The below Parliamentary question was asked by Robert Flello on 2016-01-13.
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what analysis his Department has undertaken of the effect of a new rail freight depot near Northampton on the local economy.
Claire Perry
The development of proposals for rail freight interchanges is a matter for the private sector and therefore the Department has not undertaken any such analysis.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Robert Flello on 2016-01-13.
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, with reference to the briefing by the National Audit Office, entitled Delivering major projects in government, published on 6 January 2016, what steps his Department is taking to (a) correct inconsistent reporting of costs referred to in that briefing and (b) ensure more accurate reporting of costs on major projects.
Mr Robert Goodwill
The Department has issued clear guidance on how projects should report financial data. This includes whether costs are reported as real or nominal and further information on how costs are calculated. The Department is working with the Infrastructure Project Authority (IPA) to ensure consistent portfolio reporting across Government.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Damian Collins on 2016-01-13.
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if he will publish advice received by his Department from Highways England on the sites considered for providing off-road lorry parking to address Operation Stack on the M20 in Kent; and what the reasons were for rejecting sites not included in the current consultation.
Andrew Jones
Taking account of past studies and the work of the European Gateway Group, Highways England and local partners drew up a number of criteria for a proposed lorry park. Based on these criteria, a range of sites were considered, and two viable sites were identified.
The current public consultation describes these two potential sites and invites suggestions as to other sites that may be suitable. Following the consultation, Highways England will assess all sites suggested and report on their suitability for an off road lorry area.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Robert Flello on 2016-01-13.
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what steps her Department is taking to ensure that the new migrant camp being built in Dunkirk does not have a negative effect on UK-bound lorries.
James Brokenshire
Any proposals for accommodation for migrants in Dunkirk, or elsewhere in Northern France, are a matter for the French authorities.
The haulage industry is hugely important to UK trade and prosperity and the Government takes the security of UK-bound traffic, as well as the safety of hauliers and tourists using the ports in Northern France, very seriously.
The Government has listened to industry concerns and continues to work closely with the French authorities at both political and operational levels on a package of measures to bolster the security of the ports. Action has been taken to improve the flow of traffic at the Juxtaposed Controls; and a new secure waiting area at Calais for UK-bound lorries with capacity for 230 vehicles will be completed by spring 2016. In the interim, Border Force has worked with the Calais port operator and introduced a secure freight circulation and waiting area for around 200 vehicles.
Border Force advice for drivers – published on gov.uk – is to alert the authorities of the country they are in as soon as they suspect persons may be seeking to enter their vehicle. The website also provides hauliers and drivers with emergency contact details for the relevant French authorities and is applicable at all the ports in Northern France.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Andrew Stephenson on 2016-01-13.
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, how many motorhome owners from continental Europe visited England in each of the last five years.
Mr Robert Goodwill
The information requested is not collected by the Department.
The Department collects information on the number of passengers and passenger vehicles travelling to England from Europe via rail and ferry, however in both cases it is not possible to identify the vehicle type, or whether the passengers are motorhome owners.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Peter Kyle on 2016-01-13.
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, pursuant to the Answer of 29 October 2015 to Question 13946, whether his Department has received the findings of the London and South Coast Rail Corridor Study; and what the timeframe is for publication of that study’s findings and his Department’s response to it.
Claire Perry
The Government has received initial study findings, which are being more fully developed at present. The Study is expected to be completed early in 2016, and the Government will subsequently consider the timeframe for releasing the study findings, including our response.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Andrew Stephenson on 2016-01-13.
To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, how many motorhome-friendly parking sites there are in (a) England, (b) the North West and (c) Lancashire.
Mr Marcus Jones
The Department for Communities and Local Government does not hold data for of the number of motorhome-friendly parking sites. Parking provision is a matter for which local authorities are responsible, and the development of parking policies should take account of the existing and projected levels of parking demand.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Jessica Morden on 2016-01-13.
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, pursuant to the Answer of 7 January 2016 to Question 20831, when the DVLA plans to roll out the piloted scheme against non-payment of vehicle excise duty.
Andrew Jones
The Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) is continuing to work with police forces to address the issue of overstaying foreign registered vehicles.
The pilot that ran between November 2014 and February 2015 is now being taken forward as business as usual. A further seven police forces have requested the DVLA’s devolved powers to enable them to take action against non-compliant vehicles. On average around 100 foreign registered vehicles are impounded each month.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Gregory Campbell on 2016-01-13.
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, pursuant to the Answer of 5 January 2016 to Question 20337, what steps he plans to take to improve the service offered by the DVLA to people resident in Northern Ireland.
Andrew Jones
Northern Ireland motorists will benefit from the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA)’s commitment to the continuous improvement of its services along with those in the rest of the UK. These improvements will include an increase in the range of digital services offered.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Nigel Huddleston on 2016-01-13.
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what progress has been made on the introduction of mandatory defibrillators on aircraft.
Mr Robert Goodwill
The European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) is responsible for the regulations relating to equipment to be carried on aircraft operating in Europe and competent national authorities, the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) being such a body in the UK, are responsible for oversight of the compliance. The EASA regulations do not require aircraft to carry defibrillators.
Cases of sudden cardiac arrest are very rare when compared to the number of passengers carried. There is no evidence that airline passengers are at increased risk of sudden cardiac arrest, and it would not be proportionate to make carrying defibrillators in an aircraft compulsory.