Asked by: Dan Poulter (Labour - Central Suffolk and North Ipswich)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what plans are in place to ensure the timely delivery of the Felixstowe-to-Nuneaton freight rail link.
Answered by Lord Johnson of Marylebone
During Control Period 5 (2014-2019) Government is investing £235m in the Strategic Freight Network (SFN), a ring fenced fund specifically to support investment in rail freight to improve the capacity and capability of the network. This includes the installation of a second track between Felixstowe and Grimston Lane foot crossing on the Felixstowe branch line, which will allow up to 47 trains to serve the port daily in each direction, 14 more than at present.
In April 2017, Network Rail published its Freight Network Study, presenting options to funders for enhancing the rail freight network. The study identified the Felixstowe to West Midlands corridor as a key priority for future investment. The Statement of Funds Available for Control Period 6 (2019-2024) includes funding for continued investment in improvements to the rail freight network, and my Department will consider Network Rail’s advice when planning future enhancements.
Asked by: Dan Poulter (Labour - Central Suffolk and North Ipswich)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether access for disabled people at Diss and Stowmarket stations will be a condition of the new franchise contract for the Eastern Main Line.
Answered by Claire Perry
We will expect bidders for the new franchise to take account of stakeholder aspirations and consider multiple ways to improve on the customers’ experience on the train and at stations.
Asked by: Dan Poulter (Labour - Central Suffolk and North Ipswich)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what timetable is in place for the replacement of Trowse Swing Bridge on the Great Eastern Main Line.
Answered by Claire Perry
The Initial Industry Plan (IIP) for the England and Wales rail network will be presented to Government in September 2016. On the basis of the findings of the Anglia Route Study, I anticipate that upgrades to Trowse Swing Bridge will feature in the IIP. During 2017, the Government will provide an indication of which elements of the IIP it wishes to fund from 2019.
Asked by: Dan Poulter (Labour - Central Suffolk and North Ipswich)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what changes he plans to make to level crossings.
Answered by Claire Perry
The Department is continuing to develop its response to the Law Commission’s recommendations on the reform of level crossing legislation in conjunction with stakeholders.
Our Level Crossing Reform Action Plan, copies of which are available in the House library, explains the steps that we are taking and includes an indicative timetable for completion of this process.
Asked by: Dan Poulter (Labour - Central Suffolk and North Ipswich)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what the timetable is for the construction of extra track on the rail line between Chelmsford, Hatfield Peverel and Witham in Essex.
Answered by Claire Perry
The Initial Industry Plan (IIP) for the England and Wales rail network will be presented to Government in September 2016. On the basis of the findings of the Anglia Route Study, I anticipate that an additional section of track north of Witham (also known as a “looping facility”) will feature in the IIP. During 2017, the Government will provide an indication of which elements of the IIP it wishes to fund from 2019.