Asked by: Ruth Jones (Labour - Newport West and Islwyn)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what recent discussions she had with the Welsh Rail Board on the electrification of the Cardiff - Swansea section of the South Wales Mainline.
Answered by Keir Mather - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
The Rail Minister has regular discussions with the Wales Rail Board regarding their priorities for investment, including future electrification between Swansea and Cardiff. Our initial joint priorities involve improvements on the South Wales Mainline which will deliver more immediate passenger benefits, including increasing the frequency of services to the west of Cardiff. Following the Spending Review, we are funding these improvement works as part of the wider £445 million investment to enhance rail infrastructure across Wales — unlocking economic potential, improving connectivity, and supporting communities.
Asked by: Ruth Jones (Labour - Newport West and Islwyn)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment has she made of the potential impact of (a) opening new or (b) reopening former railway stations on economic regeneration of towns in the South Wales coalfield.
Answered by Simon Lightwood - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
The Spending Review and Infrastructure Strategy committed to deliver at least £445 million of rail enhancements in Wales, including the provision of £48 million to the Welsh Government to upgrade the Core Valley Lines and increase connectivity.
The Wales Rail Board works with both the UK and Welsh governments, as well as local transport authorities and community leaders, to identify and advance rail projects that best meet the specific needs of each region, including new and reopened stations. The Board places particular emphasis on initiatives that promote economic development, job creation, and improved housing, ensuring that all projects are supported by a robust business case.
Asked by: Ruth Jones (Labour - Newport West and Islwyn)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment has she made of the potential merits of proposals to re-open the Abertillery spur of the Ebbw Vale Line.
Answered by Simon Lightwood - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
The Wales Rail Board works with both the UK and Welsh governments, as well as local transport authorities and community leaders, to identify and advance rail projects that best meet the specific needs of each region.
In relation to the Abertillery Spur, the Wales Rail Board is in receipt of the development work undertaken to date by Blaenau Gwent County Borough Council and Transport for Wales and is considering this in relation to its advice to both governments on service development and investment priorities for Wales.
Asked by: Ruth Jones (Labour - Newport West and Islwyn)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment has she made of the potential impacts of (a) low car ownership and (b) difficulties in accessing rail travel on economic opportunities for deprived communities in Islwyn.
Answered by Keir Mather - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
The Department for Transport recognises the importance of improving connectivity for communities with low car ownership and limited access to rail services. Through the Wales Rail Board, we are working in close partnership with the Welsh Government to develop future rail service improvements for communities across Wales, including Islwyn.
Supporting this collaboration, the 10-year Infrastructure Strategy will deliver at least £445 million of UK Government investment in Welsh rail infrastructure, demonstrating our commitment to enhancing services and improving access to economic opportunities.
Asked by: Ruth Jones (Labour - Newport West and Islwyn)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what recent assessment he has made of the adequacy of the service provided by Great Western Railway.
Answered by Huw Merriman
The Secretary of State and I regularly meet with Network Rail and Great Western Railway to discuss performance. With NR related delays reaching 71 per cent in December 2023, I have made it clear to the CEO of NR that they must address infrastructure issues that contribute to a high proportion of disruption. NR launched its £140 million Thames Valley Recovery Plan, focusing on improving infrastructure reliability over the next 18 months. I met with NR and GWR in Swindon last week to review progress and whilst we are seeing small improvements, there is a lot more work to be done.
Asked by: Ruth Jones (Labour - Newport West and Islwyn)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what estimate his Department has made of length of time it will take for battery technology to become sufficiently advanced to power Heavy Goods Vehicles.
Answered by Jesse Norman - Shadow Leader of the House of Commons
As of September 2022, there were already 437 battery electric zero emission HGVs operating in the UK. In its recent position paper on the zero emission HGV market, the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) identified 24 models of battery electric HGVs already on sale in the UK, or due to be on sale by 2024. These vehicles have ranges of up to 340 miles.
Asked by: Ruth Jones (Labour - Newport West and Islwyn)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if he will make a comparative assessment of the merits of the UK’s Renewable Transport Fuel Obligation and that deployed in the Republic of Ireland.
Answered by Jesse Norman - Shadow Leader of the House of Commons
Biofuel suppliers operate in a global market and the Department considers changes to the Renewable Transport Fuels Obligation (RTFO) accordingly, in the context of many support schemes offered worldwide. As the administrator of the RTFO, the Department also participates in the Renewable Fuels Regulators Club, which includes counterparts in the Republic of Ireland, and facilitates the sharing of best practice.
Asked by: Ruth Jones (Labour - Newport West and Islwyn)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether his Department plans to help the road haulage industry to transition to net-zero through adopting (a) Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil and (b) other biofuels.
Answered by Jesse Norman - Shadow Leader of the House of Commons
The Government has committed to end the sale of new, non-zero emission HGVs, less than or equal to 26 tonnes from 2035, and all new HGVs must be fully zero emission at the exhaust from 2040. During the transition, low carbon fuels have a significant role to play and currently provide a third of greenhouse gas savings in the domestic transport sector. They remain essential in reducing emissions from existing vehicles through blending them with traditional fossil petrol and diesel through grades such as E10 and B7. As the road vehicle fleet transitions to electric vehicles, production capacity of low carbon fuels will shift to transport modes, which are harder to decarbonise, like aviation and maritime. The Low Carbon Fuel Strategy, which the Department intends to publish later this year, will set out possible scenarios for the deployment of low carbon fuels across transport sectors out to 2050.
Asked by: Ruth Jones (Labour - Newport West and Islwyn)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if he will make it his policy to encourage the use of (a) Hydrogenated Vegetable Oil and (b) other biofuels on non-electrified parts of the railway network.
Answered by Huw Merriman
In Decarbonising Transport: a Better, Greener Britain, the government committed to deliver a net zero rail network by 2050. Our ambition is to remove all diesel-only trains (passenger and freight) from the network by 2040. As we decarbonise the railway, we are working with GBRTT to bring forward costed options for government to carefully consider in terms of overall deliverability and affordability. This will involve working closely with operators and manufacturers on assessing and deploying the most appropriate traction technology. This includes electrification, alternate fuels (such as Hydrogenated Vegetable Oil), as well as hydrogen, battery or bi-mode and hybrid traction technology.
The Low Carbon Fuel Strategy, which the Department intends to publish later this year, will set out possible scenarios for the deployment of low carbon fuels across all transport sectors out to 2050.
Asked by: Ruth Jones (Labour - Newport West and Islwyn)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment his Department has made of the potential for (a) Hydrogenated Vegetable Oil and (b) other biofuels to decarbonise railways pending full electrification.
Answered by Huw Merriman
In Decarbonising Transport: a Better, Greener Britain, the government committed to deliver a net zero rail network by 2050. Our ambition is to remove all diesel-only trains (passenger and freight) from the network by 2040. As we decarbonise the railway, we are working with GBRTT to bring forward costed options for government to carefully consider in terms of overall deliverability and affordability. This will involve working closely with operators and manufacturers on assessing and deploying the most appropriate traction technology. This includes electrification, alternate fuels (such as Hydrogenated Vegetable Oil), as well as hydrogen, battery or bi-mode and hybrid traction technology.
The Low Carbon Fuel Strategy, which the Department intends to publish later this year, will set out possible scenarios for the deployment of low carbon fuels across all transport sectors out to 2050.