Asked by: Jon Trickett (Labour - Normanton and Hemsworth)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what recent discussions he has had with Northern Rail on ending the extended use of temporary timetables on (a) the Pontefract Line and (b) all other services between Leeds and Pontefract for which that operator is responsible.
Answered by Wendy Morton - Shadow Minister (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
Rail services between Leeds and Pontefract are part of the Leeds-Knottingley and Goole routes. In December 2021, the timetable service level was broadly one train per hour on each route. As a result of Omicron, a number of services were withdrawn to ensure a consistent and reliable service. The Department, along with operators and Network Rail agrees timetables twice a year, ensuring that the level of service is appropriate to passenger demand.
The operator is currently engaging with the Department and the Rail North Partnership on its post-May 2022 timetable. As we recover from the pandemic, we want to provide a reliable and resilient service that has sufficient capacity to meet actual demand and provide value for money to the taxpayer.
Asked by: Jon Trickett (Labour - Normanton and Hemsworth)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what level of service Northern Rail is required to provide on the Pontefract Line between Leeds and Pontefract as part of its franchise agreement.
Answered by Wendy Morton - Shadow Minister (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
Rail services between Leeds and Pontefract are part of the Leeds-Knottingley and Goole routes. In December 2021, the timetable service level was broadly one train per hour on each route. As a result of Omicron, a number of services were withdrawn to ensure a consistent and reliable service. The Department, along with operators and Network Rail agrees timetables twice a year, ensuring that the level of service is appropriate to passenger demand.
The operator is currently engaging with the Department and the Rail North Partnership on its post-May 2022 timetable. As we recover from the pandemic, we want to provide a reliable and resilient service that has sufficient capacity to meet actual demand and provide value for money to the taxpayer.
Asked by: Jon Trickett (Labour - Normanton and Hemsworth)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether new (a) rail and (b) tram stations will be opened in the Wakefield District, as part of the new West Yorkshire Mass Transit System.
Answered by Andrew Stephenson
The Government wants to work with and support West Yorkshire Combined Authority (WYCA) as they further develop and start work on their plans for a West Yorkshire Mass Transit System. The development of route options will be led by WYCA.
Asked by: Jon Trickett (Labour - Normanton and Hemsworth)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what part of the West Yorkshire Mass Transit System will be the focus of the first phase of the plan.
Answered by Andrew Stephenson
The Government wants to work with and support West Yorkshire Combined Authority (WYCA) as they further develop and start work on their plans for a West Yorkshire Mass Transit System. The development of route options will be led by WYCA.
Asked by: Jon Trickett (Labour - Normanton and Hemsworth)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what plans he has for Featherstone and Normanton in the context of the West Yorkshire Combined Authority mass transit scheme document.
Answered by Andrew Stephenson
The Government wants to work with and support West Yorkshire Combined Authority (WYCA) as they further develop and start work on their plans for a West Yorkshire Mass Transit System. The development of route options will be led by WYCA.
Asked by: Jon Trickett (Labour - Normanton and Hemsworth)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, with reference to the Integrated Rail Plan for the North and Midlands, published by his Department on 18 November 2021, whether the new rail line expected under the West Yorkshire Mass Transit System are planned to have any stations in Hemsworth constituency.
Answered by Andrew Stephenson
The Government wants to work with and support West Yorkshire Combined Authority (WYCA) as they further develop and start work on their plans for a West Yorkshire Mass Transit System. The development of route options will be led by WYCA.
Asked by: Jon Trickett (Labour - Normanton and Hemsworth)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, how much local taxpayers will be expected to pay to support the capital costs of the West Yorkshire Mass Transit System as set out in the Integrated Rail Plan.
Answered by Andrew Stephenson
The Government wants to work with and support West Yorkshire Combined Authority (WYCA) on further developing and starting work on their plans for a West Yorkshire Mass Transit System. Funding contributions will be considered as plans are further developed.
Asked by: Jon Trickett (Labour - Normanton and Hemsworth)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what estimate he has made of the number of residents in Hemsworth constituency who are in the process of selling their properties after receiving a compulsory purchase order relating to HS2.
Answered by Andrew Stephenson
HS2 Ltd does not have compulsory purchase powers for the Phase 2b scheme. These are conferred by an Act of Parliament authorising the construction of each phase of HS2. Therefore the company has not acquired, nor is in the process of acquiring, any properties in the Hemsworth constituency under such powers.
Asked by: Jon Trickett (Labour - Normanton and Hemsworth)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what plans he has made for the provision of legal advice and financial support to people who have already sold their homes after receiving a compulsory purchase order relating to the now cancelled Phase 2b of HS2
Answered by Andrew Stephenson
No compulsory purchase orders have been issued in relation to Phase 2b of HS2. Where property has been acquired for HS2 Phase 2b, we have paid full compensation in accordance with the Compensation Code and the additional schemes that go beyond what the law requires and which we have set up as part of the HS2 programme. The HS2 Ltd Helpdesk is available to assist anyone who owns property on the route and is uncertain about their next steps.
Asked by: Jon Trickett (Labour - Normanton and Hemsworth)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what estimate he has made for the number of people residing in Hemsworth constituency who sold their homes after receiving a compulsory purchase order relating to HS2.
Answered by Andrew Stephenson
HS2 Ltd does not have compulsory purchase powers for the Phase 2b scheme. These are conferred by an Act of Parliament authorising the construction of each phase of HS2. Therefore, HS2 Ltd has not acquired, nor is in the process of acquiring, any properties in the Hemsworth constituency under such powers.