Asked by: Lord Blencathra (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask His Majesty's Government whether Network Rail has plans to install a shelter for passengers at the southern end of platform 1 of Penrith Station; and, if it has no such plans, why not.
Answered by Lord Hendy of Richmond Hill - Minister of State (Department for Transport)
There are currently no plans to install a shelter at the southern end of platform 1 as most of the station is covered by existing canopies. The decision to install a shelter would require agreement from Avanti West Coast as station manager and Network Rail as station owner. The Department expects Avanti West Coast collaborate with Network Rail to identify opportunities for investment, above and beyond essential renewals for station investments, where affordable.
Asked by: Lord Blencathra (Conservative - Life peer)
Question
To ask the Senior Deputy Speaker, further to his Written Answer on 1 July (HL8639), why it was not possible for the fence mounted onto the existing bi-steel barriers to match the design of that around Cromwell Green, divided into barrier-length sections as necessary, given that any fence mounted onto the barriers is inherently removeable.
Answered by Lord Gardiner of Kimble
The chosen design option was endorsed on the balance of all considerations, including security, heritage, deliverability, and value for money. It was also a factor that the permission for the ‘siting of a boundary fence’ is temporary and was granted for ten years.
The Abingdon Street Fence has a height, pale dimensions, and pale spacing consistent with other Fences elsewhere on the Parliamentary Estate.
Asked by: Lord Blencathra (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask His Majesty's Government what action they are taking against those responsible for Network Rail mistakenly cutting down 300 trees in Derbyshire.
Answered by Lord Hendy of Richmond Hill - Minister of State (Department for Transport)
The government is not taking action against Network Rail for trees removed on the Midland Main Line between Wingfield and Clay Cross. All the vegetation managed in this area was to ensure the safe operation of trains on the track. Any trees within 6.5m of the line and any capable of falling within 4m of the track were either removed or reduced in size. Dead, dying and diseased trees (some with the fungal infection Ash Dieback), as well as healthy trees which were obstructing the view of train conductors and drivers, were cut back or managed due to the risk they posed to the safe operation of the railway. This was done in line with Network Rail’s tree risk assessment model.