Asked by: Laurence Robertson (Conservative - Tewkesbury)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what support he plans to provide to new open access rail proposals on the Great Western Mainline.
Answered by Chris Heaton-Harris - Secretary of State for Northern Ireland
The independent Office of Rail and Road (ORR) is responsible for determining access to the track for open access operators. However, we acknowledge that open access operators can play a contributory role improving rail services for passengers in circumstances where it delivers new and innovative services.
The DfT, as the competent franchising authority, have to balance the benefits of new open access operators with the impact on the value for money of taxpayers’ in the railway.
Asked by: Laurence Robertson (Conservative - Tewkesbury)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if he will take steps to support Network Rail to identify available rail capacity on the Great Western Mainline for new open access rail services between London, Bristol and South Wales.
Answered by Chris Heaton-Harris - Secretary of State for Northern Ireland
The Department responded to Network Rail’s consultation on the latest open access application submitted on the Great Western Main Line. The matter remains under consideration by Network Rail and the independent Office of Rail and Road.
Asked by: Laurence Robertson (Conservative - Tewkesbury)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps he is taking to expand bus services in rural areas; and if he will make a statement.
Answered by Rachel Maclean
The bus market outside London is deregulated and decisions regarding service provision are primarily a commercial matter for bus operators. Local authorities are free to make their own decisions about the areas under their care, provided they take account of the relevant legislation.
Local councils are encouraged to utilise the tools in the Bus Services Act 2017, to help improve rural bus services and increase passenger numbers.
The Government provides £43 million of the Bus Service Operators Grant (BSOG) directly to local authorities so that they can subsidise socially necessary bus services. As part of the 2018-19 local government finance settlement, the Government responded to a number of councils’ concerns over rural services funding by increasing the Rural Services Delivery Grant to £81 million. The 2019-20 settlement increased the Grant to the same level.
The additional £5 billion announced by the Prime Minister will boost bus services by including higher frequency services, new priority schemes to make routes more efficient, more affordable, simpler, fares and at least 4,000 new Zero Emission Buses.
This is on top of the £220 million Better Deal for Bus Users package announced by the Government on 30 September to transform bus services across the country. This includes funds for £20 million to support demand responsive services in rural and suburban areas, which local authorities can bid for.
This package contains a further £30 million of funding to improve current services and restore lost services.
Asked by: Laurence Robertson (Conservative - Tewkesbury)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps he is taking to increase the number of electric car charging points (a) throughout the UK and (b) in Gloucestershire; and if he will make a statement.
Answered by Michael Ellis
The Government has a number of schemes which can be accessed by EV drivers across the country, including in Gloucestershire. The Government is providing funding for schemes to support chargepoint infrastructure at homes and workplaces and on residential streets. The Government’s on street residential charging scheme offers grants to local authorities to help support this investment at local level. We want to encourage private sector investment to build and operate a self-sustaining public network that is affordable, reliable and accessible. In many cases, the market is best placed to identify the right locations for chargepoints and make improvements to the network and it is essential that viable commercial models are in place.
We will continue to monitor whether any significant gaps in uptake or infrastructure provision emerge in the medium term. In the future we will consider whether there is a case for direct central government support in areas where there is a market failure, which may include areas outside the major conurbations.
In August 2017, South Gloucestershire Council were awarded £4,790,910 under Government’s [£42m] Low Emission Bus Scheme, for the provision of 110 Biomethane low emissions buses and accompanying infrastructure. The purpose of the scheme is to help improve regional air quality in UK towns and cities.
Asked by: Laurence Robertson (Conservative - Tewkesbury)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what recent assessment he has made of the prevalence of the use of e-scooters; and if he will make a statement.
Answered by Michael Ellis
Given that electric scooters, and other micromobility devices, are treated like any other motor vehicle under the Road Traffic Act, this means they are subject to laws requiring them to conform to technical standards and be used safely. This includes requirements for users to have insurance, driving licences, number plates, and helmets. At present, it is difficult for electric scooters to meet these requirements and as such they are illegal to use on a public road. Therefore, the Department has made no assessment of their prevalence. The Future of Mobility regulatory review will address the challenges of ensuring our transport infrastructure and regulation are fit for the future. This is a broad programme of work, and we expect to publish an initial consultation in autumn this year.
Asked by: Laurence Robertson (Conservative - Tewkesbury)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment his Department has made of the potential merits of the use of non-compliant batteries in traffic lights; and if he will make a statement.
Answered by Jesse Norman
Batteries are commonly used to power portable traffic lights of the type used at roadworks. The type of battery is not specified in regulation or guidance. The technical specification covering portable signal equipment covers power outputs but does not specify battery type.
Local traffic authorities are responsible for approving roadworks, including use of portable traffic lights. It is for those deploying portable traffic lights to ensure that the equipment is safe and fit for purpose.
Asked by: Laurence Robertson (Conservative - Tewkesbury)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what the timeframe is for the start of improvements on Cheltenham and Gloucester to London rail services; and if he will make a statement.
Answered by Andrew Jones
Great Western Railway is planning to introduce its enhanced timetable on 15 December this year. This sees the current two-hourly through train service between Cheltenham, Gloucester and London increased to hourly. The new timetable is currently being developed through the rail industry's timetabling process led by Network Rail.
Asked by: Laurence Robertson (Conservative - Tewkesbury)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, when he plans for improvements to be introduced to the Cheltenham or Gloucester to London rail links; and if he will make a statement.
Answered by Andrew Jones
Great Western Railway is planning to introduce its enhanced timetable on 15 December this year. This sees the current two-hourly through train service between Cheltenham/Gloucester and London increased to hourly.
Asked by: Laurence Robertson (Conservative - Tewkesbury)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps he is taking to ensure that street lighting is powered by renewable sources; and if he will make a statement.
Answered by Jesse Norman
Street lighting is a matter for each individual highway authority. Some authorities have or are in the process of switching to LED lighting, which is helping to save energy. There are also examples of authorities using alternative energy sources such as solar panels to power highway-related systems that do not consume much energy, such as traffic signs.
Asked by: Laurence Robertson (Conservative - Tewkesbury)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what guidance he gives to local authorities on the restriction on traffic near schools at opening and closing times; and if he will make a statement.
Answered by Jesse Norman
Local authorities have powers to restrict traffic near schools using Traffic Regulation Orders. The Department for Transport provides guidance to local authorities on traffic signs that can be used to indicate restrictions on traffic in various Chapters of the Traffic Signs Manual. It is for the relevant local authority to decide on what restrictions are needed on their roads, taking into consideration local needs and factors at specific locations.