Asked by: Jodie Gosling (Labour - Nuneaton)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, with reference to her Department's press release of 17 November 2024 entitled £1 billion government funding boost for bus services across England to help end postcode lottery, what proportion of the additional funding will be allocated to improving the experience of disabled passengers.
Answered by Simon Lightwood - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
The government wants everyone to have access to public transport and is committed to improving services so they are more inclusive and enable disabled people to travel safely, confidently and with dignity.
At the Budget we confirmed over £1 billion in funding to improve services, protect vital routes and keep fares down. On 17 November, we confirmed how we are distributing £955 million that funding, with £712 million for local councils to deliver bus service improvement plans (BSIP) and better meet local needs, and a further £243 million for bus operators, including funding a long-standing grant to drive down fares and drive up services.
Funding allocated to local authorities to deliver BSIPs can be used in whichever way they wish to improve services for all passengers, including disabled passengers. The Department for Transport's guidance to local authorities on developing their BSIPs makes clear that these must consider accessibility, inclusiveness, personal safety and security when deciding how to improve the experience for passengers.
Asked by: Jodie Gosling (Labour - Nuneaton)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment she has made of the effectiveness of vision zero approaches to road safety in other countries.
Answered by Lilian Greenwood - Government Whip, Lord Commissioner of HM Treasury
The safety of our roads is a priority and we are currently developing a road safety strategy – the first in over a decade.
The DfT Chief Scientific Adviser is meeting with international experts to understand the effectiveness of a range of interventions and their implications for road safety in this country.
Asked by: Jodie Gosling (Labour - Nuneaton)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, with reference to paragraph 3.19 of the Autumn Budget 2024, published on 30 October 2024, HC 295, when she plans to publish further information on her plan to increase capacity on the West Coast main line.
Answered by Simon Lightwood - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
The delivery of High Speed Two (HS2) is expected to nearly double seat capacity between London and Birmingham, which is the most congested section of the West Coast Main Line. We are taking into consideration the recent proposal from the Mayors of Greater Manchester and the West Midlands for enhancing rail connectivity between the Midlands and the North West, and will set out a clear plan to address capacity and connectivity issues in due course.