Asked by: Ben Spencer (Conservative - Runnymede and Weybridge)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if she will make an assessment of the potential impact of the Transport (Duty to Cooperate) Bill on the economy.
Answered by Simon Lightwood - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
The Government will outline its position on this Bill during the scheduled second reading.
Asked by: Ben Spencer (Conservative - Runnymede and Weybridge)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what (a) data sources and (b) methodology was used by South Western Rail to (i) measure the performance and (ii) monitor outage events of the lifts at Weybridge Station.
Answered by Simon Lightwood - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
South Western Railway (SWR) uses the Network Rail data source system Citadel, which logs lifts reported out of use, alongside SWR customers advising of lifts out of use. This approach is used at all SWR stations with lifts including Weybridge. This data is then fed into a dashboard for measuring performance. The dashboard, lift performance and outage events are all discussed at a meeting held each rail period between SWR and Network Rail. This review feeds into improvement works and activities.
Asked by: Ben Spencer (Conservative - Runnymede and Weybridge)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what her planned timeline is for replacement of the lifts at Weybridge Station.
Answered by Simon Lightwood - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
The lifts at Weybridge Station are expected to be replaced by Autumn 2026.
Asked by: Ben Spencer (Conservative - Runnymede and Weybridge)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if she will make an assessment of the potential impact of level crossings on the economy, broken down by (a) region and (b) the UK's GDP.
Answered by Lilian Greenwood - Government Whip, Lord Commissioner of HM Treasury
Level crossings form part of the rail system of Great Britain, which plays a critical role in the development, economic growth, and social wellbeing of communities across the UK. By connecting communities and providing safe access to essential services and places of work, they also provide important benefits to local businesses and communities.
Given their integral role within the national rail network, the Department does not hold information on the specific impacts of level crossings on the UK or regional economies. However, Network Rail, as the infrastructure manager of Great Britain’s railways, will take account of the impact on local businesses and communities of any decisions it takes that affect level crossings.
Asked by: Ben Spencer (Conservative - Runnymede and Weybridge)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if she will (a) respond to and (b) support the provisions outlined in the Transport (Duty to Cooperate) Bill; and if she will meet the hon. Member for Runnymede and Weybridge to discuss the Bill.
Answered by Mike Kane
I understand that the second reading of this Bill is scheduled for 13 June. The Government will set out its position as part of that debate.
Asked by: Ben Spencer (Conservative - Runnymede and Weybridge)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, pursuant to the Answer of 16 December 2024 to Question 19765 on Large Goods Vehicles: Concrete, if she will publish the findings of the review of the call for evidence on the operation of Volumetric Concrete Mixers at higher weights.
Answered by Lilian Greenwood - Government Whip, Lord Commissioner of HM Treasury
The Department has published its findings today. These can be accessed at the following link:
gov.uk/government/calls-for-evidence/volumetric-concrete-mixers-review.
Asked by: Ben Spencer (Conservative - Runnymede and Weybridge)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if she will make an assessment of the adequacy of the accessibility to people who are digitally excluded of the consultation on Implementing the Carbon Offsetting and Reduction Scheme for International Aviation.
Answered by Mike Kane
The Department for Transport published a consultation on implementing the Carbon Offsetting and Reduction Scheme for International Aviation (CORSIA) in December 2024. There are multiple ways to respond to the consultation: by online form, downloadable form, email and post. Tagged PDF files have been provided and users can also request alternative versions if the files are not suitable for their needs, to support accessibility.
Asked by: Ben Spencer (Conservative - Runnymede and Weybridge)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if she will make an assessment of the adequacy of the accessibility to people who are digitally excluded of the consultation entitled Implementing the Carbon Offsetting and Reduction Scheme for International Aviation (CORSIA), published on 7 February 2025.
Answered by Mike Kane
The Department for Transport published a consultation on implementing the Carbon Offsetting and Reduction Scheme for International Aviation (CORSIA) in December 2024. There are multiple ways to respond to the consultation: by online form, downloadable form, email and post. Tagged PDF files have been provided and users can also request alternative versions if the files are not suitable for their needs, to support accessibility.
Asked by: Ben Spencer (Conservative - Runnymede and Weybridge)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps she is taking to improve accessibility at railway stations in Runnymede and Weybridge constituency.
Answered by Simon Lightwood - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
We are carefully considering the best approach to the Access for All programme. Since April 2024, 19 stations have been completed with a further 8 due to be completed by April 2025. This will be the most stations completed in one year since the programme started in 2006. We will shortly be updating MPs and other stakeholders on our approach to Access for All. This Government is committed to improving the accessibility of the railway and recognises the social and economic benefits this brings to communities.
Asked by: Ben Spencer (Conservative - Runnymede and Weybridge)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what information her Department holds on when each concrete section of the M25 within Runnymede and Weybridge constituency is expected to reach the end of its serviceable life.
Answered by Lilian Greenwood - Government Whip, Lord Commissioner of HM Treasury
The precise dates for treatment of individual sections will be determined based on regular monitoring of the condition of the carriageway. National Highways plans to give priority to treatments within the Noise Important Areas (NIA) identified by Department for Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) which have not already benefitted from some noise mitigation.
Next Generation Concrete Surfacing is the second phase in the treatment of the M25 concrete sections to improve the condition and reduce noise. The first phase is the reinstatement of the transverse joints between the concrete slabs to their original width and profile.
National Highways plan to undertake works in two NIAs (1286 and 1287) with the first phase starting from February 2025 until March 2026, the second phase of works will be delivered using the next generation concrete surfacing during the 2026/27 financial year with the final phase being completed between junction 9 and 11 by end of 2029.
In regard to the question on the location of NIAs, there are nine identified NIAs within Runnymede and Weybridge constituency, these are:
NIA:5858 | Elmbridge | On/north of M25 at Cobham at Horsley Road overbridge. KT11 3NY. |
NIA:5859 | Elmbridge | On/north side of M25 taking in ’The Lodge’. 1km east of Junction 10. KT11 1PH. |
NIA:1286 | Runnymede | North of main railway line, over Wey Navigation and B385. KT15 3NF. |
NIA:1287 | Runnymede | East of Row Town, Addlestone, south of Junction 11. Includes Church Road to the north to Coombelands Farm to the south. KT15 1NF. |
NIA:5887 | Runnymede | Immediately north of Junction 11. Northbound carriageway only. KT16 9PA. |
NIA:13841 | Runnymede | Located where the A320 crosses under M25. KT16 9LQ. |
NIA:5885 | Runnymede | On/west side of M25, north of Great Cockcrow (miniature) railway. KT16 0AA. |
NIA:6262 | Runnymede | Located immediately south of Junction 12, over main railway. KT16 9NL. |
NIA:1295 | Runnymede & RBWM | Whole length of carriageway from Junction 12 to Junction 13. TW20 8NU. |
Lastly, the concrete carriageway on the M25 within the Runnymede and Weybridge constituency remains in good structural condition and will not require full replacement within the next 30 years. During that time work may be required to individual slabs, to reinstate joints and to restore the surface texture.