Asked by: Laurence Robertson (Conservative - Tewkesbury)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment his Department has made of the potential merits of the use of non-compliant batteries in traffic lights; and if he will make a statement.
Answered by Jesse Norman
Batteries are commonly used to power portable traffic lights of the type used at roadworks. The type of battery is not specified in regulation or guidance. The technical specification covering portable signal equipment covers power outputs but does not specify battery type.
Local traffic authorities are responsible for approving roadworks, including use of portable traffic lights. It is for those deploying portable traffic lights to ensure that the equipment is safe and fit for purpose.
Asked by: Laurence Robertson (Conservative - Tewkesbury)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what the timeframe is for the start of improvements on Cheltenham and Gloucester to London rail services; and if he will make a statement.
Answered by Andrew Jones
Great Western Railway is planning to introduce its enhanced timetable on 15 December this year. This sees the current two-hourly through train service between Cheltenham, Gloucester and London increased to hourly. The new timetable is currently being developed through the rail industry's timetabling process led by Network Rail.
Asked by: Laurence Robertson (Conservative - Tewkesbury)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, when he plans for improvements to be introduced to the Cheltenham or Gloucester to London rail links; and if he will make a statement.
Answered by Andrew Jones
Great Western Railway is planning to introduce its enhanced timetable on 15 December this year. This sees the current two-hourly through train service between Cheltenham/Gloucester and London increased to hourly.
Asked by: Laurence Robertson (Conservative - Tewkesbury)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps he is taking to ensure that street lighting is powered by renewable sources; and if he will make a statement.
Answered by Jesse Norman
Street lighting is a matter for each individual highway authority. Some authorities have or are in the process of switching to LED lighting, which is helping to save energy. There are also examples of authorities using alternative energy sources such as solar panels to power highway-related systems that do not consume much energy, such as traffic signs.
Asked by: Laurence Robertson (Conservative - Tewkesbury)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what guidance he gives to local authorities on the restriction on traffic near schools at opening and closing times; and if he will make a statement.
Answered by Jesse Norman
Local authorities have powers to restrict traffic near schools using Traffic Regulation Orders. The Department for Transport provides guidance to local authorities on traffic signs that can be used to indicate restrictions on traffic in various Chapters of the Traffic Signs Manual. It is for the relevant local authority to decide on what restrictions are needed on their roads, taking into consideration local needs and factors at specific locations.
Asked by: Laurence Robertson (Conservative - Tewkesbury)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps he has taken to ensure that British aviation supply companies will be able to qualify for work certified by the European Aviation Safety Agency after the UK leaves the EU; and if he will make a statement.
Answered by Chris Grayling
The UK is seeking continued participation in the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) system in order to facilitate the continued frictionless trade in aerospace goods between the UK and EU. The UK, with the second largest aerospace sector in the world, supplies vital components to aerospace exporters within the EU. It is not in the interests of the UK or the EU to disrupt the ‘just in time’ supply chains of our integrated aerospace sector.
The Commission has proposed a regulation which, when agreed, would provide an extension of the validity of certain safety certificates issued to or by UK based organisations. In addition, The Aviation Safety (Amendment etc.) (EU Exit) Regulations which were laid in draft on 26 November 2018 provide that certificates issued by EASA or an EU Member State shall remain valid for a period of up to 2 years.
Asked by: Laurence Robertson (Conservative - Tewkesbury)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps he has taken to ensure that certificates provided by the Civil Aviation Authority to British companies will be valid within the EU after the UK leaves the EU; and if he will make a statement.
Answered by Chris Grayling
The UK is seeking continued participation in the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) system in order to facilitate the continued frictionless trade in aerospace goods between the UK and EU. The UK, with the second largest aerospace sector in the world, supplies vital components to aerospace exporters within the EU. It is not in the interests of the UK or the EU to disrupt the ‘just in time’ supply chains of our integrated aerospace sector.
The Commission has proposed a regulation which, when agreed, would provide an extension of the validity of certain safety certificates issued to or by UK based organisations. In addition, The Aviation Safety (Amendment etc.) (EU Exit) Regulations which were laid in draft on 26 November 2018 provide that certificates issued by EASA or an EU Member State shall remain valid for a period of up to 2 years.
Asked by: Laurence Robertson (Conservative - Tewkesbury)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what recent discussions he has had with Midlands Connect on its proposed expressway from Leicestershire to Gloucestershire; and if he will make a statement.
Answered by Jesse Norman
The A46 corridor connects together Lincolnshire and Gloucestershire. This is one of the corridors identified by Midlands Connect - the sub national transport body for the Midlands - as of key strategic importance.
With funding from the Department, Midlands Connect is currently conducting a detailed study into the potential for development of the A46, which it believes could play an important role in improving pan-regional connectivity and relieving congestion on motorways in the West Midlands. The Department is monitoring this study closely.
Asked by: Laurence Robertson (Conservative - Tewkesbury)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what recent assessment he has made of the potential effectiveness of reducing noise emissions from motorways by reducing speed limits; and if he will make a statement.
Answered by Jesse Norman
Noise is a Key Performance Indicator for Highways England. They are working to reduce people’s exposure to road noise by considering measures such as barriers, road resurfacing and insulation at locations with the highest noise levels and delivering these through major projects, maintenance work and their designated environment fund. Reducing speed limits is not one of the measures.
While reducing speed limits on motorways can reduce noise for those nearby, it can also have unintended consequences. Some traffic may be diverted to less suitable roads in more built-up areas, where loud noise could be experienced by more people. Even at lower speeds, noise effects can be greater off the motorway network, as roads tend to be closer to homes.
Highways England’s approach reduces the noise which people experience near some of the busiest motorways while retaining existing speed limits on these important arterial routes, speed limits that reflect drivers’ experience and expectations for longer-distance journeys.