Asked by: Mark Menzies (Independent - Fylde)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what financial assistance he is providing to local authorities to repair potholes.
Answered by Robert Goodwill
Potholes are a menace to all road users and this Government is taking action. We announced in December 2014 how we are allocating just under £6 billion for councils in England to tackle potholes and improve local road conditions over the next six years. This funding is on top of the £4.7 billion we have provided since 2010.
Asked by: Mark Menzies (Independent - Fylde)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment he has made of the importance of regional airports in meeting the UK's aviation needs.
Answered by Robert Goodwill
The Government's Aviation Policy Framework affirms that the Government wants to see the best use of the UK's existing airport capacity. It recognises that airports across the UK play an important role in local economies, and in securing connectivity for local populations – as well as having an important role in helping to accommodate wider forecast growth in demand for aviation in the UK.
Asked by: Mark Menzies (Independent - Fylde)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what recent discussions he has had with Northern Rail on modernising stations on the South Fylde line.
Answered by Stephen Hammond
As owner and manager of the stations on the South Fylde line, it is for Network Rail and Northern to look at improving facilities at the stations on this line, working to develop schemes with other local stakeholders.
Government support and funding for station modernisation and improvements are available through various schemes including Access for All and the National Station Improvement Programme.
Asked by: Mark Menzies (Independent - Fylde)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what discussions he has had with Network Rail on the introduction of a passing loop on the South Fylde Line.
Answered by Stephen Hammond
I have had no discussions with Network Rail on this subject. Network Rail is currently undertaking a Long Term Planning Process in consultation with industry, local and other stakeholders to identify priorities for future development of the rail network following the 2014-2019 Control Period.
Asked by: Mark Menzies (Independent - Fylde)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what discussions he has had with Virgin Trains on ensuring that its proposed train service from Blackpool to Euston will stop at Kirkham Station.
Answered by Stephen Hammond
On 19 June 2014 the Secretary of State announced that Virgin had been awarded a new Direct Award franchise. This commenced on 22 June 2014, and will run until the new planned commencement of the next competed franchise in April 2017.
Virgin and Network Rail will now submit an application to the Office of Rail Regulation for new services between Blackpool North and London Euston, which will include stops at Kirkham & Wesham and Poulton le Fylde stations. The new services are planned to commence in December 2014.
Asked by: Mark Menzies (Independent - Fylde)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps are being taken to ensure that funding is made available to maintain bus services in rural areas of Lancashire.
Answered by Stephen Hammond
The majority of public funding for local bus services is via block grant provided to local authorities in England from the Department for Communities and Local Government. This Department is also devolving around £1.9m annual Bus Service Operators Grant funding to Lancashire County Council relating to the tendered bus services they support, to allow decisions to be taken locally on how that funding should be spent.