The below Parliamentary question was asked by Antoinette Sandbach on 2016-04-25.
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether any aerial surveys have been carried out in Eddisbury constituency in relation to the High Speed 2 project in 2015 and 2016.
Mr Robert Goodwill
Aerial surveys were undertaken in this area in 2015 to capture photography, video and topographical information. Additional surveys will be undertaken in 2016 to capture hyperspectral data.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Oliver Heald on 2016-04-25.
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what his policy is on allowing private hire cars to ply for hire.
Andrew Jones
Private hire vehicles cannot legally ply for hire.
The Government is responsible for the legislative structure within which local licensing authorities deliver the licensing regime for taxis and private hire vehicles. Enforcement of the licensing regime, including ensuring that private hire vehicles do not illegally ply for hire, is a matter for local licensing authorities and the police.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Oliver Heald on 2016-04-25.
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if he will take steps to maintain the ability of London taxi drivers exclusively to ply for hire.
Andrew Jones
The Government is responsible for the legislative structure within which local licensing authorities deliver the licensing regime for taxis and private hire vehicles. Enforcement of the licensing regime, including ensuring that private hire vehicles do not illegally ply for hire, is therefore a matter for local licensing authorities and the police.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Antoinette Sandbach on 2016-04-25.
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether any ground investigation work has been carried out in Eddisbury constituency in relation to the High Speed 2 project.
Mr Robert Goodwill
No intrusive ground investigation work has been carried out at this stage. Some preparatory elements of ground investigation such as the study of available information and consultation with related stakeholders has been undertaken.
Following a route decision in autumn 2016 HS2 Ltd will begin production of a full Environmental Impact Assessment.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Lilian Greenwood on 2016-04-25.
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, pursuant to the Answer of 25 April 2016 to Question 34715, and with reference to paragraph 15.20 of the Airports Commission: Final Report, published in July 2015, what response he has made to the Airports Commission’s recommendation that the Government should alter its guidance to allow public service obligation subsidies that specify airports both origin and destination.
Mr Robert Goodwill
The criteria for Public Service Obligations (PSOs) are determined by regulations agreed at the European level. We are carefully considering the Airports Commission’s recommendation to extend the scope of PSOs.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Margaret Ferrier on 2016-04-25.
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, pursuant to the Answer of 24 November 2015 to Question 16881, when the consultation on extending the deadline for new cars and motorbikes to have their first MOT test from three to four years will begin.
Andrew Jones
I anticipate this consultation will be published in the summer and will run for 12 weeks.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Kirsten Oswald on 2016-04-25.
To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, what discussions he has had with representatives of the private parking industry on the implications of the Supreme Court case, Beavis vs ParkingEye.
Mr Marcus Jones
The Government is aware of the public concern at the way some private parking companies operate.
Whilst we have not held any specific discussions with the DVLA or representatives of the private parking companies, we are currently reviewing responses to the discussion paper, “Parking Reform: Tackling Unfair Practices”.
We will issue a response in due course.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Kirsten Oswald on 2016-04-25.
To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, what discussions he has had with the DVLA on the implications of the Supreme Court case, Beavis vs ParkingEye.
Mr Marcus Jones
The Government is aware of the public concern at the way some private parking companies operate.
Whilst we have not held any specific discussions with the DVLA or representatives of the private parking companies, we are currently reviewing responses to the discussion paper, “Parking Reform: Tackling Unfair Practices”.
We will issue a response in due course.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Alex Chalk on 2016-04-25.
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether he supports the expansion of centres such as Travel for London’s planned cycling superhub to other parts of the UK.
Mr Robert Goodwill
We support the development of cycle hubs that have all the facilities a cyclist needs in one place and are providing funding for a number of these hubs. We have already financed a number of these innovative hubs which have contributed towards the number of cycle parking spaces across England trebling since 2012.
We are monitoring with interest the development of the cycle superhub at Waterloo Station which will provide cycle parking on a much larger scale to ascertain the effectiveness of such a facility at other cities across England.
Cycling is a devolved responsibility for Scotland and Wales.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Antoinette Sandbach on 2016-04-25.
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, when he plans to announce the package of compensation schemes for phase 2A of High Speed 2.
Mr Robert Goodwill
We expect to announce the Government’s response to the HS2 Phase Two: West Midlands to Crewe Property (Phase 2a) Consultation 2015 by the summer Recess.