Asked by: Christopher Chope (Conservative - Christchurch)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, for what reasons people are currently not able to apply for a new provisional driving licence; when he plans to reinstate that service; and if he will make a statement.
Answered by Rachel Maclean
Applications for provisional driving licences can be made online at https://www.gov.uk/apply-first-provisional-driving-licence.
Customers can also make postal applications for a provisional driving licence. However, paper applications are likely to take significantly longer to process in the current circumstances.
Asked by: Christopher Chope (Conservative - Christchurch)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if he will make it his policy to promote the use of powered two wheelers as an alternative to public transport; and if he will make a statement.
Answered by Rachel Maclean
As part of the recent update of the Department’s Road Safety Statement, published on 19 July 2019, we committed to ensuring motorcyclists have the necessary skills in order to stay safe on the road.
The Department’s guidance issued on 12 May refers to “Private cars and other vehicles” as an alternative to using public transport and encourages the public to “consider all other forms of transport before using public transport”. This would include private vehicles such as motorcycles and mopeds where the journey to be made is appropriate.
Asked by: Christopher Chope (Conservative - Christchurch)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps he is taking to promote the use of low emission scooters and light motorcycles as an alternative to public transport during the covid-19 outbreak; and if he will make a statement.
Answered by Rachel Maclean
The Department’s guidance issued on 12 May refers to “Private cars and other vehicles” as an alternative to using public transport, and encourages the public to “consider all other forms of transport before using public transport”. This would include private vehicles such as motorcycles and mopeds where the journey to be made is appropriate.
Motorcycles are an important way of getting around, and we are working on a number of projects, including sorting out potholes, which are a problem for people on motorcycles and other two-wheeled vehicles. I encourage people to adopt the electric motorbike.
Asked by: Christopher Chope (Conservative - Christchurch)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what support the Government is providing to coach operators in the tourism industry to enable those drivers to continue to finance the capital cost of vehicles which are idle during the covid-19 outbreak; and if he will make a statement.
Answered by Rachel Maclean
The Chancellor announced £330 billion of guarantees, which includes the Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan Scheme so businesses, such as coach operators, have access to loans, overdrafts, invoice finance and asset finance to pay essential bills
Asked by: Christopher Chope (Conservative - Christchurch)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, when his Department plans to respond to the consultation which closed in September 2018 in relation to a requirement for all buses to have audiovisual next stop and final destination announcements as enabled by the Bus Services Act 2017.
Answered by Nusrat Ghani - Minister of State (Minister for Europe)
The Government understands the importance of accessible on-board information in helping bus passengers to travel with confidence, and in Summer 2018 published a consultation on proposals to require its provision on local bus services throughout Great Britain. This follows the Government’s commitment, set out in the Inclusive Transport Strategy, to invest £2 million towards ensuring that audio visual equipment is installed on buses.
We continue to analyse responses to the consultation and expect to announce our next steps regarding the making of Regulations and publication of guidance later in the year.
Asked by: Christopher Chope (Conservative - Christchurch)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what further steps his Department plans to take to prepare for the UK leaving the EU on 31 October 2019 without a withdrawal agreement.
Answered by Chris Grayling
In light of the extension to the Article 50 period that has been agreed, my department, in conjunction with other Departments, is assessing the changes that will be required to our EU Exit plans. We will need to consider the timing and pace at which some of this work progresses, but will continue to prepare for all Brexit scenarios.
Asked by: Christopher Chope (Conservative - Christchurch)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, how many driving test appointments were rearranged as a result of the temporary closure of Bournemouth driving test centre.
Answered by Jesse Norman
Since the temporary closure of Bournemouth driving test centre, the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency has rearranged 680 car practical test appointments.
Asked by: Christopher Chope (Conservative - Christchurch)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, with reference to the application for a driving licence by Anne Duggan, Ref: 36333622, when the DVLA plans to reach a decision on this application; and if he will make a statement.
Answered by Jesse Norman
It would not be appropriate to discuss in public the details of an individual’s driving licence application. I have asked the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) to look into Ms Duggan’s case urgently.
Asked by: Christopher Chope (Conservative - Christchurch)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, when the repairs at the Driving Test Centre in Gillam Road, Bournemouth are planned to be completed; and on what date that centre plans to reopen.
Answered by Jesse Norman
The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency is awaiting a surveyor’s report to establish what repairs need to be carried out to Bournemouth driving test centre (Gillam Road). It will make an assessment once the scope of the work required is clear.
Asked by: Christopher Chope (Conservative - Christchurch)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether it is the Government's policy that Cross Country train services from the north of England should continue to connect with Brockenhurst and Bournemouth without the need to change trains; and if he will make a statement.
Answered by Lord Johnson of Marylebone
The Department launched a public consultation for the Cross Country franchise on the 7th June. We want passengers to give us their views on the next franchise. We do not want to prejudge responses so I would encourage you and your constituents to respond to the consultation.
The closing date for the consultation is 30th August. The link to the consultation is www.gov.uk/government/consultations/cross-country-rail-franchise. Feedback from this consultation will be used to help the department specify the next franchise.