Asked by: Laurence Robertson (Conservative - Tewkesbury)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, when he expects the Birmingham to Bristol rail line to be electrified.
Answered by Claire Perry
Electrification of the railway line between Birmingham and Bristol is one of the schemes under consideration by Network Rail as part of the industry electrification strategy. We expect Network rail to publish a draft strategy for consultation in early 2016.
Asked by: Laurence Robertson (Conservative - Tewkesbury)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, with reference to the Access All Areas Report 2015, published by Guide Dogs, what steps he is taking to address taxi refusals for assistance dog owners.
Answered by Andrew Jones
The Equality Act 2010 includes a legal requirement for all taxi and private hire vehicle drivers to carry assistance dogs and not to charge more for doing so.
In addition to their ability to take appropriate action in the event that licensed drivers fail to comply with this duty, local licensing authorities can inform taxi and private hire drivers of all their responsibilities as licensed drivers.
Asked by: Laurence Robertson (Conservative - Tewkesbury)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps he has taken to ensure that taxi drivers are aware of their legal obligation to take guide and other assistance dogs.
Answered by Andrew Jones
The Department for Transport has issued guidance to the licensed trade on the provisions in the Equality Act that require taxis and private hire vehicles to carry guide and other assistance dogs.
In addition to their ability to take appropriate action in the event that licensed drivers fail to comply with this duty, local licensing authorities can inform taxi and private hire drivers of all their responsibilities as licensed drivers.
Asked by: Laurence Robertson (Conservative - Tewkesbury)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if he will bring forward proposals to introduce a default 20 mph speed limit in built-up areas.
Answered by Andrew Jones
Local authorities are best placed to determine the speed limits for their areas, based on local knowledge and the views of the community.
Compliance with the existing 30 mph limit has improved significantly over recent years, but 45% of drivers still exceeded the limit in 2014. It would not be desirable to introduce a default 20mph limit unless a satisfactory degree of compliance could be achieved.
Evidence from existing areas where there are 20 mph limits in place suggests that average speeds tend to fall to compliant levels only if previous average speeds were already low, around 24 mph.
However, the Department has commissioned research into the effectiveness of 20mph limits. The study will cover many aspects including effects on speed, collisions, casualties and modal shift. The research will also consider best practice, road users’ perceptions and effects on the quality of the environment. This is a three year study reporting in 2017.
Asked by: Laurence Robertson (Conservative - Tewkesbury)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what flexibility exists between his Department's maintenance and integrated transport budgets to enable funding to be re-allocated to increase spending on road maintenance.
Answered by Andrew Jones
The Department for Transport allocates capital funding grants for local highways maintenance and integrated transport block to local highway authorities. This funding is not ring-fenced and it is entirely for each highway authority to decide, based on their needs and priorities, as to how this funding is spent.
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 encourage cyclists to have due regard for other road users; and if he will make a statement.
Answered by Robert Goodwill
Like all road users, cyclists have a duty to behave in a safe and responsible manner. We encourage road sharing by cyclists through, for instance, the Highway Code, THINK! Cyclist campaign and Bikeability cycle training.
Asked by: Laurence Robertson (Conservative - Tewkesbury)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment he has made of the adequacy of the number of qualified heavy goods vehicle drivers; and if he will make a statement.
Answered by Andrew Jones
The Road Haulage Association estimates a current shortage of HGV drivers at around 45,000 and I am aware the shortage has put operational and financial pressures onto the industry. I have met industry representatives and discussed the issue.
Work continues on improving the accessibility of HGV driving tests in those areas where there are significant waits, in the context of recent increases in demand and a pass rate of about 54%. Discussions are continuing with industry and involving other government departments to improve recruitment and reduce administrative delays, including in respect of the costs of training, training effectiveness to achieve test passes and the attractiveness of the profession.
Asked by: Laurence Robertson (Conservative - Tewkesbury)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether guidance issued to local authorities on the Blue Badge scheme is mandatory; and if he will make a statement.
Answered by Robert Goodwill
The Blue Badge Scheme Local Authority Guidance (England) is not mandatory as it is non-statutory guidance. It is guidance for local authorities on best practice in administering the Blue Badge Scheme.
Asked by: Laurence Robertson (Conservative - Tewkesbury)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what guidance on the procurement process is available to companies wishing to bid for work on the High Speed 2 project; and if he will make a statement.
Answered by Robert Goodwill
HS2 Ltd is undertaking a national market engagement exercise to ensure that businesses can comment on the HS2 Outline Procurement Strategy. Businesses are encouraged to share their views on HS2's approach to procurement via a HS2 Market Engagement Survey at:
By registering, businesses will automatically receive relevant updates from HS2 Ltd as they engage with the market. Already, over 700 businesses have registered of which approximately 50% are indirect (tier 2/tier 3) suppliers.
The findings from the market engagement exercise will be shared with the market at the next Supply Chain Conference in the autumn.
In addition, HS2 Ltd is developing the following mechanisms:
Website and Supplier Guide:
HS2 Ltd encourages businesses to regularly visit its website at www.hs2.org.uk to access further information on the programme and stay up to date on the latest news and events. HS2 Ltd is developing the website to help businesses understand how HS2 will undertake its procurement. The website will provide information on future contract opportunities, policies and a ‘Supplier Guide'.
Business Networking Portal:
HS2 Ltd will promote the use of an online business networking portal which will signpost businesses to supply chain opportunities. This will be launched at the next Supply Chain Conference in the autumn.
Meet the Contractor Events:
HS2 Ltd's direct suppliers will be required to participate in annual events that promote future supply chain opportunities to a wide range of businesses including small and medium size enterprises.