Asked by: David Evennett (Conservative - Bexleyheath and Crayford)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps his Department is taking to improve the condition of roads in (a) Bexley Borough and (b) Greater London.
Answered by Trudy Harrison
The Government has repeatedly shown its commitment to supporting London’s transport network throughout the pandemic, providing over £4.5bn in emergency funding to Transport for London. Transport in London is devolved and is the responsibility of the Mayor and Transport for London. It is for them to decide which projects to prioritise and how to allocate funding to London boroughs. This is in line with devolution arrangements on transport spending in other city regions in England. Where London boroughs are the highways authority, it is their responsibility to ensure upkeep.
Asked by: David Evennett (Conservative - Bexleyheath and Crayford)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what recent discussions his Department has had with the Mayor of London and TfL on the timescale for Crossrail being fully operational.
Answered by Chris Heaton-Harris
The Department has regular discussions with the Mayor of London and Transport for London (TfL) on a wide range of transport matters, including Crossrail.
TfL, as future operator of the railway, has stated that Crossrail remains on track to open to the central section of the Elizabeth Line (Paddington to Abbey Wood) in the first half 2022 and that the full introduction of Crossrail services east to west (Heathrow/Reading to Abbey Wood) is expected no later than May 2023.
Asked by: David Evennett (Conservative - Bexleyheath and Crayford)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether he has had recent discussions with the Mayor of London on the economic effect on London of delays in Crossrail delivery.
Answered by Chris Heaton-Harris
The Department engages regularly with the Mayor of London and Transport for London on a wide range of transport matters. On 1 October 2020, the governance of the Crossrail programme transferred to Transport for London. The Mayor of London is responsible for delivering the Crossrail project.
Asked by: David Evennett (Conservative - Bexleyheath and Crayford)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps his Department has taken to reduce delays on the roads approaching the M25 to cross the Dartford Crossing.
Answered by Baroness Maclean of Redditch
Both the Department and Highways England are committed to improving traffic flows and journeys for road users around the Dartford Crossing. A Road User Charge (RUC) has been place at the Crossing since 2003 to manage high demand for its use, after a 2001 study reported that traffic levels would be 17% higher if the charge was removed.
The Department committed £10 million for improvements to tackle congestion surrounding the Crossing. This has been used to upgrade the M25 Junction 2 to improve journey times for traffic using the junction south of the Crossing, design an improvement scheme to widen the west-bound link on the A206 bridge across the A282 at Junction 1a to increase capacity and reduce queuing; and has supported co-operation with Kent Police to provide improved enforcement of traffic violations in this area, including of yellow box markings on the A282 at Junction 1b.
Additionally, the Lower Thames Crossing (LTC) will ease congestion on the Dartford Crossing, by almost doubling road capacity across the Thames east of London through the longest road tunnel in the UK. Highways England is continuing to develop its plans for the LTC and intends to re-submit its Development Consent Order application later this year.
Asked by: David Evennett (Conservative - Bexleyheath and Crayford)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment he has made of the potential effect of the creation of Great British Railways on rail services in south east London.
Answered by Chris Heaton-Harris
Rail services in south east London will benefit from the creation of Great British Railways. Great British Railways, will provide strong unified leadership across the rail network, bringing ownership of the infrastructure, fares, timetables and planning the network under one roof.
Passenger-focused reforms will bring in improved services, with new Passenger Service Contracts focused on getting the trains running punctually and reliably.
In London and the South East, a new strategic partnership will be established to support housing, economic growth and the environment across the highly interconnected transport network in that part of the country. This will bring together Great British Railways, TfL and local authorities and businesses to coordinate timetabling and investments and to provide a consistent passenger experience in areas such as accessibility, ticketing and communications.
Asked by: David Evennett (Conservative - Bexleyheath and Crayford)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps are being taken to tackle inappropriate use of e-scooters.
Answered by Baroness Maclean of Redditch
Enforcement of offences relating to unlawful use of e-scooters is an operational matter for individual Chief Officers of police in conjunction with local policing plans. They decide what offences may be appropriate in individual cases, taking into account the circumstances. A range of offences may apply, including those relating to speeding and dangerous driving, drink and drug driving, as well as insurance and licensing. Users can be fined up to £300, have 6 points put on their driving licence, and the e-scooter can be impounded.
Asked by: David Evennett (Conservative - Bexleyheath and Crayford)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, how much revenue was received in tolls for travelling over the Dartford Crossing in each of the last five years.
Answered by Baroness Maclean of Redditch
The Dartford Crossing receives zero income from tolls. Tolls have not been in operation since 2003 when the debts associated with the construction of the Queen Elizabeth II Bridge and the tunnels were fully discharged. A Road User Charge was introduced in 2003 to manage high demand for the crossing.
Revenue from the Road User Charge for the last five years is set out below:
£135,619,000 | |
£120,625,000 | |
£115,427,000 | |
£111,801,000 | |
£107,983,000 |
The crossing’s full revenue is higher for each year owing to additional income from enforcement, abnormal load fees and other rental income. Full accounts are published each year and can be accessed in the above table.
Asked by: David Evennett (Conservative - Bexleyheath and Crayford)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps his Department is taking to improve rail services in south-east London.
Answered by Chris Heaton-Harris
Several projects to improve rail services are currently ongoing or are in development across south-east London including schemes of work at Denmark Hill, Peckham Rye and Lewisham station, which will improve the experience of passengers.