Asked by: Justin Tomlinson (Conservative - North Swindon)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps he is taking to improve access to rail stations for disabled people.
Answered by Paul Maynard
We are committed to improving accessibility of the rail network. Currently 70% of train fleets operating passenger services meet modern accessibility standards, up from just 39% as at January 2011, with the remaining vehicles due to be either upgraded or replaced by 1 January 2020. We are continuing to improve station access through the Access for All programme and other major projects such as Thameslink or Crossrail. By 2019 at least 75% of all journeys will be from stations with step-free access.
Asked by: Justin Tomlinson (Conservative - North Swindon)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what recent estimate he has made of the number of road haulage vehicles using fuels other than petrol or diesel.
Answered by John Hayes
The numbers of goods vehicles licensed for use on UK roads, using petrol, diesel and other fuels as at 30 September 2016 are shown in the table below.
Goods vehicles licensed for use on UK roads, as at 30 September 2016
| Reported propulsion type | |||
Vehicle body type | Petrol | Diesel | Other | Total |
Heavy Goods Vehicles | 2,124 | 514,897 | 868 | 517,889 |
Light Goods Vehicles | 137,535 | 3,741,887 | 14,185 | 3,893,607 |
Notes
DfT statistics based on DVLA registration data
Figures are for all licensed vehicles with a 'goods' body type
Heavy goods = gross weight over 3.5 tonnes
Vehicles converted from petrol or diesel may be under-recorded
Other propulsion types include hybrids, electric, gas, dual fuels etc.
Asked by: Justin Tomlinson (Conservative - North Swindon)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, how many people used Swindon station in each year since 2000.
Answered by Paul Maynard
Station usage statistics are collected and published by the Office of Rail and Road. The usage of Swindon station shown in those statistics is:
2000-01: 2,064,669
2001-02: 2,011,159
2002-03: 2,117,084
2003-04: -*
2004-05: 2,257,719
2005-06: 2,340,952
2006-07: 2,515,492
2007-08: 2,758,891
2008-09: 2,905,266
2009-10: 2,835,364
2010-11: 3,039,228
2011-12: 3,232,578
2012-13: 3,220,180
2013-14: 3,350,444
2014-15: 3,503,982
2015-16: 3,580,540
* The statistics consistently omit the 2003-04 year due to a change in the statistical series.
Asked by: Justin Tomlinson (Conservative - North Swindon)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what recent assessment he has made of the capacity of Swindon station.
Answered by Paul Maynard
The Secretary of State has made no recent assessment of the capacity of Swindon station.
Asked by: Justin Tomlinson (Conservative - North Swindon)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps his Department is taking to reduce the number of roadworks sites which are unmanned overnight and at weekends.
Answered by John Hayes
Highways England recognises the appearance of general inactivity on roadworks is a concern for road users and is making improvements in informing its customers what works are happening, why and what benefits are expected.
In addition, they are also looking at more efficient ways of working to make best use of lane closures to increase productivity and minimise the duration and impact of roadworks on their customers.
Asked by: Justin Tomlinson (Conservative - North Swindon)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if his Department will make an assessment of the effect on the motorsport industry of the European Court of Justice ruling of September 2014, Damijan Vnuk v Zavarovalnica Triglav C-162/13, that introduced the requirement for all motorised vehicles used off-road to be insured.
Answered by Andrew Jones
The Department is currently holding a public consultation on the implications of the Vnuk judgment. The Consultation impact assessment assesses the likely costs and benefits arising from the policy options.
The consultation also asks whether stakeholders agree with that assessment and requests further information about the potential cost and benefits that will be used to assess the overall economic impacts of the policy options.
We oppose any measures which impose an unreasonable burden on the public. We will use the consultation responses to get the best result for the country.
Asked by: Justin Tomlinson (Conservative - North Swindon)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment he has made of the potential merits of requiring private hire vehicles to install CCTV cameras for the purpose of enhancing driver and passenger safety.
Answered by Andrew Jones
The legislation that provides for licensing of taxi and private hire vehicle services is enabling in its nature, giving local licensing authorities the discretion to set standards that they deem to be appropriate for their area. Local licensing authorities can already require the installation of CCTV in all taxis and private hire vehicles (PHVs) and a number already do so.
The Government’s position on recommending the installation of CCTV in taxis and PHVs is being reviewed as part of the drafting of Statutory Guidance to safeguard children and vulnerable adults when using these vehicles. The Government will consult on this early next year.
Asked by: Justin Tomlinson (Conservative - North Swindon)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether his Department has made an assessment of the potential (a) economic merits and (b) benefits to passengers of a western rail link to Heathrow Airport.
Answered by Paul Maynard
Network Rail’s own data details that a Western Rail Link to Heathrow will involve over £800 million of UK economic activity, including additional economic benefits for the region.
Passengers will benefit from new journey opportunities, improving access to Heathrow from the South Coast, South West, South Wales and West Midlands via a simple change of train at Reading. This will spare passengers the frustration of passing Heathrow on the way to Paddington, before having to turn around and do the last part of the journey in reverse – significantly reducing rail journey times between Reading and Heathrow.
Asked by: Justin Tomlinson (Conservative - North Swindon)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether his Department has made an assessment of the potential economic effect of a third runway at Heathrow Airport on Swindon.
Answered by John Hayes
The department has not undertaken a specific assessment of the impact of a new runway at Heathrow on Swindon. The economic assessment has primarily been taken at the national level, taking account of all UK regions. As with other regions, people in the South West can expect to take advantage of new destinations, extra seats and increased frequency of service created by increased capacity at Heathrow.