Written Question
Monday 27th October 2025
Asked by:
Lord Rennard (Non-affiliated - Life peer)
Question
to the Department for Transport:
To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the benefits of expanding local rail services to local economies, and of increasing rail services into cities to reduce road congestion, improve air quality and reduce carbon emissions.
Answered by Lord Hendy of Richmond Hill
- Minister of State (Department for Transport)
Assessments of the benefits of expanding local rail services to local economies, and of increasing rail services into cities, are assessed on a case-by-case basis to reflect local economic conditions, using Transport Analysis Guidance (TAG).
Expanded local rail services can help drive local economic growth by opening up new development opportunities, unlocking housing, reducing costs for businesses and supporting people into work. TAG is used to assess the wider benefits of rail interventions including reduced road congestion, improved air quality and reduced carbon emissions.
The Government recognises the crucial role rail plays in delivering these benefits and is backing rail with the funding needed. The 2025 spending review committed £10.2 billion provided for rail enhancements in the period over the next four years.
Written Question
Monday 27th October 2025
Asked by:
Lord Rennard (Non-affiliated - Life peer)
Question
to the Department for Transport:
To ask His Majesty's Government whether the mixed use railways team at Network Rail is being dissolved; and if so, what assessment they have made on the impact of that dissolution on the ability of light rail vehicles to operate on parts of the main line rail network.
Answered by Lord Hendy of Richmond Hill
- Minister of State (Department for Transport)
Network Rail’s regional teams lead on the development of projects, including light rail proposals. Network Rail has light rail expertise centrally that supports the regions in the operation, design and implementation of light rail projects. The required resource level of this team will be reviewed as the project pipeline develops.
Speech in Lords Chamber - Wed 08 Jul 2020
Health Protection (Coronavirus, Wearing of Face Coverings on Public Transport) (England) Regulations 2020
"My Lords, face coverings have been mandatory on public transport since 15 June, but since then I have seen people on buses not wearing them and removing them to make phone calls, have a drink or, in one case, floss their teeth. How can the travelling public be persuaded to …..."Lord Rennard - View Speech
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Speech in Lords Chamber - Wed 13 May 2020
Motor Vehicles (Tests) (Amendment) (Coronavirus) Regulations 2020
"My Lords, it is unfortunate that after many years of encouraging the use of public transport and attempts to reduce traffic congestion and use of fuel, and to improve air quality, the Government are now having to encourage limited use of cars again. The legal requirement for cars to be …..."Lord Rennard - View Speech
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Speech in Lords Chamber - Thu 30 Jun 2011
Localism Bill
"..."Lord Rennard - View Speech
View all Lord Rennard (Non-affiliated - Life peer) contributions to the debate on: Localism Bill
Speech in Lords Chamber - Thu 30 Jun 2011
Localism Bill
"My Lords, this amendment stands in my name and in the name of my noble friend Lord Greaves. I shall speak also to Amendment 129A, Amendment 129H and Amendment 188 within this group. Amendment 120G simply requires that the electoral registration officer should check that the signature of the person …..."Lord Rennard - View Speech
View all Lord Rennard (Non-affiliated - Life peer) contributions to the debate on: Localism Bill
Speech in Lords Chamber - Thu 30 Jun 2011
Localism Bill
"My Lords, I am grateful to the Minister for his clarification of government thinking on these issues, which I might cheekily paraphrase as saying, “Whatever high standards we have for policing our democratic elections, those should not apply in relation to the gathering of petitions that may require these referendums”. …..."Lord Rennard - View Speech
View all Lord Rennard (Non-affiliated - Life peer) contributions to the debate on: Localism Bill
Speech in Lords Chamber - Thu 30 Jun 2011
Localism Bill
"..."Lord Rennard - View Speech
View all Lord Rennard (Non-affiliated - Life peer) contributions to the debate on: Localism Bill
Speech in Lords Chamber - Thu 30 Jun 2011
Localism Bill
"My Lords, this amendment addresses another issue of serious concern regarding the potential for abuse in this system. My noble friend Lord Greaves will deal with other aspects of abuse in other amendments in this group, but Amendment 124E deals with the ban that I believe is required on paying …..."Lord Rennard - View Speech
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Speech in Lords Chamber - Thu 30 Jun 2011
Localism Bill
"Briefly, no problem seems to occur in elections. The paid staff of parties, as the noble Lord will well know, take part in elections, but it has never been considered an activity of paid canvassing. The activity of a large organisation like a big business deciding it wants to get …..."Lord Rennard - View Speech
View all Lord Rennard (Non-affiliated - Life peer) contributions to the debate on: Localism Bill