Asked by: Lord Walney (Crossbench - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, what plans they have to re-assess official predictions of (1) medium, and (2) long term passenger growth in (a) international flights, (b) domestic flights, (c) long distance rail travel, and (d) motorway usage.
Answered by Baroness Vere of Norbiton
A new long-term forecast for travel demand in international and domestic flights is not feasible due to the uncertainty arising from COVID-19 concerning forecasting and appraisal. The Government is monitoring the evolving situation and engaging regularly with industry on their forecasts.
We have conducted long distance rail demand scenarios using assumptions on potential drivers subject to ongoing update, refinement and review. We will continue to review and evaluate the evidence for motorway usage. Our priority is to understand potential impacts resulting from COVID-19 following the update of road forecasts.
We plan to issue updated guidance in February on how to incorporate the impact of COVID-19 in medium and long-term forecasts for transport. More widely, the Government will continue to closely monitor the impact of the pandemic and to consider how to reflect this uncertainty with other drivers, including technological change and travel behaviour.
Asked by: Lord Walney (Crossbench - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of whether the assumptions about passenger growth contained in the HS2 Phase One full business case, published on 15 April, remain accurate following the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic; and what plans they have to revise this business case.
Answered by Baroness Vere of Norbiton
The rapid development and the uncertain outcome of the COVID-19 outbreak mean it has not yet been possible to undertake specific analysis to determine its impact on HS2. The Department for Transport is working with colleagues across Government to understand the impact on transport demand and the pandemic’s wider effect on the economy, and how this will affect future business cases for transport infrastructure investment.
The Full Business Case for Phase One published in April looked at both high and low demand scenarios, underpinned by population and economic growth forecasts. That analysis showed that even in a scenario where demand is relatively low, there is still a clear case for pressing ahead with HS2.
We are confident that the strategic case for HS2, including its subsequent stages to Crewe, Manchester and Leeds remains clear, and that there remains a case for increasing capacity on the UK rail network, bringing cities closer together and levelling up regions across the UK. HS2 also remains key to achieving net-zero by 2050, a commitment which remains unchanged despite the challenges presented by the pandemic.
Asked by: Lord Walney (Crossbench - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what (a) incentives and (b) sanctions are available to Highways England to promote compliance with its instructions on roadworks undertaken by utility companies.
Answered by Jesse Norman - Shadow Leader of the House of Commons
The New Roads and Street Works Act 1991 enables Highways England to apply charges where works are unreasonably prolonged (i.e. take longer in duration than agreed) and to prosecute utility companies for offences (including failure to comply with directions given).
Asked by: Lord Walney (Crossbench - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if the Government will reverse its decision not to extend the lane rental scheme to trunk roads operated by Highways England.
Answered by Jesse Norman - Shadow Leader of the House of Commons
The Lane Rental Scheme mentioned is available to all highway authorities that wish to use it and that apply to the Secretary of State in line with bidding guidance published in September 2018.
Highways England believe that they have sufficient powers under the New Roads and Street Works Act 1991, and other procedures in place, to encourage utility companies to complete works on the Strategic Road Network quickly and effectively. The Department has not made any decision to exclude authorities from Lane Rental Schemes.