The below Parliamentary question was asked by Cheryl Gillan on 2016-07-11.
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what the planned start date is for construction of High Speed 2 Phase One.
Mr Robert Goodwill
Construction is expected to begin in 2017.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Peter Kyle on 2016-07-11.
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what progress has been made by his Department and train operating companies on ensuring compliance with the relevant legislative provisions by the expiry date of the (Commencement No. 3, Transitional Provisions, Savings and Consequential Amendments) (Amendment) Order 2016 in October 2016.
Claire Perry
It is for the rail industry to ensure compliance with the requirements of the Consumer Rights Act when the services provisions of the Act come into force. Train companies, working with the Association of Train Operating Companies (ATOC), are currently reviewing their working practices to ensure that this is the case. The Office of Rail and Road (ORR) is a statutory enforcement body for the Consumer Rights Act for this sector.
The Department for Transport, ATOC and the ORR are working together to co-ordinate industry wide improvements in the way that rail passenger compensations schemes are publicised and administered.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Adam Holloway on 2016-07-11.
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, pursuant to the Answer of 23 May 2016 to Question 37232, what assessment his Department made of the potential vehicular capacity of the two long tunnel options for the Lower Thames Crossing connected either (a) through junctions 2 and 30 on the M25 or (b) by direct connection to the motorway beyond the junctions.
Andrew Jones
Both the long tunnel options between Darenth and South Ockenden would have a nominal capacity of approximately 8,000 vehicles per hour. In the morning peak hour at the year of opening in 2025, the (a) shorter tunnel option through junctions 2 and 30 on the M25 would have an initial forecast usage of 5,600 vehicles per hour and for (b) 3,400 for the longer beyond junction tunnel option.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Richard Burden on 2016-07-11.
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether his Department plans to include provisions in the Modern Transport Bill to (a) develop a licensing regime for the sale of safe driverless vehicles and (b) establish regulations for driverless vehicles in the testing phase.
Mr Robert Goodwill
At this stage, we have not developed plans for changes to primary road traffic legislation other than relating to motor vehicle insurance for automated vehicles. We have also announced plans to change the Highway Code and regulations to support the safe use of advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS). The Centre for Connected and Autonomous Vehicles launched a consultation on these issues on 11 July.
We will consider further legislative, regulatory, and guidance changes as ADAS and automated vehicles continue to develop and reach the market, so that people and businesses can safely take advantage of the benefits that they offer.
We do not consider that legislative change is needed to facilitate testing of automated vehicle technologies; testing of automated vehicle technologies can be carried out on any UK road as long as carried out in line with UK traffic laws and guidance – further details are set out in the Code of practice for testing of automated vehicle technologies – https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/automated-vehicle-technologies-testing-code-of-practice.
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The below Parliamentary question was asked by Cheryl Gillan on 2016-07-11.
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, with reference to the Report of the HS2 Residents’ Commissioner, published in May 2016, what steps his Department and HS2 Ltd have taken to introduce a newsletter for affected residents.
Mr Robert Goodwill
In Euston, HS2 Ltd have committed to producing a quarterly newsletter, the first newsletter was circulated in May 2016 to over 21,000 homes in the Camden area. The newsletter includes information about HS2, project updates, highlights key milestones and publicises upcoming engagement activities.
More widely HS2 Ltd plan to publish community newsletters across the Phase One route. The first series of these newsletters is scheduled for autumn 2016.
Phase Two is at a much earlier stage of development and HS2 Ltd are working closely with existing community engagement forums to ensure people are kept update with the latest information. HS2 Ltd anticipate publishing a community newsletter following a route announcement.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Cheryl Gillan on 2016-07-11.
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, when and where the next community engagement event for High Speed 2 Phase One in Chesham and Amersham constituency will take place.
Mr Robert Goodwill
HS2 Ltd’s most recent engagement with the Amersham and Chesham community took place at the Amersham Town Carnival on Saturday 9th July, and was part of the project’s more localised approach to community engagement. The HS2 stall presented local information on the project, and was attended by around 180 residents from the Amersham / Chesham community.
HS2 Ltd plans to attend similar existing community events across the Phase One route during the summer months, and is also drawing up a schedule of HS2 Ltd run community events, expected to be delivered in the autumn. Amersham and Chesham will be included as part of this exercise. Further details will be made available once the next event is confirmed.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Cheryl Gillan on 2016-07-11.
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, when he expects the timetable for construction of High Speed 2 Phase One in Chesham and Amersham constituency to be published.
Mr Robert Goodwill
Finalising the construction timetable for works in this area will be the responsibility of the Main Works Contractor when they are appointed following Royal Assent. An indicative construction programme for Chesham and Amersham is set out in Volume 2 of the Environmental Statement (ES) – CFA reports 8-9. This indicates advanced works commencing in the first quarter of 2017, with civil engineering works commencing in the fourth quarter of 2017.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Cheryl Gillan on 2016-07-11.
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, how many Need to Sell cases in Chesham and Amersham constituency are yet to be finalised.
Mr Robert Goodwill
There are two Need to Sell applications from the Chesham and Amersham constituency which are currently under consideration.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Gloria De Piero on 2016-07-11.
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment he has made of the potential effect of the UK leaving the EU on the construction of High Speed 2 from Birmingham to Manchester and Leeds.
Mr Robert Goodwill
The negotiation for Britain’s future relationship with the European Union will begin under the new Prime Minister, and we now have to look at all the detailed arrangements. In the meantime, the Department will continue to work to deliver the Government agenda, including HS2.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Nigel Evans on 2016-07-11.
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment he has made of the potential effect on the travelling public of proposed reductions in spending on public transport in Ribble Valley.
Andrew Jones
It is for Lancashire County Council, as the transport authority for Ribble Valley, to decide how to allocate funding for public transport, in consultation with its districts and communities. The County Council has received £6.054m from the Integrated Transport Block for 2016/17. In addition, £1.86m of Bus Operators Services Grant (BSOG) has been provided to support bus services.