Asked by: Nicholas Brown (Independent - Newcastle upon Tyne East)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether he has any plans to extend child discounts on public transport from 16 to 18 years to match the new compulsory school leaving age.
Answered by Andrew Jones
Government recognises the importance of accessible transport to all young people and, whilst there are no plans to introduce a statutory concession for young people, we are working with the sector to encourage operators to continue to improve their offers.
In the de-regulated bus market it is for operators to set their own fares. Current estimates indicate that 50% of young people aged 16 to 19 receive at least a third off standard fares.
The new Enhanced Partnership powers in the Bus Services Bill would allow local transport authorities and bus operators to agree standard ticket rules, such as eligibility for half fares across operators.
Asked by: Nicholas Brown (Independent - Newcastle upon Tyne East)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what powers are available to local authorities and what enforcement action can local authorities take to prevent cars parking at public bus stops.
Answered by Andrew Jones
English local authorities have a wide range of powers under the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984 to prohibit or restrict parking throughout the day or at specific times and by specific types of vehicles on any length of the highway, including bus stops. These powers enable local authorities to create bus stop clearways prohibiting all vehicles, other than buses, from stopping at bus stops. Over 90% of English local authorities have the power under Part 6 of the Traffic Management Act 2004 to enforce bus stop prohibitions/restrictions.
Asked by: Nicholas Brown (Independent - Newcastle upon Tyne East)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if he will issue guidance to rail companies to ensure they publicise passenger rights for compensation for disruption caused by the recent floods in Northern England.
Answered by Claire Perry
We are committed to improving compensation arrangements for delayed rail passengers. That is why we are introducing requirements in all new franchise agreements to both require that train operators make reasonable endeavours to make passengers aware of their rights to claim compensation and also to implement Delay/Repay. It is noteworthy that under Delay/Repay, which will apply to the new Northern and TPE franchises to start in April this year, there are no exclusions for delays outside the control of the rail industry, such as exceptionally severe weather conditions.
This winter’s unprecedented weather conditions have caused disruption to services. Network Rail have been working hard to repair tracks in these atrocious conditions. We remain absolutely committed to getting all lines able to run full services as soon as possible and thank passengers for their patience whilst emergency repairs are made.
Asked by: Nicholas Brown (Independent - Newcastle upon Tyne East)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment he has made of the effect of recent disruption due to flooding in Northern England on railway passengers.
Answered by Andrew Jones
The impact of the recent storms on the rail network across the North of England has clearly created difficulties for passengers, businesses and communities. Operators and Network Rail have worked together to implement and operate services so as to cause the minimum of disruption to customers.
I pay tribute to the efforts of Network Rail’s teams which are still working to repair the damage, and thank passengers for their patience while these works are going on. The Rt Hon Member will have noted that the line between Newcastle and Carlisle has now reopened, following repair of the serious damage between Prudhoe and Hexham.
Asked by: Nicholas Brown (Independent - Newcastle upon Tyne East)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps he is taking to ensure train companies have simple and easily comprehensible ticketing policies and offer the cheapest ticket for any requested journey.
Answered by Claire Perry
Rail passengers are protected by the National Rail Conditions of Carriage and also the terms of the Ticketing and Settlement Agreement (TSA), an inter-operator agreement that governs, among other things, the retail of rail tickets. These provisions safeguard passengers’ interests by requiring train operators to provide clear information and to sell the most suitable ticket for their journey. This will, in many cases, be the cheapest ticket. Operators are required, under the terms of the TSA, to ask sufficient suitable questions in order to ascertain and sell the best ticket for each passenger’s needs.
In a response to my challenge in December 2014, the rail industry worked with the Office of Rail and Road (ORR) to develop a Code of Practice on Retail Information, published in March 2015. The ORR wrote to all train operators in May 2015 to establish levels of compliance with the Code and published an update on progress in September 2015.
Asked by: Nicholas Brown (Independent - Newcastle upon Tyne East)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what plans he has to make it easier for passengers to access the cheapest tickets available for any requested journey.
Answered by Claire Perry
I refer the Rt Hon Member to the answer I gave to the Hon. Member for Coventry South (Jim Cunningham) on 29 January 2016 UIN 24320, http://www.parliament.uk/business/publications/written-questions-answers-statements/written-questions-answers/?page=1&max=20&questiontype=AllQuestions&house=commons%2clords&uin=24320.
Asked by: Nicholas Brown (Independent - Newcastle upon Tyne East)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps he is taking to ensure that water companies and local authorities have sufficient capacity to keep water gulleys clear of blockages since the recent floods in England; and what information his Department collects from such authorities about the scheduling of such work.
Answered by Andrew Jones
The Department for Transport wrote to local highway authorities in England in October 2015 reminding them ahead of the winter season to ensure drains and gullies that fall under their responsibility are inspected and cleaned in order to help reduce the risk of surface water flooding. A copy of this letter can be found at the following link:
The Department for Transport also endorses “Well maintained Highways” the code of practice on highway maintenance published by the UK Roads Liaison Group. The code explains that it is the responsibility of local highway authorities to ensure that water gulleys are clear of blockages, particularly in areas susceptible to flooding and advises that drainage systems should be free of obstructions at all times and recommends an appropriate inspection and cleansing regime to deliver this. In addition it makes it clear the frequency of emptying will also depend upon the location, extent of tree cover, level of rainfall, the extent of kerbing and the frequency of sweeping.
The Department for Transport does not collect information from either authorities or water companies as the inspection and cleansing regime is entirely an operational matter for them.
Asked by: Nicholas Brown (Independent - Newcastle upon Tyne East)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what role the North East Combined Authority has in relation to the Northern Rail franchise.
Answered by Andrew Jones
When known as Tyne & Wear Passenger Transport Executive (PTE) (trading as NEXUS), the North East Combined Authority were one of five PTEs who are co-signatories of the current Northern Interim Franchise Agreement that commenced in 2014.
The North East Combined Authority is one of the 29 authorities that make up Rail North Ltd. As part of the new franchise competition they were involved in helping develop the Invitation To Tender for the next Northern Franchise, which is expected to begin in April 2016.
Going forward the Secretary of State will sign the franchise agreement, but the management of the next Northern Franchise is being devolved to the Department for Transport and Rail North partnership.
Asked by: Nicholas Brown (Independent - Newcastle upon Tyne East)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, how much his Department has allocated to support the programme set out in the Report by Transport for the North entitled The Northern Powerhouse, published in March 2015; and what proportion of the £2.7 billion of investment referred to in that Report will be guaranteed by the Government.
Answered by Robert Goodwill
Government is making available up to £6.4 million to support Transport for the North’s strategic work and rail option development, and will in addition ensure Highways England is able to take forward its studies identified in the report. With local contributions, this will mean that in total up to £12.5 million will be available to take forward development work. This comprehensive strategy will help the north pool its strengths and transform connectivity across the region, helping to boost business and create a northern powerhouse of jobs, investment and prosperity.
As is stated, the £2.7 billion figure refers to the committed InterCity Express Programme planned for the East Coast Main Line. Passengers can expect to enjoy more seats and faster journeys on these brand new trains from 2018.
Asked by: Nicholas Brown (Independent - Newcastle upon Tyne East)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment he has made of the environmental effect of the Government's road investment strategy announced on 1 December 2014.
Answered by John Hayes
Environmental appraisals of each individual scheme announced on 1 December will be brought forward as part of the standard scheme development process. Separate to this, the Road Investment Strategy also includes commitments to over £500m of environmental spending through a series of ring-fenced ‘designated funds’, which will bring about real improvements to the existing network.