The below Parliamentary question was asked by Ian Blackford on 2016-04-25.
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether he plans to review the effectiveness of the public service obligation for regional airports.
Mr Robert Goodwill
The Government plans to update its Aviation Policy Framework this year. As part of this update the Government will consider the role that public service obligations can play in serving regional airports.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Jack Lopresti on 2016-04-25.
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps his Department has had with the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills on supporting skills development to help deliver the Government’s transport infrastructure programmes.
Andrew Jones
The Transport Infrastructure Skills Strategy published in January this year sets out our plans, among which our ambition to create thirty thousand apprenticeships in the roads and rail sectors by 2020. Earlier this month we launched the taskforce that will implement the strategy, chaired by Simon Kirby, CEO of HS2 Ltd. These steps have been carried out in consultation with the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills, Her Majesty’s Treasury and other partners across Government.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Karl McCartney on 2016-04-25.
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment he has made of the operational performance of the Office for Rail and Road.
Claire Perry
The Government is constantly looking to ensure the most effective regulatory regime is in place so that the railway delivers for its customers.
This has included, most recently, a review of the roles and responsibilities of the Office of the Rail and Road. The outcomes of this were announced to the House on 17 March.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Oliver Colvile on 2016-04-25.
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what estimate his Department has made of the economic benefits of the construction of a second rail line into the South West.
Claire Perry
The reinstatement of the Exeter – Okehampton – Plymouth route and the economic value of re-opening it is being looked at by the Peninsula Rail Task Force (PRTF). They will report to the Secretary of State in July 2016.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Henry Smith on 2016-04-25.
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps his Department is taking to ensure that roadworks cause less disruption to motorists.
Andrew Jones
The Government wants to deliver better journeys for drivers. Roadworks are essential, but that doesn’t mean they should be in place any longer than is absolutely necessary. We are currently consulting on changes that will reduce the congestion caused by roadworks on local ‘A’ road from works left in place at the weekend but where no work is happening, and to remove temporary traffic lights as soon as the works are complete.
We have asked Highways England to look closely at reducing the length of roadworks on the Strategic Road Network. This is being reflected in the next phase of smart motorway schemes, where Highways England are reducing both the length (distance) and duration (time they are in place) of roadworks.
Highways England are also considering the use of higher speed limits through roadworks, where this can be done safely. Subject to safety assessments, Highway England will be starting a trial of higher speed limits on roadworks later this year.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Baroness Randerson on 2016-04-25.
To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they intend to act on the concerns raised by the National Audit Office in its 23 March report regarding the lack of transparency in spending by Local Enterprise Partnerships in order to ensure taxpayers get value for money.
Baroness Neville-Rolfe
The Government welcomes the findings in the report and the helpful scrutiny of our approach. Section 151 officers from the accountable local authorities for each of the 39 Local Enterprise Partnerships have already written to the Department for Communities and Local Government confirming that their assurance frameworks adhere to our national standards, including on transparency. Government will continue to work with Local Enterprise Partnerships to ensure this system remains robust.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Baroness Randerson on 2016-04-25.
To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether there is a specific allocation within Local Growth Deal funding for Local Enterprise Partnerships for spending on transport.
Baroness Neville-Rolfe
The Department for Transport is contributing over £7 billion of the £12 billion Local Growth Fund. This includes £475m reserved for major transport schemes too large for regular Growth Deal allocations. We expect that transport schemes will continue to feature strongly in Local Enterprise Partnerships’ proposals for further funding, though LEPs have flexibility in what they bring forward and how they use the funding.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Baroness Randerson on 2016-04-25.
To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they will finance feasibility work on plans to redevelop Cardiff Central Station during the current Control Period 5, in order for work to start promptly in Control Period 6.
Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon
I am pleased that we have already funded additional platform and station capacity at Cardiff Central station to facilitate forecast passenger growth. The Welsh route study has identified an opportunity to redevelop the station area as a stimulus to economic growth and we will work with the Welsh Government and the new Cardiff City Region Capital Transport Authority to understand the economic benefits of this, as set out in the Cardiff City Deal.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Baroness Randerson on 2016-04-25.
To ask Her Majesty’s Government on what basis they intend to decide how much public funding to put into the new transport infrastructure that would be required if there is to be expansion at Heathrow, and whether the same approach could apply to infrastructure improvements required if there is expansion at Gatwick.
Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon
The Government’s 2013 Aviation Policy Framework makes clear that developers should pay the costs of upgrading or enhancing road, rail or other transport networks or services where there is a need to cope with additional passengers travelling to and from expanded or growing airports. Where the scheme has a wider range of beneficiaries, the Government will consider, along with other relevant stakeholders, the need for additional public funding on a case-by case basis.
The Government’s approach would be the same for each of three short-listed options for airport expansion considered by the Airports Commission.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Baroness Randerson on 2016-04-25.
To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they intend to consult on a replacement regime once the current night-flight regime comes to an end in October 2017, and when that consultation is expected to take place.
Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon
The Government intends to consult on a new night flights regime later this year.