Asked by: Peter Luff (Conservative - Mid Worcestershire)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if he will take steps to instruct Network Rail to resolve the land ownership issues at Honeybourne railway station.
Answered by Claire Perry
Network Rail is operationally independent. As this is an operational matter for Network Rail, my Hon. Friend may wish to contact it directly. Further information can be obtained from Network Rail’s Chief Executive at the following address:
Mark Carne
Chief Executive
Network Rail
1 Eversholt Street
London
NW1 2DN.
Asked by: Peter Luff (Conservative - Mid Worcestershire)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment he has made of the confidence of drivers in the information conveyed by dot matrix information signs on motorways and trunk roads.
Answered by John Hayes
The Highways Agency carries out a continuous survey with road users, tracking satisfaction and expectations with the services provided by the Agency including variable message signs (dot matrix information signs). In respect of surveys carried out during 2013-14, 9% of respondents said that the messages on these signs were unhelpful, while 72% of respondents found that the signage was mostly or completely accurate in the same period.
Nevertheless, I have asked my officials to examine once again the effectiveness of various approached to messaging with a view to developing a coherent policy.
Asked by: Peter Luff (Conservative - Mid Worcestershire)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps he is taking to ensure that motorway information signs convey information that is up-to-date and accurate.
Answered by John Hayes
In response to a Department for Transport performance measure, the Highways Agency has prepared an Information Plan for 2014/2015. The plan sets out a series of actions to look at quality and accuracy of information it provides through its traffic information services, including motorway information signs.
By improving data flow and processing, the Highways Agency will improve the quality and timeliness of all information services. A new system to be used in the Highways Agency’s National Traffic Operations Centre is currently being tested. This system has been specifically designed to assist operational staff in more accurately locating incidents and responding to the effects of an incident. The improvements, that will be delivered in early 2015, will ensure more timely and accurate information on Variable Message Signs as well as other information services such as smartphones and websites.
Additionally, information relating to estimated travel times between strategic junctions will be improved. Interfaces to other systems are also being enhanced to provide more timely information such as weather information which may cause disruption to drivers.
Alongside technology changes, the Information Plan is making use of improved customer knowledge. Using their recently established customer panel, the Highways Agency gathers views about how people want to receive information and how they interpret the messages the Highways Agency displays. This knowledge will inform future developments of our information services.
Asked by: Peter Luff (Conservative - Mid Worcestershire)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if he will provide an estimate of the costs of redoubling the section of the North Cotswold line between (a) Charlbury to Wolvercote Junction and (b) Evesham and Norton Junction.
Answered by Stephen Hammond
The provision of a cost estimate for further redoubling of the North Cotswold line would normally be sought from Network Rail only when a business case is identified for the extra benefits this enhancement would provide. No business case has yet been identified and so a cost estimate is not being sought. Network Rail is investigating the opportunities for line speed improvements on the route to reduce journey times.