Topical Questions 2025-02-13
2025-02-13
TAGS
Response quality
Questions & Answers
Q1
Direct Answer
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Context
Residents in Ashbourne have long awaited a relief road to alleviate heavy traffic, which poses dangers and environmental issues.
More than 700 heavy goods vehicles pass through the town of Ashbourne each day, endangering local pedestrians, increasing pollution and causing significant congestion. Will the Minister meet me regarding the need to install a relief road for Ashbourne?
Delivering a transport system that meets local, regional and national needs will play a vital role in delivering the missions of this Government. I encourage him to continue to work with Derbyshire county council and our East Midlands Mayor, Claire Ward, to advocate for his constituents’ priorities. The Minister would be happy to meet him to discuss this.
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Assessment & feedback
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Q2
Direct Answer
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Context
Roadworks and utility works are causing significant disruptions for residents in Bournemouth, affecting their daily lives.
At least nine major roads in my constituency will be affected by roadworks in the next week. Seemingly endless utility works and roadworks make people late for work, school pick-up and even hospital appointments. What steps is her Department taking to improve this situation?
This Government stand with local road users who are frustrated by roadworks that cause unnecessary disruption. We have doubled fixed penalty notices for utility companies and extended overrun charges to weekends and bank holidays to prevent overrunning roadworks.
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Assessment & feedback
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Q3
Partial Answer
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Context
The question pertains to the government's stance on approving a third runway at Heathrow Airport. It follows discussions about infrastructure and transport policies.
Mr Speaker, I rarely agree with Sadiq Khan but the Secretary of State has changed her position regarding the third runway. Will she commit to ensuring that any proposal for a third runway will have a full impact assessment before it is approved or denied?
I fully support the Chancellor’s call for fresh proposals. Some airports in the south-east are running near capacity and we cannot pretend this is not an issue. I am prepared to take difficult decisions, but any scheme must meet our legal and environmental obligations.
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Assessment & feedback
The Minister did not commit explicitly to a full impact assessment but stated that decisions will be made based on the merits of the proposals within legal constraints.
Response accuracy
Q4
Partial Answer
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Context
The question focuses on under-investment in transport connectivity, particularly in the south-west region of England. It highlights issues such as upcoming works at Old Oak Common and bottlenecks on the A303.
Given that the south-west peninsula contributes significantly to the UK economy but is held back by poor transport infrastructure, will the Minister commit to developing a strategic investment plan for the region?
A regional transport strategy and strategic investment plan for the south-west have been developed by the sub-national transport body Peninsula Transport. Growth is a priority mission of this Government, and we are committed to empowering local leaders.
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Assessment & feedback
The Minister did not explicitly commit but acknowledged existing plans and the government's commitment to growth through empowerment of regional leadership.
Response accuracy
Q5
Partial Answer
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Context
Learner drivers in Basingstoke have been unable to book driving tests for months, impacting their jobs, education, and the local economy.
Why has the Secretary of State not acted urgently on extending test centre hours, ramping up examiner recruitment, and regulating 'rip-off' companies booking multiple slots?
The hon. Friend is right to raise these concerns on behalf of learner drivers. On 18 December, the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency set out a seven-point plan that recognises the need to fix the driving test booking system, so that we can get new drivers on the road. I will hold it to account for delivery of that plan and the changes that my hon. Friend and his constituents need to see.
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Assessment & feedback
Did not explicitly commit to extending test centre hours or regulating booking companies, only referenced a seven-point plan.
Response accuracy
Q6
Partial Answer
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Context
The previous Government promised over £4 billion for transport projects in the north and midlands when they cancelled High Speed 2.
Does the Secretary of State still plan to deliver on that promise, and if so, what is the timeline for seeing that money allocated?
Delivering economic growth requires a proper plan for investment in our transport infrastructure. That is exactly what this Government are determined to deliver.
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Assessment & feedback
Did not address the specific £4 billion funding or timeline, only restated commitment to transport investment.
Response accuracy
Q7
Direct Answer
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Context
The Access for All scheme was meant to deliver a platform 1 lift at Hertford North station, but the project has been delayed again.
Why is the platform 1 lift being delayed yet again and will the appropriate Minister meet me to discuss how we can urgently drive forward this project?
My hon. Friend is absolutely right to raise concerns about disabled access at his local station. We want to ensure that everyone can access our public transport networks, and I would be happy to ensure that I or one of my colleagues met him.
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Q8
Partial Answer
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Context
The MP questions the economic growth strategy that relies on a revolving door between the Tory party and big business, referencing a former Transport Minister's failed attempt to join the other place.
Does economic growth depend more than on a well-oiled revolving door between the Conservative party and big business?
Delivering economic growth requires a proper plan for investment in our transport infrastructure. That is exactly what this Government are determined to deliver.
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Assessment & feedback
Did not clarify the dependence on revolving door between Conservative party and big business, only restated commitment to transport investment.
Response accuracy
Q9
Partial Answer
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Context
The reopening of the Camp Hill line in Birmingham requires track investment to restore pre-pandemic service frequencies.
Will the Minister look fully at the case for upgrading King’s Norton station and making decisions on future investment?
My hon. Friend is an assiduous and informed campaigner for improved rail services for his constituents. He will know that funding for the midlands rail hub includes funding for designs for reinstated island platforms at King’s Norton. Decisions still need to be taken on future investment, but I know that he will push for construction to start as soon as possible.
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Assessment & feedback
Did not commit to reviewing the case or making decisions immediately, only acknowledged ongoing efforts and future investments.
Response accuracy
Q10
Partial Answer
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Context
Transport for the North's electrification taskforce listed the Calder Valley line as a priority ten years ago, but improvements are still pending.
Will the Minister commit this Government to delivering the infrastructure for constituents that the last Government could not?
Network Rail is completing a strategic outline business case, covering electrification of the Calder Valley line. The business case will be considered in the context of the wider electrification strategy, so that we can determine how to deliver the best possible benefits across the region.
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Assessment & feedback
Did not commit to delivering infrastructure as committed by previous government, only stated ongoing work on strategic outline business case and broader considerations.
Response accuracy
Q11
Direct Answer
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Context
Railway enthusiasts from around the world will visit Bishop Auckland next month to mark the 200th anniversary of the Stockton and Darlington railway.
Will my right hon. Friend ask the Rail Minister to meet me and other MPs along that route to talk about how the Government can be part of those celebrations?
I am sure that is an invitation that the Rail Minister could not possibly refuse.
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Assessment & feedback
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