Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Transport Infrastructure: Decarbonisation

Thursday 13 July 2023 · 4 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 3 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Transport infrastructure projects delivered by the Department's arm's length bodies are required to undertake whole-life carbon assessments and set carbon reduction targets.
  • Decisions on the use of materials like concrete for ducting for cables are made by National Highways as an arm's length body.
  • The Department has consulted on regulations for the zero-emission vehicle mandate and plans for significant investment in electric vehicles.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Jane Hunt
Transport Climate
Context

MP is concerned about the government's steps towards reducing carbon emissions in transport infrastructure projects.

Question

What steps he is taking to decarbonise transport infrastructure. All transport infrastructure projects delivered by the Department's arm's length bodies are required to undertake whole-life carbon assessments and set carbon reduction targets as part of their business cases. National Highways, HS2 Ltd and Network Rail have already set out ambitious plans for achieving net zero.

Answer from Jesse Norman

All transport infrastructure projects delivered by the Department's arm's length bodies are required to undertake whole-life carbon assessments and set carbon reduction targets as part of their business cases. National Highways, HS2 Ltd and Network Rail have already set out ambitious plans for achieving net zero and we are supporting them in their delivery. Through the Live Labs 2 competition, we awarded £30 million of funding to seven new regional projects to boost innovation in decarbonising highways infrastructure.

Answered
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Q2 Jane Hunt
Climate Energy Environment
Context

MP is concerned about the use of concrete over plastic for ducting in road infrastructure projects despite it being less environmentally friendly and resilient.

Question

I recently visited Polypipe in my constituency, which designs, develops and manufactures thermoplastic piping systems from recycled material for civil and infrastructure projects. I understand that the Government and National Highways tend to favour the use of concrete to make ducting for cables over plastic for the road network, despite it being weaker, less resilient and worse for the environment. Could more consideration be given to using recycled materials, such as the plastic manufactured by Polypipe, in the construction of road infrastructure projects to help to achieve our net zero goals?

Answer from Jesse Norman

I thank my hon. Friend for that question, and it is very interesting to hear about the work of Polypipe. She will be aware that those decisions are for National Highways as an arm's length body, but she has put that point on the record in Hansard, and I would be very happy to put the question to National Highways so that it is specifically considered in detail.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific commitment or action plan regarding recycled materials usage

How: Will Put The Question To National Highways

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Q3 Andrew Bridgen Con
Transport Climate Energy
Context

MP is concerned about the cost implications of decarbonising the transport system and reversing the ban on selling internal combustion engine vehicles.

Question

Does the Minister have an estimate for the cost of decarbonising our transport system, especially when we factor in the improvements to the national grid for the extra electricity supply? Will he also look again at reversing the deeply unpopular policy of banning internal combustion engine vehicles from being sold after 2030?

Answer from Jesse Norman

The hon. Gentleman will be aware that a very wide range of information about potential costs and budgets is already in the public domain from the Department across a very wide range of modes. On electric vehicles, we have just consulted on regulations on the zero-emission vehicle mandate, and £6 billion of new private investment is being scheduled on the basis of those projections. That will transform our charging infrastructure, and we should all welcome it.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Reconsidering the ban on ICE vehicles

How: Costs Information Already In Public Domain

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Q4 Mike Kane Lab Wythenshawe and Sale East
Transport Climate
Context

MP is concerned about the continuation of the maritime decarbonisation efforts laid out in the Maritime 2050 strategy.

Question

The climate breakdown data coming in from around the planet at the moment is truly terrifying, so decarbonising transport is vital if we are to meet our climate change commitments. Will the Minister pledge to continue the work laid out just four years ago in the Maritime 2050 strategy, as recommended by the Transport Committee?

Answer from Jesse Norman

The hon. Gentleman may know that we have just had a very interesting and successful potential negotiation at the International Maritime Organisation. We take this issue extremely seriously, both as regards the decarbonisation of ports and the creation of green routes and other forms of maritime decarbonisation. We absolutely are working on this agenda, recognising that it is one of the most difficult areas of all to decarbonise over time.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Pledging specifically to continue Maritime 2050 strategy

How: Difficult Area To Decarbonise

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