Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Transport Infrastructure Projects

Thursday 11 March 2021 · 8 questions

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 1 Partly answered 5 Not answered 0

Key points

  • The Department for Transport is implementing Project Speed to accelerate the delivery of transport infrastructure projects.
  • The West Midlands Combined Authority has approved funding for the Dudley interchange to support research into light rail technology.
  • The Minister acknowledged the importance of the Croydon area remodelling scheme and confirmed ongoing collaboration with Network Rail and operators to develop the scheme.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Sheryll Murray Con
Transport
Context

The question arises from the need to expedite the implementation of planned transport initiatives.

Question

What steps are being taken by the Department for Transport to speed up the delivery of transport infrastructure projects?

Answer from Andrew Stephenson

Transport infrastructure is central to the Government's plans to build back better from covid-19, and the Department for Transport is at the forefront of Project Speed. We have also created our own acceleration unit as well as establishing the Northern Transport Acceleration Council, through which we have identified 112 schemes to progress.

Answered
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Q2 Marco Longhi
Transport
Context

Record levels of investment are being seen in Dudley North, including projects for very light rail, metro extension, and a new transport interchange. However, connectivity from local housing estates to these networks is an issue.

Question

What assurances can be given that every link in the chain will result in a truly integrated transport system?

Answer from Andrew Stephenson

Dudley is indeed pioneering research and development into very light rail, and I am pleased that the West Midlands Combined Authority recently signed off funding into the Dudley interchange. Mayor Andy Street's vision is for it to be the best-connected region in the country, and the Chancellor has confirmed the £4.2 billion intra-city transport fund, as well as the levelling up fund, in the Budget.

Partly answered

Not addressed: No specific assurances or commitments regarding connectivity from housing estates to transport networks were provided

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Q3 Sally-Ann Hart
Transport
Context

Hastings and Rye have antiquated road and rail infrastructure inhibiting economic growth, necessitating HS1 for levelling up.

Question

Does my hon. Friend agree that HS1 needs to be delivered as promised? What discussions has he had with the Treasury about funding?

Answer from Andrew Stephenson

I pay tribute to my hon. Friend's determination in drawing attention to this important local issue; this is the second time she has done so this week, I believe. As she will know, the strategic outline business case for the Kent and East Sussex coastal connectivity scheme is currently being progressed by Network Rail, and it is due to be submitted to the Department in April.

Partly answered

Not addressed: No specific agreement on HS1 delivery or details of Treasury discussions were given

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Q4 Elliot Colburn
Transport
Context

The Croydon bottleneck is one of the most congested parts of the rail network, impacting 300,000 commuters daily.

Question

What steps are being taken to ensure Government support for the Croydon area remodelling scheme?

Answer from Andrew Stephenson

I know that my hon. Friend has met the Rail Minister on numerous occasions to discuss the Croydon bottleneck and the impact on stations across his constituency. We recognise the importance of the issue and are continuing to work closely with Network Rail and operators to develop the scheme further.

Partly answered

Not addressed: No specific steps taken for securing Government support were detailed

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Q5 Rob Butler
Transport
Context

Funding has not yet been secured for the Aylesbury spur despite its strong business case, desired by constituents.

Question

Will my hon. Friend commit to working across Government to get funding for the Aylesbury spur of East West Rail?

Answer from Andrew Stephenson

As my hon. Friend is aware, in January the Government approved an additional £760 million of new funding to deliver East West Rail between Oxford and Milton Keynes. I know that he has met the Chief Secretary to the Treasury and the Rail Minister to make the case for connecting Aylesbury to East West Rail.

Partly answered

Not addressed: No specific commitment on securing funding was given

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Q6 Mark Eastwood
Transport
Context

The Penistone Line currently runs an hourly service, hindering village connectivity. Cross-party support exists for upgrading the line to half-hourly services.

Question

Will the Minister agree to assist with co-ordinating this proposal with the Treasury and relevant rail authorities?

Answer from Andrew Stephenson

As my hon. Friend will be aware, last week marked one year since the Government stepped in to take over the ailing Northern Rail franchise. Since then, Northern has transformed services with a huge investment in new trains and the retirement of Pacers, and completed the extension of platforms at more than 70 stations.

Not addressed: The question about Penistone Line was entirely ignored for unrelated information on Northern Rail improvements

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Q7 Sheryll Murray Con
Economy Transport Business & Trade
Context

Long-term campaign exists for A38 upgrade, now in light of Plymouth becoming a freeport.

Question

Will my hon. Friend revaluate the urgency of improvements to the A38 in light of Plymouth's new freeport status?

Answer from Andrew Stephenson

I congratulate Plymouth on its status as one of the eight new freeports announced in the Budget last week. Freeports will create national hubs for trade, innovation and commerce, thereby levelling up communities throughout the UK, creating new jobs and turbocharging our economic recovery.

Not addressed: The question about A38 upgrades was ignored; focus shifted to freeport benefits in general terms without specifics on revaluation of urgency

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Q8 Tan Dhesi Lab Slough
Transport Climate
Context

The UK's rail network is only 38% electrified, lagging behind other European countries such as Germany, France, Italy and Spain. The questioner attributes this to the government's failure to act.

Question

Our rail industry must play a pivotal role in fighting the climate crisis with ambitious plans for decarbonising transport infrastructure and extensive electrification. Shockingly, despite the UK's being the country that pioneered rail, only 38% of our network is electrified—thanks to the Tory Government's chronic failure to act. We have been left far behind by the likes of Germany, France, Italy and Spain, which have electrified the majority of their railways. Given that we do not have time for further delay and dithering, and to keep costs down, why will the Minister not commit, here and now, to a long-term rolling programme of electrification?

Answer from Andrew Stephenson

Under the Labour Government of 1997 to 2010, only 63 miles of the railways were electrified; since 2010, we have already electrified 1,110 miles, and we continue to invest.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The specific request for a long-term rolling programme of electrification was not addressed.

How: Reminding The Shadow Minister Of Historical Statistics

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