Asked by: Owen Smith (Labour - Pontypridd)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what estimate his Department has made of the cost of the relocation of Pontypridd driving test centre to Llantrisant.
Answered by Jesse Norman
The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) have advised that the building that currently accommodates Pontypridd driving test centre (DTC) has reached the end of its functional and economic life. The Government-owned Llantrisant goods vehicle testing station (GVTS), which is only seven miles from Pontypridd DTC, provides low-cost alternative accommodation that meets all of the DVSA'S location criteria and testing requirements.
The relocation is expected to reduce the DVSA’s rental liabilities by over £6,000 a year, and avoid significant costs associated with making the current property fit for purpose. The relocation to Llantrisant GVTS should also provide both accommodation and operational efficiency cost savings, while improving the customer experience and maintaining the service quality of the car practical driving test.
Asked by: Owen Smith (Labour - Pontypridd)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, on which date his Department plans to relocate the Pontypridd driving test centre to Llantrisant.
Answered by Jesse Norman
The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) is now working with its contractors to determine a delivery programme for the works required to effect the relocation from Pontypridd driving test centre to Llantrisant goods vehicle testing station.
Once the programme has been agreed the DVSA will confirm the date on which the centre will be relocated, and inform affected stakeholders including candidates, approved driving instructors, MPs, Welsh Assembly Members, and the local council.
Asked by: Owen Smith (Labour - Pontypridd)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment his Department has made of the effect on learner drivers of the relocation of Pontypridd driving test centre to Llantrisant.
Answered by Jesse Norman
60 percent of candidates will be closer to, or at least no further away from their nearest centre, compared to Pontypridd. The impact on driving instructors will be minimal as the training area, and consequently the mileage will not increase for the majority of driving lessons being delivered.
Asked by: Owen Smith (Labour - Pontypridd)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment his Department has made of the effect on driving instructors of the relocation of Pontypridd driving test centre to Llantrisant.
Answered by Jesse Norman
60 percent of candidates will be closer to, or at least no further away from their nearest centre, compared to Pontypridd. The impact on driving instructors will be minimal as the training area, and consequently the mileage will not increase for the majority of driving lessons being delivered.
Asked by: Owen Smith (Labour - Pontypridd)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, on which date a Minister of his Department last visited Pontypridd DVSA test centre.
Answered by Jesse Norman
There is no record held by the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency of a Minister visiting Pontypridd driving test centre.
Asked by: Owen Smith (Labour - Pontypridd)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, when he expects the electrification of the Great Western Line between London and Swansea will be completed.
Answered by Claire Perry
Great Western electrification is the biggest and most complex electrification scheme for more than a generation, passing through several World Heritage sites and involving around 15,000 foundations, 14,000 masts, 1,500 signal upgrades and 50 station improvements. Network Rail continues to work towards delivering electrification to agreed timescales.
This is an extremely challenging programme and we are working closely with Network Rail and the Office of Rail and Road (ORR) to ensure successful delivery. However, I would reiterate that it is this Government which is working hard on rail electrification compared to the performance of the previous Labour government which managed to electrify just 10 miles over their entire 13 years in office. In addition, in the previous Parliament we also agreed a funding package to deliver the electrification of the Welsh Valley lines.