Asked by: Lord Crathorne (Conservative - Excepted Hereditary)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask Her Majesty's Government how much the cost of the Elizabeth Line has exceeded original forecasts.
Answered by Baroness Vere of Norbiton - Parliamentary Secretary (HM Treasury)
The original funding package agreed in the 2010 Spending Review to fund delivery of Crossrail (excluding costs for trains and depots) was £14.8 billion.
Current forecast costs for completing Crossrail are £18.9 billion. This includes Network Rail On Network Works costs for surface works but exclude costs for trains and depots.
Asked by: Lord Crathorne (Conservative - Excepted Hereditary)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask Her Majesty's Government what discussions they have had with Transport for London about whether the Elizabeth Line will be open before the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee celebrations; and what was the outcome of those discussions.
Answered by Baroness Vere of Norbiton - Parliamentary Secretary (HM Treasury)
Delivery of the Elizabeth line comes under the remit of the Mayor of London and Transport for London (TfL).
TfL has stated that Elizabeth line remains on schedule to open the central section tunnel between Abbey Wood and Paddington in the first half of 2022. Specific opening dates will only be communicated once the railway is safe and reliable to open to passengers.
Asked by: Lord Crathorne (Conservative - Excepted Hereditary)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they have any plans to build bicycle tracks when new roads are constructed in the UK.
Answered by Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon - Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
Management of roads is a devolved issue so I can only respond in respect of roads in England.
Highways England have committed to provide a safer, integrated and more accessible strategic road network for cyclists and other vulnerable road users, and will play a key role in ensuring that the ambition set for growth in cycling is fully supported by a dedicated programme of work to improve cycle facilities on or near our strategic road network.To support this, The Government has outlined a commitment to invest £100m between 2015/16 and 2020/21 to improve provision for cyclists on the strategic road network.
On a local level, provision of cycling infrastructure is for local traffic authorities as they are responsible for managing their road networks. The Department encourages them to ensure cycling is considered as part of the process of planning new development.The Department for Transport’s Cycle Infrastructure Design guidance supports local authorities on providing cycle-safe infrastructure for cyclists. The Government will continue to support sustainable transport with a new £580 million ‘Access’ fund, with £80 million revenue and £500 million capital. This will build on the legacy of the Local Sustainable Transport Fund and support growth in both cycling and walking.