Asked by: Lord Moylan (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the Arup report Opportunity through connectivity: Catalysing economic growth through a Midlands-North West Rail Link, published in September, what assessment they have made of proposals for an affordable Midlands-North West rail link.
Answered by Lord Hendy of Richmond Hill - Minister of State (Department for Transport)
The Government is currently reviewing the position it has inherited on rail infrastructure and will consider how to address capacity needs and support economic growth in and between the North and the Midlands, whilst maintaining fiscal discipline.
We will set out next steps in due course.
Asked by: Lord Moylan (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of how a simplified licensing process for powered light vehicles would impact (1) the uptake of powered light vehicles, (2) the accessibility of cheaper forms of personal mobility, and (3) the decarbonisation of road transport.
Answered by Lord Davies of Gower - Shadow Minister (Home Office)
The Government has collected robust evidence on the use of different regulatory regimes, including licensing, to support the previously announced Low-speed Zero Emission Vehicle category. Any assessment of evidence would be published as part of a consultation on regulations before they come into force and will be brought forward when parliamentary time allows. The Government has made no assessment of how changes to licensing might impact the uptake of L-category vehicles.
Asked by: Lord Moylan (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask His Majesty's Government whether they have made an assessment of how the Motorcycle Industry Association’s proposals to incentivise the progressive access licensing route would impact road safety.
Answered by Lord Davies of Gower - Shadow Minister (Home Office)
In December 2023, officials met with motorcycle stakeholder representatives to listen to and discuss various motorcycle initiatives including ideas for reform. Discussions continue, and a roundtable with Ministerial attendance is scheduled for the 8th of May.
Asked by: Lord Moylan (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the remarks made by Earl Howe on 22 May where he stated that they plan to "engage stakeholders on the proposal set out in the levelling up White Paper to explore transferring the responsibility for licensing taxis and private hire vehicles to upper-tier and combined authorities" during the course of this year, when they intend to initiate that process.
Answered by Lord Davies of Gower - Shadow Minister (Home Office)
The Department for Transport intends to carry out engagement on this issue early next year.
Asked by: Lord Moylan (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask His Majesty's Government whether any body authorised the temporary erection of a structure in the highway adjacent to the Cenotaph during the demonstration held on 14 October, and if so under what power.
Answered by Baroness Vere of Norbiton
Decisions on the authorisation of temporary structures on the highway is entirely a matter for Westminster City Council as the local highway authority.