Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Topical Questions

Thursday 21 November 2024 · 16 questions

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

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 3 Partly answered 10 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Ministerial assurances were given to fund the crucial rail resilience programme final phase to keep the project alive.
  • The Budget committed significant funding through the local transport fund for transport links and services in mayoral and non-mayoral areas.
  • The Secretary of State offered to meet constituents to discuss rail improvements and meet the Wymondham access group to ensure station accessibility.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Martin Wrigley Lib Dem Newton Abbot
Transport
Context

The storm in 2014 broke the Dawlish sea wall, collapsed cliffs and blocked the south-west main line for months.

Question

Will the Secretary of State assure us that the crucial rail resilience programme final phase will be funded so that Network Rail keeps the project alive, rather than halting it in its tracks?

Answer from Louise Haigh

As we look to settling Network Rail's control period 7, of course that will be a major consideration in the next funding settlement.

Partly answered

Not addressed: specific assurance on final phase funding

Was this summary accurate? Tell us

How accurate was this summary? (1 = poor, 5 = spot on)

Q2 Ashley Dalton Lab West Lancashire
Transport
Context

The Prime Minister committed to working with metro mayors on improving rail links between Manchester and Liverpool.

Question

What measures in the Budget will help support transport links for my constituents, and will the Transport Secretary meet me to discuss rail links and a station train for Skem?

Answer from Louise Haigh

The Budget committed significant funding both for mayoral areas and those not covered by mayoral combined authorities through the local transport fund. Crucially, new powers will be delivered to those areas to ensure they can take back control of their local public transport services. Of course I would be delighted to meet my hon. Friend to discuss this further.

Answered
Was this summary accurate? Tell us

How accurate was this summary? (1 = poor, 5 = spot on)

Q3 Gareth Bacon Con Orpington
Transport
Context

Greater London is the most heavily populated and most economically active area in the whole country, with a high level of bus use.

Question

In the Secretary of State's statement on Monday, of the £1 billion of funding that she indicated, only £243 million is going to bus services. That will not touch the sides, will it? Is the truth not that, far from it being generational reform, it is publicly funded window dressing?

Answer from Louise Haigh

The way that the previous Government approached bus service improvement plans was to force local authorities to waste money on developing those plans. This money is going directly to authorities to make sure they are delivering public services. Public transport is a public service and it should always be funded.

Not addressed: specific funding allocation details

How: Talks About Previous Government'S Approach

Was this summary accurate? Tell us

How accurate was this summary? (1 = poor, 5 = spot on)

Q4 Ian Lavery Lab Blyth and Ashington
Context

Northumberland's biggest town, Blyth, is in desperate need of a relief road.

Question

Can the Minister update the House on that plan's progress?

Answer from Lilian Greenwood

Like my hon. Friend, we are all thinking of Lord Prescott and his family today. My officials have had meetings with Northumberland county council, which is working to strengthen the case and provide further analytical work before the scheme can be fully appraised. I would be happy to update my hon. Friend on those discussions when I can do so.

Partly answered

Not addressed: specific plan progress details

Was this summary accurate? Tell us

How accurate was this summary? (1 = poor, 5 = spot on)

Q5 Paul Kohler Lib Dem Wimbledon
Transport
Context

Northern Rail has been publicly owned for the past four years, but still has some of the worst cancellation and punctuality rates in the country.

Question

Can the Secretary of State tell us what she has learned from her Department's experience with Northern Rail? What else is she planning beyond nationalisation to improve the rail network?

Answer from Louise Haigh

I am grateful to the hon. Gentleman for his party's support in passing the public ownership Bill yesterday in the other place. He is right, and I have made clear to Northern Rail that its performance is not acceptable. We are addressing that through new agreements on rest-day working to drive down cancellations, and crucially through integrating operations with Network Rail to deliver savings and better performance.

Answered
Was this summary accurate? Tell us

How accurate was this summary? (1 = poor, 5 = spot on)

Q6 Phil Brickell Lab Bolton West
Transport
Context

One of the questioner's constituents experienced multiple cancellations and an overcrowded train on their commute.

Question

Does the Minister agree that my hard-working constituents in Bolton West deserve better?

Answer from Louise Haigh

I absolutely agree with my hon. Friend. I have repeatedly made clear that it is not good enough. We inherited a railway where workforce terms and conditions were completely outdated and not fit for a modern railway. We are addressing that, and as a result Northern's cancellations are starting to come down, but we appreciate that there is still a long way to go.

Partly answered

Not addressed: specific improvements

Was this summary accurate? Tell us

How accurate was this summary? (1 = poor, 5 = spot on)

Q7 Gregory Stafford Con Farnham and Bordon
Transport
Context

The last Government and Surrey county council were working on progressing junction improvements with the A31 at Hickley's Corner in Farnham.

Question

Can the Minister confirm that that improvement will go ahead? In addition, the pressure on the A325 through Wrecclesham is becoming intolerable. Will she work with local authorities to provide a Wrecclesham bypass, which is so sought by my constituents?

Answer from Lilian Greenwood

I would be happy to get my officials to write to the hon. Gentleman to provide an update on discussions around those important schemes.

Not addressed: specific confirmation and support for road improvements

Was this summary accurate? Tell us

How accurate was this summary? (1 = poor, 5 = spot on)

Q8 Patrick Hurley Lab Southport
Transport
Context

Improvements in rail performance are key to economic growth in Southport. The Burscough curves and services to Manchester are critical.

Question

The key to improved rail performance is the reinstatement of rail infrastructure, notably the Burscough curves, alongside improved services to Manchester. Does she agree that one of the best ways to achieve high growth is to improve those transport connections? Will she meet me to discuss that further?

Answer from Louise Haigh

Our manifesto was clear that we are committed to improving rail connectivity in the north of England. I would be delighted to meet my hon. Friend to address the specific issues on that line.

Partly answered

How: Committed, Without Specifics

Was this summary accurate? Tell us

How accurate was this summary? (1 = poor, 5 = spot on)

Q9 Nick Timothy Con West Suffolk
Transport
Context

Ely and Haughley upgrades are crucial for reducing road congestion and improving freight transportation in West Suffolk.

Question

The Ely and Haughley upgrades are vital for getting freight from Felixstowe off roads and on to rail, reducing congestion on the A14. Can she commit to a timescale for their commencement?

Answer from Louise Haigh

I am well aware of the strong case for the Ely junction improvement and the impact that will have on freight. That is absolutely being considered as we look towards the 10-year infrastructure strategy and we consider GBR's stretching target for getting freight off the roads and on to the railways.

Partly answered

How: Considering, Without Specifics

Was this summary accurate? Tell us

How accurate was this summary? (1 = poor, 5 = spot on)

Q10 Ben Goldsborough Lab South Norfolk
Transport
Context

Wymondham train station is not accessible to all, and its 180th anniversary approaches.

Question

Next year will mark the 180th anniversary of Wymondham train station. A great birthday present for my station would be to make it accessible to everyone. Will the Minister meet me and the Wymondham access group to ensure that we can deliver that for the future?

Answer from Louise Haigh

Sure thing.

How: Vague Response

Was this summary accurate? Tell us

How accurate was this summary? (1 = poor, 5 = spot on)

Q11 David Mundell Con Dumfriesshire, Clydesdale and Tweeddale
Transport
Context

A feasibility study on the Borders rail link was part of the Borderlands growth deal. The Scottish Government does not prioritize transport links with England.

Question

My condolences to John Prescott's family. A feasibility study on the Borders rail link was a fundamental part of the Borderlands growth deal. For some reason, the Scottish Government do not seem to prioritise transport links with England, so it is vital that the Department pushes that forward.

Answer from Louise Haigh

I am engaged with the Transport Minister in Scotland on exactly that issue.

Partly answered

How: Engaged, Without Specifics

Was this summary accurate? Tell us

How accurate was this summary? (1 = poor, 5 = spot on)

Q12 Joe Morris Lab Hexham
Transport
Context

Delays and cancellations on the Tyne Valley line are a concern for Hexham constituents.

Question

I am regularly contacted by constituents of mine who are concerned about delays and cancellations on the Tyne Valley line. Will the Secretary of State meet me to discuss delays and improvements to that line?

Answer from Louise Haigh

My hon. Friend is right that Northern rail services on that line are very poor. That is exactly what we are addressing through continued negotiation on rest-day working agreements. My noble Friend the Rail Minister will be happy to meet him.

Partly answered

How: Addressing, Without Specifics

Was this summary accurate? Tell us

How accurate was this summary? (1 = poor, 5 = spot on)

Q13 Ben Maguire Lib Dem North Cornwall
Transport
Context

The Plusha junction in North Cornwall has seen three fatalities in six months, making it a dangerous accident blackspot.

Question

We have just seen the third fatality in six months at the Plusha junction. How many more lives will be lost before her Department, National Highways and Cornwall Council finally plan to implement a flyover at this accident blackspot?

Answer from Louise Haigh

The hon. Gentleman is right to raise that. We are developing the first road safety strategy in over 10 years, and improvements in infrastructure like that are exactly what will be considered under that plan.

Partly answered

How: Strategy, Without Specifics

Was this summary accurate? Tell us

How accurate was this summary? (1 = poor, 5 = spot on)

Q14 Jacob Collier Lab Burton and Uttoxeter
Transport
Context

Branston bridge is a main route in and out of Burton and Branston that has been closed due to safety concerns.

Question

Branston bridge in my constituency, a main route in and out of Burton and Branston, is falling down. It was confirmed yesterday that it will be closed to vehicles for safety reasons. Will the Minister work further with me and others so that we can solve this problem?

Answer from Lilian Greenwood

Of course, I recognise that Branston bridge is a vital part of Staffordshire county council's road network. In addition to the £500 million of maintenance funding that the Chancellor announced in the Budget, there is also £650 million of transport funding outside city regions next year. Full detail on how that funding will be allocated will be confirmed in due course.

Partly answered

How: Recognise, Without Specifics

Was this summary accurate? Tell us

How accurate was this summary? (1 = poor, 5 = spot on)

Q15 Will Forster Lib Dem Woking
Transport
Context

Several key roads in Woking are either closed or partially closed for roadworks, which utility companies declare as emergencies to bypass road permits.

Question

Several key roads in my constituency are either closed or partially closed for roadworks. Will the Minister look into that to ensure that utility companies use emergency powers only when absolutely necessary?

Answer from Lilian Greenwood

The hon. Member raises a really important point about the disruption of roadworks. We are absolutely committed to ensuring that we mitigate those problems and deal with them exactly as he said.

Partly answered

How: Commitment, Without Specifics

Was this summary accurate? Tell us

How accurate was this summary? (1 = poor, 5 = spot on)

Q16 Marie Tidball Lab Penistone and Stocksbridge
Transport
Context

The No. 57 bus that connects Stocksbridge to Sheffield is often delayed and does not always stop at busy bus stops.

Question

I associate myself with the comments about Lord Prescott, a true working-class hero. Constituents regularly tell me that the No. 57 bus route connecting Stocksbridge to Sheffield is often delayed and does not always stop, even when bus stops are busy. Will the Secretary of State confirm that the funding she announced this week will provide reliable and affordable bus routes connecting our rural and urban communities in Penistone and Stocksbridge?

Answer from Louise Haigh

I am grateful to my hon. Friend and colleague from Sheffield. I am well aware of that bus route and can confirm that the £18 million settlement for South Yorkshire will deliver better, more reliable and more frequent services for the good people of Sheffield.

Answered
Was this summary accurate? Tell us

How accurate was this summary? (1 = poor, 5 = spot on)