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  • Caroline Lucas – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Transport

    Caroline Lucas – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Transport

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Caroline Lucas on 2016-06-15.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment he has made of what land is required in (a) the Croydon area and (b) other areas to allow for the Brighton Mainline Upgrade; and whether he plans to safeguard that land for transport purposes.

    Claire Perry

    As part of its work developing proposals for the upgrade of the Brighton Main Line, Network Rail has and will continue to assess land requirements. The Government will include any considerations in respect of land, including planning requirements, in any future investment decisions in the corridor.

  • Martin Docherty-Hughes – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Transport

    Martin Docherty-Hughes – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Transport

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Martin Docherty-Hughes on 2016-06-15.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, how many incidents involving unmanned drones and aircraft in the proximity of UK airports have been reported in each month in each of the last five years.

    Mr Robert Goodwill

    The following table show the number of incidents involving unmanned drones that have been reported by pilots, air traffic control and the general public for each month since 2015. There is no specific data relating to incidents in the proximity of UK airports and very low levels of reporting prior to 2015. These figures should be viewed with the following caveats:

    • The numbers also include possible drone events in the UK where there is insufficient time to positively identify if an ‘object’ was definitely a drone.
    • Lag in process reporting could result in re-categorisation of incidents, which could have an impact on the numbers.

    2015

    Jan

    2

    Feb

    3

    Mar

    2

    Apr

    9

    May

    5

    Jun

    6

    Jul

    11

    Aug

    10

    Sep

    12

    Oct

    9

    Nov

    6

    Dec

    2

    2016

    Jan

    4

    Feb

    9

    Mar

    31

    Apr

    27

    May

    25

    “

  • Martin Docherty-Hughes – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Transport

    Martin Docherty-Hughes – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Transport

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Martin Docherty-Hughes on 2016-06-15.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what guidelines there are for the flying of unmanned drones in the proximity of airports.

    Mr Robert Goodwill

    Article 166 of the UK Air Navigation order 2009 (ANO) requires operators of small unmanned aircraft to maintain direct, unaided visual contact with the aircraft sufficient to monitor its flight path in relation to other aircraft, persons, vehicles, vessels and structures for the purposes of avoiding collisions. It also states that an operator may only fly the aircraft if they are reasonably satisfied that the flight can safely be made.

    In addition, Article 138 of the ANO 2009, which also applies to small unmanned aircraft, states that “a person must not recklessly or negligently cause or permit an aircraft to endanger any person or property”. This includes persons within another aircraft, and of course the aircraft that those persons are within.

    The Civil Aviation Authority issues CAP 722 which is guidance for operating drones in the UK.

  • Daniel Zeichner – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Transport

    Daniel Zeichner – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Transport

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Daniel Zeichner on 2016-06-15.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if his Department will promote the provision of seating facilities in public places to encourage walking.

    Mr Robert Goodwill

    It is for local authorities to determine what works best for their own areas, but we welcome public realm improvements that help encourage more people to make walking the natural choice for shorter journeys. Through the Manual for Streets, the Department for Transport (DfT) provides guidance to assist those in the planning, construction and improvement of our streets to deliver functional, attractive public spaces. This includes using street furniture, such as seating, to help create a sense of place, making the street a destination in its own right.

    The principles that the Manual for Streets sets out are expanded for urban areas in Manual for Streets 2, published by the Chartered Institution of Highways and Transportation and endorsed by DfT.

  • Daniel Zeichner – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Transport

    Daniel Zeichner – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Transport

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Daniel Zeichner on 2016-06-15.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps his Department is taking to promote park and stride schemes.

    Mr Robert Goodwill

    A partnership of sixteen local authorities across England, led by Birmingham City Council, has linked up with national charity Living Streets and the Modeshift organisation to focus on increasing walking rates with schools, workplaces and in target locations, in order to tackle congestion and improve access to education and employment.

    The project is being delivered through a grant of £2.48m from Department for Transport as part of the Sustainable Travel Transition Year funding programme. It will build on the success of the previous Department for Transport funded LSTF Walk To (2015/16) and Walk To School Outreach (2012/15) projects.

  • Daniel Zeichner – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Transport

    Daniel Zeichner – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Transport

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Daniel Zeichner on 2016-06-15.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, which types of lorries are being used for the delivery of High Speed 2 projects.

    Mr Robert Goodwill

    Principal contractors will be required to determine what HGVs are employed on HS2 construction and ensure they comply with relevant quality standards such as Fleet Operator Recognition Scheme. It is anticipated that excavated material will be transported in rigid tippers (up to 33 tonne gross vehicle weight), and concrete will be supplied in 6 or 8 cubic metre capacity rigid lorries. Other materials are likely to be supplied by a mixture of rigid and articulated lorries of various sizes.

  • Martin Docherty-Hughes – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Transport

    Martin Docherty-Hughes – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Transport

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Martin Docherty-Hughes on 2016-06-15.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what discussions his Department has had with airline operators in response to incidents between unmanned drones and passenger airlines.

    Mr Robert Goodwill

    The Department for Transport (DfT) and the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) work with a wide range of industry partners across the aviation sector, (including manufacturers, airports, and airlines), to ensure our understanding of potential hazards to aircraft remains up-to-date. Further work is underway to better understand the risk posed by flying drones close to commercial planes to ensure that regulations remain fit for purpose.

  • Martin Docherty-Hughes – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Transport

    Martin Docherty-Hughes – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Transport

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Martin Docherty-Hughes on 2016-06-15.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what discussions his Department has had with the Scottish Government on the issue of resilience in the event of a drone collision with a passenger airline in Scottish airspace.

    Mr Robert Goodwill

    The Government hasn’t had any direct discussions with a Scottish Government on this issue. Commercial aircraft are already rigorously tested to withstand collisions with small objects, such as birds, but my Department and the Civil Aviation Authority are working with the aviation sector, including manufacturers, airports and airlines, to ensure our understanding of the potential hazards to aircraft remains up-to-date. This activity is also helping to provide real life evidence of drone risks and the options for preventing collisions.

  • Caroline Lucas – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Transport

    Caroline Lucas – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Transport

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Caroline Lucas on 2016-06-15.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether he has investigated, in his Department’s work assessing the reasons for delays and cancellations on the Brighton Mainline, whether or not GTR are preventing staff who took part in recent strike action from working overtime; and if he will make a statement.

    Claire Perry

    GTR are providing the Department with information on the current disruption in line with their franchise agreement. Management of staff is a matter between GTR and its employees, however I have been assured by GTR that it is not the case that they are preventing staff who participated in industrial action from working overtime.

  • Lilian Greenwood – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Transport

    Lilian Greenwood – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Transport

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Lilian Greenwood on 2016-06-15.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether he has issued (a) an enforcement order, (b) a provisional enforcement order or a remedial plan notice against Govia Thameslink Railway.

    Claire Perry

    No enforcement order has been issued against Govia Thameslink Railway (GTR). A remedial plan notice was issued in July 2015 and the Remedial Plan was agreed between the Department for Transport and GTR in February this year.