Asked by: Dan Poulter (Conservative - Central Suffolk and North Ipswich)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether he has made an assessment of the potential merits of improving roads in Suffolk to support the proposed increase in energy infrastructure.
Answered by Trudy Harrison
The A12 north of Ipswich is the responsibility of Suffolk County Council as the local highway authority. It is for them, working with Transport East as the relevant sub-national transport body, to consider the opportunities and options for enhancing the A12 and other transport provision in this area to meet the demands of local people, businesses and energy infrastructure.
The Suffolk Energy Gateway Project proposed by Suffolk in 2016 (also known as the Four Villages Bypass) did not provide sufficient value for money and the level of investment from industry and the Council was too low to secure government funding. It is for Suffolk, working with Transport East, to develop a revised proposal and bid again when the opportunity arises, but this would have to represent better value for money and include a larger financial contribution from the Council and industry stakeholders.
The examination of the application for development consent for the proposed Sizewell C nuclear power station closed on 14 October 2021 and the Examining Authority is now writing its report which will set out its conclusions and recommendations on the proposals. The Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) is due to receive the Examining Authority’s report by 14 January 2022.
As is the case for all applications for development consent, the Secretary of State for BEIS will consider all matters that are relevant when taking his decision on the project. This includes an assessment of potential impacts on roads during construction and operation and where necessary the applicant will need to provide mitigation measures which may include road improvements. Given the quasi-judicial role of the Secretary of State for BEIS in determining the application, it would be inappropriate to comment on specific matters regarding the proposed project, as this could be seen as prejudicing the decision-making process.
The Department and National Highways is examining the case for retrunking the A12 between Ipswich and Lowestoft with Suffolk County Council and Transport East as part of a wider strategic review of the road. Evidence gathered through this review will inform ministerial decisions about whether to progress work further.
Asked by: Dan Poulter (Conservative - Central Suffolk and North Ipswich)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment he has made of the potential merits of re-trunking the A12 north of Ipswich.
Answered by Trudy Harrison
The A12 north of Ipswich is the responsibility of Suffolk County Council as the local highway authority. It is for them, working with Transport East as the relevant sub-national transport body, to consider the opportunities and options for enhancing the A12 and other transport provision in this area to meet the demands of local people, businesses and energy infrastructure.
The Suffolk Energy Gateway Project proposed by Suffolk in 2016 (also known as the Four Villages Bypass) did not provide sufficient value for money and the level of investment from industry and the Council was too low to secure government funding. It is for Suffolk, working with Transport East, to develop a revised proposal and bid again when the opportunity arises, but this would have to represent better value for money and include a larger financial contribution from the Council and industry stakeholders.
The examination of the application for development consent for the proposed Sizewell C nuclear power station closed on 14 October 2021 and the Examining Authority is now writing its report which will set out its conclusions and recommendations on the proposals. The Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) is due to receive the Examining Authority’s report by 14 January 2022.
As is the case for all applications for development consent, the Secretary of State for BEIS will consider all matters that are relevant when taking his decision on the project. This includes an assessment of potential impacts on roads during construction and operation and where necessary the applicant will need to provide mitigation measures which may include road improvements. Given the quasi-judicial role of the Secretary of State for BEIS in determining the application, it would be inappropriate to comment on specific matters regarding the proposed project, as this could be seen as prejudicing the decision-making process.
The Department and National Highways is examining the case for retrunking the A12 between Ipswich and Lowestoft with Suffolk County Council and Transport East as part of a wider strategic review of the road. Evidence gathered through this review will inform ministerial decisions about whether to progress work further.
Asked by: Dan Poulter (Conservative - Central Suffolk and North Ipswich)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether he has plans to support flexible season tickets for all rail users travelling between (a) Ipswich and London and (b) Stowmarket and London.
Answered by Chris Heaton-Harris - Secretary of State for Northern Ireland
Flexible season tickets are available on both of the specified routes.
For most 2 and 3 day a week commuters, the flexible season ticket will offer savings against buying daily tickets or traditional seasons, provided that they are following this commuting pattern. For those with different commuting patterns, existing tickets such as traditional seasons or dailies may be the best choice.
In all cases a flexible season ticket will offer a minimum 20% discount on an equivalent monthly season ticket.
Passengers should consider which product best suits their travel patterns. This is easier than ever with the updated season ticket calculator
(https://www.nationalrail.co.uk/times_fares/Season-Calculator.aspx).
Asked by: Dan Poulter (Conservative - Central Suffolk and North Ipswich)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether he has plans to widen the A12 between London and Ipswich to three lanes.
Answered by Rachel Maclean
The current Road Investment Strategy includes a scheme which will widen the A12 from two to three lanes between Junction 19 (north of Chelmsford) and Junction 25 (A120 interchange). The scheme is in preliminary design stage and statutory consultation commenced on 22 June 2021, to run for 8 weeks until 16 August 2021. This is expected to lead to a Development Consent Order application in Spring 2022.
Highways England also has separate projects this year and next to resurface and change the concrete surface on the A12 between junctions 13 (Ingatestone) to 19 and junctions 25 to 26 (Colchester). Work on resurfacing the A12 between junctions 15 to 19 is due to begin in late July 2021. These works will ensure a smoother and safer ride on the A12 and help reduce noise.
In addition, Highways England is funded to develop an upgrade of the Copdock Interchange where the A12 meets the A14 to enable smoother journeys through the junction. Its findings will help inform our investment decisions for the next Road Investment Strategy (covering the years beyond 2025).
There are no current plans for widening other sections of the A12. To inform future investment decisions, Highways England is currently refreshing its route strategies which examine the current performance and future pressures on every part of its network including the A12.
Asked by: Dan Poulter (Conservative - Central Suffolk and North Ipswich)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether he has plans for road improvements to the A12 between London and Ipswich.
Answered by Rachel Maclean
The current Road Investment Strategy includes a scheme which will widen the A12 from two to three lanes between Junction 19 (north of Chelmsford) and Junction 25 (A120 interchange). The scheme is in preliminary design stage and statutory consultation commenced on 22 June 2021, to run for 8 weeks until 16 August 2021. This is expected to lead to a Development Consent Order application in Spring 2022.
Highways England also has separate projects this year and next to resurface and change the concrete surface on the A12 between junctions 13 (Ingatestone) to 19 and junctions 25 to 26 (Colchester). Work on resurfacing the A12 between junctions 15 to 19 is due to begin in late July 2021. These works will ensure a smoother and safer ride on the A12 and help reduce noise.
In addition, Highways England is funded to develop an upgrade of the Copdock Interchange where the A12 meets the A14 to enable smoother journeys through the junction. Its findings will help inform our investment decisions for the next Road Investment Strategy (covering the years beyond 2025).
There are no current plans for widening other sections of the A12. To inform future investment decisions, Highways England is currently refreshing its route strategies which examine the current performance and future pressures on every part of its network including the A12.
Asked by: Dan Poulter (Conservative - Central Suffolk and North Ipswich)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether he has plans to upgrade the A12 between London and Ipswich.
Answered by Rachel Maclean
The current Road Investment Strategy includes a scheme which will widen the A12 from two to three lanes between Junction 19 (north of Chelmsford) and Junction 25 (A120 interchange). The scheme is in preliminary design stage and statutory consultation commenced on 22 June 2021, to run for 8 weeks until 16 August 2021. This is expected to lead to a Development Consent Order application in Spring 2022.
Highways England also has separate projects this year and next to resurface and change the concrete surface on the A12 between junctions 13 (Ingatestone) to 19 and junctions 25 to 26 (Colchester). Work on resurfacing the A12 between junctions 15 to 19 is due to begin in late July 2021. These works will ensure a smoother and safer ride on the A12 and help reduce noise.
In addition, Highways England is funded to develop an upgrade of the Copdock Interchange where the A12 meets the A14 to enable smoother journeys through the junction. Its findings will help inform our investment decisions for the next Road Investment Strategy (covering the years beyond 2025).
There are no current plans for widening other sections of the A12. To inform future investment decisions, Highways England is currently refreshing its route strategies which examine the current performance and future pressures on every part of its network including the A12.
Asked by: Dan Poulter (Conservative - Central Suffolk and North Ipswich)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what his Department's planned timetable is for the commencement of consultations on amending the Highway Code to take account of (a) improvements in technology and new forms of transport, (b) smart motorways, (c) the use of mobile phones, (d) pavement parking, (e) e-scooters and (f) rural road safety.
Answered by Rachel Maclean
Consultations have already commenced and closed for amendments to the Highway Code for automated vehicles, motorways and high-speed roads, and mobile phones. Of those, Highway Code amendments aiming to improve safety for users of motorways and high-speed roads were laid in parliament on 21 June. Trials on e-scooters are ongoing and the department will analyse the evidence gathered before deciding next steps, so there is no timescale for further consultation. A general consultation on measures to tackle pavement parking closed on 22 November and the Department is considering next steps. The Department currently has no plans to start consultations on amending rural road safety in The Highway Code, although, whilst not specific just to rural roads, amendments to protect vulnerable road users including the close passing of cyclists, pedestrians and horses have already been subject to consultation. A summary of responses, including the next steps, will be published shortly.
Asked by: Dan Poulter (Conservative - Central Suffolk and North Ipswich)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what plans his Department has to ensure that suicide prevention measures are in place at Orwell Bridge in Suffolk.
Answered by Rachel Maclean
Highways England takes its responsibility to support vulnerable people extremely seriously. Highways England works closely with the Samaritans and, since March 2021, it has installed newer Samaritan signs on the Orwell Bridge’s approaches, abutments and in nearby laybys to increase their visibility.
There are four telephones on the Orwell Bridge that directly link to the Samaritans. These were upgraded in 2017 to provide more modern equipment away from the A14 carriageway. Highways England is currently preparing to carry out a series of inspections and surveys to identify further measures to help prevent suicides.
Asked by: Dan Poulter (Conservative - Central Suffolk and North Ipswich)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps his Department plans to take to tackle persistent speeding drivers on rural roads and through rural communities.
Answered by Rachel Maclean
We expect all drivers to observe the speed limit and enforcement of the speed limit is a matter for the police. Policing of our roads and how available resources are deployed is the responsibility of individual chief officers, taking into account the specific local issues. Local residents, their elected representatives, and the police can discuss these matters together.
Asked by: Dan Poulter (Conservative - Central Suffolk and North Ipswich)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment his Department has made of the potential merits of a national speeding campaign to tackle speeding offences on rural roads.
Answered by Rachel Maclean
Road safety is a top priority for the Government, and the Department takes this very seriously. Road deaths and injuries can cause suffering, economic loss and life-changing misfortune, and reducing this on our roads is a key priority, including through reducing speeding.
One of the ways the Department does this is through the THINK! campaign, which currently targets young male drivers who are over-represented in deaths and serious injuries on our roads. THINK! is running a national speeding campaign targeted at this audience, following an uplift in the proportion of vehicles speeding in the first national lockdown. In 2019, speed-related factors contributed to almost half of road deaths and serious injuries among this audience and we know that young men are over-represented in industries where they still need to travel for work despite lockdown restrictions, such as manufacturing and essential retail. The campaign uses paid social media, broadcast radio, digital radio and Spotify advertising,, including messaging targeted specifically at young drivers travelling on rural roads.
Messaging on speeding and rural roads will also form part of an upcoming campaign due to launch in early summer which will also target high-risk young male drivers, and we will also use the Cabinet Office service to run radio advertising aimed at changing attitudes towards speeding among a broader audience, including a focus on rural roads.