Asked by: Jonathan Edwards (Independent - Carmarthen East and Dinefwr)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what recent discussions he has had with representatives of the DVLA on the issuing of V5C documents for classic cars in need of restoration.
Answered by Baroness Maclean of Redditch
The Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) has well-established processes in place for dealing with applications from keepers of classic vehicles that have been restored. This may include an inspection to ensure that the vehicle exists in its entirety and has the required identification features stamped in to identify the vehicle as original. The DVLA may also seek the advice of independent experts in the field. A vehicle registration certificate will be issued when appropriate.
Asked by: Jonathan Edwards (Independent - Carmarthen East and Dinefwr)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what representations he has received from the Welsh Government in support of the proposal for a West Wales Parkway station near Swansea for the South Wales Mainline.
Answered by Chris Heaton-Harris
I am not aware of any formal representations received from the Welsh Government in relation to the proposal for a West Wales Parkway station. However, my department is in regular communication with them regarding the progression of this scheme.”
Asked by: Jonathan Edwards (Independent - Carmarthen East and Dinefwr)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what progress his Department has made on developing the proposal for a West Wales Parkway station near Swansea for the South Wales Mainline.
Answered by Chris Heaton-Harris
An integrated approach is required between the new station proposal and the development of the train services that will call at it. For a West Wales Parkway station these services will be provided by the devolved Wales & Borders operator. We are engaged with Transport for Wales via their ‘Swansea Bay & West Wales Metro Development Strategy Board’ to determine the optimal location for the station and the pattern of enhanced services that will call at it. A number of options are currently being evaluated prior to selecting a single option for further development.
Asked by: Jonathan Edwards (Independent - Carmarthen East and Dinefwr)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what discussions he has had with his counterparts in EU countries on driving licence reciprocation.
Answered by Baroness Maclean of Redditch
We have confirmed agreement from all EU/EEA countries that UK motorists will continue to be able to drive in their territories on the basis of a UK Photocard licence, without the need for an additional International Driving Permit. All EU/EEA Member States, except for Italy, have also confirmed reciprocal arrangements for exchanging licences, meaning that a retest will not be required for resident UK nationals. We continue to explore options with Italy on this issue. Most of our agreements are permanent arrangements and a small number require formal agreements which will be concluded before the end of this year. Where these agreements are needed, the UK has secured interim arrangements with the relevant Member States.
Asked by: Jonathan Edwards (Independent - Carmarthen East and Dinefwr)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what recent steps his Department has taken to ensure that there are adequate charging facilities for electric vehicles in rural areas.
Answered by Baroness Maclean of Redditch
The Department has committed £1.3 billion to accelerate the roll out of charging infrastructure on motorways and major A roads, in homes and businesses and on-street.
This funding includes the On-Street Residential Chargepoint Scheme, available to all UK local authorities to fund public chargepoints for those without access to private parking. More than 105 local authorities have taken advantage of the fund so far, and the Government recently announced the Scheme would continue in to 2021/22 with a budget of £20m.
The Government is also developing proposals for £90m of committed funding for local EV charging infrastructure to support the roll out of larger, on-street charging schemes and rapid hubs in England. Details of the scheme will be announced in due course.
Small businesses and those in leasehold and rented accommodation are set to benefit from up to £50 million to install electric vehicle chargepoints. The Electric Vehicle Homecharge Scheme, which provides up to £350 towards a chargepoint, will continue in 2021/22 and will be expanded to target people in rented and leasehold accommodation. At the same time, the Workplace Charging Scheme will be opened up to small to medium enterprises and the charity sector, providing a boost as staff return to work. The changes will also mean that small accommodation businesses, such as B&Bs can benefit from the funding, boosting rural areas, and tackling ‘range anxiety’ associated with long journeys.
Asked by: Jonathan Edwards (Independent - Carmarthen East and Dinefwr)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment his Department has made of the effect on public safety of the increased charging of electrical vehicles as the number of EVs in the UK increases.
Answered by Baroness Maclean of Redditch
The safety of electric vehicles and their charging is very important to the Government and kept under regular review. The safety of charging events is primarily determined by the design and installation of electric chargepoints. There is a wide pool of regulations and standards, as well as enforcement mechanisms, covering this. The Department regularly engages with the bodies who enforce those regulations to ensure safety outcomes for the general public.