Asked by: Damian Green (Conservative - Ashford)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps he is taking to ensure that the introduction of the EU Entry/Exit System does not delay cross-Channel rail travellers.
Answered by Huw Merriman
I recognise the importance of smooth passenger flows for international rail services and it is the Government’s priority to support pragmatic solutions to address the potential impact of the EU’s Entry Exit System (EES) at juxtaposed controls. My officials have and continue to work closely with Home Office (as the lead Department) and industry partners, including HS1 Ltd, Eurostar and Eurotunnel to prepare for the implementation of EES later this year.
Asked by: Damian Green (Conservative - Ashford)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps he is taking to expand the use of international rail as sustainable transport.
Answered by Huw Merriman
The Government fully supports the growth and development of international rail services given the environmental benefits these provide, as well as the social and economic benefits for UK citizens and businesses.
My officials regularly engage with infrastructure managers, other Government Departments and European partners to discuss new routes and potential market entrants, and continue to welcome engagement with prospective operators where there is a credible commercial proposition to develop new services.
Asked by: Damian Green (Conservative - Ashford)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what discussions his Department has had with Eurostar on reopening international rail services from Ashford since 1 January 2024.
Answered by Huw Merriman
I fully recognise the important benefits international rail services provide for the areas and communities they serve, including for the people and businesses in Kent. I last met with Eurostar in December 2023 and emphasised the UK Government’s desire to see the return of international services at Ebbsfleet and Ashford as soon as reasonably possible.
My officials have and will continue to engage regularly with Eurostar on this matter and press for the reinstatement of services at Kent stations once it is commercially viable for them to do so.
Asked by: Damian Green (Conservative - Ashford)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what progress his Department has made on fulfilling its commitments on environmental mitigations for the Sevington Inland Border Facility.
Answered by Richard Holden - Shadow Secretary of State for Transport
My Department has already delivered biodiversity enhancements within the Inland Border Facility boundaries by implementing a landscaping scheme to achieve a positive biodiversity net gain as habitats mature.
The Department owns the adjacent land to the east of Sevington Inland Border Facility (IBF), known as Sevington East, and intends to use to further offset the environmental impact of the IBF development by creating a local biodiversity asset. Extended archaeological investigations have had an impact on the delivery of this. Those investigations and the work on land formations have now concluded and plans are being updated to deliver the seeding and planting for the biodiversity scheme later this year.
Asked by: Damian Green (Conservative - Ashford)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what progress has been made on negotiations for UK drivers resident in Spain to continue to use their existing licences after 31 December 2021; and if he will make a statement.
Answered by Trudy Harrison
The Government is making every effort to reach an understanding with Spain regarding long-term licence exchange arrangements, without the need for a practical test, for UK licence holders resident in Spain, and vice-versa. Updated advice will be published on gov.uk before the expiry of the current arrangements on 31 December 2021.
Asked by: Damian Green (Conservative - Ashford)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if he will publish any impact assessment on the Government's decision to provide financial support to the aviation industry but not to the international sector.
Answered by Chris Heaton-Harris
The Government has been engaging closely with transport providers across the UK since the outbreak of Covid-19 earlier this year to understand and monitor the impact and will continue to do so.
Companies across the UK economy, including those in the transport sector, are able to draw on an unprecedented package of support including the Bank of England’s Coronavirus Corporate Financing Facility, the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme, two business interruption loan schemes and flexibilities with tax bills.