Asked by: Lord Wigley (Plaid Cymru - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Transport:
Her Majesty's Government how many contracts have been awarded in relation to Phase One of HS2 to suppliers based in (1) England, (2) Wales, (3) Scotland, (4) Northern Ireland, and (5) EU member states other than the UK; and what is the value of the contracts falling into each of those categories.
Answered by Lord Callanan - Shadow Minister (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
All active suppliers that HS2 Ltd has paid count as a direct supplier. This includes contracts for Enabling Works and Professional Services.
The current HS2 tier 1 supply chain is comprised of 1,498 unique suppliers, of which 1,467 (98%) are UK based suppliers (based on the postcode of their registered address) and 1,012 (69%) of these UK suppliers are SMEs (based on turnover). A breakdown of this figure, based on geography is provided as follows:
Asked by: Lord Wigley (Plaid Cymru - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Transport:
Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the costs and benefits of electrifying the railway line between Crewe and Holyhead.
Answered by Lord Callanan - Shadow Minister (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
The Government has made no such assessment. We continue to work with the rail industry, the Welsh Government and regional stakeholders, including the North Wales and Mersey Dee Rail Task Force and Transport for the North, to see what more can be accomplished to deliver better journeys for passengers and freight customers in this corridor.
Asked by: Lord Wigley (Plaid Cymru - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether there has been any revision to the target date for the completion of the electrification of the South Wales Main Line railway link between London and Swansea.
Answered by Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon
As the Prime Minister stated on 24th June 2015, this Government is committed to the electrification of Great Western line from Swansea to Cardiff and on to London.
The Secretary of State for Transport announced on the 25th June 2015 that Great Western was a top priority for delivery and that is why he has asked Sir Peter Hendy, the new chair of Network Rail, to put forward proposals for replanning the enhancement programme across England and Wales, which includes electrification. Sir Peter is due to report to the Secretary of State in the Autumn.
Asked by: Lord Wigley (Plaid Cymru - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what is their estimate of the cost of maintenance work currently outstanding on the Severn Bridge; and who will bear any outstanding costs at the date when the current operating contract comes to an end.
Answered by Baroness Kramer - Liberal Democrat Lords Spokesperson (Treasury and Economy)
The Government has not estimated the cost of any outstanding maintenance work on the Severn Bridge as, under the concession agreement , Severn River Crossing plc (SRC) are responsible for maintaining the crossings for the remainder of the concession. SRC must ensure that the crossings are handed back to the Secretary of State for Transport at end of the concession in satisfactory and serviceable condition.
At the present time no decisions have been taken on the management arrangements of the Severn crossings after the end of the current concession and so I cannot confirm who will bear the costs of any maintenance needs after the concession. The Government has been clear that any future arrangements will need to make proper provision for repayment of Government costs, future maintenance needs and reflect the needs of road users in both England and Wales.