Asked by: Steve Double (Conservative - St Austell and Newquay)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether his Department has a single individual who is responsible for leading on his Department's application of the Family Test.
Answered by Chris Heaton-Harris
The Better Regulation Unit leads on the application of the Family Test at the Department for Transport.
Where relevant, the effects of regulatory policies that may directly or indirectly affect family relationships or formations are considered through the Regulatory Impact Assessment process.
Within the Better Regulation Unit a Family Test Lead has been identified who represents the Department at the Family Test Network, hosted by the Department for Work and Pensions, to ensure we play an active role in Family Test policy development and implement the latest best practices and guidance.
Asked by: Steve Double (Conservative - St Austell and Newquay)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment he has made of the potential benefits of automotive-telematic products for road safety and the environment.
Answered by Michael Ellis
The Department for Transport recognises the potential benefits of telematics and other in-vehicle technologies in promoting fuel-efficient driving behaviours, which could save motorists and businesses money and reduce vehicle emissions. In line with our commitment in Government’s ‘Road to Zero’ strategy, the Department has established a technology taskforce with the motoring and insurance industries to explore the role that new vehicle technologies has to play, and put in place appropriate interventions. The Department is also exploring the potential benefits of this technology in reducing the risk of young driver collisions through the Driver 2020 project.
Asked by: Steve Double (Conservative - St Austell and Newquay)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what plans he has to invest in transport infrastructure in Cornwall.
Answered by Jesse Norman - Shadow Leader of the House of Commons
The Department is investing significantly in transport infrastructure in Cornwall. This spending is helping to deliver a package of investment worth over £2 billion on the strategic road network in the wider south-west, as well as major improvements to the region’s rail network.
Examples on Cornwall specific investment are presented below:
Strategic Roads
£76 million investment in dualling the A30 between Temple and Higher Carblake (which opened in July 2017) and £290 million for a new 8.7 mile dual carriageway on the A30 between Chiverton and Carland Cross.
Rail
The new fleet of 29 Hitachi trains being introduced to services between London and the South West represent an investment worth £361m.
The Government has contributed £9m to a package to modernise the Cornish Sleeper trains and move maintenance of the trains from London to a new facility at Penzance Long Rock Depot, creating new local jobs.
We are also resignalling the main line from Totnes to Penzance via Plymouth, enabling a more frequent local/regional service to operate on this line.
£1.2 million through the Access for All programme for a new footbridge with accessible lifts at St Austell station.
Aviation
Government investment in a new direct air route between Newquay and Heathrow Airport from April 2019 which will give passengers a choice of more than 200 destinations across 85 countries via Heathrow.
Local Transport Schemes
£78 million government investment towards the cost of the St Austell Link Road.
£16 million government contribution towards the Camborne–Pool–Redruth (East–West Link) road.
£5.5 million for Local Pinch Point schemes at Rialton Link, Treluswell and Union Corner Junctions.
£38 million annually for local highway and other local transport maintenance and improvements in Cornwall (up from £30 million in 2010/2011), including over £1.3 million through the Pothole Action Fund.
£10 million through the Highways Maintenance Challenge Fund for major asset renewal and improved cycle provision on the main arterial route connecting Truro with the A30 at Carland Cross; and for targeted repair works at 53 sites on the local road network.
£2.3 million towards a package of sustainable transport measures in Central and East Cornwall through the Local Sustainable Transport Fund.
Growth Deal
The Growth Deal funding settlement of over £78 million for Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly will deliver improvements to Penzance, St Erth and Truro stations and funded Wi-Fi in virtually all Cornish stations. It is also funding lounges / showers for sleeper passengers at Penzance, Truro and Paddington. St Erth is also being upgraded to a new transport interchange including Park & Ride parking for St Ives.
Growth Deal money totalling £8 million is also being used to fund a package of improvements to the bus network, including new cleaner vehicles, bus stop improvements and integrated ticketing.
Asked by: Steve Double (Conservative - St Austell and Newquay)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps his Department is taking to support the development of hydrogen fuelled heavy duty vehicles.
Answered by Jesse Norman - Shadow Leader of the House of Commons
The Government’s long-term goal is the development and deployment of zero emission HGVs. Zero emission technologies are starting to emerge for the HGV sector, particularly for those vehicles with shorter range requirements. Hydrogen is likely to be a feasible zero emission fuel for large, long-haul HGVs.
In 2017, OLEV and Innovate UK awarded £20 million of grant funding to 20 projects through the Low Emissions Freight and Logistics Trial (LEFT), alongside £12m in private investment. The aim is to support industry-led trials of alternative propulsion technologies for commercial fleets in the UK, including electricity, hydrogen and gas. Since 2016, ultra-low emission vehicles heavier than 3.5 tonnes, including hydrogen HGVs, have been eligible for a grant of up to £20,000 per vehicle. The Department expects to make the first awards of this grant shortly.
Asked by: Steve Double (Conservative - St Austell and Newquay)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what representations the Government has made to the International Maritime Organisation on impact assessments for the large-scale use of scrubbers on marine environments and ecosystems.
Answered by Nusrat Ghani
The Department and the Maritime and Coastguard Agency, played an active role in the development of the Guidelines for the use of scrubbing technology at both European and international level. Ships’ installed scrubbers must be approved in accordance with the Guidelines before operating in UK waters.
Along with other European States, we recognise that more ship owners are installing these systems in order to comply with the 0.5% sulphur cap, and that large numbers of ships using scrubbers in enclosed waters might have an impact on local water quality. This is why we have asked for more evidence from ship owners and industry associations about the content of wash water, and there are a number of ongoing studies being undertaken by the industry on the issue. At this stage, we are not aware of any significant issues which have been found, but we will seek further amendments to the IMO Guidelines if it becomes clear that additional controls are needed.
Asked by: Steve Double (Conservative - St Austell and Newquay)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps the Government is taking to (a) assess and (b) mitigate the risks that scrubber technology and its waste pose to the UK's coastal areas and marine ecosystem.
Answered by Nusrat Ghani
The Government has not seen evidence that the use of scrubbing technology would have a significant effect on the marine environment.
All scrubbers must comply with mandatory Guidelines, which were developed by the International Maritime Organization, before they are allowed to become operational. Any wash water discharges are controlled under these IMO Guidelines.
We have asked for more evidence from ship owners and industry associations about the content of wash water, and there are a number of ongoing industry-led studies on the issue. At this stage, we are not aware of any significant issues which have been found, but we will seek further amendments to the IMO Guidelines if it becomes clear that additional controls are needed.