Asked by: Stephen Kerr (Conservative - Stirling)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what the dates were of the most recent meetings between Ministers of his Department and their counterparts in the devolved administrations; and what the dates are of the next planned meetings.
Answered by Jesse Norman - Shadow Leader of the House of Commons
The Secretary of State met with Ken Skates AM, Cabinet Secretary for Economy and Infrastructure on 7th September this year. The pair are due to meet again on 16th October. The Secretary of State also met with Keith Brown MSP, Cabinet Secretary for Economy, Jobs and Fair Work on 3rd July.
Asked by: Stephen Kerr (Conservative - Stirling)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what discussions his Department has had with representatives of the Scottish Government on the merger of British Transport Police in Scotland with Police Scotland; and what steps have been agreed to maintain coordination of intelligence and operations between police forces.
Answered by Paul Maynard
The two Governments have established an official level Joint Programme Board (JPB) to oversee arrangements for delivering the transfer of the British Transport Police’s functions in Scotland. Membership of the Board includes representatives from both Governments, the two Police Authorities and the two Police Forces. Ensuring the continued effective policing of the railways once responsibilities are split between the British Transport Police and Police Scotland, including appropriate coordination arrangements, is a key component of the work of the Board.
Asked by: Stephen Kerr (Conservative - Stirling)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what discussions his Department has had with Network Rail on the Edinburgh to Glasgow Improvement Programme works.
Answered by Paul Maynard
This is a matter for the Scottish Government, who have executive devolved responsibilities in relation to the railway infrastructure in Scotland.
Asked by: Stephen Kerr (Conservative - Stirling)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what discussions his Department has had with Network Rail on noise and vibration pollution caused by certain types of freight wagons in use on the rail network; and whether any changes to regulations (a) have been or (b) are under consideration to reduce noise and vibration pollution.
Answered by Paul Maynard
The Department frequently holds discussions with Network Rail about the environmental impact of the railway, including measures to mitigate noise and vibration.
More widely, the UK has also been involved in discussions with the European Commission and other EU Member States about proposed changes to the Technical Specifications for Interoperability that deals with Noise and how this might apply to freight wagons. These discussions are still ongoing.