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Written Question
M25: Repairs and Maintenance
Friday 18th October 2024

Asked by: Ben Spencer (Conservative - Runnymede and Weybridge)

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what powers she has to (a) ensure the timely delivery of the M25/A3 works and (b) prevent unnecessary disruption from the works while they are under way.

Answered by Lilian Greenwood - Government Whip, Lord Commissioner of HM Treasury

National Highways has public commitment dates for delivery in their Delivery Plan and they are held to account on these dates by the Highways Monitor, Office of Rail and Road. Additionally, through the Department’s established governance framework with National Highways, there is regular reporting and meetings with ministers and officials.

National Highways will continue to look at ways of minimising disruption as much as possible.

Written Question
M25: Repairs and Maintenance
Thursday 17th October 2024

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 a comparative estimate of the potential reduction in local noise pollution on the M25 in Runnymede and Weybridge constituency by (a) repairing the sections of concrete motorway and (b) replacing the concrete with another road surface.

Answered by Lilian Greenwood - Government Whip, Lord Commissioner of HM Treasury

National Highways has already undertaken trials to monitor the noise generated by concrete road surfaces following surface treatments (including Next Generation Concrete Surfacing) and the noise generated by other types of road surface. The outcome of the trials indicated that using low noise surface material versus Next Generation Concrete Surfacing does not result in a materially different amount of noise.

Due to the cost and disruption, replacing the existing sections of concrete road surface in the Runnymede and Weybridge constituency with a low-noise material is not being pursued until it is required (predicted to be after 2040). However, Next Generation Concrete Surfacing will be undertaken across the M25 from 2026 to 2039.

Written Question
M25: A3
Thursday 12th September 2024

Asked by: Ben Spencer (Conservative - Runnymede and Weybridge)

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what recent discussions he has had with National Highways on (a) the expected completion date for works on the Painshill junction of the M25 and A3 and (b) the steps being taken to (i) ensure the timely completion of that work and (ii) minimise disruption in the area.

Answered by Lilian Greenwood - Government Whip, Lord Commissioner of HM Treasury

National Highways are due to complete the main works at the Painshill roundabout and junction 10 of the M25 by Summer 2025 however, there will be other minor works including environmental enhancements that will be completed towards the end of 2025.

To ensure timely completion of works, National Highways are closely monitoring the construction programme and are working with the supply chain, local authorities, and utility providers to ensure the programme is on schedule. Additionally, to minimise disruption National Highways are undertaking some of the works overnight and at weekends when traffic volumes are low, and they are also retaining the number of lanes available during the day to maintain traffic flows. Furthermore, National Highways are promoting information about road closures in advance to allow customer to use alternative routes or other forms of transport when necessary.

Speech in Commons Chamber - Mon 24 Jan 2022
Covid-19: International Travel

"Throughout the pandemic, Labour has flip-flopped, calling for a pause on international travel, then opposing all and any restrictions. May I thank my right hon. Friend for ignoring its game playing—[Interruption]—and for his unalloyed support for international travel and a truly connected global Britain?..."
Ben Spencer - View Speech

View all Ben Spencer (Con - Runnymede and Weybridge) contributions to the debate on: Covid-19: International Travel
Speech in Commons Chamber - Mon 20 Sep 2021
International Travel

"I thank my right hon. Friend and welcome this great news today: great news for people living in Runnymede and Weybridge; great news for businesses; great news for people who need to see their families; and great news on the reciprocal arrangements with the US. Of course, it is all …..."
Ben Spencer - View Speech

View all Ben Spencer (Con - Runnymede and Weybridge) contributions to the debate on: International Travel
Speech in Commons Chamber - Mon 19 Jul 2021
International Travel Rules

"I very much welcome the fact that fully vaccinated people can now travel to amber countries without having to quarantine on return, but I am disappointed with the change in the situation with France and, in effect, the creation of a new “orange-red” category. It is right that the Government …..."
Ben Spencer - View Speech

View all Ben Spencer (Con - Runnymede and Weybridge) contributions to the debate on: International Travel Rules
Speech in Commons Chamber - Wed 14 Jul 2021
Transport Decarbonisation

"I, too, warmly welcome the statement and I look forward to digging in to the plan later. May I pick up on a point around HGVs, because they are incredibly polluting? I have many constituents who live alongside the M25 and the M3, where that is an issue, and they …..."
Ben Spencer - View Speech

View all Ben Spencer (Con - Runnymede and Weybridge) contributions to the debate on: Transport Decarbonisation
Speech in Commons Chamber - Thu 08 Jul 2021
International Travel

"I very much welcome the announcement from my right hon. Friend, which will make such a huge difference to families wanting to see their relatives, to businesses in my constituency, and of course to people who want to go on holiday.

Can I come back to the point on reciprocity? …..."
Ben Spencer - View Speech

View all Ben Spencer (Con - Runnymede and Weybridge) contributions to the debate on: International Travel
Speech in Commons Chamber - Thu 10 Jun 2021
Aviation, Travel and Tourism Industries

"In 1919, Sir John Alcock said:

“There is always satisfaction in being the first to do anything, whatever it may be”.

I am sure the Minister recognises that name, because it was Sir John, along with Lieutenant-Colonel Arthur Brown, who flew a Vickers Vimy—built at Brooklands in my constituency—in the …..."
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View all Ben Spencer (Con - Runnymede and Weybridge) contributions to the debate on: Aviation, Travel and Tourism Industries
Speech in Commons Chamber - Wed 22 Jul 2020
Southern Heathrow Rail Link

"I thank my hon. Friend the Member for Guildford (Angela Richardson) and the Minister for allowing me to speak in this debate. I also admire my hon. Friend for the strong case—it was a tour de force—she made for a southern rail link, which would provide a local economic boost …..."
Ben Spencer - View Speech

View all Ben Spencer (Con - Runnymede and Weybridge) contributions to the debate on: Southern Heathrow Rail Link