Asked by: Julia Lopez (Conservative - Hornchurch and Upminster)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what progress she has made on completing feasibility studies to provide step-free access to platform six at Upminster Station.
Answered by Simon Lightwood - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
The feasibility work for Upminster station is underway and we expect all 50 of the feasibility studies announced last year to be complete in the spring. We expect to be able to confirm which stations will move forward over the summer. The Access for All programme continues to be heavily oversubscribed.
We remain committed to improving the accessibility of the railway and recognise the valuable social and economic benefits this brings to communities.
Asked by: Julia Lopez (Conservative - Hornchurch and Upminster)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what her Department's planned timetable is for the completion of feasibility works for (a) platform six at Upminster station and (b) the other 50 projects granted Access for All accessibility funding on 24 May 2024.
Answered by Simon Lightwood - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
Following the previous government's announcement on 24th May 2024, we are carefully considering the best approach to the Access for All programme. Given the short time since the general election, I regret I am not yet able to comment on next steps regarding specific stations, including Upminster station. However, please be assured that we are committed to improving the accessibility of the railway and recognise the social and economic benefits this brings to communities.
Asked by: Julia Lopez (Conservative - Hornchurch and Upminster)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether he plans to bring forward legislative proposals to introduce a definition of cross border hiring, as recommended by the Task and Finish Group on Taxi and PHV Licensing, to (a) stop drivers operating in an area where they have not been licensed and (b) protect passengers; and if he will make a statement.
Answered by Nusrat Ghani
On 12 February the Government issued its response to the report by the Chair of the Task and Finish Group on Taxi and Private Hire Vehicle Licensing. Government agrees with the principle of restricting out-of-area working and will consider further, with a view to legislation, how it might best work in detail.
Government will need to consider any flexibilities or exemptions which might be needed to reduce or avoid negative impacts on particular services.
The response is available at: https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/775983/taxi-task-and-finish-gov-repsonse.pdf
Asked by: Julia Lopez (Conservative - Hornchurch and Upminster)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, when he plans to respond to the September 2018 report of the Task and Finish Group on Taxi and PHV Licensing; and whether he plans to bring forward primary legislation to implement that report’s recommendations.
Answered by Nusrat Ghani
Ministers are considering the recommendations made by the Chair of the Task and Finish Group on Taxi and Private Hire Vehicle Licensing, a Government response will be issued in due course.
Legislation to reform the regulation of taxis and private hire vehicles will be brought forward if required.