Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Mass Transit Systems 2026-07-16

Thursday 16 July 2026 · 3 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 3 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Ministerial steps include forming a new mass transit taskforce to remove barriers such as fragmented funding and planning delays.
  • The UK Government remains committed to working constructively with Scotland on transport infrastructure projects.
  • Transport challenges often cross administrative boundaries, requiring collaboration between local authorities.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Lillian Jones Lab
Transport
Context

The question arises from concerns about fragmented funding arrangements, difficulties acquiring land, and planning delays which hinder the delivery of mass transit systems in UK towns and cities.

Question

What steps she is taking to support the delivery of mass transit systems?

Answer from Heidi Alexander

Mass transit systems can radically improve local transport in towns and cities across the UK, but plans can often be slowed down by fragmented funding arrangements, difficulties acquiring land, and planning delays. The Government's new mass transit taskforce will seek to remove those blockers, and our call for evidence on how that might work is now open. We are also devolving powers to local leaders so that they can deliver schemes faster, unlock growth, support new homes and better connect communities.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The answer discusses the formation of a taskforce and call for evidence but does not provide specific steps or timelines for implementing mass transit systems.

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Q2 Lillian Jones Lab
Transport Scotland
Context

The SNP has failed to deliver a rail link to Glasgow airport, which is criticized by the new Transport Secretary as dysfunctional. This infrastructure project would boost economic growth and improve connectivity.

Question

Scotland's new Transport Secretary has criticised the UK Government's transport policy on High Speed 2 for being dysfunctional, yet after two decades in government, the SNP have failed to deliver a rail link to Glasgow airport. That is a vital infrastructure project that would boost economic growth, improve connectivity and create the integrated transport network that Scotland needs. Does the Secretary of State agree that rather than seeking to distract from their own abysmal record in government, the SNP should focus on delivering that major infrastructure investment, which is within their power and would bring lasting benefits to the people of Scotland?

Answer from Heidi Alexander

I agree with my hon. Friend, and I suspect the people of Glasgow are at their wits' end with the approach to that project, having seen it repeatedly promised and deprioritised over the course of two decades. I assure her that my Department remains committed to working constructively with the Scottish Government on this, and I urge them to support my hon. Friend's work to get the project delivered.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The answer expresses agreement but does not provide a specific commitment or timeline for delivering the rail link.

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Q3 Tom Gordon Lib Dem
Transport
Context

Transport crosses administrative boundaries, and people often face challenges when making journeys that connect over the boundary of two counties. The Weaver Network is being brought into force in West Yorkshire.

Question

My understanding is that Tracy Brabin, the Mayor of West Yorkshire, is bringing into force the Weaver Network, but in York and North Yorkshire we do not yet have an equivalent. One of the challenges that people face is that they often connect over the boundary of those two counties. I used to live in West Yorkshire but go to college in North Yorkshire, and countless people make that journey each day. Does the Secretary of State agree that mass transit needs to work across those county divides? Would it not be better if we had something like a Transport for Yorkshire to make it easier for everyone to get around our great county?

Answer from Heidi Alexander

I know that the Mayor of West Yorkshire, Tracy Brabin, and the Mayor of York and North Yorkshire, David Skaith, work closely together. The hon. Gentleman is right that transport crosses administrative boundaries, and that this needs to work for people. That was at the heart of the “Better Connected” strategy that we published earlier this year. I am sure that all elected representatives in the great county of Yorkshire will be working together to ensure that they have the best possible service.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The answer acknowledges the need for cross-boundary cooperation but does not provide specific commitments or timelines for implementing a Transport for Yorkshire model.

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