Topical Questions

Question

I am concerned about my departmental responsibilities. Following a recent visit to the ICAO assembly, what are the key issues facing aviation?

Question

My constituents are concerned about the availability and reliability of our local bus routes. We were granted funding under the bus service improvement plan programme, but will Transport North East receive that grant? If so, when?

Question

It has been five months since the Government promised to take legal action against P&O Ferries. Given that their CEO admitted disregarding employment law, when will the Insolvency Service deliver its decision and strike him off as a director?

Question

Although we welcomed much of what the Government said in response to P&O's actions, we have yet to see matching action. Will the Secretary of State confirm during Maritime UK Week that her Department will continue working with maritime trade unions to deliver the nine-point plan and ensure workers' rights are protected?

Question

I welcome the entire ministerial team to their positions. I understand that they will want time to consider matters, but do the two key commitments in page 53 of the decarbonising transport plan stand: £2 billion for active travel and a target of 50% of all urban journeys being conducted by active travel?

Question

Across this House, MPs are demanding a ban on pavement parking. We are still waiting for the outcome of three consultations nearly two years ago. When will the Department come forward with a plan to ban pavement parking in the rest of England?

Question

The North Hykeham relief road, championed since 2004, was highlighted in the Chancellor's mini-Budget. However, the £110 million DFT funding is short by £80 million of the total cost. Is consideration being given to upgrading this funding by inflation?

Question

Given that more than 1 million people are using e-scooters on roads across the UK, what plans are there to cap speed, weight and power of e-scooters, introduce mandatory dock parking and provide a sufficient public information campaign?

Question

Sadly, too many local residents and passengers have experienced cancelled and disrupted Avanti West Coast train services over recent months. Can my right hon Friend confirm that Avanti's day-to-day operational performance over the period of the new short-term contract will also be a material factor in determining who will be awarded the long-term National Rail contract to operate west coast services after April 2023? Local passengers deserve better.

Question

We do need that fourth round of the active travel fund, because it not only reduces greenhouse gas emissions, but reduces congestion, improves health and frequently increases economic activity through extra footfall. Will the Government commit to it?

Question

It is not just the Prime Minister's economic mess that is keeping my Putney constituents up at night, but the deafening return of Heathrow early morning flights. Some are coming in at 4 or 4.30 in the morning, when they should not be before 6 o'clock. Flights should start at 6, but Heathrow keeps pushing the boundaries. Will the Secretary of State publish the data on exactly how many late-running flights are being granted special dispensation to break the night-time curfew, the reasons why and what action she will take if it transpires that Heathrow is breaking the restrictions on it?

Question

Parishes in my constituency such as Ditchling and Ringmer want to introduce road safety measures including reducing the speed limit and cutting the number of HGVs coming through the villages, but they have been told by the local highways authority that not enough fatalities have occurred. Will the Minister outline how we can change the policy so that we can make villages in my constituency safer?

Question

Thank you, Mr Speaker: I was beginning to lose hope.<br/>The previous Prime Minister made a promise on Northern Powerhouse Rail, but when the announcement came it did not include a new line. This Prime Minister has made a promise on Northern Powerhouse Rail, but will we see a new line between Leeds and Manchester via Bradford that is not an upgrade of the trans-Pennine line; when will the funding be delivered; and when will spades go in the ground? We need that line for the growth that the Government want to see.

Question

Creating a passing loop on the South Fylde line would double the number of trains coming into south Blackpool every hour, assisting businesses such as Blackpool Pleasure Beach to create new jobs and investment. Will the new Minister meet me and my hon Friend the Member for Fylde (Mark Menzies) to discuss the opportunities that could deliver?

Question

Over the summer my constituents experienced atrocious service from local bus companies, with elderly and frail constituents forced to wait for hours at bus stops without knowing whether a bus was coming or not. Will the Minister with responsibility for buses, and my neighbour the Secretary of State, meet me so we can sort out at least an acceptable bus service for my constituents?

Question

I thank the Secretary of State for reaching out to me in the early days in her new role. I urge her to make a final, binding decision on the tunnel at Stonehenge on the A303. We have been waiting nearly eight years for a definitive statement and I would welcome a decision by the end of this month.

Question

I welcome the new Ministers to their places. What recent discussions has the Secretary of State had with the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities about the excellent Winnington bridge and transport corridor round 2 bid?

Question

Whenever there is a major delay at the channel crossings in Kent, motorways in my constituency are turned into lorry parks and Kent comes to a standstill. The fact is that Kent is carrying the can for a gap in our national infrastructure. May I urge my right hon. Friend to work with Kent MPs on this problem and be the Transport Secretary who solves it?