Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Topical Questions

Thursday 13 February 2025 · 11 questions

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

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 4 Partly answered 5 Not answered 0

Key points

  • John Whitby asked the Minister to meet regarding the need for a relief road in Ashbourne due to heavy goods vehicle traffic issues.
  • Jessica Toale inquired about steps the Department is taking to reduce disruption caused by roadworks in her constituency.
  • Luke Murphy asked the Secretary of State about extending test centre hours and regulating booking companies, to which a seven-point plan was mentioned to address the concerns.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 John Whitby Lab Derbyshire Dales
Transport Environment
Context

Residents in Ashbourne have long awaited a relief road to alleviate heavy traffic, which poses dangers and environmental issues.

Question

More than 700 heavy goods vehicles pass through the town of Ashbourne each day, endangering local pedestrians, increasing pollution and causing significant congestion. Will the Minister meet me regarding the need to install a relief road for Ashbourne?

Answer from The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Transport (Lilian Greenwood)

Delivering a transport system that meets local, regional and national needs will play a vital role in delivering the missions of this Government. I encourage him to continue to work with Derbyshire county council and our East Midlands Mayor, Claire Ward, to advocate for his constituents’ priorities. The Minister would be happy to meet him to discuss this.

Answered
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Q2 Jessica Toale Lab Bournemouth West
Transport
Context

Roadworks and utility works are causing significant disruptions for residents in Bournemouth, affecting their daily lives.

Question

At least nine major roads in my constituency will be affected by roadworks in the next week. Seemingly endless utility works and roadworks make people late for work, school pick-up and even hospital appointments. What steps is her Department taking to improve this situation?

Answer from The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Transport (Lilian Greenwood)

This Government stand with local road users who are frustrated by roadworks that cause unnecessary disruption. We have doubled fixed penalty notices for utility companies and extended overrun charges to weekends and bank holidays to prevent overrunning roadworks.

Answered
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Q3 Bob Blackman Con Harrow East
Transport Environment
Context

The question pertains to the government's stance on approving a third runway at Heathrow Airport. It follows discussions about infrastructure and transport policies.

Question

Mr Speaker, I rarely agree with Sadiq Khan but the Secretary of State has changed her position regarding the third runway. Will she commit to ensuring that any proposal for a third runway will have a full impact assessment before it is approved or denied?

Answer from Heidi Alexander

I fully support the Chancellor’s call for fresh proposals. Some airports in the south-east are running near capacity and we cannot pretend this is not an issue. I am prepared to take difficult decisions, but any scheme must meet our legal and environmental obligations.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The Minister did not commit explicitly to a full impact assessment but stated that decisions will be made based on the merits of the proposals within legal constraints.

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Q4 Steve Race Lab Exeter
Economy Transport
Context

The question focuses on under-investment in transport connectivity, particularly in the south-west region of England. It highlights issues such as upcoming works at Old Oak Common and bottlenecks on the A303.

Question

Given that the south-west peninsula contributes significantly to the UK economy but is held back by poor transport infrastructure, will the Minister commit to developing a strategic investment plan for the region?

Answer from Simon Lightwood

A regional transport strategy and strategic investment plan for the south-west have been developed by the sub-national transport body Peninsula Transport. Growth is a priority mission of this Government, and we are committed to empowering local leaders.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The Minister did not explicitly commit but acknowledged existing plans and the government's commitment to growth through empowerment of regional leadership.

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Q5 Luke Murphy Lab Basingstoke
Transport
Context

Learner drivers in Basingstoke have been unable to book driving tests for months, impacting their jobs, education, and the local economy.

Question

Why has the Secretary of State not acted urgently on extending test centre hours, ramping up examiner recruitment, and regulating 'rip-off' companies booking multiple slots?

Answer from Lilian Greenwood

The hon. Friend is right to raise these concerns on behalf of learner drivers. On 18 December, the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency set out a seven-point plan that recognises the need to fix the driving test booking system, so that we can get new drivers on the road. I will hold it to account for delivery of that plan and the changes that my hon. Friend and his constituents need to see.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not explicitly commit to extending test centre hours or regulating booking companies, only referenced a seven-point plan.

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Q6 Tom Gordon Lib Dem Harrogate and Knaresborough
Economy Transport
Context

The previous Government promised over £4 billion for transport projects in the north and midlands when they cancelled High Speed 2.

Question

Does the Secretary of State still plan to deliver on that promise, and if so, what is the timeline for seeing that money allocated?

Answer from Heidi Alexander

Delivering economic growth requires a proper plan for investment in our transport infrastructure. That is exactly what this Government are determined to deliver.

Not addressed: Did not address the specific £4 billion funding or timeline, only restated commitment to transport investment.

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Q7 Josh Dean Lab Hertford and Stortford
Transport Parliamentary Procedure
Context

The Access for All scheme was meant to deliver a platform 1 lift at Hertford North station, but the project has been delayed again.

Question

Why is the platform 1 lift being delayed yet again and will the appropriate Minister meet me to discuss how we can urgently drive forward this project?

Answer from Lilian Greenwood

My hon. Friend is absolutely right to raise concerns about disabled access at his local station. We want to ensure that everyone can access our public transport networks, and I would be happy to ensure that I or one of my colleagues met him.

Answered
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Q8 Jim Dickson Lab Dartford
Economy Transport
Context

The MP questions the economic growth strategy that relies on a revolving door between the Tory party and big business, referencing a former Transport Minister's failed attempt to join the other place.

Question

Does economic growth depend more than on a well-oiled revolving door between the Conservative party and big business?

Answer from Heidi Alexander

Delivering economic growth requires a proper plan for investment in our transport infrastructure. That is exactly what this Government are determined to deliver.

Not addressed: Did not clarify the dependence on revolving door between Conservative party and big business, only restated commitment to transport investment.

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Q9 Laurence Turner Lab Birmingham Northfield
Transport
Context

The reopening of the Camp Hill line in Birmingham requires track investment to restore pre-pandemic service frequencies.

Question

Will the Minister look fully at the case for upgrading King’s Norton station and making decisions on future investment?

Answer from Heidi Alexander

My hon. Friend is an assiduous and informed campaigner for improved rail services for his constituents. He will know that funding for the midlands rail hub includes funding for designs for reinstated island platforms at King’s Norton. Decisions still need to be taken on future investment, but I know that he will push for construction to start as soon as possible.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not commit to reviewing the case or making decisions immediately, only acknowledged ongoing efforts and future investments.

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Q10 Josh Fenton-Glynn Lab Calder Valley
Transport
Context

Transport for the North's electrification taskforce listed the Calder Valley line as a priority ten years ago, but improvements are still pending.

Question

Will the Minister commit this Government to delivering the infrastructure for constituents that the last Government could not?

Answer from Heidi Alexander

Network Rail is completing a strategic outline business case, covering electrification of the Calder Valley line. The business case will be considered in the context of the wider electrification strategy, so that we can determine how to deliver the best possible benefits across the region.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not commit to delivering infrastructure as committed by previous government, only stated ongoing work on strategic outline business case and broader considerations.

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Q11 Sam Rushworth Lab Bishop Auckland
Transport
Context

Railway enthusiasts from around the world will visit Bishop Auckland next month to mark the 200th anniversary of the Stockton and Darlington railway.

Question

Will my right hon. Friend ask the Rail Minister to meet me and other MPs along that route to talk about how the Government can be part of those celebrations?

Answer from Heidi Alexander

I am sure that is an invitation that the Rail Minister could not possibly refuse.

Answered
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