Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Transport Infrastructure: Adequacy and Sustainability

Thursday 19 January 2023 · 2 questions

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

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 0 Partly answered 1 Not answered 0

Key points

  • The Government published the national infrastructure strategy in November 2020 to address Britain's infrastructure needs and challenges.
  • The levelling-up fund awarded 177 million to Scotland.
  • Patricia Gibson raised concerns about higher track access charges in Scotland reducing capacity for infrastructure investment.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Patricia Gibson SNP
Transport
Context

The adequacy and long-term sustainability of transport infrastructure are being assessed. The question arises from the need to address Britain's infrastructure needs and challenges.

Question

What recent assessment has been made of the adequacy and long-term sustainability of transport infrastructure?

Answer from Mark Harper

In November 2020, the Government published the national infrastructure strategy that sets out long-term plans for addressing Britain's infrastructure needs and challenges. The levelling-up fund will play a key role in reducing geographical disparities, with £177 million awarded to Scotland in the second round of funding.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The questioner asked specifically about adequacy and long-term sustainability but received general statements without specifics on these issues.

How: Changed Subject

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Q2 Patricia Gibson SNP
Economy Transport
Context

Scotland is paying the highest track access charges of any single train operator, amounting to £354 million per year. This affects infrastructure investment and decarbonisation efforts.

Question

Why are Scottish taxpayers paying higher track access charges compared to their counterparts in other regions? The specific point raised about these high costs reducing capacity for infrastructure investment was not addressed previously.

Answer from Mark Harper

The hon. Lady did not acknowledge the £177 million awarded to Scotland from the levelling-up fund today. We are working on a successful rail network, addressing industrial action impacts, and ensuring minimum service levels during strikes.

Not addressed: Questioner's specific concerns about track access charges were not addressed directly.

How: Changed Subject, Ignored Previous Point

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