Asked by: Scott Benton (Independent - Blackpool South)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, when he plans to (a) announce further details on e-scooter trials, (b) provide information on how local authorities can participate in those trials and (c) bring forward legislative proposals on the use of e-scooters.
Answered by Baroness Maclean of Redditch
The Department is rapidly developing plans for e-scooter trials. We are hosting meeting with local authorities and rental e-scooter providers who may be interested in participating in trials, setting out our proposals. We have also launched a consultation on the rules that would apply during trials. Legislative proposals to enable trials will follow shortly after the consultation closes.
Asked by: Scott Benton (Independent - Blackpool South)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, with reference to paragraph 1.132 of the Budget 2020 Red Book, how much funding will local authorities in (a) Lancashire and (b) Blackpool receive to repair pot holes.
Answered by Baroness Maclean of Redditch
The Chancellor of the Exchequer announced in the Budget 2020 that £500 million is being made available in 2020/21 to local highway authorities in England, outside London, to repair potholes. The North West’s share is £53 million. The Department will shortly publish details of the individual funding allocations we are making available, including (a) Lancashire and (b) Blackpool.
Asked by: Scott Benton (Independent - Blackpool South)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what discussions he has had with representatives from Transport for the North on the (a) integration and (b) economic benefit of transport infrastructure programmes in the North.
Answered by Kelly Tolhurst
Ministers meet regularly with Transport for the North to discuss delivery of the Government’s infrastructure programme. The Government is committed to increasing infrastructure investment that will support levelling up and drive growth and productivity across our Northern communities.
Asked by: Scott Benton (Independent - Blackpool South)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether he has made an assessment of the potential merits of providing a devolved budget for Transport for the North.
Answered by Kelly Tolhurst
The Secretary of State keeps the performance and role of Transport for the North under regular review. The legislation which established Transport for the North as a statutory Sub-National Transport Body enables the organisation to bring forward proposals for additional functions to be devolved to them. To date, the Secretary of State has not received any such proposals.
Asked by: Scott Benton (Independent - Blackpool South)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what plans the Government has to increase funding for bus services in (a) Blackpool and (b) the North West.
Answered by Kelly Tolhurst
The bus market outside London is deregulated and decisions regarding service provision are primarily a commercial matter for bus operators. However, the Bus Services Act 2017 provides the tools local authorities need to improve local bus services and increase passenger numbers.
The annual Bus Service Operators Grant the Government provided for Blackpool Borough Council during 2018/19 was £41,141.
We have announced an additional £30 million of additional funding to improve current services and restoring lost services. Blackpool Council has been allocated £41,640 which will be available from April 2020 if the funding requirements are met. This is from the £220 million Better Deal for Bus Users package to transform bus services. The Government’s ambition is to secure a long term, sustained improvement in bus services underpinned by a National Bus Strategy for England which will be accompanied by a long-term funding settlement.
www.gov.uk/government/publications/a-better-deal-for-bus-users/a-better-deal-for-bus-users
On 11 February 2020, the Prime Minister announced there will be £5 billion of new funding to overhaul bus and cycle links for every region outside London which may benefit bus services serving Blackpool and the wider North West.
Asked by: Scott Benton (Independent - Blackpool South)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what representations he has received from Blackpool Council on the economic benefits of increasing rail services into Blackpool South through the introduction of a passing loop on the South Fylde Rail line.
Answered by Chris Heaton-Harris
The Chief Executive of Blackpool Council made some representations to the Secretary of State for Transport for a passing loop and additional rail services over to the South Fylde line. I am also aware that my hon Friend, the Member for Blackpool North and Cleveleys Paul Maynard has advocated further expansion of Blackpool’s light rail system over this line, supported by a study carried out for the Council.
I understand that as part of their Transforming Cities Fund (TCF) business case work Lancashire County Council commissioned a study to assess potential conventional rail improvements over the South Fylde line. However, this scheme was not included in the final TCF bid and no decision has been taken by the Council regarding next steps.
I encourage local authorities and stakeholders in Blackpool and Lancashire to work together to agree a preferred way forward.
Asked by: Scott Benton (Independent - Blackpool South)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment he has made of the potential economic benefit to Blackpool of increased rail services into that resort through the creation of a passing loop on the South Fylde Rail line.
Answered by Chris Heaton-Harris
The Chief Executive of Blackpool Council made some representations to the Secretary of State for Transport for a passing loop and additional rail services over to the South Fylde line. I am also aware that my hon Friend, the Member for Blackpool North and Cleveleys Paul Maynard has advocated further expansion of Blackpool’s light rail system over this line, supported by a study carried out for the Council.
I understand that as part of their Transforming Cities Fund (TCF) business case work Lancashire County Council commissioned a study to assess potential conventional rail improvements over the South Fylde line. However, this scheme was not included in the final TCF bid and no decision has been taken by the Council regarding next steps.
I encourage local authorities and stakeholders in Blackpool and Lancashire to work together to agree a preferred way forward.
Asked by: Scott Benton (Independent - Blackpool South)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment he has made of the potential increase in rail passengers travelling from (a) Blackpool South, (b) Blackpool Pleasure Beach and (c) Squires Gate station in the event of the creation of a passing loop on the South Fylde Rail line.
Answered by Chris Heaton-Harris
The Chief Executive of Blackpool Council made some representations to the Secretary of State for Transport for a passing loop and additional rail services over to the South Fylde line. I am also aware that my hon Friend, the Member for Blackpool North and Cleveleys Paul Maynard has advocated further expansion of Blackpool’s light rail system over this line, supported by a study carried out for the Council.
I understand that as part of their Transforming Cities Fund (TCF) business case work Lancashire County Council commissioned a study to assess potential conventional rail improvements over the South Fylde line. However, this scheme was not included in the final TCF bid and no decision has been taken by the Council regarding next steps.
I encourage local authorities and stakeholders in Blackpool and Lancashire to work together to agree a preferred way forward.