Transport ministers were answering questions in the Commons.
Subjects covered included... Leaving the EU: Rail Industry
Digital Railway Strategy Bus Services Strategic
Road Network GWR Franchise Disabled Rail Passengers
Transport Police Merger: Scotland Heathrow: Third
Runway Fishing Vessel Safety...Request free trial
Transport ministers were answering questions in the Commons.
Subjects covered included...
To read any of these in greater detail, click on the link or see
below.
Leaving the EU: Rail Industry
-
John Mc Nally (Falkirk) (SNP)
1. What assessment he has made of the effect of the UK
leaving the EU on the rail industry. [905544]
-
(Edinburgh East)
(SNP)
3. What assessment he has made of the effect of the UK
leaving the EU on the rail industry. [905547]
-
The Secretary of State for Transport (Chris Grayling)
The Government’s rail sector report was published in
December and included an analysis of the rail industry. We
keep our analysis under constant review. Our future
relationship with the EU on rail will be a matter for the
negotiations. Both the UK and the EU have greatly benefited
from investment in each other’s rail markets. We want that
to continue as the UK leaves the EU.
-
John Mc Nally
The Secretary of State will be aware that passengers in
Scotland have been protected from the impact of fare
increases as a result of the Scottish Government’s cap of
RPI minus 1%. Will he not take a leaf out of the Scottish
Government’s book to ensure that passengers are not hit in
their pockets as the result of his Government’s inability
to provide even basic certainty over Brexit?
-
I am not sure quite what that has to do with our future
relationship with the EU, but I want the rate of increase
of rail fares to come down. The biggest barrier to that is
the Labour party’s and the trade unions’ insistence that
the RPI measure has to be at the heart of every pay
increase in the rail industry. The industry collectively
needs to move to RPI, but the training manuals for the
unions that back the Labour party insist that it is
unacceptable to negotiate on anything except an RPI
increase.
-
The Government often cite EU regulations on state aid as a
constraint on their agency. Can we therefore look forward,
after Brexit, to innovative new approaches to the public
ownership of the railways, or will the Secretary of State
continue to sell rail services to the state-owned companies
of other EU countries?
-
We have a diverse rail market, with investment from the UK
and international investment. I hope very much that after
Brexit we will not become a country that does not welcome
international investment. We are an outward-facing global
nation, and I hope that will continue.
-
(Torbay) (Con)
In the Secretary of State’s assessment of the rail industry
post Brexit, did he include the vital nature of securing
resilience in the coastal railway at Dawlish, given the
link to Falmouth docks and the freight services that bring
in exports?
-
I want to reiterate that this is an absolutely crucial
project for our railways. Network Rail is currently doing
preparatory work for the very necessary improvements at
Dawlish. I have given an absolute commitment that those
works will go ahead. I regard this project, to make sure a
proper resilient railway for the future is delivered to the
south-west, as the most important infrastructure project in
the country. It is one thing having a railway that is not
quite up to date; it is quite another having a railway that
gets cut off. We will not let that happen.
-
(East Lothian)
(Lab)
The east coast main line will be very important following
our departure from Europe. Will the Secretary of State
guarantee that smaller operators, such as ScotRail, have a
say in what happens to rail?
-
It is really important that we protect the interests of
passenger and freight operators. I have been clear that the
new board leading the integration and development of the
London North Eastern Railway will have representatives
whose job is to protect the interests of smaller operators.
-
(Westmorland and Lonsdale)
(LD)
EU rules clearly did not prevent the Government from taking
the east coast franchise off Stagecoach last week, which
shows their power to remove a franchise from a failing
operator is not hampered by them. Given that this week we
managed to pass 300 cancellations on the Lakes line in
Cumbria since the beginning of April, and the enormous and
catastrophic impact that is having on commuters, tourists
and GCSE students trying to get to their exams, will the
Secretary of State listen to the exasperated travellers of
Cumbria and intervene to strip Northern of both its Furness
and Lakes franchises—and do it today?
-
Let us be clear: the situation with Northern has been
unacceptable. As I said yesterday, I will this morning
chair a conference call with the Northern leaders. This is
the most devolved franchise. It is a partnership between
Northern leaders and the Department for Transport, but it
is not solely led by the Department. None the less, it is
no less important to me that we get this situation
resolved. I am very clear that this problem has arisen for
two prime reasons: the problems with electrification
Network Rail is carrying out on the line through Bolton and
the failure of Network Rail to deliver a finalised
timetable in time. When the hon. Gentleman talks about the
need to strip the franchise and renationalise, he is
shooting at the wrong target. This is a Network Rail
failure and it must not happen again.
-
(Kilmarnock and Loudoun)
(SNP)
We know that since rail privatisation the Secretary of
State thinks magic money appears from nowhere with no risk
to the taxpayer, but that is not the case. When it comes to
infrastructure, the UK relied on £35 billion of loans from
the European Investment Bank between 2011 and 2015. Where
will that money come from for rail infrastructure post
Brexit?
-
We are a substantial net contributor to the European Union,
so the money given to the UK from different European funds
actually originates in the UK. We will be able to spend our
money in the way we see fit. We are of course spending
record amounts of money on rail infrastructure to develop
what needs to be a better, expanded and more resilient rail
network.
Digital Railway Strategy
-
Mr (Isle of Wight)
(Con)
2. What steps he is taking to implement the digital railway
strategy. [905546]
-
(Tonbridge and Malling)
(Con)
4. What steps he is taking to implement the digital railway
strategy. [905549]
-
The Secretary of State for Transport (Chris Grayling)
Two weeks ago, Mark Carne, the chief executive of Network
Rail, and I launched the company’s digital railway strategy
in York, where we announced that the industry should make
plans for all future renewals to be digital or
digital-ready. I have already approved funding to develop
digital schemes in Moorgate and the south-east, and in
particular, I have set out plans for the new Transpennineroute. The £2.9 billion
modernisation, starting around this time next year, will be
Britain’s first, principal inter-city digital railway, and
very necessary it is.
-
Mr Seely
Later this month, the priced option for the Island line in
my constituency will be presented. I will be writing next
week in support of that priced option. Can the Minister
assure me that the Government understands the importance of
the Island line to the Island and the importance of
investment in it—in track, railway and stations such as
Ryde Pier Head, which is on the pier, and Ryde Esplanade,
which is a key gateway? Is he aware of my strong support
for a feasibility study into extending the Island line
south and west?
-
Mr Speaker
I must tell the hon. Gentleman that one of his
constituents, not very far from here, has been listening
intently to his question.
-
I know indeed, Mr Speaker—in fact, he used to be a
constituent of mine and is now benefiting from the
wonderful environment that is the Isle of Wight. My hon.
Friend has been an excellent champion for it since his
election. I can assure him that the Rail Minister, my hon.
Friend the Member for Orpington (Joseph Johnson), and I
will be taking careful note of the plans as they come
through, and we will work with him to try to find the best
way to ensure that his constituents have the best service
that it is possible to deliver to them in future.
-
Mr Speaker
I call —where is the fella? He
has obviously beetled out of the Chamber. It is a pity that
the hon. Member for Tonbridge and Malling is not here, but
we will bear up stoically and try to manage without him.
-
(Lincoln) (Lab)
18. Following the collapse of the east coast main line
franchise, will the Secretary of State make a firm
commitment to Virgin’s previous pledge to deliver
additional train services between Lincoln and London in
2019? They are essential for our local businesses. [905565]
-
Let me be very clear: it is my intention that the
commitments to new services made in the Virgin Trains
franchise are delivered. The hon. Lady will know, as I have
told the House before, that there is an issue and has been
for some while around the timing of some of those services
because of problems with infrastructure improvements. I am
putting Network Rail under as much pressure as possible to
deliver those as quickly as possible. I give her and all
Members who are waiting for these new services an assurance
that I will make sure that they are delivered.
-
(Bromley and
Chislehurst) (Con)
Can the Secretary of State tell me how the roll-out of the
digital strategy, which is in itself a good thing, on my
local lines is going to stop me receiving tweets like the
one I received this morning? It said:
“Chaos for 4th day on SE lines—trains cancelled, late,
diverted, not stopping, short formation & angry
passengers”.
How is the strategy going to help that?
-
There are benefits of digital technology, but the right
hon. Gentleman will be aware that this is a difficult week
on the railways, as I have explained. It has happened
because of the late delivery of the timetable. This is the
second time that it has happened in six months. I have
already had discussions with Network Rail about this. It
must not happen again. What the digital railway will do is
create a railway that can run more trains more reliably. It
gets rid of the risk of traditional signal failures, which
are a big part of the frustrations that many commuters
face, and I want to see, over the next few years, our
stopping replacing old-fashioned traffic-light signals and
using digital technology instead.
-
(Plymouth, Sutton and
Devonport) (Lab/Co-op)
A digital railway is vital for improving capacity in the
far south-west but will not necessarily improve journey
speeds. If our journey times are to be long, they at least
need to be productive, so can I ask the Secretary of State
to commit to working with colleagues at the Department for
Digital, Culture, Media and Sport to improve our mobile and
wi-fi signals to remove all the notspots in the far
south-west, especially on rail journeys to Plymouth?
-
Sometimes, we disagree across the Chamber, but on this one
I completely agree with the hon. Gentleman. We are looking
at the best options to do this. I think that we should be
getting mobile operators to put up more masts down the
route, and particularly as we move to a 5G network, I want
to see that 5G network up and down the railway—and not just
for passengers; it helps the digital railway as well. On
this one, I am absolutely with him.
-
Sir (New Forest West)
(Con)
What is it?
-
I commend my right hon. Friend on his very good question.
The transition to digital technology basically means that
in future, rather than having a red-amber-green signal by
the trackside, the signalling is done automatically from
the cab of a train. Each train will know how far it is to
the train in front. It is therefore possible to manage the
network more efficiently, to run trains safely closer to
each other and to deliver more capacity for passengers.
-
Mr Speaker
It all sounds very sophisticated, although it is a bit
above my pay grade, I am bound to say.
Bus Services
-
Dr (Stockton South)
(Lab)
5. What steps his Department is taking to support local bus
services. [905550]
-
(Manchester, Withington)
(Lab)
14. What steps his Department is taking to improve the
provision of bus services throughout the country. [905559]
-
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Transport
(Ms Nusrat Ghani)
The bus market outside London is deregulated, and decisions
regarding service provision are primarily a commercial
matter for bus operators. Decisions on subsidised bus
services are a matter for individual English local
authorities, in the light of their own spending priorities.
The Government paid out some £250 million last year to
support bus services in England through the bus subsidy
operators grant. The Bus Services Act 2017 introduced new
powers for local authorities and operators to work together
to improve local bus services and increase passenger
numbers.
-
Dr Williams
Arriva has cut the bus service in Hartburn on which my
constituents rely, replacing a doorstep service with what
is now a 20-minute walk for older people. I have written to
the Tees Valley combined authority about it, but what is
the Government’s position on communities that are isolated
by public transport cuts?
-
Ms Ghani
The hon. Gentleman has raised a valid point, but local
authorities are responsible for providing local bus
services, and we expect them to work with local operators,
Members of Parliament and local communities to do that. Of
the £250 million grant that I mentioned earlier, £40
million is paid directly to local authorities to improve
bus services in their areas, including the service to which
the hon. Gentleman has referred. I believe that the
Department paid £88,000 last year to Stockton-on-Tees
Borough Council, which I am sure he will welcome.
-
Over the past four years, Greater Manchester has lost 8
million miles of bus routes, largely owing to the chronic
underfunding of local government. Councils are forced to
freeze funds, while costs rocket. Does the Minister accept
that unless local government funding is increased, mayors
and transport authorities will not be able to use the new
powers in the Bus Services Act to full effect?
-
Ms Ghani
That is an interesting question. The Government have
provided plenty of support for bus services in
Manchester—[Interruption.] I will continue, Mr Speaker.
-
Mr Speaker
Apologies for the noise.
-
Ms Ghani
Not at all.
-
The Secretary of State for Transport (Chris Grayling)
It was the hooting of a bus horn.
-
Ms Ghani
It happened because I was about to mention two very
important packages of funding.
The Department contributed just over £32 million towards
the £43.2 million Manchester cross city bus package, which
was completed in 2017. Now we need another little beat of
the drum, because there is another huge sum coming up. The
Greater Manchester combined authority received a guaranteed
allocation of £243 million from the £1.7 billion
transforming cities fund to improve public transport. If
the hon. Gentleman is still not satisfied, I suggest that
he talk to the Mayor.
-
Mr Speaker
I can only imagine that it was a noise of approval. Who
knows? It may be a divisible proposition, but there we go.
-
Sir (Derbyshire Dales)
(Con)
One very important aspect of bus services is the role
played by community services, particularly in rural areas.
There is great concern about the consultation that the
Department are currently undertaking. When can we expect
some final announcements?
-
Ms Ghani
The Under-Secretary of State for Transport, my hon. Friend
the Member for Hereford and South Herefordshire (Jesse
Norman), is overseeing the consultation, and he will make
an announcement before the summer. The Department
understands the importance of community transport services,
which not only tackle isolation but enable people who would
not otherwise have access to transport to keep
appointments. I understand their importance particularly
well, because I represent a rural constituency. The
Department is very concerned about the issue, and we will
do what we can to help.
-
(St Austell and Newquay)
(Con)
For the first time in decades, the people of Cornwall are
enjoying brand-new buses on our roads. They offer
facilities that people used to think were available only in
big cities, such as contactless payment, on-board wi-fi and
charging points, and they have been delivered thanks to a
partnership between First Kernow, the operator, and
Cornwall Council. Will the Minister join me in welcoming
the new buses; would she like to come to Cornwall to see
them; and does she agree that their delivery demonstrates
what can be done, even in rural communities, when local
authorities use the powers available to them and work with
the private sector?
-
Ms Ghani
I welcome the invitation to Cornwall—my summer holiday
seems to have been sorted out—and I welcome the new First
Kernow buses. I also welcome the fact that the local
authority in my hon. Friend’s constituency has worked with
the private operator and with the Member of Parliament.
That shows that if people and organisations work together,
they can put bus services together, even in rural
communities.
-
(Reading East) (Lab)
Since 2010, bus budgets have been slashed by a third and
over 2,500 routes have been withdrawn entirely. The
Government recognise that franchising boosts patronage and
improves services, which is why franchising was extended to
the metro mayoralties. Why then in the midst of a bus
crisis is the Minister refusing these same powers to
councils across the rest of the country?
-
Ms Ghani
Packages for buses are at an all-time high, and I would ask
why the mayors who already have the powers have not taken
them up. The policy at the moment applies to London and the
Mayors of Manchester and Liverpool, so I suggest the hon.
Gentleman ask his own Labour Mayor of London why he has not
taken these powers up.
Strategic Road Network
-
(Rugby) (Con)
6. What recent steps he has taken to improve the strategic
road network. [905551]
-
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Transport
(Jesse Norman)
Projects up and down the country are being delivered
through the Government’s £15 billion investment in our
strategic roads, our motorways and main A roads. I salute
my ministerial colleague, my hon. Friend the Member for
Wealden (Ms Ghani), who had a fanfare a few minutes ago,
and I think the reason for that was that my right hon.
Friend the Secretary of State officially opened the £400
million A1 upgrade from Leeming to Barton last week, so
there is now a continuous motorway link between Newcastle
and London for the first time in this country’s history.
-
The A5 through Warwickshire and Leicestershire is an
important strategic route throughout the midlands and is a
valuable relief road in the event of hold-ups on the M6,
which can happen from time to time. It is however mostly
single carriageway, and with significant amounts of
development proposed along the route, will the Minister
ensure that detailed work can start urgently to improve
both safety and capacity?
-
As my hon. Friend will know, we discussed this in a
Westminster Hall debate in February and I have seen him and
colleagues recently. It is a very important matter; we are
aware of the strategic importance of the A5. We already
have work in prospect between Dodwells and the Longshoot
junction and we will continue to look closely at the
matter.
-
(Stretford and Urmston)
(Lab)
Substantial congestion exists on the M60, M62 and M56
around Greater Manchester, but Highways England’s
investment plans start north-east of this area. Given the
very significant economic regeneration plans for south-west
Manchester including at the airport, the new HS2 station
and New Carrington in my constituency, which the Minister
has visited, does he agree that Highways England must now
attend to the investment that that will require in the
south-west quarter of this motorway network?
-
I take on board the hon. Lady’s point, but the point I
would make in response is that, over the next three years,
Highways England will be investing and, by the end of that
period, at a rate roughly three times more than the rate
the Government inherited in 2010. Therefore, unprecedented
levels of investment are going in. The hon. Lady is welcome
to write to me or meet me if she wants to discuss this
issue further.
-
(Berwickshire, Roxburgh
and Selkirk) (Con)
I welcome the improvements to the A1 to Newcastle, but
there is great demand for improvements to the part of the
A1 north of Newcastle to the border and my constituency.
Can the Minister update the House on improvements to that
part of the road to Berwick-upon-Tweed and the border with
Scotland?
-
A series of potential schemes are in place and they are
moving forward to different forms of announcement or
development, but I would be happy to send my hon. Friend a
more detailed update.
-
(Ipswich) (Lab)
Can the Minister explain to me why Highways England refused
to take any interest in the provision of an alternative for
the Orwell bridge on the A14, which is a vital strategic
link that is often closed?
-
The hon. Gentleman and I have met and we have met Highways
England to discuss this, and I think it is overstating the
matter to say there is no interest at all, but we continue
to look at the issue.
-
Mr (Kettering)
(Con)
Drivers who hog the middle lane of motorways has always
been a problem, but as traffic volumes increase the impact
will be even greater. This problem makes the roads
dangerous for other drivers and slows down traffic. What
can be done about this?
-
There is guidance on this already, as my hon. Friend will
know. I am not sure whether it is reflected in the road
safety statistics, but I am happy to look at that.
-
(York Central)
(Lab/Co-op)
Owing to the sheer scale of the damage the proposed A27
project will do to ancient woodland and the South Downs
national park, let alone the eventual impact on air
pollution caused by induced capacity, 10 of Britain’s
leading environmental groups have written to the Secretary
of State to highlight how his proposals contravene his own
national policy statement for national networks. So has he
changed his definition of “irreversible damage” or will he
urgently review this scheme?
-
As the hon. Lady will know, many of those ancient woodlands
were planted only in the past couple of decades, so I am
not sure that she has quite made her point.
GWR Franchise
-
Dr (Ealing Central and Acton)
(Lab)
7. What plans he has for the operation of trains in the
Thames valley after the end of the Great Western rail
franchise. [905552]
-
The Minister of State, Department for Transport (Joseph
Johnson)
The current Great Western franchise ends on 31 March 2020.
In November 2017, the Department started its consultation
on the future of services. Department for Transport
officials are currently evaluating options for the
specification of the franchise from April 2020, and
throughout the 2020s, with the aim of issuing the
specification later this year.
-
Dr Huq
It is a tale of two railways in Ealing and Action. This
week I have heard praise for not-for-profit TfL rail
services, whose users rate its reliability, but also
complaints about GWR services, which are based on
profitability, that have been cancelled without recompense.
Will the Minister at the first opportunity take the Thames
Valley franchise back into public ownership and scrap the
crackpot idea to split it further? That would do us all a
favour—the Exchequer and not just shareholders—before he is
forced to do so when it flops.
-
I fear that the hon. Lady is under a misapprehension as to
the nature of the TfL contractual arrangements on that
line, but she will be pleased to know that we are
transferring services to TfL, including those from
Paddington to Hayes and Harlington, and Heathrow Connect.
-
Sir (The
Cotswolds) (Con)
When my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State announces
the successor to the GWR franchise, will he ensure that the
Cotswold line and the Kemble to Swindon line have an
increased number of services and increased punctuality, so
that the large amount of money that the taxpayer has put
into Network Rail to redouble those services is properly
utilised?
-
My hon. Friend is a strong champion for services on the
Cotswold line. We will certainly take into account his
advocacy for it.
Disabled Rail Passengers
-
(Harrow East)
(Con)
8. What recent steps he has taken to improve accessibility
for disabled rail passengers. [905553]
-
(Copeland)
(Con)
15. What recent steps he has taken to improve accessibility
for disabled rail passengers. [905562]
-
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Transport
(Ms Nusrat Ghani)
The Government will publish an inclusive transport strategy
later this year. I assure my hon. Friends that I and the
Department believe that disabled people should have the
same access to transport as anyone else and be able to
travel easily, confidently and without extra cost. All
train fleets operating passenger services will meet modern
accessibility standards by 1 January 2020. Further funding
for the Access for All stations programme will be made
available for 2019 to 2024.
-
I thank my hon. Friend for that answer. Clearly, there is a
desperate need for a lift at both Stanmore and Canons Park
stations. That is the responsibility of the Labour Mayor of
London, who has failed to deliver. Also, Harrow and
Wealdstone station is in my constituency, and the local
authority’s civic centre is part of the “Heart of Harrow”
regeneration scheme. The station does not have disabled
access or step-free access, even though it has an
overground, underground and Network Rail interchange. How
can we get suitable access to that station?
-
Ms Ghani
My hon. Friend raises a very important point. Transport for
London manages transport services in the capital and is
responsible for implementing the Mayor of London’s
transport strategy, so Stanmore and Canons Park underground
stations are his responsibility. I hope he is following
today’s proceedings and will deliver for disabled and
able-bodied passengers in my hon. Friend’s constituency.
Of course, Harrow and Wealdstone station falls under the
Access for All stations programme, and bidding for funding
will open shortly. I urge my hon. Friend to get in touch
with his local authority, which can work with the transport
operating companies and put together the best possible bid
to secure funding.
-
Now that the Minister has confirmed that the Government
will continue the Access for All scheme, which has improved
accessibility across many of this country’s railway
stations, can she advise us on how can we get the Cumbrian
coastal railways included in future funding bids?
-
Ms Ghani
My hon. Friend is a great champion for her constituency, so
she will no doubt help the local authority and transport
operating company to put together the best possible bid.
The Access for All programme will provide step-free access
to stations across the country, and I know how popular it
is across the House. It will be open for bidding shortly.
Stations will need to be nominated by the transport
operating company, based on chosen criteria. Annual
footfall and the local incidence of disability will be
taken into account, as well as priorities such as industry
and local factors such as proximity to hospitals and
availability of third-party funding.
-
(York Central)
(Lab/Co-op)
The Secretary of State has already slashed £50 million from
the Access for All fund, and now Govia Thameslink Railways’
new staff guidance says,
“do not attempt to place persons of reduced mobility on a
train if there is a possibility of delaying the service”
and that they should
“move from the train as quickly as possible”
someone having a seizure. That is not only completely wrong
medical advice, but directly discriminates against disabled
people. Why has the Minister not intervened, and why has
GTR been allowed to get away with this direct disability
discrimination?
-
Ms Ghani
Since 2006, about 200 stations have been made step-free and
75% of rail journeys are now step-free through stations.
Funding has been made available and will continue to be
made available. One of the biggest issues we have in
getting people who are disabled to use public transport is
confidence, so we need to let them know that we have
accessible stations. Now I will respond to the point about
GTR. There was one line in the document—
-
It is so discriminatory.
-
Ms Ghani
Will the hon. Lady give me a minute to respond? It was not
the best use of language, and I can update the House and
say that my officials have spoken to GTR and raised
concerns about that line and the language used in the
leaflet. The leaflet is good overall, but the hon. Lady is
right to point out that one particular line was not
appropriate, and it will be revised.
-
Mr Speaker
Order. Forgive me; these are very informative answers, but
we have a lot of questions to get through, so we need short
answers and short questions.
-
(Bristol West)
(Lab)
Disabled passengers in the Lawrence Hill area of my
constituency are not being served with step-free access,
although they have been promised it for some years. They
have to get a train upline and then another downline on the
other side before they can get to Temple Meads to get a
mainline train. Will the Minister meet me and Councillor
Margaret Hickman to discuss this urgently?
-
Ms Ghani
Of course I am happy to meet the hon. Lady to talk about
accessibility in her constituency. As I mentioned earlier,
Access for All funding is available for train stations; if
she were alluding to a tube station, that would be another
situation altogether. As she is talking about a train
station, I am more than happy to meet her.
Transport Police Merger: Scotland
-
(Moray) (Con)
9. What recent discussions he has held with the Scottish
Government on the proposed merger of the British Transport
police Scottish division with Police Scotland. [905554]
-
The Minister of State, Department for Transport (Joseph
Johnson)
Officials have been working closely and effectively with
the Scottish Government, the two police forces and the two
police authorities, through a joint programme board
established to oversee arrangements for delivering the
transfer of the British Transport police’s functions in
Scotland. We want to see a smooth transition to the new
arrangements that ensures the safety and security of rail
passengers and staff, and recognises and protects the UK’s
interests.
-
Earlier this month, BTP Federation chair Nigel Goodband
said:
“It is appalling that the Scottish Government constantly
reminds us that one of its three aims in full integration
is accountability to the people of Scotland. British
Transport police officers and staff…are people of Scotland.
They are proud Scots; they are proud to be in the British
Transport Police and proud of living in Scotland.”
He continued:
“They have said to me that they feel abandoned…by their
Government. That is pretty disgusting. It is alarming that
they feel that way.”
Does the Minister agree that that quote proves that the SNP
Scottish Government are letting down hard-working and
dedicated BTP officers and staff in Scotland and that their
interests and the interests of the public they proudly
protect would be better served by maintaining the way that
the BTP operates in Scotland, rather than breaking up a
force that serves Scotland and the United Kingdom well?
-
I certainly understand my hon. Friend’s concerns. It is in
both Governments’ mutual interest to make the new
arrangements work. The Government are very focused on
protecting UK interests generally, including those of
passengers, officers and staff, and that is why we are
working closely with the Scottish Government, the police
forces and the police authorities.
Heathrow: Third Runway
-
(Windsor) (Con)
10. What estimate he has made of the cost to the public
purse of the construction and operation of a third runway
at Heathrow. [905555]
-
The Secretary of State for Transport (Chris Grayling)
The Government have always been clear that any scheme for
additional airport capacity should be financed by the
private sector. The Airports Commission concluded that this
was a viable way forward. As set out in the revised draft
airports national policy statement, independent financial
advisers have undertaken further work and agreed that
expansion of Heathrow can be carried out without public
finance.
-
I thank the Secretary of State for the answer. The report
by the Select Committee on Transport on the airports
national policy statement said that the Lakeside Energy
from Waste plant should be treated
“with equivalent recognition as the Immigration Removal
Centres and that the replacement of its facilities be
accounted for in the DCO process.”
Will the Secretary of State confirm that his Department has
assessed any infrastructure upgrade needed, such as that to
roads and powerlines, to accommodate the relocation, and
will those costs be met by the taxpayer?
-
First, I extend my thanks to the Select Committee, which
has produced a thoughtful report. We will be responding to
the report in detail very shortly; indeed, my officials are
speaking to the Chair of the Committee to make sure she is
fully up to speed with how we are handling all this.
Of course it is essential that appropriate provision is
made for the energy from waste plant, and I think that
provision should be funded by the airport as part of its
work. I do not see why the taxpayer should bear the cost. I
assure my hon. Friend the Member for Windsor (Adam Afriyie)
that the plant and other facilities, and the communities
around the airport, are very much on my Department’s mind
as we take these matters forward.
-
(Brentford and
Isleworth) (Lab)
The Transport Committee report on the national policy
statement found that the Heathrow north-west runway
proposal has little, if any, advantage over other schemes,
or even over doing nothing at all, for passenger growth or
for the number and frequency of long-haul routes, and that
the proposal would actually cut international links for
non-London regions and would have little economic benefit
to the UK, so are the Government pushing ahead with this
hugely expensive and environmentally damaging project?
-
When I am ready to update the House, I will of course come
back to do so in person. The Committee recommended that the
Government progress with their work, and it made a number
of very helpful and constructive suggestions about elements
to be included within that work. I remain absolutely of the
view that airport expansion is necessary for the economy of
this country. The important thing is that we deliver it in
the best possible way for local communities.
-
(Luton North)
(Ind)
May I suggest to the Secretary of State that a much cheaper
and more practicable alternative to the Heathrow third
runway would be to use the considerable spare capacity and
long runway at Birmingham airport by electrifying and
upgrading the Chiltern railway line and linking it to
Crossrail? This would provide for a fast, direct, non-stop
shuttle service between central London and Birmingham
airport and would help to solve the south-east airport
capacity problem. Will he give serious consideration to
this proposal?
-
Of course the arrival of HS2, with projected future growth
in passenger numbers at our airports, will provide an
alternative and will provide for a bit of competition
between airports, which is no bad thing. The hon. Gentleman
is right about that, but I do not think it is either one or
the other.
-
Several hon. Members rose—
-
Mr Speaker
Order. The hon. Member for Kingston upon Hull East (Karl
Turner) has had to be away for a period. We have missed
him, and I think I speak for colleagues in warmly welcoming
him back to the Chamber.
-
(Kingston upon Hull East)
(Lab)
That is very kind, Mr Speaker. Thank you very much indeed.
Can the Secretary of State confirm whether he will be
revising the airports national policy statement in light of
the 25 recommendations from the Transport Committee?
-
The hon. Gentleman and I sometimes spar vigorously across
the Chamber, but I echo your words to him, Mr Speaker.
If the hon. Gentleman will forgive me, I do not think it is
appropriate to talk about our response to the Select
Committee report before our response is published, which
will happen shortly. I simply give him the assurance that
we are taking the recommendations very seriously. I
certainly want to see many of the recommendations embedded
in our planning as these matters go forward.
Fishing Vessel Safety
-
(West Aberdeenshire and
Kincardine) (Con)
11. What steps he is taking to improve fishing vessel
safety. [905556]
-
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Transport
(Ms Nusrat Ghani)
Fishing safety remains a priority, and we are making
improvements through education and legislation. New codes
of practice set higher standards and will soon include
stability requirements. Globally, the International
Maritime Organisation’s maritime safety committee will this
week discuss the safe operation of fishing vessels
operating in the polar regions in the context of the Cape
Town agreement.
-
As everybody who has taken a vessel of any size to sea at
any time will know, the International Maritime Organisation
is critical to worldwide efforts to ensure safety at sea.
The IMO is in fact the only UN agency to be based in the
United Kingdom, so what assurances can the Minister give
the House that Britain will continue to play an important
role in the IMO in the years ahead?
-
Ms Ghani
I can give my hon. Friend the fullest assurance. Shipping
is an international industry, and the UK strongly believes
it should be regulated at an international level by the
IMO. My officials and I recently played a leading role at
the marine environment protection committee, where we
secured the landmark agreement on phasing out greenhouse
gas emissions. The UK takes great pride in being the host
Government of the IMO, which is based just across the
Thames, and we will continue to maintain our active role
within the organisation’s work for the foreseeable future.
-
Mr (Orkney and
Shetland) (LD)
One of the biggest problems facing fishing vessel safety is
boats going to sea undermanned because they cannot get
enough crew. Will the Minister use her offices to make a
proper assessment of that and pass on her findings to the
Home Office to inform its consideration of the
opportunities for getting more crew from non-European
economic area countries?
-
Ms Ghani
Trying to encourage recruit and retain people to work in
the fishing, port and shipping sector is a priority for the
Department. We know how difficult it is to attract people
that are not already in contact with fishing, ports and
ships. We are doing what we can to try to encourage people
to think of shipping, fishing and working in ports as jobs
going forward. We have set up a number of initiatives,
especially this year, through the Year of Engineering, to
try to get young people interested in being employed in
fishing, ports and shipping, and we will share that
information with any Department that wishes to see it.
Train Timetable: Hitchin and Harpenden
-
(Hitchin and Harpenden)
(Con)
12. What steps his Department is taking to respond to rail
passenger concerns on the introduction of the new timetable
for peak-time services in Hitchin and Harpenden. [905557]
-
The Minister of State, Department for Transport (Joseph
Johnson)
The new Thameslink timetable started on Sunday. It brings
more frequent and better connected journeys for passengers
across London and the south-east. As part of this, rail
passengers at Hitchin and Harpenden now have a more regular
train service throughout the day than they did previously.
The Government, along with the rail industry, are
monitoring performance of the new timetable, as well as
passenger feedback.
-
On Monday, the first day of the timetable for commuters,
24% of Hitchin’s services were cancelled and more than 50%
were delayed. Please will the Minister reassure me and my
constituents that the Department will do everything it can
to force Govia Thameslink to improve its performance
drastically or be stripped of its franchise?
-
We are grateful to my hon. Friend for bringing all the
issues facing his constituency to our attention, and we
look forward to working closely with him in the coming
weeks. This week’s timetable changes are the first phase of
a totally recast timetable, which will deliver, in time,
the full benefits of the £7 billion Thameslink programme.
-
(Nottingham South)
(Lab)
The new timetable produces winners and losers across the
country. Yesterday, the University of Nottingham told me
that
“connectivity to London and to the world is crucial to
Nottingham attracting jobs, talent and visitors that will
drive the future of our economy. We are concerned that the
timetable changes will hinder these ambitions.”
That is a clear indictment of the changes forced on East
Midlands Trains’ services by this Department in order to
accommodate the new Thameslink timetable. What have this
Government got against the east midlands that means that,
yet again, we are getting a raw deal?
-
The May 2018 timetable change will see about 90% of our
services change. It is perhaps the single biggest timetable
change in the country’s history and it will bring an extra
1,300 train services across our network. This is a very
significant operational challenge. We recognise the
disruption that is temporarily occurring in various places,
and we are working carefully with train operators to reduce
it as rapidly as possible.
-
Mr (Sheffield South East)
(Lab)
Let me follow up on that question from my hon. Friend the
Member for Nottingham South (Lilian Greenwood). Last month,
the Secretary of State promised quicker and better train
services to Sheffield. As a result of these Thameslink
changes, East Midlands Trains says that priority is being
given to these new trains on Thameslink services over
trains to Sheffield. As a result, peak-time trains to
Sheffield are now six to eight minutes slower than they
were under the previous timetable—they are slower than they
were 10 years ago. Have the Secretary of State’s promises
of a month ago already been ditched?
-
The midlands main line changes and efficiency improvements
take place in a rolling way up to 2020, which is when the
significant benefits to the hon. Gentleman’s constituency
will start to flow through.
Road Repairs
-
(Witney) (Con)
13. What funds he has recently made available for the
repair of local roads. [905558]
-
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Transport
(Jesse Norman)
The Department for Transport is providing just over £6
billion to local highway authorities in England, outside
London, for highways maintenance funding from 2015 up to
2021. Of course, my hon. Friend will be aware of the £296
million pothole action fund.
-
I welcome the prospect of upgrades to main roads in west
Oxfordshire, financed through the housing infrastructure
fund and the growth deal, but what are Ministers doing to
ensure that small rural roads in areas such as west
Oxfordshire, which often bear the brunt of winter damage,
are not neglected and are also maintained to a high
standard?
-
My hon. Friend is absolutely right to raise that point,
especially in the light of the recent very bad bouts of
weather we have had, which have particularly affected local
roads. Until then, it was true that the A and B roads were
improving over time but that that leaves out the C and the
U roads. A more strategic approach needs to be taken to
that, and I am planning to do that in the months to come.
-
(Bristol South)
(Lab)
We have got a brand new road in my constituency and it is
supposed to have a vital bus link on it between Hengrove
and Long Ashton, but the West of England metro mayor
refuses to use his devolved powers to help make it happen.
What is the purpose of devolving powers to a metro mayor if
he will not use them?
-
The purpose is to allow him to be held locally accountable
by the people who elected him.
-
(Corby) (Con)
The proposal to put a weight limit on the North bridge in
Oundle is causing great concern, not only to residents but
to businesses and bus service users. I have written to my
right hon. Friend the Secretary of State about the matter.
Will he undertake to see what can be done to make sure that
the repairs are carried out as soon as possible?
-
As my hon. Friend will know, the North bridge in Oundle
falls under the responsibility of Northamptonshire County
Council as the highway authority. Since 2015-16, the
Department has provided the council with £72 million of
local highways maintenance finance, including £12 million
this year. That can be used to help to strengthen bridges.
It is entirely for the council to determine how that
funding is deployed.
-
(Scunthorpe) (Lab)
North Lincolnshire’s roads and pavements are pitted with
potholes. Given what the Minister has just said, should
North Lincolnshire Council not be doing a better job of
tackling this issue?
-
Of course, these are matters for local authorities in each
case, as the hon. Gentleman rightly points out. Our job is
to take a more strategic view of the overall picture, which
is what I have said we are planning to do.
Leaving the EU: Ports
-
(Redcar)
(Lab/Co-op)
16. What steps he has taken to prepare UK ports for when
the UK leaves the EU. [905563]
-
The Secretary of State for Transport (Chris Grayling)
The UK ports sector is in an excellent position to
facilitate growth in trade, both from the EU and from other
countries, when we leave the EU. Indeed, many of the port
operators have exciting plans to do so. Many UK ports have
recently invested vigorously in capacity, to handle the
largest container ships and to adapt to changing patterns
of energy generation. We are seeing investment at crucial
ports such as Dover, where the western docks are being
developed to enable better use of capacity at the eastern
docks to handle ferry traffic.
-
Teesport in my constituency is going from strength to
strength. It handles 5,000 vessels a year and more than 40
million tonnes of cargo. It is a gateway to the world, but
especially to Europe, our largest trading partner. Will the
Secretary of State guarantee that Brexit will not result in
trading barriers and customs checks, or in lorries queuing
down the A66?
-
The Prime Minister has been absolutely clear that this
country is committed to frictionless borders. Teesport is
doing a great job; I saw some of the firms that operate at
the port only recently. That is one reason why I have
announced the study into the potential reopening of the
Skipton to Colne railway line, because one thing we lack
for ports such as Teesport and, indeed, Liverpool, is
better freight connections across the Pennines. Every time
I talk to the port operators, that is top of their list.
-
(Kilmarnock and Loudoun)
(SNP)
One of the Brexit myths is taking control of borders, yet
the Secretary of State continues to say that there will be
no further checks on transport at ports. Is that just
because he does not have a clue about how the Government
can put in place a system that allows checks to be made but
does not cause carnage on the roads round about the ports?
-
No, I am afraid it is because the hon. Gentleman does not
understand how ports operate today. It is not necessary to
stop every lorry at a border—indeed, every lorry is not
stopped at the border—to have a free flow of trade.
Countries inside the European Union and countries that have
no connection with the European Union manage to operate a
free flow through ports and across borders, and that is
what we will do after we leave.
-
Mr Speaker
I call .
-
(Eltham) (Lab)
rose—
-
Mr Speaker
The hon. Gentleman looks a tad befuddled.
-
I was expecting Questions 17 and 18, Mr Speaker.
-
Mr Speaker
The answer—I always like to provide information to satisfy
colleagues—is that Question 17 was withdrawn and the person
who had Question 18 came in on an earlier question.
-
Thank you for enlightening me, Mr Speaker.
-
Mr Speaker
It is very good of the hon. Gentleman to drop in on us; we
are deeply obliged to him.
South Eastern Rail Franchise
-
(Eltham) (Lab)
19. What assessment he has made of the potential effect on
passenger safety of the terms of the new south-eastern rail
franchise which require some travellers to change trains at
Lewisham station. [905566]
-
The Minister of State, Department for Transport (Joseph
Johnson)
The hon. Gentleman will be aware that Lewisham is already a
fully accessible station. In terms of the total numbers of
passengers required to interchange, analysis by Department
officials suggests that it may decrease in the next
franchise.
-
Having been through all the upheaval of the London Bridge
refurbishment, my constituents now face fewer choices of
London destinations under the new franchise, which means
they have to change at Lewisham. The additional development
right on top of Lewisham station is going to cause a great
deal of congestion there. Will the Minister carry out a
safety assessment at Lewisham station to make sure that it
is safe for passengers who change at the station in future?
-
As I said, officials believe that we will see a decrease in
the numbers of passengers interchanging at Lewisham station
in the next franchise period. It is currently an accessible
station, although I recognise that its existing design
means that it can get crowded at peak times, as the hon.
Gentleman said. In recognition of that, the invitation to
tender incentivises bidders to consider investment to
improve the flow of passengers at Lewisham. Bidders will be
required to spend no less than £6.5 million on station
improvements, and Lewisham is one candidate for that spend.
-
(Blaenau Gwent) (Lab)
rose—
-
Mr Speaker
I am bound to say that Lewisham station is a very
considerable distance from Blaenau Gwent, which the hon.
Gentleman represents, but perhaps he has a connection with
south-east London of which I am unaware and about which I
am shortly to be enlightened. Who knows? I call Mr
.
-
Rail accessibility is an important topic, so will the £430
million saved by not electrifying the Cardiff to Swansea
line still be spent in Wales?
-
Mr Speaker
Very naughty indeed!
-
At the time the announcement on electrification was made,
we made it clear that we would be looking at a number of
schemes to invest in infrastructure and enhancements in
Cardiff and Swansea. Those discussions are currently under
way.
Topical Questions
-
(Harrow East)
(Con)
T1. If he will make a statement on his departmental
responsibilities. [905567]
-
The Secretary of State for Transport (Chris Grayling)
Before I answer my hon. Friend’s question, it might be
appropriate for the whole House to express our thanks to
all of the transport workers who were involved in the
planning and delivery of a smooth journey to and from
Windsor last weekend for the royal wedding. It was a very
smooth operation and it went gratifyingly well on what was
a fantastic day for the country.
-
Drivers on the Jubilee and District lines are threatening
all-out strikes on 6 and 14 June, bringing misery to
literally millions of Londoners. Will my right hon. Friend
join me in condemning this action, which will put the
passengers and commuters of London in a desperate plight,
and call on the Mayor of London to intervene to stop this
strike?
-
In my view, there is never a justification for industrial
action causing that degree of disruption to the lives of
individual passengers and of other workers. It is not fair
on them; it is the wrong thing to do. Disputes should be
solved through means other than strike actions on our
public transport system. However, I do remember being
informed on regular occasions by the Mayor of London, when
we had the troubles on Southern, that he would be much
better at coping with these things because there would
never be a strike on his watch. He has already broken that
one, because he has had them already. It looks like he will
have some more.
-
(Middlesbrough)
(Lab)
This week’s timetabling debacle is characteristic of all
that is wrong with the railway. The Secretary of State told
the press yesterday, and not this House, that Northern Rail
issues were his top priority and that he would improve
train driver rostering and driver recruitment to improve
things, but he cannot simply tinker with rosters and pick
new train drivers off a shelf. Does he not realise that it
takes a year to train a driver and that roster changes have
to be worked through, with the workforce, well ahead of
their introduction?
-
First of all, the hon. Gentleman has not been following
things too closely, because my recollection is that when I
was in this House yesterday afternoon I expressly talked
about the issues with the timetabling.
Secondly, Northern does not have a shortage in overall
terms of drivers. The problem has been caused by the
operational difficulties that resulted from, first, Network
Rail’s failure to deliver the electrification to the
schedule that was expected on the line to Bolton, and,
secondly, from Network Rail’s failure to finalise
timetables in time. That has been the prime reason for
disruption, which was not helped, I might add, by an
unnecessary work to rule by one of the unions.
What has happened has been unacceptable for passengers, but
I also remind the hon. Gentleman that this is the most
devolved franchise in England. The management of the
franchise is shared by my Department and northern leaders
through Rail North, so it is not simply a question of my
Department. I will be working now to see whether Rail North
together has done enough of a job in monitoring these
problems.
-
Mr Speaker
I do not wish to be unkind to the Secretary of State, and
he has certainly given us very full information, but let me
say this. I gently chided the Minister next to him, the
hon. Member for Wealden (Ms Ghani), for a mildly lengthy
reply to one question, but he seems determined to outdo
her. It is not a competition. Their replies are extremely
informative, and I thank them for that, but we do not have
unlimited time, although I do try to extend the envelope.
-
Northern Rail issues may be the Secretary of State’s top
priority, but what about the long-suffering passengers on
Thameslink and Southern? This is the fault not of 400
hard-working timetablers, but of train companies that do
not have enough drivers with the right knowledge in the
right places at the right time. Is it not the case that
these train companies have had years to prepare for this
and that this Secretary of State simply trashes the
hard-working men and women across the industry who strive
to deliver rail improvements? He simply throws them under
the bus.
-
If I am not mistaken, the hon. Gentleman has just trashed
the hard-working men and women of the train companies, who
are trying to do a decent job for passengers; he cannot
have it both ways. I am afraid that this is a problem with
Network Rail, and I have said that it cannot happen again.
We have now had the late delivery of the timetable twice in
six months. It is not what I would have expected to happen
at this moment in time, with such a big, complex change.
None the less, it is happening because we are running
vastly more trains to more destinations. New trains have
been running this week, and there are people getting on
trains this week who have a seat for the first time in four
years. That is a good thing.
-
(Witney) (Con)
T3. May I impress on Ministers the urgency of upgrades,
including redoubling, to the Cotswold line? Will Ministers
commit to working with me to ensure that west Oxfordshire
sees those upgrades, which it so badly needs? [905570]
-
The Minister of State, Department for Transport (Joseph
Johnson)
I am certainly aware of stakeholders’ desire for faster and
more frequent services along the North Cotswold line
between Worcester, Oxford and London. We will continue to
provide advice to ’s taskforce as it
develops its proposals.
-
(Strangford) (DUP)
T2. The whole House welcomes the fact that the Laser Misuse
(Vehicles) Bill has received Royal Assent. Will the
Minister confirm when this important legislation will come
into force in Northern Ireland? [905569]
-
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Transport
(Ms Nusrat Ghani)
The hon. Gentleman is right to welcome this legislation.
The misuse of lasers can have very serious consequences,
and offenders should face tough penalties for endangering
the lives of others. The new offences in relation to
maritime and aviation will come into force on 10 July
across the entire United Kingdom. As road and rail are
devolved to Northern Ireland, these elements of the Act
will require a legislative consent motion to be approved by
the Northern Ireland Assembly when it returns.
-
(Northampton South)
(Con)
T6. With increasing house building near the strategic road
networks on the edge of Northampton, what steps is the
Department taking to finish the second phase of the
north-west ring road? [905574]
-
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Transport
(Jesse Norman)
As part of the local growth deal, the Government have
already provided nearly £8 million of funding for the
construction of phase 1 of the Northampton north-west
relief road. We work closely with the Ministry of Housing,
Communities and Local Government to ensure that investment
in this infrastructure and others helps to unlock new homes
and create workable, sustainable communities.
-
(Cambridge)
(Lab)
T4. The Minister will have seen the major story in The
Times yesterday, highlighting the problems of licensing and
cross-border working in the taxi and private hire industry,
and the concerns around public safety. Regrettably, my
private Member’s Bill—the Licensing of Taxis and Private
Hire Vehicles (Safeguarding and Road Safety) Bill—was
talked out a few weeks ago. Will the Minister now give the
public an assurance that the Government will come forward
urgently with legislation to address these concerns?
[905571]
-
Ms Ghani
The hon. Gentleman raises an important point. I also read
the story, which was very alarming. He knows that licensing
authorities are responsible for ensuring that taxi drivers
are fit and proper, renewing licences and doing criminal
record checks. He will also be aware that there is a task
and finish group looking at taxis. I am waiting for that
group to present its report to me. I assure the hon.
Gentleman that I am looking at the issue very closely, as
the safety of passengers is a big priority for me.
-
(Ochil and South
Perthshire) (Con)
T7. What recent estimates has the Minister made of the jobs
created by High Speed 2? What estimate has been made of the
economic benefit to each part of the United Kingdom?
[905575]
-
Ms Ghani
I like every opportunity to talk about HS2 and the benefits
that it will bring across the country. It is forecast to
support about 25,000 new construction jobs and 2,000
apprenticeships during the construction of phase 1 and 2,
as well as 3,000 operations and maintenance jobs once the
services are running. Economic growth as a result of HS2 is
estimated to support the creation of up to 100,000 jobs.
HS2 will provide better connectivity to Scotland. This will
enable businesses to create new opportunities and people to
have better choices of jobs, as well as creating extra
capacity for freight.
-
(Nottingham South)
(Lab)
T5. International evidence supports road safety targets; we
know that they work. The European Commission’s new mobility
package proposes a target of halving road deaths and
serious injuries by 2030. We know that this Government like
targets to throw people out of the country, but what is the
Minister’s position on targets to save the lives of UK
citizens? [905573]
-
The answer to that question, as the hon. Lady will know, is
that there is no correlation between having targets at the
national level and the success of a road safety strategy.
Many countries that do not have targets have had thoroughly
successful road safety strategies. There are many parts of
our public realm in which targets can be set by the
authorities involved, and we welcome them when they are
set.
-
(North Devon)
(Con)
A week ago today, the Government announced funding of £83
million for improvements to the north Devon link road.
[Hon. Members: “Hear, hear!”] Indeed—hear, hear. I thank
the Minister for that decision. Will he join me in
congratulating Devon County Council on the brilliant bid
that has got this funding?
-
I am really grateful to Devon County Council for the work
it has done. I am also very grateful to my hon. Friend for
the arguments that he has brought forward about why this
should be a priority. It is a sign of this Government’s
commitment to the south-west of this country, where we are
delivering actual projects that are really essential to
local infrastructure and that are long, long overdue.
-
(Nottingham North)
(Lab/Co-op)
T8. This week we were expecting the tender document for the
east midlands rail franchise. It has not been forthcoming.
When can we expect it, and will it promote investment in
the service, including improved services on evenings and
weekends? [905576]
-
We are just finalising this. I do not know if we have made
an announcement on when it is going to come out, but it
will come out very shortly. The midland main line is going
through the biggest modernisation programme since the
1870s. The hon. Member for Nottingham South (Lilian
Greenwood) referred to the question of timetable changes.
There have been a number of difficult timetable changes,
both in the London area and further up the line. However,
this is all paving the way. When this route is completed
properly in 2020, when we will have new trains, the railway
will be much better than it has been for a century.
-
(Mid Worcestershire)
(Con)
What consideration has been given to breaking off the North
Cotswold line into a stand-alone franchise once the GWR
franchise comes to an end?
-
My hon. Friend has raised this with the Department and with
me on a number of occasions, and we continue to look at it.
It seems, though, that a stand-alone, North
Cotswold-line-only franchise would potentially be too small
to be sustainable in its own right, as it would be only a
small fraction of the size of what is currently the
smallest franchise in the network.
-
(North Norfolk)
(LD)
Following up on the earlier question about the consultation
on community transport licensing, North Norfolk Community
Transport has already lost contracts worth half its income
during the consultation period because it cannot win any
more business due to the fear that hangs over the sector.
What steps will the Government take to guarantee the future
of these vital community transport links? We fear losing
this one.
-
As the right hon. Gentleman will know, we have published
guidance making it perfectly clear that local authorities
would be acting prematurely if they withdrew or curtailed
funding through grants before further guidance, which, as
my ministerial colleague has said, we expect to give before
the summer.
-
Several hon. Members rose—
-
Mr Speaker
It is very good of the hon. Member for Tonbridge and
Malling (Tom Tugendhat) to drop in on us. We have missed
the hon. Gentleman, who was, I think, attending to
important business elsewhere, but is now in the bosom of
the Chamber. Let’s hear the fella.
-
(Tonbridge and Malling)
(Con)
Thank you, Mr Speaker, for your indulgence—you have been
very kind indeed.
However, one thing that has been less kind to us, sadly, is
the timetable changes on GTR and Southeastern. Many people
in the constituency I have the privilege to represent, and
indeed many in neighbouring areas, are commenting on the
lack of capacity taking people into London in the morning
and home at night to West Malling, Kings Hill and other
places on the Maidstone East line. What will the Government
be doing to increase capacity to get in and out of London
for these valuable people?
-
I can assure my hon. Friend that there has not been a
change to capacity on the Maidstone East line. Some trains
on the new timetable are faster and some are slower, but in
overall terms the services will continue to deliver for
passengers. Right now, as I explained to the House a little
while back, we clearly have initial problems with the new
timetable. This is the biggest logistical change that the
railways have made for a very long time. My Department is
working very closely with all those involved to try to get
this sorted out as quickly as possible. But this is all
about delivering more services, longer trains and new
destinations across the south-east, and once it is bedded
in, I think that passengers in his constituency and
elsewhere will see the benefits.
-
(Feltham and Heston)
(Lab/Co-op)
Will the Secretary of State update the House on his
invitation for proposals on a southern rail link to
Heathrow? This is of great interest to families and
businesses in my constituency, with the potential for a
direct rail link from Waterloo to Heathrow via Feltham.
-
That is very timely, because after this Question Time
session I am going to meet a number of organisations that
are interested in participating in this project. As the
hon. Lady knows, we are going to deliver a massive
improvement to service access around Heathrow. Western
access will be delivered through the control period 6
process, and I aim for southern access to be a privately
funded project. This has enormous potential to link not
just Waterloo to Heathrow but to link parts of the
south-west network through Heathrow on to Paddington.
-
(South Basildon and
East Thurrock) (Con)
As my right hon. Friend will know, 2018 is the Year of
Engineering. As my local contribution to that, I am
organising an engineering showcase in Basildon town centre
on 14 July. Will he encourage other Members to consider
doing a similar thing in their own constituency? May I also
invite him to come and join us to celebrate all the
fantastic engineering going on in Basildon?
-
I am really grateful to my hon. Friend for the work he is
doing as our ambassador for the Year of Engineering. He is
a tower of strength in making this a successful year. We
have hundreds of firms involved around the country, and I
encourage other Members to take advantage of what he is
doing and to lay on an event for new students in their
constituency this autumn, as I will. This is a great
opportunity to unite the whole House in saying that
engineering is a great profession and we need more young
people to go into it.
-
Mr (Bolsover) (Lab)
Approximately two months ago, I asked the Secretary of
State for a meeting with the Newton people who, because of
HS2, are going to see more than 30 houses knocked down in
their small village. Has the meeting been arranged yet?
-
Ms Ghani
I know that HS2 Ltd has put in place community managers who
are meeting communities up and down the line. HS2 Ltd is
also hosting regular meetings here in Parliament, at which
Members can make representations on behalf of their
constituents. We must not forget that HS2 will bring more
than £92 billion of benefit across the whole country. HS2
Ltd is available here in Parliament and also in the hon.
Gentleman’s constituency, if he so wishes.
-
Mr Skinner
The Secretary of State agreed the meeting.
-
Mr Speaker
Well, the hon. Gentleman can always table a question asking
when the meeting will be. That is a hint.
-
Mr Skinner
It was a fortnight ago when he agreed.
-
Mr Speaker
I note that, and I think that it will be on the record.
-
I do not think the hon. Gentleman’s office has been in
touch.
-
Mr Speaker
I am sure the matter will be sorted out erelong; I very
much hope it will.
-
(Ayr, Carrick and
Cumnock) (Con)
Network Rail is responsible for Ayr railway station in my
constituency, which has important links with Stranraer and
Glasgow. The functionality and passenger safety at that
station is under threat due to the derelict state of the
nearby Station Hotel, which is privately owned. May I urge
my right hon. Friend to encourage Network Rail to seriously
engage with the owners of that hotel and the local council,
to avoid a catastrophic event at Ayr railway station?
-
First, there is no question but that we are very happy to
have a meeting between Ministers and the hon. Member for
Bolsover (Mr Skinner). If his office gets in touch, we will
sort that.
On my hon. Friend’s question, I would like to find out a
bit more detail, because clearly we would like to ensure
that that problem does not exist. If he provides a bit more
detail to myself or my hon. Friend the rail Minister, we
will get on to the case.
-
(City of Chester)
(Lab)
The recent court case that found the collection of tolls at
the Mersey crossing unlawful has afforded Ministers an
opportunity to pause and review the operation of those
tolls, which are hated across my region. Will they take
that opportunity and review the tolls?
-
As the hon. Gentleman will know, the road has been
extraordinarily successful and is a great example of a
piece of newly funded infrastructure. That issue is
primarily for Halton Borough Council, but we are following
the situation closely.
-
(East Renfrewshire)
(Con)
Residents in Uplawmoor are currently campaigning against
proposed airspace changes at Glasgow airport. I very much
welcome the Department’s decision to move that process on
to the new Civil Aviation Authority guidelines, but does
the Secretary of State agree that it is vital that airports
carry out meaningful consultation with affected communities
and do not try to bamboozle and bludgeon them into
submission with technical jargon that they cannot
understand?
-
I absolutely agree with my hon. Friend. The management of
airspace and flight paths is extraordinarily sensitive for
local communities. Airports that engage well have a much
easier time, and those that do not engage properly pay a
price. I agree that community engagement is really
important.
-
(Inverclyde) (SNP)
When the east coast railway franchise is once again open to
bids, will the bidding process include a prosperity weighting
clause, in keeping with proposals for some defence contracts?
-
When we form the London North Eastern Railway in its final
form, as I have said, it will not be a conventional franchise
bidding process. It will move to a completely new approach,
as I set out in my statement earlier this month, and we will
bring more details to the House about the shape of that in
due course.
-
(Torbay) (Con)
I know the Secretary of State shares my excitement about the
fact that in July we will see the first new Hitachi trains on
a booked service west of Taunton. Will he update us about the
wider progress being made with the new Great Western
franchise, particularly about the idea that it may be split?
-
I have now got back the responses to the consultation, and I
am carefully considering my response to them. I give my hon.
Friend an assurance that I have a fairly clear message from
the people who responded, and I will take that view very
carefully into account in how I take this forward.
-
Graham P. Jones (Hyndburn) (Lab)
When will the Government stand up for small towns in the
shires of this country? While the cities get new trains and
powers over bus services, the small towns in the heartlands,
such as Lancashire, get nothing. This Government do not seem
to care about small towns.
-
It is nice to finish with a degree of hokum from the
Opposition. Lancashire has benefited, for example, from the
Heysham relief road—connecting two smaller centres in a way
that is absolutely vital if we are to unlock parts of the
economy—and, starting later this year, all the small towns in
Lancashire are getting new trains. Once we have bedded in the
timetable and overcome these infuriating problems, the
Northern Rail franchise will deliver more services in
Lancashire—and, indeed, in Copeland, where my hon. Friend the
Member for Copeland (Trudy Harrison), who has now gone, had
the pleasure last weekend of travelling on the west Cumbria
line’s first Sunday service in decades.
-
Mr Speaker
That is very useful to know. Thank you.
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