Topical Questions

Question

My constituent, Frederick Cooksley, was sent a fine by the Mayor of London for breaching the ultra low emission zone rules, despite driving on a road where the ULEZ does not apply. Will she prevail upon her colleague the Mayor of London to ensure everyone who has been issued a fine in error is automatically refunded?

Question

At best, the proposed lower Thames crossing offers only a short-term mitigation to the problem of congestion at the Dartford crossing. Given that, what steps will the Secretary of State take to consider the potential for investment in cross-river public transport?

Question

After just 100 days, this is already one of the most anti-growth Governments in history, from investor-scaring taxes to hitting the brakes on our transport infrastructure pipeline. Will she give some to the businesses looking to invest, to the contractors waiting to get started, and, crucially, to the communities that so badly need these upgrades?

Question

I was expecting the right hon. Lady to say something along the lines of “wait for the Budget”, or “wait for the spending review”. However, she did not wait for the Budget to give unions a massive pay rise. Can she confirm that every penny of investment committed through Network North will continue to be invested in our country's transport infrastructure?

Question

Dangerous driving is a major concern, particularly following a serious crash in my constituency last week. With West Midlands police committed to Vision Zero, what additional support is the Department for Transport providing to help local enforcement and campaigns to tackle speeding and other dangerous driving behaviours?

Question

I congratulate the Secretary of State on saying recently that it is ridiculous for HS2 to end at Old Oak Common. Can she confirm whether funding for the work necessary at Euston station has now been secured and what she is doing to reverse the Tories' equally absurd decision to end the northern leg at Birmingham?

Question

I am pleased to hear that the Secretary of State has said that she will prevent another scandal such as the sudden sacking of 800 P&O ferry employees two years ago. Will she please outline what steps she intends to take to stop anything like that ever happening again?

Question

The A12 is the major artery between London and the east coast. It is already busier than most motorways with horrendous congestion and delays. Will the Minister therefore press ahead with the widening scheme which is at an advanced stage without which the Government's projected growth targets and housing targets simply will not be met?

Question

Eurostar services have not called at Ashford or Ebbsfleet international rail stations since the pandemic. They will not resume for some years. This has a detrimental impact on businesses and residents in my constituency, more broadly across Medway and Kent. Will the Secretary of State meet me, other interested MPs and representatives from the Kent and Medway economic partnership to discuss options to restore this vital rail service?

Question

Government allocations to local highway authorities for road maintenance have been frozen since 2016. My constituency has lost over half its funding. Will the Minister urgently investigate how road maintenance funding can be restored?

Question

Exeter has a good and well used rail system that is vital for the economic and social success of our city. However, two of our stations—St Thomas and Polsloe Bridge—are accessible only to people who can climb flights of stairs. Will the Minister please update on work being undertaken to ensure the rail network is accessible?

Question

Has the Minister's capital portfolio review properly considered health, social and equality aspects of value for money? Will it recommend cancelling road building schemes in favour of boosting local authority active travel funding?

Question

The deployment of Operation Brock caused huge disruption and inconvenience for residents and businesses. Ahead of the EU entry/exit system introduction, will the Government work with French authorities, local authorities, port of Dover, and Eurotunnel to minimise delays and ensure that Operation Brock is used as a last resort?

Question

The previous Minister promised me and my hon. Friend that he had instructed LNER and Network Rail to ensure we get our through train from Grimsby to London. Will the Minister confirm she will continue those firm instructions and, above all, ensure this train stops? If it does not stop in Market Rasen I am going to lie down on the line.

Question

The last Tory Government cancelled Access for All funding for Battersea Park station despite there being a costed plan. The funding has been promised for more than a decade. Will the Minister meet me to discuss how we can get this project back on track and make Battersea Park step-free?

Question

Residents in my constituency are already blighted by noise from Luton airport. They are highly concerned about the proposed expansion to almost double passenger capacity. What assessment has the Minister made of the compatibility of this expansion with the views of Government advisers, such as the Climate Change Committee?

Question

Twenty-five years ago, two trains collided just west of Paddington station. This was one of the worst rail accidents of recent times. Thirty-one people lost their lives and many more were injured. Will the Secretary of State join me in paying tribute to all those affected by the Paddington rail crash?

Question

Residents in my constituency are concerned about services at Worcester Park. Prices have increased by 20% over five years, and the last train has been brought back from almost 1 am to before midnight. This is throttling London's night-time economy and causing issues for local residents who rely on sustainable transport. Will the Minister explain when we can expect improvements in services following renationalisation?

Question

As a result of poor regulation, the cross-border taxi trade undermines the high standards set by local taxi companies and black cabs. What steps are being taken to improve regulation, and will the Minister meet me to discuss the situation in York?

Question

The previous Government introduced the “get around for £2” bus fare, committed to for five years. Given that—

Question

While the lower Thames crossing is under review, what steps are being taken to promote river transport crossings such as river buses?

Question

The A36 is a critical route between Southampton and Bath/Bristol. Given the decision on the A303 tunnel just north of Salisbury, will the appropriate Minister meet me to discuss connectivity and remove the pinch-point on the Southampton Road south of Salisbury on the A36?

Question

I pay tribute to the 'Rights on Flights' campaign for improving aviation accessibility. What steps are being taken to improve this for disabled people?

Question

The last Conservative Government ringfenced funding to the West Midlands Combined Authority for the delivery of a train station in Aldridge. Can the Secretary of State confirm that it is proceeding as planned and will be delivered by 2027, or has she signed away our ringfenced funding?

Question

I welcome the decision to approve the new roll-on, roll-off shipping terminal at Immingham. However, this will put more pressure on the A180 road network. Will improvements be brought forward for the A180, particularly for concrete surface removal?

Question

Stratford-upon-Avon is one of the most visited locations in the UK, yet for many years we have not had a direct train to the capital. What steps is the Secretary of State taking to fix the lack of capacity in Chiltern Railways so that my constituents and visitors can travel directly and sustainably to and from London?

Question

One hundred and fifty parishes in Devon wrote to Devon county council last year asking for 20 mph zones, but only six were successful. Those that were not successful were told that they could pursue the measure through so-called “community self-delivery.” My constituents think, “But this is what we pay our council tax for.” Does the Secretary of State understand that?