Topical Questions

Answer from Mark Harper

The Chancellor's autumn statement confirmed unchanged budget for transport infrastructure, with £20 billion invested annually. The Government is urging trade union leaders to negotiate with employers on reforming the rail network due to 20% passenger decline post-COVID.

Answer from Mark Harper

National Highways is aware of various opinions on its proposals for the A5036 and is committed to working with all stakeholders, acknowledging the hon. Gentleman's views.

Answer from Richard Holden

The Government's proposed junction 10a at Kettering on the A14 continues to be developed by National Highways as part of the pipeline for RIS3 schemes.

Answer from Richard Holden

We are currently examining this issue speedily, and the Seafarers' Wages Bill is expected in Parliament within weeks to address such matters.

Answer from Mark Harper

We agree tackling air quality is important, but how it's done and which schemes are run is devolved to local government. The Mayor of London has consulted on ULEZ extension plans expected soon.

Answer from Huw Merriman

The Prime Minister tasked our Department with assessing options for Bradford, including a new station and better connections. I am prioritising this work.

Answer from Huw Merriman

Network Rail is undertaking development work for different service and scope options, progressing the business case. Decisions are expected in the next year within financial constraints.

Answer from Richard Holden

The hon. Member may have missed the announcement this morning that the scheme has just been opened. I shall be visiting a road haulage site this afternoon to launch the scheme for match funding across the country to improve lorry facilities for our truckers, who worked hard throughout the entire pandemic.

Answer from Richard Holden

Highways England is developing a package of targeted safety measures for the A38, which will be considered for possible delivery within RIS3. Although we are not considering further massive enhancements such as a bypass at this time, future road plans remain open.

Answer from Richard Holden

£163.5 million will be heading to the north-east as part of the bus service improvement scheme. We are just finalising details and looking at how we can improve transport services in the future.

Answer from Mark Harper

Over the coming weeks my colleagues and I will look at priorities across capital projects. We will set them out in the House in due course, and I note his bid for East West Rail.

Answer from Richard Holden

Commercial matters around car manufacture and delivery are up to individual manufacturers. The Government has put £100 million to support Nissan's next generation of electric vehicles.

Answer from Mark Harper

I would be delighted to meet her and the leader of Essex County Council to talk about those important road projects.

Answer from Huw Merriman

The Government is committed to phasing out all diesel trains by 2040. Electrification is ongoing along the west midlands line, and we are committed to rolling out more electrification.

Answer from Huw Merriman

My right hon. Friend does an incredible job for her constituents, and on that basis of course I say yes to meeting her and learning more about those issues.

Answer from Mark Harper

As I set out at the start of topical questions, I very much want the strikes not to take place. I have set out my ambition for the rail sector and I will be meeting trade union leaders in the coming days, including later today. In order to pay for a better offer for rail staff, we need to deliver reform. That is why I want trade union leaders to get back around the table with the employers and hammer out the detail of those reforms. Then a better offer can be put on the table and we can end the need for these strikes, which cause enormous damage to passengers and businesses across the country.

Answer from Richard Holden

I thank my hon. Friend for his question; he and I have worked closely together on many local transport issues. National Highways and Tees Valley Combined Authority have worked closely on developing proposals for the Darlington northern link road, connecting the A66 and junction 59 of the A1. The work to date will form part of a body of evidence informing the investment plans for RIS3—the third road investment strategy—for future roads between 2025 and 2030.

Answer from Mark Harper

I do not think the hon. Gentleman listened to my earlier answers. It is not my interest to block a settlement at all. I want to resolve this issue. I want to facilitate the trade unions and the employers getting together to hammer out some reform measures to help pay for a better pay offer for the staff. I will do everything I can to end these damaging and unnecessary strikes, and I hope he will do what he can to persuade the trade unions to get back around the table with the employers.

Answer from Mark Harper

My hon. Friend makes a very good point. The supply chain for HS2 and the spending benefits constituencies and constituents across the whole of the United Kingdom, including his and, indeed, mine.

Answer from Huw Merriman

Southeastern did indeed ask for a derogation to consult, and changes had to be made quite rapidly during the pandemic, although may I just say that, as a fellow user of Southeastern, the hon. Member will find that there are some benefits from that? It is not just about taking down some costs; it is also about simplifying the line structure, so that at Lewisham, for example, there will not be as many trains crossing. If he would just wait and see how matters progress, he and I might find that it has been a good timetable change after all.

Answer from Huw Merriman

We have had six excellent shortlisted bids, one of which of course is Derby. The Government remain committed to reform of the railways. We will be looking at all the options, and that includes looking at bringing forward legislation to make this happen and revealing the winning bid at that time.

Answer from Richard Holden

I thank the hon. Lady for her question; I will certainly meet her. I know how important bus services are, and I will also be meeting, hopefully in the near future, local authorities across the north-east so that we can hopefully deliver that £163 million for them as well.

Answer from Richard Holden

As I said earlier, how to respond to the consultation and proceed is a matter for the Mayor to consider. I know that my hon. Friend has had a massive campaign on this issue, with over 5,000 people getting in touch with him about ULEZ. If hon. Members really want to see this policy changed, the best thing they can do is replace the Mayor of London at the next election.

Answer from Mark Harper

I am very familiar with that issue from my time as Minister for Disabled People. The behaviour that the hon. Lady describes is, of course, already unlawful. She has set out a specific case; if she writes to me with the details, we will look into it and see what further work we can do to make sure that the existing law to ensure fairness for guide dog owners is properly enforced across the United Kingdom.

Answer from Huw Merriman

I am sorry for my hon. Friend's experience and that of his constituents. We are working very hard with the Avanti team to get more services restored. In December, with the good will of the unions and the workforce, we will see an increase in weekday services from the current 180 to 264, which would be a greater number than before the unions decided not to work to the rest day agreement, which is something I very much regret. I am committed to ensuring that Avanti services improve, which I know is important to you, Mr Speaker, and all Members of the House.