Asked by: Baroness Deech (Crossbench - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask Her Majesty's Government when a Strategic Environmental Assessment will be undertaken in relation to the choice of a preferred corridor of land for the construction of the planned Oxford to Cambridge expressway.
Answered by Baroness Vere of Norbiton - Parliamentary Secretary (HM Treasury)
The preferred route for the Oxford to Cambridge expressway, anticipated to be announced in autumn 2020, will be subject to an Environmental Impact Assessment. A Strategic Environmental Assessment will not be required.
Asked by: Baroness Deech (Crossbench - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the effect of the one million extra homes planned for the Oxford to Cambridge Arc on traffic in that area; and whether they will recalculate any estimates of faster journey time that would result from the Oxford to Cambridge expressway as a result of any such increased traffic.
Answered by Baroness Vere of Norbiton - Parliamentary Secretary (HM Treasury)
The Expressway traffic model estimates the predicted traffic demand and volume up to 2045. It takes into account planned development based on planning applications and permissions, and allocated development in Local Plans. Traffic speeds and journey times are calculated accordingly. The impact of any new housing developments in the Oxford-Cambridge Arc on the transport network will be considered as part of the appropriate planning process.
Asked by: Baroness Deech (Crossbench - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask Her Majesty's Government when a Habitats Regulation Assessment will be undertaken in respect of the ancient woodland, wildlife and conservation areas which will be affected by the planned Oxford to Cambridge expressway.
Answered by Baroness Vere of Norbiton - Parliamentary Secretary (HM Treasury)
A Habitats Regulations Assessment will be completed if a preferred route has the potential to cause a significant effect on habitats specified in legislation.
Asked by: Baroness Deech (Crossbench - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask Her Majesty's Government when they plan to carry out an assessment of the effect of the proposed Oxford to Cambridge expressway on flood risks and watercourses.
Answered by Baroness Vere of Norbiton - Parliamentary Secretary (HM Treasury)
Highways England is in the process of identifying potential routes within the preferred corridor for the Oxford to Cambridge expressway for a non-statutory public consultation in the autumn. This work will include an assessment of environmental impacts, including flood risks and watercourses.
Asked by: Baroness Deech (Crossbench - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the combined impact of (1) the planned Oxford to Cambridge expressway, and (2) their ambition to build up to one million homes along the Oxford–Cambridge Arc, on the UK’s 2050 target to reduce carbon emissions by at least 80 per cent of 1990 levels; and whether this assessment is based on (a) electric, (b) petrol, or (c) diesel vehicles using the route.
Answered by Baroness Vere of Norbiton - Parliamentary Secretary (HM Treasury)
Highways England is in the process of identifying potential routes within the preferred corridor for the Oxford to Cambridge expressway for a non-statutory public consultation in the autumn. This work will include an assessment of environmental impacts, including carbon emissions using the Defra forecasts for emission rates.
Conserving and enhancing the natural environment is at the heart of the growth ambitions for the Oxford-Cambridge Arc. Any housing development in the Arc will be subject to assessments as appropriate in line with legal requirements.
Asked by: Baroness Deech (Crossbench - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask Her Majesty's Government whether a cost-benefit analysis has been carried out for the planned Oxford to Cambridge expressway; and if so, what were the results of that analysis.
Answered by Baroness Vere of Norbiton - Parliamentary Secretary (HM Treasury)
The Government published a strategic outline business case for the construction of the ‘missing link’ between Oxford and Milton Keynes in September 2018 (available on the Department for Transport website). This showed a benefit cost ratio of 1.2 or 1.3 for the preferred corridor B.
Highways England is in the process of identifying potential routes within the preferred corridor which will enable a more thorough assessment of benefits and costs.
Asked by: Baroness Deech (Crossbench - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the impact of the planned Oxford to Cambridge expressway on air quality affecting schools close to the proposed route options.
Answered by Baroness Vere of Norbiton - Parliamentary Secretary (HM Treasury)
Highways England is in the process of identifying potential routes within the preferred corridor for the Oxford to Cambridge expressway for a non-statutory public consultation in the autumn. This work will include an assessment of air quality impacts.
Asked by: Baroness Deech (Crossbench - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the progress by local authorities in drawing up lists under section 167 of the Equality Act 2010 of wheelchair accessible taxis and private hire vehicles in their areas.
Answered by Baroness Sugg
It is vital that taxi and private hire vehicle (PHV) services are accessible to passengers wishing to use them, which is why, in April 2017, we commenced the outstanding provisions of S165 and 167 of the Equality Act 2010, requiring drivers of designated vehicles to provide wheelchair users with appropriate assistance and refrain from charging them extra.
The law applies to drivers only where their vehicle has been designated as wheelchair accessible by the local licensing authority. We are encouraged that around a third of authorities have or are planning to designate vehicles, but believe that every authority should take this important step to protect wheelchair users travelling in their area.
We have provided authorities with guidance to support their implementation of the new requirements, and have reminded them in writing of their role in eliminating discrimination against disabled taxi and PHV passengers. We will continue to remind authorities of their responsibilities so that wheelchair users and other disabled people can travel, free from the fear of discrimination.
Asked by: Baroness Deech (Crossbench - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the effectiveness of laws imposing fines on taxi and private hire vehicle drivers who refuse to accept wheelchair users.
Answered by Baroness Sugg
It is vital that taxi and private hire vehicle (PHV) services are accessible to passengers wishing to use them, which is why, in April 2017, we commenced the outstanding provisions of S165 and 167 of the Equality Act 2010, requiring drivers of designated vehicles to provide wheelchair users with appropriate assistance and refrain from charging them extra.
The law applies to drivers only where their vehicle has been designated as wheelchair accessible by the local licensing authority. We are encouraged that around a third of authorities have or are planning to designate vehicles, but believe that every authority should take this important step to protect wheelchair users travelling in their area.
We have provided authorities with guidance to support their implementation of the new requirements, and have reminded them in writing of their role in eliminating discrimination against disabled taxi and PHV passengers. We will continue to remind authorities of their responsibilities so that wheelchair users and other disabled people can travel, free from the fear of discrimination.
Asked by: Baroness Deech (Crossbench - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask Her Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to ensure that shared space schemes address the needs of disabled people; and whether they intend to commit, in the Department for Transport Accessibility Action Plan, to update the 2011 Local Transport Note, as recommended by the Select Committee on the Equality Act 2010 and Disability (Session 2015–16).
Answered by Baroness Sugg
Local authorities are responsible for the design of their public spaces and have a duty to take account of the needs of disabled people. The Government is absolutely clear that the needs of the whole community should be considered when councils are looking to introduce any public realm scheme, including shared space.
The Department for Transport has been working with the Chartered Institution of Highways and Transportation (CIHT) on its review of shared space and other street design schemes. The review has considered a wide range of issues regarding shared space, and we expect CIHT’s report to make recommendations for further work, including in relation to current guidance. The Government will respond to those recommendations in due course.