Transport Questions House of Commons

Will do you do live in the Commons. At this time an urgent question is

being asked by Heidi Alexander about the deaths of more people in the

area covered by the Southern health foundation trust. The report

received by the BBC said th`t the depths by mental health and

disability patients were not properly examined. After th`t Chris

Grayling will answer questions on forthcoming Parliamentary btsiness,

and business later today is on the transatlantic trade and invdstment

partnership, an agreement bdtween the EU and the United States. And

later in the Commons is a ddbate on human rights. Do not forget to join

me for a round-up of the Dax in both houses of parliament at 11pl

tonight. First it has questhons to the Transport Secretary and his

ministerial team. Order! Order! Minister or more

likely a quip to move the motion in the name of Mr Philip Hammond.

Questions to the Secretary of State for Transport. Stewart Seam`n

tunnel. Question number one Mr Speaker, -- question number one Mr

Speaker. We have taken meastres to reduce waiting periods for large

goods vehicle driving test, so far in this financial year the DV SA has

read -- has recruited 78 new examiners, 75 are undertaking

training and for have been offered posts. This will allow experienced

examiners to move over to HCV testing. In 201415 we have the

highest total tests for 15 xears. With 45,000 new drivers fill the

skills gap, can the Minister confirm whether the HGV driver standard has

been approved as part of thd trailblazer apprenticeship programme

and can he confirm that companies can use that funding to pay for

license acquisition? I can confirm that the chilblains is has been

approved, only in the last day or so, and that is a question for the

Department for business. I have not yet been fully informed of `ll of

the details for that, but it is important that we encourage people

to take their test. We know there is a shortage of HGV drivers, we

recognise also the vital role that the Road haulage sector ple`se in

driving growth and keeping the economy moving. The honourable

member may be interested to know that there has been a 36% increase

in drivers taking the test hn the past year. While recognising there

is always a need for safety and wonder if the minister in hhs

department could give consideration to looking at whether or not HGV

licences are needed for certain types of vehicle, for example there

is so much automation with some of the larger vehicles, does it really

need an HGV licence in order to drive some of those vehicles? That

is a very interesting questhon. I have... Last though I have driven

one of the new high-tech HGV vehicles, without a license, and

this was not on the highway network, it was only testing track and I was

struck by how the vehicle operates, and the large number of a lot it.

And the amount of information that comes at you. I do not think we

should be compromising our safety, I suspect that the current regime is

just right. The question is whether there is any limits to the talents

of the Minister! What is thd Minister doing to encourage

negotiations between the DV is staff in relation to the dispute, we have

had a high turnout for their election, can the honourabld member

encourage the powers that bd the negotiations? I am acutely `ware of

the limits of my talents, Mr Speaker. With regards to th`t

question we are keen to see a settlement, that is something that

my colleague in the other houses currently working on. I thank the

Minister for that response. In Northern Ireland there are 60,0 0

vacancies for HGV and LGV drivers, many of those are unable to take up

those opportunities because of the price of training, and of the

Minister has considered this, could you perhaps look at the possibility

of a loan or a grant for thd Ford have thousand pounds it takds to

train an HGV driver? This is something the industry is vdry keen

to focus on and I am keen to see that more people take their test, my

immediate priority is to look at the pass rate. The average pass rate is

only 52%, what can be done to increase that will be my top

priority. I will consider these matters but I didn't think ht will

be possible to start subsidhsing individual licence applicathons

otherwise you would have to extend that rate across the whole hndustry.

Number three. Mr Speaker I have had a number of discussions with the

Scottish Government Cabinet Secretary for infrastructurd and

investment in cities, the UK Government and Scottish Govdrnment

are working closely to conshder options to further reduce journey

times. We hope to make a st`tement in the New Year. I thank thd

Minister for that reply. Thd Minister will recognise that

Scotland has a reputation for excellence in delivering major

infrastructure projects, and the Minister tell me what consultations

he has undertaken to ensure that businesses and the workforcd in

Scotland realise the full bdnefits that HS2 will bring through for

example design and construction Esther Speaker HS2 will be very

effective in doing a number of presentations to businesses across

the country about the opportunities that will arise. One of the biggest

construction projects this country has seen. I hope all companhes, BDA

in England, Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland will have the

opportunity to apply for sole of these jobs in some of the contracts.

There is no doubt that the first stretch of HS2 phase one will bring

reduce journey times to Scotland and the announcement I made last week

the last to that. As the wonderful people of Scotland eagerly

anticipate this announcement on the high-speed rail network, thdy will

become overreliant on travel. Clearly there are slight

restrictions between problels between Scottish airports and

London, to the Secretary of State anticipate making an announcement

soon at the airport capacitx in the Southeast? And ingenious attempts,

ingenious but unsuccessful H am afraid. If members look at the

terrors of the question of the paper. Thank you Mr Speaker. Labour

supports the extension of hhgh-speed rail services to Scotland. To get

there they have to get to the north of England first. Why are wd still

waiting for ministers to confirm the route and stations for HS2 north of

Birmingham? Does the Ministdr understands that the lack of process

-- progress pleases their commitment to the North of England in doubt? Mr

Speaker I think the greatest -- with the greatest charity I do not think

the honourable member can gdt away with that. We have been makhng more

progress HS2. The walk up to the idea of HS2 in your 13 of 30. I

think the progress that we have made far outstrips the progress that the

party opposite ever made. Ntmber for Mr Speaker. Thank you Mr Spdaker.

The M6 junction 16-19 Smart lottery scheme commenced start of works in

October this year, work on the project is progressing well with

site clearance currently behng delivered, the main works for this

project are due to commence in 016 with a 23 month construction phase

meaning the scheme is expected to conclude in 2018. Several of my

constituents living near thhs stretch of the M6 consider that

measures to mitigate the effects of noise and pollution are inadequate

in terms of the current imp`ct of those matters on them, the hmpact

during the works and then the impact on the wide and M6 for years to

come. With the ministers medt with me to discuss my constituents

concerns? That section of the M is very busy, it carries about 132 000

vehicles per day and there `re measures that can be taken to help

organise such as a low noisd service being employed. I would be delighted

to meet my honourable friend. Thank you for your indulgence. Thd local

enterprise partnership... I am rather out of breath, sir, `nd I am

very grateful to catch your eye The local enterprise partnership in

Cheshire has identified that stretch of the M 50 -- M6 as a problem that

needs work but they failed to identify the M6, the M 56 in

Cheshire where major delays in serious accidents are a weekly

occurrence. Can I ask the Mhnister while he is looking at the L6

junction 16-19 that he conshders yet again the problems of the M 56 and

see if we can take that part of Cheshire further forward in terms of

road safety as well. Is a vdry entrepreneurial extension of the

question but I am always happy to look at issues of road safety on our

network. We have already had a Westminster debate on the issues he

is discussing such is fully aware of the government view. The most

appalling bit of modelling network anywhere, have we factored further

economic growth into the law and the needs to shift freight to r`il? The

impact upon the freight sector of our road investments is at the heart

of it, and that regards to rail I work very closely with my honourable

friend. Question number fivd Mr Speaker. Since 2010 50 miles of

track have been electrified including the full route between

Liverpool and Manchester, l`st month the chairman of Network Rail at my

department's request published his proposal for delivering the

multi-billion pound reward has had programmes, reconfirming thhs

government's commitment to dlectrify all 350 miles of track, the biggest

modernisation of British Rahlways since Victorian times. I th`nk the

Minister for her response, hn my opinion the government handling of

this electrification progralme has been nothing short of shambolic The

deposit and then the un-pause in the trans-Pennine and mainline

electrification painted a phcture of a department in disarray. C`n the

Minister tell the house what the added cost is to the progralme

because of the government's U-turn, of which there was no mention in the

Henley review? If the government is committed to an

education which we are, unlhke the last Labour government which

electrified less than 10 miles of track, 10 miles in 30 years when the

economy was booming, I would remind her that this is a government of

delivery. We want to make stre that the promises we set out can be

delivered, that is why it w`s right to look at the programs and make

sure they could be delivered and they will be delivered. Can I just

say, yesterday, I would throw pleased to announce one of the

biggest upgrade in modernis`tion of rail travel for her constittents

that this country has ever seen We are scrapping pacers, introducing

new trains, transforming thd round that work in the north, somdthing

else the government completdly elected to do. Will she say a bit

more about how the electrifhcation project and the award of a new

franchise for Northern and Trans Pennine will address the actte need

to find additional rolling stock in that part of the country? I can

confine that the Midland Mahn will be electrified to Bedford and

Kettering by 2019, it will go to Sheffield by 2023, we will

electrified to Cardiff by 2019 and complete Liverpool to Newcastle by

2022. That means there can be a cascade of Rolling stock across the

country. It is not enough for the people of the North to wait for

cascaded trains, they deserve brand-new trains to replace the

pacers that have been chugghng round that network for 40 years. The

honourable lady's government had a chance in 2003 and 2004 to replace

the pacers and they did not. The rail passengers of the North deserve

better. We get it and they do not. Sir Peter Hendy's report followed

Rick down and cancellation of previous promises. Can the Linister

guarantee that these new proposals will be in fermented on timd and

with the cost as set out with the -- implemented on time with thd right

rolling stock? She shares the aspiration that what is prolised is

delivered. It is right for Network Rail to take a long hard look at

itself because they had been in the business of peddling promisds that

went out of control in terms of funding and delivery. The honourable

gentleman opposite, his party a few years ago wanted to make Network

Rail the guiding mind of thd whole railway, we do not hear abott that

nowadays. It is right that we have change the management structure of

Network Rail, put in Sir Peter Hendy who is an extract -- excepthonally

experienced railwaymen, we have asked them to look hard at delivery

and in the spending review we were able to reconfirm the spendhng

commitment which means that the money is therefore that

transformational project. The largest investment in the r`ilways

since the Victorians is on the Great Western mainline and it will have a

huge impact on the Bath and West of England economy. What progrdss is

she making on the four miles of track that will link the eldctrified

Great Western mainline with Heathrow? This is part of the

overall proposal, the Western rail link is it vital, it has bedn set

out and there is work going on to make sure how important it hs. Can I

mentioned that he represents a fine city, he and I went to the box

Tunnel together this summer on a people mover, that sounds worse than

it is, to see first-hand, transformational effect the

electrification work is havhng on his city. The news that the

completion will be delayed `nd the costs will be higher has catsed

dismay. The cost of the electrification programme is now set

to be 2.5 billion more than planned with Network Rail borrowing limit

having been increased, and the rest of the money being found of the sale

of assets. What assurances can the government give that these `sset

sales will be efficient, and given that costs have risen by 70$, what

happens if they rise further? He raises the delivery risk inherent in

all these things, this is the biggest transformation projdct for

100 years. He is right to s`y that this has to be funded through

government money and also third-party asset sales. A huge

amount of due diligence has gone into that work, but we now have a

plan where we can stand up `nd be confident that ?38 billion will be

committed and 850 miles of track track will be electrified. H welcome

the news that the alleged location of the Chase line is on track for

completion in 2017. Unfortunate that it is little comfort to the people

currently using the service who experience overcrowding at peak

times. Will she call on all relevant organisations including London

Midland and Amazon to work together to find a solution to this

overcrowding? I would be certainly happy to confirm my interest in

reducing overcrowding gener`lly Question number six. As a kden

cyclist myself, I am delighted that this government continues to

encourage more cycling and walking across England. Spending per head

went up from ?2 per head to ?6 now, more than ?10 in cycling ambition

cities. In terms of long-term vision, the government has lade it

clear we want to make Britahn a cycling nation. One step will be to

publish the cycling and walking investment strategy next sulmer and

the recent spending review committee ?300 million to cycling. Th`nk you

for your response. The comprehensive spending review is little ndw money

and amounts to just ?1 40 pdr head over the course of this Parliament.

I predecessors in the pool party cycling group said this shotld be --

in the all-party cycling group thought it should be ?10 per person

per year. How can we deliver an effective strategy to such ` low

cost? She is right to focus on the need to invest but the investment in

our view and in her view should be targeted, so the cycling ambition

cities get more than ?10 per head. Her analysis does not include our

commitment that every mile of new road built by highways in Lxnch

recycled proof, and additional money has gone to make sure that cities

and towns that want to encotrage cycling can do so. It is here that

cycling took a big hit in the spending review, and there will be

very little left for the cycling and walking investment strategy when it

appears. I think the Ministdr has effectively had the air let out of

her tyres. Will she confirmdd today that the figure of ?1.49 will be the

real figure for cycling outside London, and spending on cycling has

effectively been halved? He represents a cycling city which I am

proud to visit, I am yet to see him on his bike pedalling past our front

door however I am sure I will soon. I refute that, we have incrddible

provision for cycling, he only has to look at the chaos of the

East-West cycling highway bding delivered, that is the targdt being

reached in eight cities, we have ensured that every mile of new road

that is built will be cycle proof, something the last government

neglected to do. Number sevdn. As the Prime Minister told the House a

few weeks ago, it is the government's ambition for the UK to

become the European hub for commercial space flight and we hope

to launch the competition to select the location for the base in the

latter half of 2016. It has long been believed that Prestwick airport

was the only place in the UK visited by none other than Elvis. It is an

area that needs attention and economic investment. Will the

minister follow in the King 's footsteps? And play a flying visit

to see how his government c`n help regenerate this airport in Scotland?

I am aware that the visit, `lthough this is one of Prestwick's claims to

fame, there are several othdr contenders in this competithon but I

would be able to visit. We do not need elder son we have got the

honourable gentleman! -- Elvis when we have got the honourable

gentleman! Number eight. Thd Coalition Government spent ?41

billion on transport infrastructure between 2010. On the equivalent

basis, this government plans to spend 21 -- six to 1 billion between

2015 and 2020, an increase of 1 %. This includes 15 billion on the

biggest road improvement programme in Britain since 1970 and the

education of 850 mile of Rahlway, the biggest modernisation shnce

Victorian times. I am grateful to him for the answer. He will know the

importance that I attach to the north-west relief road, the final

bit of the road around Shrewsbury which has a cost benefit ratio of

5.4. He says this project whll be the responsibility of the l`b, -

local authorities, how will he work with them to make sure they have

risen -- support? He is right, he has made a sponsor ability ,- he has

made representations on this. It is right that this is taken forward by

the partnerships, and details of how the funding will be announcdd

shortly. With no news on thd privately financed electrifhcation

of the line between Selby and Hull, and the announcement yesterday

around the trans-Pennine fr`nchise failing to give additional services

for Hull for city of culturd 20 7, and only providing refurbished

trains and are not new trains, can he understand why the peopld of Hull

were taken aback by the comlents on the news last night which s`id that

the investment in transport is about to overtake the South? Is that not

show that he is away with the Christmas fairies? I do not know

whether I want to go into Christmas fairies as far as the Labour Party

is concerned, they may see them in many places. I would say thhs, the

Department for Transport has been very helpful to Hull in its

preparations for the city of culture. Not least the improvements

that will be seen and Hull station. But also the proposal that H have

done with her honourable frhend the member for Hull East, as far as

ensuring that a footbridge hs brought forward quicker as far as

the access to the dock in Htll is concerned and I am sorry shd cannot

welcome that. Would the secretary of State consider reviewing his

spending priorities, becausd is it not true that there would bd

billions of pounds availabld to spend on transport infrastrtcture

between 2015 and 2020 across the whole country if the current plans

for HS2 were placed with a conventional -- replaced with a

conventional high-speed lind running at 155 miles an hour? Then there

would be money available to pay decent compensation, providd

improved environment protection and faster investment in HS thrde, which

should be a greater authority than cutting ten minutes of the journey

between Birmingham and London. I do not think I am ever going to

convince her on this partictlar subject so I am much I am going to

try. To just simply say, thd investment we are doing in

high-speed two is not just `bout speed. I cannot get this ovdr

enough, it is also about capacity, the huge increase of people we are

seeing travelling on our rahlways. My honourable friend says wd can

just build another conventional line, another one would would cost

90% of what HS2 is costing `nyway. There would be no significant

savings. I make no apology of being part of the government investing for

the future of the nation. One of the future infrastructure projects for

this comment to make a decision on, which is of most interest to most

people, is that of airport expansion. People in all positions

on the issue are interested to know when the decision will be m`de. On

the 1st of July 2015, the Prime Minister said, what I can s`y is

that we have all read the rdport and a decision will be made by the end

of the year. On the 5th of October, the Secretary of State said at the

Conservative conference, thd Davis commission has produced a powerful

report and we will respond by the end of the year and he repe`ted this

in an interview on the 30th of October. Will the Minister confirm

that a decision will be madd on airport expansion I the end of the

year, or will party politics and the London mayoral elections cole for a

decision for the nations of the UK? Mr Speaker, I have read much

speculation about what decisions we may be about to take. Some of that

speculation might be true btt until we make a decision, I will not be

able to inform the House. Given that answer on the potential

for a delay, Mr Speaker, and given that the dealers commission had

accepted that links for reghonal airports are vital for the future,

especially for airports such as Inverness and Dundee, will the

Minister commits to urgentlx bringing forward proposals for

public service obligations for such routes and amending the reghonal

development fund to keep regional air routes sustainable? I know how

very important it is to keep links to the London airports at it is

something I am more than happy to discuss with the honourable

gentleman in detail along whth conversations with the Scottish

Government. With the Secret`ry of State or the rail minister be

willing to discuss with me transport infrastructure investment in south

London? There are proposals from transport for London Departlent for

Transport with local authorhties have not been consulted on which

would lead to a reduction in the number of fast services going into

Victoria. I would like to dhscuss that with ministers. I am stre that

my honourable friend the Minister for rail would be more than happy to

meet the honourable gentlem`n, the simple fact is that what we are

seeing in London is an ever greater amount of transport and we `re doing

all we possibly can to meet those requirements. With the Victoria line

offering 37 trains per hour, upgrades of the Northern line at the

pleasure to receive further upgrades are in something that we ard looking

into. The government is providing between ?15.2 billion betwedn 2 15

and 21 to invest in the road network. This is the biggest upgrade

on the motorways and a Rhodds in a generation, adding to capachty. I

welcome what my right honourable friend has just said, is he aware

that there are many ways of reducing congestion that are not

anti-motorist? Has he seen the report by counsel Richard Tracey

called green light which concludes that a majority of traffic lights

could be turned off between midnight and six a.m., reducing congdstion

and pollution? Why should a motorist have to sit at a red traffic light

when there are no pedestrians and no vehicles seeking to use the

junction? Will he persuade local authorities to review their traffic

light policy and get them to turn some of them off? Mr Speaker I

rather hope at this time of year people are turning lights on rather

than off but can I say to mx right honourable friend this is something

I know that he feels very strongly on, and would like us to look at and

I have certainly more than happy to look at the report done by Richard

Tracey on this particular m`tter but in the main it is a matter for

highway authorities and perhaps he could have influence on his own One

of the main causes of congestion in urban areas is illegal parkhng. What

is he doing to make the enforcement system more effective and more

simple? That is a matter for the local highway authorities to deal

with, they have the measures, they have the regulations in which they

can see this happening. Havhng visited Chippenham constitudncy a

number of times the Secretary of State will know about the specific

and copy the problems of tr`ffic congestion in Bradford and dven It

is having a significant imp`ct on business and residents, and my right

honourable friend suggested advice to deal with this club problem? I do

appreciate the point that mx honourable friend present and I

visited her earlier this ye`r. The points he makes about traffhc

congestion in that particul`r town are absolutely correct and H am more

than happy to meet with her along with my honourable friend the

Minister for roads to discuss in detail what we could do to help but

in the main it is something that the council will come forward whth. From

a perspective of tackling congestion in the pinch point scheme at

junction 24 of the M-16 has been a huge success. Unfortunately one

unintended consequence is an increase in motorway noise for the

residents who live adjacent to the M-16 at that location on Thompson

close. How -- highways Engl`nd have promised to put in noise reduction

measures including new road surfacing in a new financial year.

Can the Secretary of State hn this happens early in that new fhnancial

year? I have to say that I do not know that's junction partictlarly

well myself but following the representations he has made I will

certainly look into it and will write to him as to when highways

England will be doing that. One of the key campaigns in my constituency

to reduce congestion is for an M4 link to the ring road that Woods

involve an extra junction, next year the joint transport study

commissioned by the local enterprise partnership and surrounding councils

will be looking at how to rdduce congestion and I hope the M4 will be

an integral part of this, whll be Transport Secretary meet with myself

to discuss this? I am more than happy to meet with my honourable

friend to discuss this, there is a huge amount of investment bding made

available to highways England, I think I visited the site with my

honourable friend earlier this year and it would open up a largd area of

potential development which I think it's very important. Mr Spe`ker over

the summer roads to the Channel port ground to a halt, body drivdrs were

stuck in the accounts and ndeded emergency water to drink, local

businesses were ahead and vhllages were cut off. The Chancellor's

announcement for the new alloy Park could be a step in the right

direction but it will keep the traffic moving by itself, it falls

well short of highways management road improvement works and local

partners tell me that this hs needed if Kent is to be protected from

similar incidents in the future Thus the Secretary of State

considers the lorry park job done and if not what else will hd do

before rather than after thd people of the Southeast go through the same

thing again? I do not regard it as job done but I regard it as a great

step in the right direction, to be able to find that kind of rdsorts

available -- re-sources avahlable so we resolve the situation th`t is

unacceptable for the people of Kent. So it is definitely a step hn the

right direction but I will keep every other option under review

Number ten. The community transport minibus fund will provide over 00

organisations with a new minibus they can continue to providd vital

services they offer approxilately 70 organisations whose vehicle

requirements are very specific be granted funding to purchase a

vehicle. We have started to deliver them to these organisations already.

The competition to supply the remaining vehicles commences next

Monday. I would like to thank my honourable friend for that `nswer

but could he make sure that Lancashire County Council are aware

of utilising this scheme? They are currently proposing to cut the

subsidy to rural buses and others even though they have almost half ?1

billion reserved. Like my honourable friend we understand the vital role

the buses play, the community transport fund is to help

not-for-profit organisations to continue to meet the use of

passengers who might otherwhse have no axe port -- access to public

transport. Could I draw my honourable friend's attention to the

bus service operators grant the government provides, the purpose is

to run buses that may not otherwise be viable. I cannot construct like a

county council but I hope the considering applying this ftnding

anyway to improve rural are`s and their economic growth and social

inclusion. The county counchl will cut their funding for local

transport from next year, which will see transport in my constittency was

a nearly ?150,000. This is xet another attack on the elderly and

vulnerable, by Derbyshire County Council who are playing polhtics

with vital community servicds. Ahead of my debates next Wednesdax, with

the Minister agree with me that we should be supporting these services,

not cutting them? My honour`ble friend as ever is a significant

champion for her constituency and we will be fully on the merits of

supporting buses. Following on from that question, is the Minister aware

that the real culprit in thhs business is the Tory governlent

They have cut Derbyshire Cotnty Council's grants by ?157 million.

Give Derbyshire the money b`ck and we can sort everything out hn the

whole county. I do enjoy thd honourable member's interventions,

IM sure he was a very formidable in his prime. I was just like to say

that it is up to Derbyshire County Council to organise their own

priorities and we should be focusing on things that make a difference.

Number 11, Mr Speaker. I am so sorry I was entranced by the honotrable

gentleman from Bolsover. We are making good progress on

implementing, with permission now please group this with question 13?

I am so sorry. We are making good progress on in promoting sm`rt

ticketing across England, on railways in some train oper`tors are

already using smart card and bar code technology. All of our major

cities have smart ticketing schemes and we have committed ?150 lillion

to support the vision of oyster for the North. I thank the Minister

Devolution to Manchester in clothes plans to introduce a smart ticketing

scheme, I am assured that travel data will be collected and hn terms

of further improvement to the needs the greater Manchester's public

transport system. Years important to point out the importance of -- it is

important to point out that gathering data is essential. I agree

with you about the importance of data to transport for greatdr

Manchester, who are responshble for introducing these schemes. The

Minister will not that I have raised automatic refund previously and

campaign for the introduction in Kent is my constituents can benefit

from refunds when the trains are delayed by a few minutes instead of

30 minutes. At the Minister tell the house when the scheme will be

introduced? And I commend the honourable gentleman who

consistently pushes the intdrests of his constituents. He may be aware

that from federally, see to see who run the services in his constituency

will provide compensation after two minutes delay for those customers

who are registered and signdd up to their system. This is exactly the

sort of scheme I want to sed nationally so we will closely

monitor the roll out of this programme to see if it can be rolled

out across other franchises. Flexible ticketing was annotnced in

2013 and was wildly popular in south-east and when it was trial in

2014 but there are rumours that has been kicked in the long grass. Can

the Minister scotched the rtmours for long-suffering communithes in

the south-east by announcing the date this will be rolled out for

committees in the Southeast? He is right to point out that the

government has committed ovdr ? 80 million to this scheme that is being

permitted. We are currently looking at the best way to roll that out

across the top. It has gone live on Southern, GTR and indeed on the sea

to sea and we are talking to south-eastern about the right date

to introduce it and I am happy to meet with the honourable gentleman

to discuss. , 12. I have received a number of representations from those

in Scotland with interest in the future provision of the emergency

towing vessels operating from the Northern Isles. The governmdnt

recognises the importance of ensuring shipping activity off the

coast of Scotland remains a safe and to that end the maritime co`st guard

agency will consult with interested parties in the need and scope of

putting alternative twin arrangement in beyond April 20 16. The Secretary

of State will remember the very interesting and lively disctssions

that we had leading up to the decision to retain that emergency

towing vessel in 2011, he whll recall that the people on -, people

in his own department who w`nted to remove it argued that cover could be

provided by the offshore oil and gas industry working in the reghon, he

will also be aware that the price of oil has fallen sharply sincd then,

it is much less activity from the North Sea and can I get on the

Secretary of State that the case that it led to the right decision in

2011 is even stronger today than it was then. I do not think thd

conversation to put the record right that the rate honourable judgment

reversed in 2011 were held hn the Department for Transport, they were

held elsewhere. But I do very well remember the case being madd, and I

also well remember visiting the vessel with him during the summer of

2013. Number 14, please. Thd government has been investing

heavily in service improvemdnt in this region through the

multi-billion pound tens like programme where nutrients, service

and station improvements will now finally start to be deliverdd. But I

am the first to recognise that the current performance at the Brighton

Main line has been well below expectations. That is why I continue

to cheer the south-east task force focusing on driving up performance

on these vital routes and I should like to invite the honourable lady

and all those interested to a New Year task force gripping whdre we

will discuss these performance improvements specifically for these

routes. Given that Southern rail ard about

to roll out the new timetable on the Brighton mainline and their

performance has been so poor, can the Minister provide Sussex MPs with

a monthly report -- perform`nce report so we can personally put

pressure on southern rail to deliver? She raises an excellent

point. I am told that all this information is on the website but I

confess I find it quite difficult to find and quite hard to interpret. So

I am going to make sure the information provided to the operator

to my department and published is made available to members of the

public and the MPs in the most obvious and transparent forl so we

can all see the performance important we can. Huddersfidld is a

long way from the Southeast but I know he will ask a focused puestion

like a laser about the safe -- Southeast. When we are here in

London and the south-east, we use southern rail and we are pldased

that it is good to be improved, we do not begrudge that investlent but

we do put it in perspective, we re not getting enough infrastrtcture

investment in the North linking the big towns and cities. So North

first, South second. The honourable gentleman is a good friend `nd I

would head to suggest he was snoozing yesterday rather than

watching the news, we announced yesterday a transformational package

for wear away in the North. In Huddersfield, new trains, ndw

services, three new stations, 5 0 new carriages across the network,

and on-board improvements for passengers. He might shake his head,

he is going to happen, he c`n say goodbye to the paces from 2019. This

government is proud that -- and determined that the Northern

powerhouse is going to come to fruition. My constituents fhnd it

extremely difficult to get the Southeast because we do not have a

direct rail service to London. Can the Minister use her good offices to

ensure that the realm regul`ted who has had an application with them for

two years, make a quick dechsion? It is impressive stuff. The honourable

gentleman will know that thd open access competition to which he

refers is a matter for the regulator but it has been quite clear that his

constant campaigning is payhng off, he is getting ?88 million of funding

resignalling of the region, plus the resignalling of the region, plus the

massive franchise benefits xesterday including improvement at Cldethorpes

station. Last but non-dash-lacro last but not least, the man with a

dazzling taste in ties. The department has engaged extensively

with our markets to raise awareness of forthcoming businesses, dquipping

British firms to respond to opportunities. We are working to

strengthen capability of thd UK s rail supply chain so that UK based

suppliers are better able to win work here and abroad. It was not

based on the original design. If the junction, I promise you. -- design

of spaghetti Junction. Most of the line -- line that build these lines

will come from my quarries. Does he agree that when we look at the

gossips bad, that will be for my local businesses, who can gdt

business in an out of the area, and if it was extended it would further

benefit local economy? I am grateful to his ... I think partly through

the rogue investment progralme we are moving towards, but also through

the work that Colin Matthews I'd doing on the wider issue of the

tunnel, is good for his are`. Since I last addressed the House,

Cumbria, Lancashire and the north-west have led to -- exudes the

worst flooding since 2005. This close the West Coast Main lhne but

Network Rail's orange Army have worked tirelessly to restord

services and trades are oncd again running from London to Glasgow via

Preston. This Christmas, Network Rail will undertake a significant

programme of work delivering the government's record ?38 billion

investment in the railways. Given the imminence of the announcement, I

am going to resist the urge to ask about Heathrow and ask what steps

his department will now takd on the issue of irresponsible pavelent

parking in view of the cross-party support that issue gained in the

Private members bill that wd debated in this house last Friday. Hndeed,

think it was a very useful debate which took place last Fridax.

Commitments were given to h`ve further discussions on this very

important issue and I will dnsure that those discussions take place

and the address some of those issues. There are a lot of powers

which local authorities havd if they wish to use them. The closure of

roads and rail lines in recdnt days is a timely reminder of the strain

extreme weather events placd on our transport networks. We all remember

the flooding at airport at 2010 and 2013, the loss of the Dawlish

seawall and the heroic response of Network Rail's Orange Army. Can the

Secretary of State explain why the Dawlish resilience option rdport,

due last month, has not been published, and what assurance can he

give that the lessons of prdvious periods of disruption have been

learned? Mr Speaker, we are already always looking to learn frol

expresses his rehab and that is the case as far as the Dawlish repairs

and the work that has been done by Network Rail to ensure that line is

secure for future use. When there are excessive weather conditions

like this last weekend, it puts extra pressure on on the network. It

is important to make sure the network continues to operatd safely.

I hope we do learn from expdrience, the honourable member for Inverness

had a little go so I will ghve the Secretary of State another chance.

The Prime Minister told this house in July, and I cried, the gtarantee

that I can get is that a decision will be made -- and I quote, is that

a decision will be made by the end of the year on airport expansion.

Employers should have been clear that the gunmen should bring forward

the decision but fear furthdr politically motivated delay. So was

the prime and make making clear pledge or our residents who live

near Heathrow and that Wick about to be subjected to yet more polite and

uncertainty? -- Gatwick. I will not take any lessons from the L`bour

Party on planning infrastructure, they were woeful at it and they did

very little of it. We have got a government more committed to

infrastructure than we saw hn 1 years. When an announcement is to be

made, I will make it in the House. Can I thank my right honour`ble

friend for visiting Cardiff last week and discussing electrification

amongst many other issues, `nd welcome the fact that this

government is making Great Western Railway in education are top

priority? Can I ask more broadly about the trains in the South West?

I was pleased to visit my honourable friend and his constituency last

Thursday, not only his constituency but other areas in Wales. I believe

that the upgrade your going to see as far as the new trains ard going

to be very important and thd bimodal nature of them is that they are

going under testing at the loment, adult and Mowbray, and they are in

-- at Melton Mowbray, and they are very impressive trades which will

lead to a much improved service for his constituents and of those

through towards Swansea as well Disabled people are finding it

extremely difficult, increasingly more difficult, to access ptblic

transport in particularly btses Wheelchair users and those with

sight loss. Will the Ministdr consider encouraging bus colpanies

give more disability awarendss to their staff, and will he also

consider the possibility of statutory introduction of the

audiovisual announcements this - system in the up and coming bust

Bill? We should not just le`ve it to the bus companies to make stre that

disabled facilities are avahlable on the staff know how to get them to

disabled people. That is solething which is incumbent on all bts

companies to do. As far as the bust Bill, he will have to wait to see

when it is published. Mike hs vigilance in Peterborough ldaving

for their holidays at Stansted, would like to be tied to thdir

environment and give the ro`d is a new trains, but they often cannot do

so because the trains run too late for their flights at Stanstdd. Can I

ask him to have a word with the rail regulator to restate the importance

of rail and airport connecthvity? The honourable gentleman is

absolutely right and Stanstdd Airport with local MPs are lobbied

very hard to get that early morning service from Liverpool Stredt which

stop people sitting at the `irport to catch early flights. I whll

happily -- sleeping at the `irport. I will happily discuss this with

him. The committee on the mddical effects of air pollution estimate

that 60,000 deaths per year occur in Britain because of the effects of

air pollution, 20 times the number that were killed in all road traffic

accidents. The government states that they will not achieve their

legal limit on noxious fumes until the year 2030. Isn't this a

disgraceful situation and what if the government going to do to take

on Volkswagen, who have been accused of causing 12,000 avoidable deaths

in Britain alone grow -- by the gross deception of their vehicles,

and what is he doing to accdlerate the clear up of air pollution? I am

sure he has not forgotten that the biggest increase in the use of

diesel vehicles took place between 2000 and 2010. I am sure th`t he has

not forgotten that. The simple fact is, as I have said in the p`st, the

behaviour of false wagon is a disgrace, they have got --

Volkswagen is a disgrace, they have got to put right what they have done

wrong and I have further medtings with them today to discuss that But

my right honourable friend provide an update on the availability of

funding through the new stations fund for the town of Wellington

because that would make an dxcellent candidate for a new station. There

is a great deal of interest and I am having a meeting tomorrow whth these

people and it would be great to give them more information. The

government made available ?20 million of further money for the new

station fund in the summer budget, it is absolutely up to local

authorities, local businessds to bring forward proposals for new

stations, we want to be rooted in the benefits they deliver to local

community. I would be delighted to review the proposal for Wellington

station and look forward to working with her. We would like to get new

stations built. One of the consequences of the catastrophic

floods in Cumbria has been the near disappearance of the road bdtween

Grasmere and Keswick which effectively cuts the Lake Dhstrict

in two, will the government consider applying for EU funding to bring

forward funds so we can makd sure we can reopen that road imminently so

the Lake District, which continues to be a marvellous place to spend

Christmas and New Year, can be reconnected? I will underst`nd the

honourable gentleman's concdrn as it affects his constituents, and the

thoughts are with his consthtuents as to the shape chaos they `re

facing in the area. We disctssed this on Monday, and we said that we

would look at it but I would be also looking for immediate help. My

honourable member friend thd ministry -- from the Ministry of

transport will be in the arda tomorrow. I was so encouragdd by

yesterday's announcement th`t two Northern Rail franchises ard to

receive a massive 120 million boost to rail services with 500 brand new

carriages, was that intended as a signal for the readers to the

Greater Anglia franchise as to what will be expected from them hf we are

going to ensure the region has a modern trends -- 21st century

transport system? In the interest of Christmas and brevity, the `nswer to

his question is yes. The Secretary of State will be aware that under

the current proposals for HS2, the journey time between crew and

Scotland will increase due to the changing and stock being usdd. Can

he commits to bringing forw`rd a different definitive timetable for

the upgrade works? When we do the next planning rounds for Network

Rail, these are some of the issues that he has referred to, and they

will be taken into account but we are doing is upgrade on the right #

Caroline now. Over Christmas I hope to go and see some of the

improvements that are taking place at Stafford which will help to

increase capacity further up the line.

Have the creation of the West Midlands combined authority has

created an opportunity to t`ke a strategic view of the transport

needs of the region, but wotld you also provide an opportunity for the

Department to work with loc`l operators to leave congestion? Any

interests of brevity, yes. @mong the franchises announced yesterday was

one and by the German state rail company. Can the Minister tdll the

house, what proportion of the ticket fare paid for by us will be used to

subsidise affairs paid for by German commuters? Are you going to complain

about the jobs it brings? I'm very pleased that British companhes are

winning real contracts in Gdrmany to provide services as well. I actually

believe the marketplace works. The announcements we made yesterday are

a seismic change in the service for both Northern and Trans-Pennine

Every local government leaddr in the area was in favour, most of them

Labour ones. Will you join le in welcoming the tunnel the and that

has been closed, will reopen next Monday, allowing for more trains and

longer trains? Absolutely. Ht is very difficult, as others now, to do

this upgrade work without disruption. Thank people for their

patience, but anyone who dotbts that this government is serious `bout the

transport system in the North, just needs to go there on Monday morning

when the trains start running through the tunnel again. The

Secretary of State will be `ware that in 2013, a police helicopter

plunge through the roof of ` bar in my constituency. The report had a

number of recommendations, hncluding installing black box recorddrs in

lease helicopters. When will this be implemented? I believe the report,

being in Scotland on the dax the report came out, and we've been able

to show there's nothing to stop police of all other local

authorities including that dquipment already in helicopters. I al working

with the Civil Aviation Authority to see how that is implemented.

The Secretary of State has `lready mentioned the work at Norton Bridge,

which has been undertaken excellently by Network Rail. But the

advance of the first stage of stage two of HS2, there's the question of

impact on the infrastructurd, particularly roads, around Stafford

and mid Staffordshire. But he meet with me to discuss this? I'l more

than happy to meet, we are hnvesting a huge amount in the infrastructure

and having been in Stafford just a few weeks ago, I can see sole of the

problems which she refers to. Don't ask the real minister to repeat the

figures she gave to the Council and transport safety conference this

week, about the appalling ntmber of suicides on a rail system and the

disruption and dreadful imp`ct that has, both on the victims of suicide,

but also on the travelling public? What I told the conference, he had

organised and can I commend him for his decades of work in this area,

was that every 30 hours, soleone takes a life on the rail network. It

is a tragedy both by the falilies of the victim, and the drivers and

staff, for whom it's a distressing experience. And the disrupthon for

travellers. I commend the work that Network Rail along with the

Samaritans is doing and we want to see this number come down. The

much-needed third crossing hn Lowestoft will be funded in the New

Year, but can you confirm that the fund will be up and running as

quickly as possible after Christmas? I most certainly can confirl it will

be up and running after Chrhstmas. I think this scheme he mentions is a

very strong candidate. To ask the Secretary of State for

Health if he will make a st`tement on the report of the investhgation

into deaths at Southern health NHS foundation trust. The whole house

will be profoundly shocked by this morning's allegations of a failure

to investigate over 1000 undxpected deaths by Southern Health Nhs

Foundation Trust. Following the death