Asked by: Jessica Morden (Labour - Newport East)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what progress the Road Collision Investigation Project has made; and what the timetable is for that project to report and make recommendations to Government.
Answered by Jesse Norman
The Road Collision Investigation Project is being run by The RAC Foundation. Good progress has been made in a number of areas.
The first in a series of reports from the project describes how accident causation models have changed over time and details the rationale for taking a systems approach to collision investigation. The report is available online at:
More information on the scope and timetable of the project can be found at: https://www.racfoundation.org/collaborations/road-collision-investigation-project
Asked by: Jessica Morden (Labour - Newport East)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, with reference to his Department's document entitled Maritime 2050: navigating the future, published in January 2019, for what reason there are no references to the South Wales ports of Newport, Cardiff, Barry, Port Talbot and Swansea in that document.
Answered by Nusrat Ghani - Minister of State (Minister for Europe)
The Maritime 2050 strategy was developed through a wide ranging, extensive programme of evidence gathering and engagement across the UK. Although UK ports policy is a devolved matter in Wales apart from the Port of Milford Haven, in recognition of the extensive maritime interests in Wales, the Welsh Government and other maritime stakeholders were fully engaged in the development of Maritime 2050. As a UK-wide strategy, a selection of examples of ports from across the UK were referenced in the report to illustrate how widespread and beneficial UK ports are to local growth.
Asked by: Jessica Morden (Labour - Newport East)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, for what reason references to the South Wales ports of (a) Newport, (b) Cardiff, (c) Barry, (d) Port Talbot and (e) Swansea were not included in his Department’s strategy document entitled Maritime 2050: Navigating the Future.
Answered by Nusrat Ghani - Minister of State (Minister for Europe)
The Maritime 2050 strategy was developed through a wide ranging, extensive programme of evidence gathering and engagement across the UK. Although UK ports policy is a devolved matter in Wales apart from the Port of Milford Haven, in recognition of the extensive maritime interests in Wales, the Welsh Government and other maritime stakeholders were fully engaged in the development of Maritime 2050. As a UK-wide strategy, a selection of examples of ports from across the UK were referenced in the report to illustrate how widespread and beneficial UK ports are to local growth.
Asked by: Jessica Morden (Labour - Newport East)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment he has made of (a) the importance of Welsh ports to the UK economy and (b) the role of Welsh ports in the Maritime 2050 strategy.
Answered by Nusrat Ghani - Minister of State (Minister for Europe)
No specific assessment of the importance of ports in Wales to the UK economy has been made by the Government. However, the UK’s ports, including those in Wales, play a vital role in our economy, acting as key facilitators for trade and economic activity. Around 95% of British imports and exports in goods are moved by sea. A 2015 study by the Centre for Economics and Business Research (Cebr) commissioned by Maritime UK, estimated that the Welsh maritime sector directly supported just under £940 million in domestic revenue, £330 million in GVA and 5,960 jobs in Wales. These figures illustrate the important contribution of Wales to the UK maritime sector.
The Maritime 2050 strategy was developed through a wide ranging, extensive programme of evidence gathering and engagement across the UK. Although UK ports policy is a devolved matter in Wales apart from the Port of Milford Haven, in recognition of the extensive maritime interests in Wales, the Welsh Government and other maritime stakeholders were fully engaged in the development of Maritime 2050.
Asked by: Jessica Morden (Labour - Newport East)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment he has made of the difference between Intercity Express Train service speeds on Network Rail routes between (a) Bristol and London and (b) the Severn Tunnel and Swansea.
Answered by Andrew Jones
Intercity Express Train services between Bristol and London have a maximum line speed of up to 125mph, as opposed to 90mph between the Severn Tunnel and Swansea.
South Wales benefits from the £5bn investment in the Great Western route.
Asked by: Jessica Morden (Labour - Newport East)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment he has made of the adequacy of the level of infrastructure spending on the Network Rail Wales route.
Answered by Andrew Jones
Throughout Control Period 5, covering the years 2014-2019, £900m has been invested by Network Rail in the rail network in Wales. Network Rail’s proposed investment for the rail network in Wales during Control Period 6, covering the period from 2019 to 2024, is £1.34bn. The Welsh Government also now have responsibility for franchising rail services in Wales, and franchises bring investment. For example, the new Transport for Wales franchise will recruit an additional 600 members of staff, and invest £194m in station improvements.
Asked by: Jessica Morden (Labour - Newport East)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment he has made of the feasibility of giving the Welsh Government shared oversight over the specification and operation of all rail franchises operating in Wales.
Answered by Andrew Jones
During 2018 the Welsh rail devolution arrangements were further strengthened in line with the recommendations of the Commission on Devolution in Wales (the Silk Commission). In the lead up to this, the need for closer working between the Department and the Welsh Government in respect of cross-border services of franchises specified and managed by the Department was fully recognised and agreed. These arrangements are set out in sections 7 and 8 of the Co-operation and Collaboration Agreement between the Secretary of State and Welsh Ministers published on 11 September 2018.
Asked by: Jessica Morden (Labour - Newport East)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, how many staff facing redundancy as a result of the removal of tolls have (a) been offered and (b) undertaken and completed retraining since Highways England took over control of the Severn bridges.
Answered by Jesse Norman
The cessation of tolling at the Severn Bridges will remove the need for staff roles that are involved directly in frontline tolling operations or back office support. On 12 October 2018, Highways England notified those affected that they were at potential risk of redundancy, and commenced a formal minimum 45 day consultation period with recognised Trade Unions and individuals to determine those interested in redeployment and outplacement learning. This will include practical training, emotional and coaching support and opportunities for individuals. Highways England will undertake and complete outplacement learning and support following completion of this current consultation process for those individuals who require this.
Asked by: Jessica Morden (Labour - Newport East)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether he intends to announce a new programme of funding for the inshore and inland rescue boat grant.
Answered by Nusrat Ghani - Minister of State (Minister for Europe)
The Inshore and Inland Rescue Boat Grant Fund has already awarded 201 grants totalling £3.6 million to 98 charities around the UK.
We are currently engaged in the 2018-19 bidding round where a further £1 million is available to support these charities.
A decision on funding for future years will be taken in due course.
Asked by: Jessica Morden (Labour - Newport East)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, when the Government plans to complete its evidence gathering on the issue of pavement parking including how it is addressed in legislation.
Answered by Jesse Norman
This work is now well under way, and is expected to conclude by the end of 2018.