Asked by: Jamie Reed (Labour - Copeland)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if he will conduct a study on the potential merits and feasibility of upgrading the trunk road section of the A595 in 2016.
Answered by John Hayes
Highways England, the Cumbria Local Enterprise Partnership, and Cumbria County Council commissioned a study to examine the connectivity, capability, resilience, and reliability of the A595. This will conclude later this month. Highways England has also commenced its evidence-based Route Strategy process. If this section of the A595 is included in the priority list, the next stage would be to consider potential improvement options, which would be developed during the next Road Investment Strategy (RIS) period (2020-2025).
Asked by: Jamie Reed (Labour - Copeland)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, how much has been spent on rail services per head of population in each region of England in (a) 2014-15 and (b) 2015-16.
Answered by Claire Perry
The Department continues to forecast significant growth in use of rail and is constantly considering proposals for new investment which represent best value of money for the taxpayer.
We are fully committed to investing in the north as part of our ambitious plans to build a Northern Powerhouse. That is why we are spending £13billion improving the region’s transport, reversing decades of underinvestment, providing better journeys and securing long-term economic growth. We are investing £22 million in improving Newcastle station and its surrounding areas, and in the next few years passengers will see improvements including more services, more capacity and the scrapping of Pacers, as well as a fleet of state-of-the-art new trains for the East Coast Mainline.
The modernisation of the Great Western is the biggest investment in this railway since it was built by Brunel. This investment will enable faster, more reliable services, more seats, better stations and more freight trains. This will improve the experience of rail users and stimulate economic growth across the South West and beyond. Completion of electrification to Cardiff is planned to be completed in CP5.
The step change seen in London spending last year is due to increased spending on London Underground and HS2 plus some increase in the Network Grant. This investment is needed to meet the ever increasing demand for passenger journeys into London, of which there are currently about 4 billion every year.
The most recent government expenditure on rail is shown in the table below. Figures for 15/16 are not currently available and will be published in November 2016.
Government expenditure on railways1 per head of population |
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Region | 2014/15 |
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North East | £52 |
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North West | £93 |
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Yorkshire & Humber | £98 |
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East Midlands | £34 |
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West Midlands | £68 |
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East of England | £71 |
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London | £353 |
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South East | £69 |
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South West | £35 |
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England | £113 |
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1 Includes expenditure on all types of railway | ||||||
Source: HMT, ONS | ||||||
Asked by: Jamie Reed (Labour - Copeland)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, for what reason a feasibility study on improving the A595 was not included in the Northern Transport Strategy Spring 2016, published on 7 March 2016.
Answered by Andrew Jones
The Northern Transport Strategy Spring report did not make any announcements on new feasibility studies on the strategic road network (SRN), but reported on progress made on previously announced strategic studies for the northern trans-Pennine, M60 Manchester north-west quadrant and the trans-Pennine tunnel studies. Consideration of the need for improvements of any part of the SRN will be a matter for forthcoming work by the Department and Highways England Route strategies in coordination with Transport for the North when preparing the next Road Investment Strategy.
Asked by: Jamie Reed (Labour - Copeland)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what powers are available to (a) parish, (b) district and (c) county councils to dispose of abandoned boats in coastal areas; and whether a disposal cost recovery scheme exists for such disposals.
Answered by Robert Goodwill
Statutory Harbour Authorities (some of which are Local Authorities) have powers to deal with wrecks and unservicable and abandoned vessels within their harbour limits.
These powers are available under sections 52, 56 and 57 of the Harbours, Docks and Piers Clauses Act 1847 (exercisable by the Harbour Master) and in section 252 of the Merchant Shipping Act 1995. The powers allow the removal of wrecks and unserviceable and abandoned vessels and recovery of the cost of doing so from the owner or through disposal of the vessel.
Where there is no statutory harbour authority or conservancy authority in place to use the powers in the Merchant Shipping Act 1995, under s253 of the Merchant Shipping Act 1995 the General Lighthouse Authority may use the same powers set out in section 252 to deal with such vessels where, in the authority’s opinion the vessel is, or is likely to become, an obstruction or danger to navigation or to lifeboats engaged in lifeboat service.
The receiver of wreck, who only deals with wrecked vessels and is a statutory appointment under the Merchant Shipping Act 1995, has powers under section 243 of the Merchant Shipping Act 1995 to dispose of unclaimed wrecks one year after they come into the receiver’s possession. The Act sets out the dissemination of the proceeds of sale after disposal expenses.
Statutory Harbour Authorities operate on a commercial basis without ongoing support from Government and the General Lighthouse Authority are fully funded from a tax on shipping, receiving no money from the UK exchequer. There are no plans for any other funding to be made available.
Asked by: Jamie Reed (Labour - Copeland)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if his Department will make assistance available to local authorities for the costs of disposing of abandoned boats, vessels and other sea-faring equipment.
Answered by Robert Goodwill
Statutory Harbour Authorities (some of which are Local Authorities) have powers to deal with wrecks and unservicable and abandoned vessels within their harbour limits.
These powers are available under sections 52, 56 and 57 of the Harbours, Docks and Piers Clauses Act 1847 (exercisable by the Harbour Master) and in section 252 of the Merchant Shipping Act 1995. The powers allow the removal of wrecks and unserviceable and abandoned vessels and recovery of the cost of doing so from the owner or through disposal of the vessel.
Where there is no statutory harbour authority or conservancy authority in place to use the powers in the Merchant Shipping Act 1995, under s253 of the Merchant Shipping Act 1995 the General Lighthouse Authority may use the same powers set out in section 252 to deal with such vessels where, in the authority’s opinion the vessel is, or is likely to become, an obstruction or danger to navigation or to lifeboats engaged in lifeboat service.
The receiver of wreck, who only deals with wrecked vessels and is a statutory appointment under the Merchant Shipping Act 1995, has powers under section 243 of the Merchant Shipping Act 1995 to dispose of unclaimed wrecks one year after they come into the receiver’s possession. The Act sets out the dissemination of the proceeds of sale after disposal expenses.
Statutory Harbour Authorities operate on a commercial basis without ongoing support from Government and the General Lighthouse Authority are fully funded from a tax on shipping, receiving no money from the UK exchequer. There are no plans for any other funding to be made available.
Asked by: Jamie Reed (Labour - Copeland)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if he will make funds available to expedite the process of reopening the A591 in Cumbria.
Answered by Robert Goodwill
The Government has received a number of representations to help repair the A591 damaged by the recent Storms, including a request for assistance from Cumbria County Council, the local highway authority, who is ultimately responsible for the management and maintenance of the road.
The Secretary of State for Transport announced on 27 December 2015 the Department for Transport would be providing £40 million to help rebuild vital local highway infrastructure in Cumbria and Lancashire damaged by the recent storms, including the damaged section of the A591. This announcement built on the government’s earlier provision of up to £2 million in the initial aftermath of the severe wet weather to enable Cumbria and Lancashire authorities to carry out an initial assessment of what repairs were required to roads and bridges.
A follow up announcement regarding the A591 was made on 14 January 2016 which highlighted that Highways England, along with their contractors, has been brought in to deliver a full and permanent reinstatement of the road as quickly as possible.
Further information is in the following weblink: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/transport-secretary-announces-plans-to-reopen-a591-in-cumbria-following-storm-desmond-and-eva
Asked by: Jamie Reed (Labour - Copeland)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, how many representations he has received on reopening the A591.
Answered by Robert Goodwill
The Government has received a number of representations to help repair the A591 damaged by the recent Storms, including a request for assistance from Cumbria County Council, the local highway authority, who is ultimately responsible for the management and maintenance of the road.
The Secretary of State for Transport announced on 27 December 2015 the Department for Transport would be providing £40 million to help rebuild vital local highway infrastructure in Cumbria and Lancashire damaged by the recent storms, including the damaged section of the A591. This announcement built on the government’s earlier provision of up to £2 million in the initial aftermath of the severe wet weather to enable Cumbria and Lancashire authorities to carry out an initial assessment of what repairs were required to roads and bridges.
A follow up announcement regarding the A591 was made on 14 January 2016 which highlighted that Highways England, along with their contractors, has been brought in to deliver a full and permanent reinstatement of the road as quickly as possible.
Further information is in the following weblink: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/transport-secretary-announces-plans-to-reopen-a591-in-cumbria-following-storm-desmond-and-eva
Asked by: Jamie Reed (Labour - Copeland)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what support his Department is giving to Cumbria County Council to assist in the assessment of bridges in that county affected by recent flooding.
Answered by Andrew Jones
The Department for Transport is providing funding of up to £2 million to help both Cumbria County Council and Lancashire County Council assess the local highway networks for which they are responsible for the damage caused by Storm Desmond. In respect to the A591 this will be for Cumbria County Council to determine the options for the repair of this road to ensure it can be opened as quickly as possible.
Asked by: Jamie Reed (Labour - Copeland)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what estimate his Department has made of the timeframe for repairing flood damage to the A591 in Cumbria.
Answered by Andrew Jones
The Department for Transport is providing funding of up to £2 million to help both Cumbria County Council and Lancashire County Council assess the local highway networks for which they are responsible for the damage caused by Storm Desmond. In respect to the A591 this will be for Cumbria County Council to determine the options for the repair of this road to ensure it can be opened as quickly as possible.
Asked by: Jamie Reed (Labour - Copeland)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if he will improve access to pavements for wheelchair users.
Answered by Andrew Jones
The design and management of streets and pavements is the responsibility of local authorities. We expect local authorities to work towards high quality, attractive and inclusive streets that work for all people including wheelchairs users.
This Government is committed to promoting an inclusive transport system and there is a range of national guidance on street design issues in Department for Transport documents and elsewhere to assist local authorities considering the design of streets for wheelchair users. Best practice is set out in the Inclusive Mobility guidance which we plan to update next year https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/3695/inclusive-mobility.pdf.