Asked by: Rachel Hopkins (Labour - Luton South)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, with reference to the £1 billion reduction in Network Rail railway enhancement budget for Control Period 6, what discussions Network Rail executives had, prior to the Spending Review settlement, with (a) his Department and (b) HM Treasury.
Answered by Chris Heaton-Harris - Secretary of State for Northern Ireland
The Spending Review involved a considerable amount of detailed discussions between the Department, Network Rail and HM Treasury. As a consequence, Network Rail were heavily involved throughout the Spending Review negotiations, with both the Department and HM Treasury.
Asked by: Rachel Hopkins (Labour - Luton South)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment he has made of the effect of the £1 billion reduction in Network Rail railway enhancement budget for Control Period 6 on (a) frequency and reliability of affected services, (b) jobs in Network Rail and the wider supply chain and (c) the Government’s Transport Decarbonisation Plan and carbon reduction targets.
Answered by Chris Heaton-Harris - Secretary of State for Northern Ireland
There are no current train services that have been impacted by the outcome of the Spending Review. The Spending Review has not cancelled delivery of any improvement works.
The Spending Review confirmed that the government is supporting the railway and we will continue investing in ambitious improvements to modernise it. We are currently working with Network Rail to agree a new baseline for the portfolio that fits with the new funding envelope. As such we are not yet in a position to fully assess the impact on Network Rail jobs and/ or the wider supply chain.
Furthermore, decarbonisation remains central to investment being made in Rail.
We are committed to building a railway that is greener and fit for the future and that is why we continue to look at ways to decarbonise our network in a way that makes best use of taxpayers funding.
Asked by: Rachel Hopkins (Labour - Luton South)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, when the Parliamentary Under Secretary of State with responsibility for aviation plans to reply to the letter of 10 September 2020 from the hon. Member for Luton South on Luton's aviation sector.
Answered by Robert Courts - Solicitor General (Attorney General's Office)
The Department aims to respond to Invitation requests as soon as practicable. The Department responded to your letter on 22nd September to seek suitable dates for a meeting.
Asked by: Rachel Hopkins (Labour - Luton South)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, pursuant to the Answer on 15 May 2020 to Question 43779 on Civil Servants, at how many multi-hub locations employees of his Department work together with employees of another Department or agency in London managed by the Government Property Agency; what the addresses are of those locations; and what other Departments and agencies employ staff at those locations.
Answered by Chris Heaton-Harris - Secretary of State for Northern Ireland
I refer the Hon. member to the answer given to PQ 54314 on 12 June 2020.
Asked by: Rachel Hopkins (Labour - Luton South)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, when he plans to respond to the letter from the hon. Member for Luton South dated 11 February 2020 on investment in Luton Railway Station.
Answered by Chris Heaton-Harris - Secretary of State for Northern Ireland
The Secretary of State has asked me in my capacity as Rail Minister to meet with the hon. Member to discuss this investment.
My Private Office has contacted the Member for Luton South’s office and has arranged a mutually convenient date for us to meet to discuss this issue.
Asked by: Rachel Hopkins (Labour - Luton South)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what funding has been allocated to improve Luton railway station; and how that funding compares to investment in railway stations in the (a) East of England and (b) UK.
Answered by Chris Heaton-Harris - Secretary of State for Northern Ireland
The Department does not hold information on spending on stations in the East of England. Luton station is due to benefit from a share of the £300million Access for All funding. Subject to a feasible design being identified, the station will receive a step free route from the station entrance, to and between all platforms. Luton station has been in the Access for All programme for a number of years, but Network Rail (NR) have been unable to secure Luton Borough Council (LBC) approval for any of their proposed designs.
Furthermore, as part of GTR’s May 2018 Passenger Benefit Fund, Luton was allocated £80,000. Following the passenger consultation last year, toilet refurbishments have been approved at this station. I look forward to meeting with my honourable Friend later this month to discuss this issue further.
Asked by: Rachel Hopkins (Labour - Luton South)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what plans his Department has to improve Luton train station.
Answered by Chris Heaton-Harris - Secretary of State for Northern Ireland
Luton station is due to benefit from a share of the £300m Access for All funding. Subject to a feasible design being identified, the station will receive a step free route from the station entrance, to and between all platforms. The project is due to complete by 2024 at the latest.
Furthermore, as part of GTR’s May 2018 Passenger Benefit Fund, Luton was allocated £80,000. Following the passenger consultation last year, we are assessing the feasibility of the schemes passengers have suggested and will be making a decision on taking these forward shortly.