Asked by: Stephen Timms (Labour - East Ham)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, when he expects the Silvertown crossing to be completed.
Answered by Nusrat Ghani
An application for a Developmental Consent Order for Silvertown Tunnel has been submitted by Transport for London and this is currently with the Secretary of State for a decision. The deadline for a decision is 10 May 2018. If consent is granted, it will be for Transport for London to decide timescales for the delivery of this scheme.
Asked by: Stephen Timms (Labour - East Ham)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, pursuant to the Answer of 19 December 2017 to Question 119564, on aviation, what the reasons are for the directions and advice in place in the cases of (a) Libya, (b) Syria, (c) Yemen, (d) Iraq, (e) Somalia, (f) Ukraine and (g) Egypt.
Answered by John Hayes
The Department provides advice to operators of UK registered aircraft on the risks of using a country’s airspace or Flight Information Region (FIR) in areas where an elevated level of risk is assessed due to activities on the ground. This advice is issued by the Civil Aviation Authority in the form of a Notice to Airmen (NOTAM). The level of advice is determined based on the threat posed to aircraft in that airspace and a risk assessment is completed, based on the best available information, before any advice is issued. In certain cases the advice is supplemented by a Direction not to operate.
The reasons for the current NOTAMs in the areas mentioned are:
a) Potential risk to aviation overflying Libya from dedicated anti-aviation weaponry.
b) Potential risk to aviation overflying Syria from dedicated anti-aviation weaponry.
c) Potential risk to aviation overflying Yemen from dedicated anti-aviation weaponry.
d) Potential risk to aviation overflying Iraq from dedicated anti-aviation weaponry.
e) Potential risk to aviation overflying Somalia at less than 25,000ft above ground level from dedicated anti-aircraft weaponry
f) Potential risk to aviation overflying eastern Ukraine from dedicated anti-aviation weaponry and the potential for confusion over air traffic control service provision in the Simferopol (UKFV) FIR
g) Potential risk to aviation overflying Egyptian airspace in Northern Sinai Governate at less than 25,000 ft above ground level from dedicated anti-aircraft weaponry.
Additionally, the Foreign and Commonwealth Office advises against all but essential travel by air to or from Sharm el Sheikh following the downing of a Metrojet flight in October 2015.
Advice is kept under regular review.
Asked by: Stephen Timms (Labour - East Ham)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, which overseas airports are currently subject to a UK flight ban.
Answered by John Hayes
The Secretary of State for Transport has directed all operators of UK aircraft, under the Aviation Security Act 1982, not to fly in or into the airspace of Libya and Syria. The Department for Transport also advises UK carriers against using airports within Yemen, Iraq, Somalia and in parts of Ukraine and Egypt.
Asked by: Stephen Timms (Labour - East Ham)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what the (a) timetable and (b) remit is for the independent review of funding and financing for Crossrail 2 announced in the Autumn Budget 2017; and if he will make a statement.
Answered by Paul Maynard
The Government remains committed to Crossrail 2 which is why we see an independent review to examine the funding and financing options to pay for the scheme as a crucial next step to give the scheme the best chance of success.
The Department is working with Transport for London and the Mayor of London to establish the terms of reference of the review. We are also working with them to determine the precise timetable. I will update the House when further details are available.
Asked by: Stephen Timms (Labour - East Ham)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, (a) who will carry out and (b) by what date, the independent review of funding and financing for Crossrail 2 announced in Autumn Budget 2017.
Answered by Paul Maynard
The Government remains committed to Crossrail 2 which is why we see an independent review to examine the funding and financing options to pay for the scheme as a crucial next step to give the scheme the best chance of success.
The Department is working with Transport for London and the Mayor of London to identify a suitably experienced individual to lead the review. We are also working with them to determine the precise timescales but we anticipate the review being in a position to deliver outputs next year. I will update the house when further details are available.