Asked by: Liz Twist (Labour - Blaydon)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if he will prioritise the installation of tactile paving at all mainline rail stations.
Answered by Chris Heaton-Harris - Secretary of State for Northern Ireland
Platform edge tactiles are part of the scope for more than 100 accessible routes due to be installed under our Access for All programme by 2024. In addition, whenever the industry installs, replaces or renews platform infrastructure they are required to install tactiles.
I have asked Network Rail to work up a costed plan for a wider roll out of tactiles for stations where tactiles are not being delivered under another programme.
Asked by: Liz Twist (Labour - Blaydon)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what funding will be made available for the acceleration of the installation of tactile paving at mainline rail stations.
Answered by Chris Heaton-Harris - Secretary of State for Northern Ireland
Platform edge tactiles are part of the scope for more than 100 accessible routes due to be installed under our Access for All programme by 2024. In addition, whenever the industry installs, replaces or renews platform infrastructure they are required to install tactiles.
I have asked Network Rail to work up a costed plan for a wider roll out of tactiles for stations where tactiles are not being delivered under another programme.
Asked by: Liz Twist (Labour - Blaydon)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if he will make it his policy to take immediate action against Airlines that fail to comply with consumer rights legislation during the covid-19 pandemic.
Answered by Kelly Tolhurst
The Department has been clear that airlines and travel agents should not deny consumers their legal right to a refund, if it is requested and this should be done in a timely manner. The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) undertook a review of the refund policies of all UK airlines, as well as a number of international airlines that operate flights to and from the UK. The CAA has utilised this review to influence airlines to change their processes and practices in order to improve performance in providing refunds. The CAA’s actions have led to an improved quality of service and performance from most airlines. The CAA continues to work with carriers to drive down waiting times, but balancing the support businesses need during this unprecedented situation.
The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted a number of challenges. The department is keen to work with the regulator, industry and consumer groups to learn lessons from pandemic, to make changes that are practicable and deliverable.
Asked by: Liz Twist (Labour - Blaydon)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what plans his Department has to provide funding for the Tyne and Wear Metro after the end of the Covid-19 Bus Services Support Grant in June 2020.
Answered by Rachel Maclean
A further £29 million was announced by the Transport Secretary on 23 May to increase tram and light rail services across the country so that people who need to travel, including critical workers in the NHS, can do so safely. The Tyne and Wear Passenger Transport Executive (NEXUS) is estimated to receive £7.6 million of that funding for the Tyne and Wear Metro.
Asked by: Liz Twist (Labour - Blaydon)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what plans the Government has to help tackle financial shortfalls in Nexus’ funding for the Tyne and Wear Metro.
Answered by Rachel Maclean
A further £29 million was announced by the Transport Secretary on 23 May to increase tram and light rail services across the country so that people who need to travel, including critical workers in the NHS, can do so safely. The Tyne and Wear Passenger Transport Executive (NEXUS) is estimated to receive £7.6 million of that funding for the Tyne and Wear Metro.
Asked by: Liz Twist (Labour - Blaydon)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what plans he has to identifying additional financial resources for (a) bus operators and (b) passenger transport authorities in the North East to help ensure continuation of bus services after the end of the Covid-19 Bus Services Support Grant.
Answered by Rachel Maclean
The Department has been working closely with bus operators to understand the issues they face in providing services whilst ensuring social distancing for both passengers and staff. We are also working urgently to provide further support to the bus sector to enable operators, working with local transport authorities, to ramp up service provision for people returning to work. An announcement will be made shortly on the further support that will be provided.
Asked by: Liz Twist (Labour - Blaydon)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, when he plans to announce the results of his review of pavement parking which began in summer 2018.
Answered by Jesse Norman
The Department for Transport has now completed its evidence gathering on the issue of pavement parking. We are considering the findings of this work and will announce any further actions over the coming months.