Topical Questions 2023-12-14
2023-12-14
TAGS
Response quality
Questions & Answers
Q1
Partial Answer
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Context
The question follows the announcement of reduced roadworks during Christmas for smoother travel. The MP seeks to understand the strategic objectives behind Network North and if HS2 funding will benefit London.
I thank my right hon Friend for his statement earlier on lifting over 1,000 miles of roadworks before Christmas to improve journey times for drivers. If he can confirm when the strategic objectives behind Network North will be announced and whether any projects so far are consistent with those objectives, and if any HS2 funding will come to London and south-east?
As I set out, the £36 billion transport spending reinvested means benefits for more people in more places. We are investing £6.5 billion of savings from HS2 outside the north and midlands, including additional funding for London.
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Assessment & feedback
Did not specify timeline or details on Network North objectives
Response accuracy
Q2
Partial Answer
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Context
The Government spent £95 million on bus retrofit technology which does not work. The MP is concerned about the wastage of funds and loss of bus services.
I wish you, Mr Speaker, and the whole House a very merry Christmas. Why have the Government wasted £95 million on non-working bus retrofitting technology? Will they now ensure next round of zero-emissions funding targets cities with useless technology?
We have invested in bus services, protecting routes, implementing £2 fare cap, delivering zero-emission buses as promised. Significant investment has been made.
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Assessment & feedback
Did not address wastage or next round of funding specifics
We Have Invested In Bus Services
Delivering Zero-Emission Buses
Response accuracy
Q3
Direct Answer
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Context
Many passengers benefit from £2 cap on fares, but Red Rose buses in Aylesbury are not offering it due to lack of compulsion. The MP seeks help to persuade the company.
My right hon Friend's Department has ensured many can benefit from £2 fare caps, but sadly, Red Rose buses in my constituency is not offering it because it is not compulsory. Will he help me convince all bus companies to do so for Aylesbury residents and meet with bosses who refuse?
I am disappointed to hear that news. I would be delighted to meet my hon Friend and invite the bus company in to explain why they are not taking up the Government's generous offer.
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Assessment & feedback
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Q4
Direct Answer
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Context
The UK Government pledged to fund a bridge repair in Moray. The MP seeks strategic funding for re-establishing the Newburgh train station.
Earlier this year, the UK Government pledged to fund a bridge repair in Moray's constituency. Assuming strategic funding is not just available to Conservative Members, who can I speak to get that Newburgh train station re-established?
We are working with the local authority on progressing the bridge repair scheme announced earlier. I will arrange for a relevant Minister to meet her so she can put forward the case for that scheme and we will look at whether it is possible to do anything to help.
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Q5
Partial Answer
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Context
The Minister understands the benefits of open-access rail services. The MP seeks details on upcoming capacity for such services.
I know the Minister understands that open access can provide better, cheaper and more resilient rail services. In the next few weeks or months, how much rail network capacity does he expect to make available for open-access from unused slots?
I have today written to the Office of Rail and Road and Network Rail's chief executive asking them to review unused access rights and agree a timeline so that we can get decisions made more promptly.
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Assessment & feedback
Did not specify capacity amount or timetable
To Get Decisions Made More Promptly
Response accuracy
Q6
Partial Answer
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Context
The Prime Minister announced the electrification of the rail line to Hull at a Conservative party conference in October.
Earlier this year, the Prime Minister announced the electrification of the rail line to Hull. What is the start date for that work?
As part of the engagement exercise, I have met leaders from across the north last week to discuss their preferred route. They made the point that the route should be prioritised as it has been talked about before.
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Assessment & feedback
Did not provide start date or specifics on electrification timeline
Met Leaders From Across The North
Route Should Be Prioritised
Response accuracy
Q7
Partial Answer
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Context
Network Rail has done preparatory work for the Ely junction and Haughley junction schemes, which are important for local transport infrastructure.
I emphasise to the Government the point made by my right hon. Friend about pressing ahead with the Ely junction and Haughley junction schemes. Network Rail has done much of the preparatory work and is poised to get on with it as quickly as possible.
We are able to make progress on the scheme. Network Rail has what it needs to make progress, and I know my hon. Friend will be wishing it every speed.
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Assessment & feedback
No specific timeline or concrete actions mentioned.
We Are Able To Make Progress
Response accuracy
Q8
Partial Answer
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Context
There has been an increase in fatalities and serious injuries on UK roads, leading to calls for a road safety investigation branch.
Over the past year, more people have been killed or seriously injured on our roads. The Government promised to set up a road safety investigation branch last year. When will that become a reality?
While road accidents are investigated by relevant authorities, there is no specific commitment on setting up a dedicated road safety investigation branch.
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Assessment & feedback
No timeline or concrete steps towards establishing the investigation branch.
When There Is A Fatality, Road Accidents Are Investigated By The Relevant Authorities
Response accuracy
Q9
Partial Answer
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Context
There is a potential for direct rail links to benefit areas like Grimsby and Cleethorpes.
Will my hon. Friend update the House on the progress of the potential return of the direct rail link from King's Cross to Grimsby and Cleethorpes?
We hope to make an announcement shortly. Regular conversations are ongoing with Govia Thameslink Railway regarding capacity and service improvements.
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Assessment & feedback
No specific timeline or concrete progress update.
We Hope To Make An Announcement Shortly
Response accuracy
Q10
Partial Answer
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Context
Only a small portion of the promised zero-emission buses have been funded outside London, with many going to overseas manufacturers.
Of the 4,000 zero-emission buses promised in the national bus strategy, only 660 have been funded outside London and half of those have gone to overseas manufacturers. What are the Government doing to help UK manufacturers develop competitive zero-emission buses capable of longer distance journeys?
I met with many UK manufacturers and look forward to discussing the matter in more detail.
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Assessment & feedback
No specific actions or commitments made.
I Was Delighted To Meet And Engage
Response accuracy
Q11
Partial Answer
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Context
Questions about increasing rail capacity, service length, station accessibility, and step-free access at Carshalton Beeches station.
What conversations is the Minister having with Southern and Thameslink about increasing rail capacity and running longer services from Carshalton and Wallington, addressing the dangerous gap at Hackbridge station, and installing step-free access at Carshalton Beeches station?
I appreciate my hon. Friend's work campaigning for stations in his constituency. Regular conversations are ongoing with Govia Thameslink Railway regarding capacity and service increases.
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Assessment & feedback
No specific timeline or concrete progress update.
We Hope That The Proposal Goes Through
Response accuracy
Q12
Partial Answer
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Context
The western rail link to Heathrow was announced in 2012, but construction has not yet begun.
After more than a decade, when does the Transport Secretary expect the first spade to be dug into the ground to build the No.1 infrastructure priority of the Thames Valley region?
We are determined to see private sector involvement in railways continue, but no specific timeline is provided.
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Assessment & feedback
No concrete timeline or progress update.
If There Is A Private Sector Proposal, We Are Very Happy To Support It
Response accuracy
Q13
Direct Answer
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Context
The Pedicabs (London) Bill has reached Report stage in the Lords.
With the Pedicabs (London) Bill having reached Report stage in the Lords, can he update the House on when we can expect it to be presented in this place?
The bill will be presented early in the new year.
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Q14
Partial Answer
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Context
There is only one train per hour stopping on the Durham coastline, which limits access to economic opportunities.
One train per hour stops on the Durham coastline, usually with two carriages. This severely limits access to economic opportunities in Sunderland, Newcastle and Middlesbrough. Recently, Northern Rail confirmed a new two-hourly service, but my constituents will only be able to wave at it as it goes by, because the plan is that it will not stop at the stations at Seaham and Horden. Can the Rail Minister please use his influence with Northern to see whether he can get those trains to stop?
We talked about Durham coastal service and timetable changes. I hope that the proposal goes through, so I can give Durham coastal service the improvement that he asks for.
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Assessment & feedback
No specific actions or commitments made.
Today, Transport For The North Is Discussing Timetable Changes
Response accuracy
Q15
Partial Answer
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Context
The West of England Combined Authority's spending decisions are criticized.
May I encourage my right hon. Friend to cut the money given to the West of England Combined Authority, as it spends it extraordinarily badly on vanity schemes for the Mayor, on cutting bus services for my constituents and on pillorying motorists with this dreadful scheme, which is hated in Saltford, for a bus lane on the A4?
We have devolved powers and resources to regional Mayors, but they are ultimately accountable to their constituents. I hope very much that if they are punishing motorists, the motorist will punish them back at the ballot box.
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Assessment & feedback
They Are Ultimately Accountable To Their Constituents
Response accuracy
Q16
Partial Answer
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Context
The Ivanhoe line's reopening was announced as part of the Prime Minister's Network North initiative, providing rail access to North West Leicestershire and South Derbyshire.
Now that the blight of HS2 has been lifted from North West Leicestershire, can the Minister update the House on when work will commence on reopening the Ivanhoe line, which will offer rail access for the first time in many decades not only to my constituents, but to our neighbours in South Derbyshire?
The Prime Minister's Network North announcement gave that commitment on the Ivanhoe line down to Leicester. We are fully committed to that.
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Assessment & feedback
Specific timeline for commencement of work not provided
Response accuracy
Q17
Direct Answer
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Context
The Prime Minister announced the opening of Ferryhill Station as part of Network North, but there is a need to ensure socioeconomic benefits are considered in final assessments.
Like many, I welcomed what was going on with Network North, particularly the announcement of Ferryhill Station. When it comes to the final assessment and decisions, we need to ensure that the right question is asked, as the Green Book says. The right question is: what is the socioeconomic benefit to the towns and villages around the station, not to the GDP of the UK? May I ask for that assurance please?
That was another commitment that the Prime Minister made in the Network North announcement. My hon. Friend has campaigned for Ferryhill Station for so long, and I thank him for bringing it forward. The business case will look at the socioeconomic conditions that he mentions, and I am confident that we will be able to get spades in the ground for his station very shortly.
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Assessment & feedback
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Q18
Partial Answer
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Context
LNER is planning to reduce services to the north due to capacity issues on the east coast main line.
LNER is going to consult again on altering the timetable to increase the frequency of trains from Edinburgh and Newcastle to London, but that inherently means a reduction in services to West Yorkshire, Manchester and Merseyside. That is very sad, and it is bad for the northern economy. This is not a timetabling issue; it is a capacity issue on the east coast main line. Can we have some investment in the east coast main line, north of York, to remedy those problems?
As things stand, we are unable to operate that service because the trans-Pennine route upgrade, which is delivering the billions of pounds' worth of investment to enhance the route that the hon. Member asks for, is currently being constructed. That will provide the bandwidth.
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Assessment & feedback
Specific timeline or amount of funding not provided
Response accuracy
Q19
Partial Answer
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Context
Rishton Station and Church and Oswaldtwistle Station in Hyndburn and Haslingden are hoping to receive funding through the Government's Access for All scheme.
In Hyndburn and Haslingden, we are hoping to have a very happy new year, as we hope to hear the announcement that both Rishton Station and Church and Oswaldtwistle Station have been successful in the Government's Access for All scheme. Can any indication be given of when we might hear the announcement, and will the Government look favourably on them?
It is worth noting that 75% of all rail journeys now take place from step-free stations, with 220 stations made step-free under Access for All. We have 300 in the list for the next batch, and my hon. Friend will be pleased to know that hers are in that long list.
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Assessment & feedback
Specific timing of announcement not provided
Response accuracy
Q20
Direct Answer
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Context
The Ministerial team has been briefing against hydrogen combustion engines, which is contrary to the development of hydrogen technology in trucks and JCBs.
Will the ministerial team stop briefing against hydrogen combustion engines? The fact is that hydrogen is on its way, in trucks and JCBs. Cummins in my constituency is prepared for three years. [Interruption.] When will the Secretary of State stop?
The hon. Gentleman is simply wrong. Not only are we not briefing against hydrogen combustion engines; we are very supportive of them.
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Assessment & feedback
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Q21
Partial Answer
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Context
A disabled young constituent has assessed the step-free status of every railway station in Greater Manchester, highlighting the need for investment at Reddish North.
I commend the work of my disabled young constituent, Nathaniel Yates from Reddish, who has assessed every single railway station in Greater Manchester. Too many of them are not step free. We have the money for Reddish North, but when can we get the money for Levenshulme?
I commend that work as well. In fact, the Great British Railways transition team has done a station accessibility study auditing every one of our 2,500 stations.
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Assessment & feedback
Specific timeline for Levenshulme not provided
Response accuracy
Q22
Direct Answer
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Context
The key element of Scarborough's successful town bid is the station gateway project, but obtaining permission from Network Rail to create a new entrance has been slow.
The key element of Scarborough's successful town bid is the station gateway project, but getting permission from Network Rail to knock a new entrance into the back of the station is proving slow and bureaucratic. Can the Secretary of State gently lean on Network Rail a bit, please?
I am grateful to my right hon. Friend for that question. I am sure that Network Rail will have heard that. I will take it away, raise it with Network Rail, and get back to him to let him know whether we can make that go faster.
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Assessment & feedback
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Q23
Partial Answer
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Context
Contractor costs have risen since the original station improvement fund award for Gloucester Station, creating a potential issue that needs resolution.
The latest of many improvements to Gloucester Station since 2010 includes vital work on the station underpass and forecourt; however, contractor costs have risen since the original station improvement fund award. Will the Rail Minister agree to meet me and Great Western Railways to resolve that potential issue?
I am grateful to my hon. Friend and neighbour for that question. I am very familiar with the investment and work that is currently being undertaken at Gloucester Station, as it is the one that I use on a regular basis when getting the train to London.
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Assessment & feedback
Specific meeting schedule not provided
Response accuracy
Q24
Direct Answer
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Context
Concerns about overcrowding on Chiltern Railways are expected to come up at a drop-in event with Buckinghamshire MPs, necessitating assurance of government commitment.
Inevitably, concerns about overcrowding will come up this afternoon at a Chiltern Railways drop-in at Marylebone with Buckinghamshire MPs, so can the Rail Minister assure me that the Government are doing everything possible to push Chiltern to improve?
I can assure my hon. Friend that the Department is working closely with Chiltern as it looks to get more rolling stock to replace some of its ageing diesel stock.
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Assessment & feedback
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