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Written Question
Railways: North of England
Monday 2nd February 2015

Asked by: Helen Jones (Labour - Warrington North)

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if he will (a) carry out and (b) publish an equality impact assessment of the introduction of driver-only operation on the Transpennine Express and Northern Rail franchises.

Answered by Claire Perry

Our specifications for the Northern and TransPennine franchises are being developed in accordance with our public sector obligations under the Equality Act 2010. The specifications will be published shortly.

Written Question
Railways: North of England
Monday 2nd February 2015

Asked by: Helen Jones (Labour - Warrington North)

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment he has made of the effect on passenger safety of the introduction of driver-only operation on the Transpennine Express and Northern Rail franchises; and if he will make a statement.

Answered by Claire Perry

Drivers have had increased responsibilities, including for opening and closing train doors on significant parts of the rail network for up to 30 years with no negative impact on passenger safety.

Primary responsibility for safety of train operation rests with the operator, and all franchisees have to obtain necessary licensing as a condition precedent for franchise start. Before introducing a change in operating methods, train operators must assess the risks and ensure that adequate mitigation measures are in place.

In considering whether to specify such an option we would not be requiring the removal of on-board staff. We recognise the importance that passenger place on the presence of on-train staff and want to make sure that where appropriate all of our operators provide these benefits through an effective staff presence that meets passengers’ needs.

Speech in Commons Chamber - Mon 26 Jan 2015
Infrastructure Bill [Lords]

"Will the Minister give way?..."
Helen Jones - View Speech

View all Helen Jones (Lab - Warrington North) contributions to the debate on: Infrastructure Bill [Lords]
Speech in Commons Chamber - Mon 26 Jan 2015
Infrastructure Bill [Lords]

"Earlier, the Minister seemed to ask the House to rely on an order and on a commitment by the industry, rather than on putting the matter into primary legislation. If she agrees with what is in new clause 6, what is her objection to having it in the Bill?..."
Helen Jones - View Speech

View all Helen Jones (Lab - Warrington North) contributions to the debate on: Infrastructure Bill [Lords]
Speech in Commons Chamber - Mon 26 Jan 2015
Infrastructure Bill [Lords]

"Will the hon. Gentleman give way?..."
Helen Jones - View Speech

View all Helen Jones (Lab - Warrington North) contributions to the debate on: Infrastructure Bill [Lords]
Written Question
High Speed 2 Railway Line
Thursday 8th January 2015

Asked by: Helen Jones (Labour - Warrington North)

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, when he will announce a decision on the continuance of the Hoo Green to Bamfurlong spur on the proposed route of the HS2; and if he will make a statement.

Answered by Robert Goodwill

The Government will take decisions on how to take Phase Two forward later this year.

Speech in Commons Chamber - Mon 08 Dec 2014
Infrastructure Bill [Lords]

"The broad sunlit uplands that the Minister is describing mean absolutely nothing to people in my constituency threatened with the untried technology of fracking without sufficient safeguards, which would wreck many of our villages and suburbs. Does he think that that is all right because it is going to happen …..."
Helen Jones - View Speech

View all Helen Jones (Lab - Warrington North) contributions to the debate on: Infrastructure Bill [Lords]
Speech in Commons Chamber - Mon 08 Dec 2014
Infrastructure Bill [Lords]

"Is my hon. Friend aware that in constituencies such as mine people are concerned not only that there are no adequate safeguards in the Bill, but that even the Government’s minor concessions, such as the requirement on companies to notify people of their right to land use and of the …..."
Helen Jones - View Speech

View all Helen Jones (Lab - Warrington North) contributions to the debate on: Infrastructure Bill [Lords]
Speech in Commons Chamber - Mon 08 Dec 2014
Infrastructure Bill [Lords]

"Many of us remember the Government saying that they had no intention of raising VAT either. Would the Minister like to give us a cast-iron guarantee that this wholly owned company will not be privatised by this Government in the future?..."
Helen Jones - View Speech

View all Helen Jones (Lab - Warrington North) contributions to the debate on: Infrastructure Bill [Lords]
Speech in Westminster Hall - Tue 02 Sep 2014
High Speed 2 (Warrington)

"I am grateful to the hon. Member for Warrington South (David Mowat) and to the Minister for allowing me to participate in this debate, not least because I applied for it and somehow it ended up in his name—strange are the ways of the Table Office. Nevertheless, we are both …..."
Helen Jones - View Speech

View all Helen Jones (Lab - Warrington North) contributions to the debate on: High Speed 2 (Warrington)