Asked by: John Hayes (Conservative - South Holland and The Deepings)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps he is taking to invest in rail infrastructure in Lincolnshire
Answered by Huw Merriman - Minister of State (Department for Transport)
Investment will see us continue to support ambitious and transformative growth plans for our railways, particularly in the North and Midlands. The way people use the railway is changing and we are investing to make sure it supports passengers, freight and the economy for the future.
The Integrated Rail Plan (IRP) commits to upgrading and improving line speeds and capacity on the East Coast Main Line, which will have benefits to services to Lincoln. We have provided Network Rail with early-stage development funding to begin consideration of how these ambitious route-wide plans can be delivered as efficiently as possible.
This IRP activity will build upon the £1.2 billion East Coast Enhancements Programme – a collection of infrastructure upgrades across the route, helping to deliver journey time, reliability and capacity improvements.
Asked by: John Hayes (Conservative - South Holland and The Deepings)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, how many people were employed by his Department to work on matters relating to equality, diversity and inclusivity in (a) 2021 and (b) 2022.
Answered by Jesse Norman
The Department for Transport employed 11.2 full-time employees in 2022 to work on matters relating to equality, diversity and inclusivity, and 10.5 full-time employees in 2021.
Five of these employees work on inclusive travel and equalities in travel, for example in ensuring there is access for disabled people and those who share protected characteristics as defined by the Equality Act 2010.
Asked by: John Hayes (Conservative - South Holland and The Deepings)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether his Department has published an impact assessment of the potential impact of the proposed ban on the sale of new petrol and diesel cars by 2030 on rural communities.
Answered by Richard Holden - Minister without Portfolio (Cabinet Office)
A consultation on the proposed design of the ZEV mandate was published on 30 March 2023, and was accompanied by a full cost benefit analysis. This consultation proposes, among other areas, proposed ZEV uptake trajectories to 2030. Targets and requirements from 2030 will be the subject of additional consultation and legislation in due course and will also be accompanied by a cost benefit analysis.
Asked by: John Hayes (Conservative - South Holland and The Deepings)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, how much his Department spent on staff training related to diversity and inclusion in 2022.
Answered by Jesse Norman
Nothing.
Asked by: John Hayes (Conservative - South Holland and The Deepings)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, how much funding his Department has provided for the (a) maintenance and (b) upgrade of roads in (i) South Holland District, (ii) South Kesteven District and (iii) Lincolnshire in the latest period for which data is available.
Answered by Richard Holden - Minister without Portfolio (Cabinet Office)
The Department has allocated a total of £199 million capital funding through formula to Lincolnshire County Council for highway maintenance for the financial years 2019/20 to 2023/24. This consists of £101.54 million for the Highways Maintenance Block (needs element), £23.303 million for the Highways Maintenance Block (incentive element) and £74.181 million for the Potholes Fund.
In 2021/22 Lincolnshire County Council was also awarded:
The Department has also provided £0.651 million in 2021/22 and £4.810 in 2022/23 to Lincolnshire County Council towards the costs of developing a Business Case for the North Hykeham Relief Road.
Asked by: John Hayes (Conservative - South Holland and The Deepings)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what her planned timetable is for bringing forward legislative proposals on rail retail reform.
Answered by Kevin Foster
Whilst we will not be taking forward primary legislation on rail reform in this session due to pressures on Parliamentary time.
We are continuing to work with the sector to tackle the challenges set out in the Plan for Rail, including improving online retail for the benefit of customers and other areas for reform which do not require primary legislation to be undertaken.
Asked by: John Hayes (Conservative - South Holland and The Deepings)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether her Department’s plans to produce a (a) Great British Railways White Paper and (b) new Transport Bill in this session of Parliament to implement the proposals in that White Paper.
Answered by Kevin Foster
The Plan for Rail White Paper was produced in 2021.
We are committed to tackling the challenges set out in the Plan for Rail and fully implementing the modernisation needed for passengers and freight, to transform the industry so it is sustainable for the future.
Whilst we will not be taking forward primary legislation on rail reform in this session, we are committed to introducing the necessary legislation when Parliamentary time allows.
Asked by: John Hayes (Conservative - South Holland and The Deepings)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether the establishment of a new single Consolidated Online Retail Solution (CORS) for rail passengers requires the formal establishment of (a) Great British Railways or (b) a new Transport Bill.
Answered by Kevin Foster
The Plan for Rail sets out our aim to improve rail online retail, ending the current confusion passengers face with multiple train operating company websites.
We are continuing to work with the sector to tackle the challenges set out in the Plan for Rail, including improving online retail for the benefit of customers and will introduce rail reform legislation when Parliamentary time allows.
Asked by: John Hayes (Conservative - South Holland and The Deepings)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, when she plans to announce (a) tender bidding, (b) the preferred bidder shortlist and (c) the preferred bidder selection for the new Consolidated Online Retail Solution for rail passenger ticketing.
Answered by Kevin Foster
Further details of the procurement will be announced in due course.