrification of railway lines boosts capacity and enables more efficient shipping across the nation.

Transport is a huge priority for Dartford. The constituency contains the only Thames crossing east of London and several key railway stations needing investment. He welcomed the £1 billion structures fund to repair rundown transport infrastructure and the development consent order for the Lower Thames crossing. He also praised funding for potholes, including £54 million for Kent this year. Dickson highlighted the need for better train wi-fi, improvements in rail reliability, and step-free access at stations such as Swanscombe. He advocated for international rail connectivity via Ebbsfleet and Ashford and an extension of the Elizabeth line to beyond Abbey Wood.

Dr Pinkerton urged for further investment in transport infrastructure in Surrey Heath, which is the second most car-dependent constituency with 1.64 cars per household. He highlighted issues of congestion on the M3 and A322, safety concerns, and sparse bus services affecting many areas. He also mentioned the need to address rapid development demands with public transport provision.

Welcomed the Government's commitment to transport improvements in the spending review. Emphasised benefits of public transport investment, including £2.3 billion for local transport grant. Highlighted bus lane enhancements, walking/cycling infrastructure funding, and decarbonisation efforts. Discussed issues like driving test delays and proposed a cost-neutral solution involving free tests for those who pass first try.

Agreed with Alex Mayer's points about the impact of bus service cuts under Conservative Governments. Emphasised the importance of better public transport in enabling access to training, work, health appointments and family connections.

Called for fairer funding distribution for Cornwall’s transport infrastructure, highlighting the Mid Cornwall Metro project's importance. Urged for proper devolved authority over local rail systems to optimise integration in forgotten communities.

Discussed the decline of bus journeys and fare increases since 2013, along with rising rail subsidies despite above-inflation fare hikes. Acknowledged positive aspects such as increased capital spending for Transport for London and HS2.

Welcomes the confirmation of capital investment growth in the spending review but criticises the cuts to day-to-day revenue spending. He disputes Labour's claims about the benefits of nationalisation, citing costs and inefficiencies with South Western Railway’s rolling stock as an example. He argues that Labour's ideological plan for rail operator nationalisation will not benefit passengers or taxpayers due to rising costs, industrial action risks, and poor service quality.

Expresses disappointment over the cancellation of Aldridge train station funding in the West Midlands. She supports her colleague's criticism that the current spending review merely replicates previous Government announcements without innovation.

Secured debate along with Ruth Cadbury for scrutiny on Government's transport strategy.

Defended the Government’s spending, mentioning £1.6 billion for local road maintenance in 2025-26, investing in rail projects like Northern Powerhouse Rail connecting Leeds, Bradford, Manchester and Liverpool.

Asked about Aldridge station funding reallocation issue, criticised current Government for not delivering on previous promises.

Tributed to his work in Bradford, mentioned £2.1 billion investment for train line and bus station improvements.

Discussed need for alternative models of rural public transport, highlighted the importance of infrastructure like Rebellion Way.

Campaigner for her constituency's bus services and rail investment in Magor and Undy station.

Talked about the importance of connecting maritime industries on the south coast with rail network.

Spoke about the collapse of Galley Hill Road, highlighted commitment to Lower Thames Crossing and fixing potholes in Kent.

Championed the need for more funding for Cornwall's transport infrastructure. He mentioned that there is a lack of investment in rural areas.

Asked about Active Travel England receiving £100 million less next year and questioned if this was sensible, highlighting the need for long-term funding.

Suggested that settlements for West Yorkshire, Greater Manchester, Merseyside, and the west midlands were similar to those from 2023. Criticised the Government's approach to Great British Rail.

Made a passionate plea for a new station and thanked the government for funding a tramline and bus station.

Discussed the issues facing very rural constituencies where public transport solutions are not easy, highlighting the need to address car dependency in new developments.

Highlighted the downsides of high rates of car dependency in rural areas and the inadequate alternatives for those living in new developments.

Discussed the implications for local economy when a major piece of infrastructure is closed, referring to the M48 bridge closure.

Made expert points about rail including the importance of accessibility and freight. Mentioned Elizabeth line extension as an example of successful projects.

Discussed the importance of accessibility in transport infrastructure, referencing the Transport Committee’s report on disabled people's access to transport.

Talked about the value of buses and bus fare policy. Suggested innovative ideas around charging for driving tests.

Proposed a resolution authorising the use of resources for various departments including Ministry of Justice, Ministry of Defence, Department for Transport. Also proposed the Supply and Appropriation (Main Estimates) Bill.

Presented the Supply and Appropriation (Main Estimates) (No. 2) Bill to authorise the use of resources for the year ending with 31 March 2026, including issuing sums from the Consolidated Fund and applying income for that year.