Transport Questions House of Commons

Hello and welcome to BBC Parliament's live coverage of the

House of Commons. In one hour, the Leader of the House will announce

the forthcoming business in the Chamber and take questions. That

will be followed by a statement from the chair of the Women and

Equalities Committee on its report on the representation of women in

the House of Commons after the 2020 General Election. After that, the

Backbench Business Committee has tabled to debate on foreign affairs,

the first on the situation in Yemen and a second on Security and the

political situation in the African Great Lakes region. Join me, Alicia

McCarthy, for a round-up at 11:30pm but first, questions to the

Transport Secretary. Questions to the Secretary of State for

Transport. Mr Peter Grant. Paul Maynard. With permission, I will

answer the question together with number five. I recently met with the

Minister for transport and the islands in the Scottish Government,

Humza Yousaf, in October last year. I welcome working together to

improve services for rail passengers within the current devolution

settlement. Thank you. I am grateful for the answer. Does the Minister,

can he explain why at the same time the Government are happy to devolve

responsibility for maintenance and tax operations on the such a

Cambridge line, while the reluctant and above the same response that to

the Scottish Government for Scotland? The point we have

consistently made us there is no recommendation within the Smith

Commission to devolve the whole of Network Rail to Scotland. The

Scottish Government can specify, fund and procure both ScotRail and

the Caledonian sleeper train it can specify and fund all major projects

throughout devolving British Transport Police, that strikes me as

a hefty menu for the Scottish Government to be engaged with. Thank

you. The think tank, reform Scotland, published a report in

November, calling for Network Rail to be devolved. I had the Secretary

of State has read it. He will be aware there is a growing list of

people advocating for the rail devolution, will he do the right

thing and commit to a date to open discussions with the Scottish

Government over this matter? I would make the point that devolution does

not just occurred within Government and Whitehall. There is a

significant amount of operational devolution occurring within Network

Rail as we speak. A Scottish route is being set up within Network Rail

and there will be much more independence and freedom of action

and I would urge the Scottish Government and Scottish members here

to engage in that particular devolution process, not least

because right now, the Scottish Government is cooperating with the

office for road and rail on the periodic review that will determine

the outcome within Scotland. A report commissioned by transport

Scotland shows Network Rail's original cost estimates for Scottish

projects were unreliable. Does the Minister agree that especially when

projects overrun by hundreds of millions of pounds, those who

commissioned the work should have the power to hold Network Rail to

account? I would very much reiterate the point that with the new

devolution settlement within Network Rail, the growing independence of

the Scottish route within Network Rail, there are ample levers

available to members here and indeed the Scottish Government, to

influence how the Scottish route director delivers those

infrastructure projects. Can the Minister explain why he feels

Scotland does not need a rail project based in Scotland that is

accountable to the people of Scotland? I can easily return to how

I started my answer by reminding him we had a lengthy discussion over

what was contained within the Smith Commission and this was not

something which emerged. Therefore, we're not it forward. Mr Speaker, we

will be lodging a formal consultation on proposals for the

new south eastern franchise in February. I hope people across the

franchise area will participate in that, enabling my Department and the

team to take informed decisions about the specification of the next

franchise, particularly how we expand capacity of passengers. Not

only are my constituents disgusted by the manner in which the Secretary

of State has politicised this issue but they have no confidence in his

proposal for the south-eastern franchise. A previous attempt to

involve... Can the Secretary of State tell us why he thinks that

repeating this failed approach would deliver much-needed improvements for

south-eastern passengers? There has been no politicisation of this

discussion. This decision was taken after the mayor's business plan was

analysed across Government. After discussions with neighbouring

authorities. After discussions with people who know the route. And the

truth, Mr Speaker, is the mayor's proposals of no extra capacity for

passengers and a whole lot of uncosted, unfunded promises. And it

also involve a substantial top-down reorganisation. The approach we have

chosen is the same one we have taken in northern and in the Midlands, to

create a partnership to develop a franchise that works for all

passengers in Kent, south-east London, to deliver the capacity they

need. Can I support the Transport Secretary on that and said that my

constituents in Kent are deeply concerned that London has acted as a

selfish city for too long, seeking to benefit itself at the expense of

the people of Kent and the other home Counties? It is not right for

London to Act like this. We need fare rail services for Kent, Essex

and the other counties and I urge the Secretary of State to carry on

at uphold this decision. I can assure my honourable friend I have

every intention of doing so. But the reality is, this is a partnership

arrangement that brings together London, Kent County Council and my

Department, to do the right thing for passengers. It is interesting

that the mayor could offer no proposals to expand capacity on

these routes. I intend to bring forward proposals that do offer

expanding capacity. The Secretary of State's leaked letter reveals that

he relate on the suburban rail agreement because of his obsession

to keep services out of the clutches of a potential Labour mayor. His

words, party politics ahead of passengers, clearly prefers to see

trains run late than on time under Labour. Will he now agree to an

independent assessment of the proposal by a respected figure out

with his own departments, give any revelations yesterday, of

conflicting commercial interests, and restore credibility to the

process and ensure proper consideration of the of

long-suffering passengers? Well, Mr Speaker, I cannot believe what I

just heard from the honourable gentleman. Putting party politics

before passengers? In the week when the Leader of the Opposition said he

would join a picket line to perpetuate the unnecessary strikes

on Southern Rail that have caused so much damage to passengers. I will

not take him seriously until I heard him condemn those strikes and tell

the workers to go back to work! Number three, Mr Speaker. Thank you.

My right honourable friend, the Secretary of State, recently met

with the Welsh Government's Cabinet Secretary for economy and

infrastructure, a positive discussion, which recognised the

importance of cross-border transport and our commitment to deliver

improvements. Thank you. ?43 million worth of Welsh Government investment

in the Wrexham - Chester Lane, mainly in England, will lead to a

partial dualling of the line between Wrexham and Chester, finishing in

April this year. What more will it take for the UK Government, the

Conservative Government, to invest in the unanswerable case for more

transport infrastructure in this region? And to match the Welsh

Government investment? The Government is investing

significantly in our rail network. More than at any point since the

Victorian era. The Mersey task force has produced a growth prospectus and

are working with the rail minister and I understand it is prioritising

objectives and we will continue to work closely with them. With the

case for a new station at Stonehouse established and well argued, does

the Minister agree that this sort of initiative is exactly the type we

need to enhance links between Wales, Gloucestershire and the South West

generally? This is a valuable point and I agree with my honourable

friend. The Minister mentioned the halt in calf. It is important in

terms of cross-border points, can I ask him to confirm that the project

is on time and what date it will be completed? I will check the latest

information and will write to the honourable gentleman but my

understanding is that is exactly on time. A lorry park is vital for

contacts between Kent and the continent. We have been meeting with

the Department for the last six weeks. The Minister has agreed with

highways England, in return, he will return his application for judicial

review, can the Minister resolve this matter and get on with building

the lorry park? Focus on Wales and cross-border, that would help. That

was an entrepreneurial question. I can confirm that my right honourable

friend will indeed meet with him. The Government could do something

about the cross-border between the Rhondda Valley and the upper Avant

Valley. Because the Government still owns the tunnel that used to be the

train from Treherbert down to Swansea. Could the Government please

make sure that I can have the meeting I have been asking for, for

several weeks now, with the Secretary of State for Transport, to

come up with ideas to make this a major new cycle track? I'm afraid my

local knowledge of the tunnels has not kept pace with the honourable

gentleman's. I have heard his point and I will take it forward with

colleagues. Six lines radiate out from Chester, some of which our

cross-border lines, hence the growth track 360, but Chester is recognised

development. Could I invite the development. Could I invite the

Minister to come to Chester and have his next meeting on cross-border

transport with Ken skates their to see what preliminary work might be

done before pressing ahead with the main work? It is always delightful

to visit the City of Chester and I look forward to doing so. Thank you.

The Tees Valley is benefiting from significant investment. Right across

the country, we have agreed to work with the Tees Valley authorities to

develop plans for a new Tees crossing. Thank you. Last week, we

received welcome news that Tesco would base nonfood warehousing at

their existing centre in Teesport. Given the economic boost for

Teesside, will the Minister provide full backing and funding for the A60

Six Rd? We have already committed to Julie a 66. That's part of the

Autumn Statement. The new Tees crossing, we have provided funding

to take the business case to the next stage and will happily work

with the local authorities in the area. I recognise the importance of

Teesport in the local authority to a Mac economy and the value it would

provide. Keen to see that take shape.

I am committed to managing the cost of HS2 Indic ensuring maximum value

for the taxpayer. In the period 2009-10, up to 2015-16, one .4

billion, investors and shirt HS2 is on for delivery.

The cost is not just to the tax payable to visit effects. The House

of Lords select committee has recommended amending the HS2 Bill to

ensure HS2 does not have a blanket power to compulsorily purchase land

for development and must not limit their land acquisitions to what is

needed for the scheme, particularly in relation to close 48. Farmers,

landowners and communities have been blighted for years by this scheme

and the threat of further compulsory purchase orders is truly worrying.

Can the Secretary of State reassure me that he will accept the committee

was not important and welcome recommendation relating to close 48

and alleviating anxiety of those affected? Can I express on behalf of

the Government, thanks to the House of Lords committee? And indeed to

those who served on the equivalent committee in this House? It was a

long and arduous task. We are carefully considering the Lords

recommendations at the moment and will publish a response shortly. If

she will forgive me, I will save a detailed response for that

publication but I would say that I am looking extremely carefully at

the recommendation that she refers to. With regard to the option to

have a station in central Sheffield, there currently is no money to get

trains out of that station to Leeds or to increase the capacity at the

southern end to connect better to Trans Pennine trains and there is no

money to electrify the line between Sheffield station and the main HS2

route. Does this not look like a cut-price option? Will he agree to

meet local MPs and interested parties? I wish the honourable

gentleman a happy birthday for tomorrow. And I would say to him of

course that my honourable friend, the minister, has indeed been

involved in such discussions. But I would remind him that the original

proposal for a station at Meadowhall was opposed by the Council, who want

to be rude to pass through the city centre and it is in response to

pressure from within Sheffield that we have revisited the original

plans. I can assure him discussions will continue. While the cost of the

project needs to be kept under control, the economic benefits that

could be brought in areas like Long Eaton far outweigh some of the costs

we are talking about today. This is a key point for the development of

the project. My honourable friend makes an important point. The area

around Long Eaton, the new development of stations and

surrounding facilities will make a huge difference to the area. We have

been discussing how best to make sure we get the right solution for

Long Eaton that will work with constituents to reflect what works

best for them. Given what will be the eye watering Lee huge final

costs of HS2, it surely makes sense to maximise the asset. Therefore,

can be Secretary of State tell us whether the line will be used 24

hours a day, seven days a week? If not, will be otherwise wasted

capacity be used for freight? If not, why not? The whole point about

HS2 is it releases capacity on the existing west Coast Main line for

freight and as a result, I see the potential of very significant

increases in freight across the West Coast Main area. As the timetabling,

that is a matter for those who decide what is the best commercial

proposition for the group that we expect and are planning for a very

intensive use of the route across a wide variety of destinations,

including Stoke-on-Trent. My right honourable friend has worried me

slightly by his last answer because I was going to say that Litchfield

suffers all the disadvantages of having the line go through it, with

no station, because we're too small. And I was hoping that he would say

that the freeing up of capacity would mean the West Coast mainline

would have more trains stopping in the Trent Valley. Will that now not

be the case because it will be blocked up with freight? I think

there will be room for both. It provides opportunity for commuter

trains, more intermediate trains, services to places that do not

currently receive services, by taking the fast trains away from the

West Coast mainline and by that, I mean once they go straight up to

places like Manchester and Liverpool. It provides better

services for places like Litchfield on the Trent Valley. The Minister

will remember that when I set the cost of HS2 would soar past ?60

billion, I was mocked. It is passed that level now and rising. The Chief

Executive has quit. And the people in my constituency would like this

folly to be stopped now and the money put, ?60 billion and rising

pile pretend to be health service and local Government that is going

bankrupt! I hate to disappoint but the plans of HS2 have actually been

widely welcomed across the North of England will make a significant

difference to the economy of this region. The point I would make about

cost is one of the reasons we are spending more money than on the

equivalent lines in some countries, is because we're spending money on

amelioration measures to minimise the impact on the environment.

Could I remain to the economic benefits for communities such as

Milton Keynes by the release of capacity on the West Coast line?

Absolutely, we will continue to provide information about the

benefits, but if you take place like Milton Keynes, one of the most

important growth areas, which will need more commuter services, North,

south, east and west, with the introduction of HS2 will mean we can

provide a much better service for his constituents and others. The

Adam Institute has warned that HS2 could end up costing ?80 billion,

equating to nine times more per mile than comparable high-speed tracks in

France. How can the government are sure the public that the already

sky-high cost of this project will not expired or even further out of

control? It is a choice, we wanted to deliver high quality into

structure for the future but also in a way that is environmentally

sensitive, so spending money on tunnels, cuttings, maybe watch other

countries chose not to do. I want to retain a careful stewardship of

Britain's green and pleasant land but also deliver what we need for

future, which is what we are doing. Number seven. Since 2014, we have

accessible routes at 25 stations, with 12 more currently in

construction and 52 in edible stages of design and development. The

Minister will understandably will anger at the further delays in

Alfreton with the accessible programme and that station, many not

able to use the southbound platform. Will you prioritise that station for

the next block of funding? As you have pointed out, we had to delete

26 accessible projects into control period six, of which unfortunately

Alfreton was one of them. Unfortunately, the product was less

developed than others we considered but I can reassure him we are making

clear to net will -- to Network Rail that we want these delivered early

after 2019. Does the Minister recognised the importance of the

maximum number of people being able to use rail services and why schemes

are seen as expendable? We have reached the point where roughly 70%

of passenger journeys occur at step-free access stations. You wrote

to me regarding one in your own constituency, I am asking officials

to look more closely at that understand what happened at that

particular station and I hope to reply soon. The McNulty reports said

the rail industry had to do more to operate efficiency and bring down

costs. What is the Minister doing to persuade the real industry to do

this in relation to step-free access to extend it to more station such as

new barn that? She makes an important point. When we are looking

at improvement services across the network we need to make sure the

solutions we come up with a cost-effective and not gold-plated.

When you were in my role, as I find no, there are sometimes projects

which come before us we are the cost can skill is -- can scarcely be

justified and maybe cheaper costs can be fined. In my constituency,

there is talk of step-free access and other disability improvements.

Local people have been frustrated by the works and there are rumours that

the works will be cancelled, postponed just stopped. Will the

Minister agree to meet with me and visit the station and top but local

residents about the situation and preferably cleared the matter up

right now? I am not familiar with exact details but I'm happy to make

the how to discover more is happening.

Question eight, Mr Speaker. Mr Maynard. We are committed to

improving accessibility on the rail network. We want to improve access

ability standards. That is completion due for 2020. I was

engrossed listening to the answer for my friend and neighbour, the MP

for Bristol West, so I did much hope that we make progress on the

Lawrence Hill and other stations but wanted to ask about excelled at --

accessibility on trains. There was a strike recently, and it was brave

for one member of staff to come forward and speak about Asher

relating experience, when there was not a disabled access toilet on the

train for a constituent, what is the Minister doing to ensure situations

like that did not happen and disabled people treated with

respect? I am sure you issue of the same sense, and I am sure other

members felt, upon reading that story that it was simply

unacceptable. We have made it clear to cross-country through officials

this is not good enough. When I speak to the company, I will

reiterate that, but I want to ensure that we meet targets in 2020 of

every single rail carriage being fully accessible, including the

toilets, and where there are situations where accessible toilets

is out of order, for whatever reason, either the carriages taken

out of or that has an acceptable service consequences, that any

individual on that train who would be that accessible toilet is made

aware of the situation before boarding and has a chance to make

alternative arrangements. Mr Speaker, I wanted to secure

step-free access, not just for disabled people, but for all people

at a local station, Network Rail have stopped this, I want a poster

to show that work will happen in me, but can the work happen as soon as

possible? The money has been in place for three years, delays are

not necessary. I am happy to discuss the matter further. My understanding

is those works, as with many on the trans-Pennine routes, have

interlinked with the land improvement of the network. I am

happy to have further discussion with him. Last Friday, disabled

wheelchair user, on Southern, was left stranded on the train platform

in the freezing cold for two hours because there was the one to help

her onto the train, despite booking assistance 40 hours in advance. She

was at an unmanned station and trains passing her by word driver

only with no on-board supervisor. The law is absolutely clear, train

operating companies must operate with reasonable access for disabled

passengers. Do you believe failure to do so will strip those passengers

of their dignity? And it reaches the disability act? When I read about

it, my interpretation was Southern had not applied the policy that he

had said were in place for all disabled passengers. And the issue

in particular with that is it is far worse because the lady in question

booked through passenger assist, so there was plenty of notice that she

was on their way. But I would make this point to her, that if it had

been for the unions, that train would have been cancelled in the

first place not able to depart. Access for so many disabled and in

particular elderly passengers is dependent on advice that can be

found in ticket offices. So can the Minister give reassurance of

proposals to close the ticket office in new Milton? I am not specifically

familiar with proposals in new Milton but I would make the point

that over the coming years I did not see any reason to have fewer people

are employed within stations, but that roles need to be broadened out

to help more passengers, not fewer. Question number nine.

Train operators are permitted to using commute of fear schemes to

fight the vision of migratory. In December 2016, the department

announced planned improvements to the regime by including a new third

stage of independent appeals panel and this and all appeals bodies will

be independent of train operators and groups? I thank you for your

response and do you agree that train operating companies should not put

staff under undue pressure to issue penalty fares and will you commit to

looking at the rules to ensure that discretion is always an option? I

understand the point and whilst discretion is important, it is not

just the changes I have moved to appeals, but also the ticketing and

action plan, and for example people forgetting their real cards, have

more options to ensure they are not unfairly penalised. I am happy to

meet him and discuss his concerns further. Ticketless travel and fare

dodging is one of many things on a local line and I experienced this

first hand when I joined the London Midlands revenue protection scheme

last month. The ?20 penalty is not sufficient to deter this fare

dodging. Would you agree to review penalty fares so they can become an

effective deterrent? I more than glad with the sterling work she has

done on this issue. She is quite right that there are concerns within

the industry is that the penalty fares are set too low. I am focusing

on reviewing the appeal system to make sure it is fair and

proportionate and description has a role to play but I will keep the

level of penalty appears under review. Number 10.

It has been agreed in principle that the Welsh government ministers will

procure and manage the next wheels and Borders rail franchise, my

department is working closely with them to ensure the appropriate

transfer of necessary powers, but I want to make it clear that we are

ensuring as spot of those arrangements that the train services

used by passengers in England are protected and particularly

importantly treated consistently with those in Wales, both during

this requirement and across the whole life of the franchise. I very

much welcome an answer from the Secretary of State. In the summer

months, with windows sealed, and with a lot of people coming into the

carriages, it has not been tolerable. William Shaw the next

franchise accommodates levels required for passengers to travel

safely and with more services from Shrewsbury to Birmingham Airport? --

will he ensure. I am aware of capacity issues on the Wales and

Borders franchise and the cross-country franchise, but there

are not enough diesel trains to go around at the moment. I was in

County Durham for the launch of the new hybrid trains to be Manufacturer

there, opening up opportunities to significant change to rolling stock

across the network. I think it will enable us to address those

challenges. The Secretary of State will be aware that he made estimate

last October to devolve the and Borders franchise to Welsh

Government, but legislation does not allow public sector company to bid

for the new franchise. Will you allow public sector organisers to

bid for the best franchise and offer the best possible service for the

franchise? I know the party opposite are very keen on read nationalising

railways and I would remind them that... I would remind them that, if

their policies are implemented, we will lose the ability to deliver the

nutrients that have been delivered right across this country, paid for

by private sector investment, so what they are calling for is to turn

back the clock and have older trains on the network and I'm afraid that

is not my view. Number 11. Franchising has been instrumental in

improving the services for passengers. And as well as the

growth of real usage since privatisation 20 years ago, this is

about improving services for passengers to be better team worked

through Network Rail and franchises. And also making them more customer

focused to give them off power to local managers.

We now know the Secretary of State is putting politics before the

interests of passengers. It is a dogmatic approach and ignores what

could improve our railway system. He has refused to allow the Neverland

and take over suburban services, despite the fact his predecessor

thought that was a good idea. The public are in favour of public

ownership. 58% of people polled by TF Hell are in favour of the mayor

having greater control over suburban services. -- TFL. It is hardly a

surprise that there are doubts about a Labour mayor in London running

services, particularly when he delivered a business plan that did

not offer to improve capacity and was founded on a lot of uncosted

promises. What we have seen so far from this mayor is a fair freeze

that was not a fair freeze. A London with rail strikes, I don't take the

mayor's promises at face value. We have taken a partnership approach

that listens to the people of Kent, who are equally important in this

franchise and should be equal partners with the people of London

who are designing it. In 1993, the public-sector British rail withdrew

services from Cleethorpes- Sheffield. Making it a Saturday only

service, meaning people in Gainsborough and towns like that

cannot get to Cleethorpes to enjoy all that it has two offer. As yet,

the private sector has not seen fit to restore that service to six days

a week. Could he meet with me and neighbouring MPs to discuss the

issue? We're always happy to talk to my honourable friend, who remains a

doughty champion of his constituency. If we turn back the

clock 40 years, to the days of British rail, the debate would be

about line closures, station closers and reduction of services. Today,

the issue is about overcrowding because the numbers are rising so

fast. It is about new stations, improved facilities, new trains.

That is the difference between the policies we have followed in the

policies they want to follow. The franchising policy of the Government

lies in tatters, with desperate attempts to retrofit contracts to

protect operator profits and, as revealed yesterday, National Express

taking the money and running and selling C2C franchise to the Italian

state. It is disastrous. The country has had enough of these sleazy

deals. Is it not past time for franchising to be scrapped and the

UK rail industry revitalised through public ownership? And the clock

ticks ever backwards. They don't want inward investment. They don't

want private sector investment. And we still don't hear from that part

of this House, from the benches opposite, is any word on behalf of

passengers, about the strikes. This is a party that takes money from the

rail unions and defends them when they are on strike, no matter what

the inconvenience to passengers. They are a disgrace. They should

stand up and say, these strikes should stop. The Mayor of London has

at least had the wit and wisdom to say the strikes are on.

I wanted to build some anticipation. The UK is a world leader in

manufacturing and last year more ultralow emissions from vehicles

were sold in the UK than any other country in Europe. The British built

Nissan continues to be one of the most popular electric cars in the

world. But what is the Government doing to support the uptake of other

types of vehicles? Like Cicero, we believe the good of the people is

the chief law. It is for public well-being that we want to see low

emissions from all types of vehicles. Yesterday, just yesterday,

I announced the results of the lower emission trial, which will see the

Government provide no less than 24 million to help place around 300

loan and zero emission vehicles into commercial fleets across the UK. One

rather wonders whether the results of this trial were communicated to

his hero, Cicero? The minister wants to see emissions reduced in all

types of vehicles. Can he explain why just 160,000 of the polluting

cheap devices in Foxfire and cars have been remediated out of the 1.2

million cheap devices that are currently on vehicles in the UK? --

Volkswagen. Volkswagen need to do more. Which is why I will be telling

the next week exactly that and why I insist that they pay the 1.1 million

which I received on Christmas Eve. I demanded it as a Christmas present.

Because that was the money that taxpayers have to spend as a result

of their emissions scandal. I am sorry to say that since transport

questions began, news broke on my constituency that another person has

lost their life as a result of a fatal car accident. I hope the

Minister and the whole House will join me and offer condolences to the

family affected. The use of ultralow emissions is welcomed but councils

like mine want to introduce the low emission zone and will struggle

without planning and regulatory changes. Can my honourable friend

confirm these issues will be at the top of his agenda? To start with,

road safety is a concern of the whole of this House. The honourable

gentleman is right to raise the tragedy that he has. Charging points

are vital. One of the great challenges for industry and

Government is making sure there are adequate numbers of charging points

across the whole of the country. That particularly applies in rural

areas, like mine. There may be a need for legislative change to that

effect. We're considering that. We are introducing a modern transport

Bill. We will address the issue of charging point in that Bill. Will

any Volkswagen executive face criminal damage is here for their

diesel emissions scandal? I hold no candle for those businesses that

don't do right by consumers or workers. And I consider that the

actions that have taken place in the US, which I guess is what the

honourable gentleman refers to, and the actions being considered by

Volkswagen customers, oblige the Government to think again about what

further steps we can take and we are doing so. I have not ruled out

further investigation and will discuss this with the Secretary of

State and raising it with Volkswagen at this meeting.

One of the barriers to people buying electric vehicles is having to carry

numerous different types of card and different forms of payment. Does the

Minister have some plans to sympathisers market and make it more

accessible and encourage more people to purchase a electric cars? Indeed,

wasn't it Ronald Reagan who said the future doesn't belong to the

faint-hearted, and we must be both a hearted and far-sighted in respect

of electric vehicles, and that does mean more charging points, and we

will create a regulatory regime sufficient to provide those charging

points and therefore to assuage the public doubts to which he has drawn

the house's attention. Only 3% of new car sales are actually electric.

Should we be doing more to encourage LPG switching or hydrogen cell

fuelled cars? The honourable gentleman will know about our goal

ultralow campaign, that is a campaign which is match funded by

industry, which is designed to encourage the kind of learning that

the honourable gentleman describes. We need to persuade people that

switching is desirable. That is partly about charging points,

battery reliability, and partly about simply people knowing that

electric vehicles can be good for them. So we continue that campaign

exactly in the spirit the honourable gentleman recommends. The VW

emissions deceit device cynically deceived 1.2 million vehicle owners

in the UK. I declare that I am one of them. And I am delighted that the

Minister is going to have VW in next three because at the moment the

situation is that tribe in the UK are being treated unfairly compared

to VW drivers in the US. -- VW drivers in the UK. UK motorists are

having to pursue private group litigation against VW themselves. I

want the Minister to understand how badly VW UK drivers feel that it

appears the government is letting BW off the hook, and I hope that is not

the case. And will he, even at this late stage, offer support to those

motorists in the UK pursuing their own action? Yes, I'm actually on the

same page as the honourable lady. I'm glad we have moved on from the

belligerent bombast of earlier by the way, Mr Speaker, then think it

did the opposition any favours, and the honourable lady makes her case

reasonably. I think there is a case for further steps. That is partly

about the retrofit that was described earlier by the honourable

lady, it is partly about the payment of taxpayer money, which I

described, and partly about the consumer. I think we should consider

further steps, and having considered them as necessary and when necessary

take them. So I think she's right. Number 14, Mr Speaker.

The government recently published three strategic studies of the

long-standing transport challenges of the Northwest and is committed to

major investment based on its findings. Highways England, which by

the way I set up on my last visit to the department, rude strategies had

assessed the performance of the strategic roads network and the

pressures it faces. Three strategic studies referred to the north-west,

drawing on the evidence has been published, and will be published

soon. Deselected make it march, we will publish them in March. In 2014,

the roads investment strategy proposed nine new projects in the

north-west, but to date the plans for just one of these has been

announced, while his government spends six times more on transport

infrastructure in London than the north. How does he think the whole

northern powerhouse thing is going, because when it comes to transport,

like much of the traffic in St Helens, it seems to be going

nowhere, not very fast. I do think this is typical at least I hope it

is not, because I think he is being both and, might I say, to some

degree, not admitting all he knows, because he will now of the day 570

link way valued at ?3.2 million, and this is in St Helens by the way, he

will know of the Windle island junction improvements, value ?3.2

million, again in St Helens, and he will know of the Newton Willows

interchange of ?4.2 million was doubly not only acting in the

north-west, we are acting in his constituency and he doesn't want to

tell us about it. This question is about the Northwest of England, not

myself a job offer, but last time I looked it seems to me that Taunton

Deane was rather a long way from the Northwest of England. It is the

surface of the roads in the north-west on the existing

infrastructure that worries me. That is a bit like driving on the surface

of the moon at times. Where county councils failed to tackle the

problem of the plague of potholes that beset motorists in the

north-west, could he be imaginative and look at ways whereby district

councils could bid for the money that the government makes available

so that they can tackle this problem? The honourable gentleman is

right that the noise from poor road surfaces, the effect that has on

journeys, and those who use both cars and trucks is significant. And

indeed he also knows that I have been in the Northwest in a vehicle

with him, and opened topped vehicle I hasten to add by the way, waving

to his constituents, and I know how poor the road surfaces are, so I

will certainly good luck, not only in the Northwest but across the

whole nation at the suggestions he has made. Number one, Mr Speaker. Mr

Speaker, you will be aware I have said that this house and elsewhere

that I am very committed to improving the transport situation in

the Northwest and I am very pleased to announce a new phase in our ?7

billion plan to that region. We are launching the next stage, the formal

consultation on a major upgrade to the aid to the aid 203, the main a

road in the Devon and Cornwall. It involves the developer does the 1.8

mile tunnel past Stonehenge, which will prevent -- protect the world

Heritage site from traffic, reduce local congestion and speed up

journeys to and from the region. We will now be talking about Sisley to

the west of that tunnel which route it should take, to local people. In

addition, I consider that we are committed to upgrading the remaining

sections of the A303 between the M3 and the M5, the jewel carriage way.

The next up will be public concentrations -- consultations

Taunton to Southfields consultations on schemes that will come very

shortly. One of my 17 Europe -- 79-year-old constituents has been

repeatedly refused car hire contract by leading rental companies. What

assessment has the Minister made of any restrictions that are being

placed on OAPs by these rental companies? This is a very difficult

issue. The quality axed 2010 provides general protection against

age discrimination foot people of all ages but there is an exemption

for people providing an assessment of risk. My department has not made

the assessment he describes but what I would encourage his constituent do

is to contact the British rental and leasing Association who should be

able to help in identifying a suitable provider. There is an icy

chill about to descend upon parts of the country. That is not an

impending DFT ministerial visit I hasten to add, it is the impending

weather front. Can the Secretary of State tell us about the state of

preparations for quitting our roads in the coming days and tell us what

discussions he has had with his colleagues -- for quitting our

roads. To ensure that our roads run more smoothly than our railways. I

can ensure him there was no ice each other last time I visited Cambridge,

as he and I both know, we were there for the first bit of work, albeit a

rather small but of work, with a spade on the 14th project and I that

will make a big difference to Cambridge. We have had detailed

discussions in recent weeks, the Minister has been in local contact

with local authorities. We do not have perhaps a sold mountain in this

country but we have plenty of salt and great, and our estimate is that

we have what is necessary to cope with the winter ahead but we will

obviously keep that under review. I thank the Secretary of State for

that, I take him back to the time just before Christmas soon after his

visit to Cambridge, he spoke to the Evening Standard, and he told the

Evening Standard that cycle lanes cause problems for road users. I was

wondering if you could clarify for the house exactly who he thinks road

users are, and while he is thinking about cyclists, as a helpful clue,

could he explain why he is taking such an extraordinarily long time to

good use a cycling and walking investment strategy? What I would

say to him of course is where you have cycle lanes, cyclists are the

users of cycle lanes and there is a road alongside, and the motorists

are the uses of the road. It is fairly straightforward. What I would

say to him is that if he is waiting with eager anticipation for our

cycling and walking strategy he really doesn't have very long to

wait. Will the ministers's inspirational words about beauty be

matched by deeds from highways England? It is unsurprising that the

right honourable gentleman draws attention to my beautifully

articulated speech on duty but he is right too. He needs -- Binny to move

the action. We have established a design panel at Highways England and

we will be producing just in a few weeks' time a new design guide. It

will dismay all of those crass modernists and harsh brutalist, but

it will delight all of their super leave that our public infrastructure

-- all of those who believe that our public in literature can be elegant

as well as delivering utility. My role is only this: to rediscover the

age old golden thread from which all of this will be woven. LAUGHTER

Almost as stylish and elegant as the right honourable gentleman, I don't

doubt. I know the Minister is as frustrated as I am by the constant

delays to the tram train project between Sheffield and Rotherham.

Will he now confirmed that passenger services are going to start next

year, will he also give a date by which lessons can be learned from

that project, which can be rolled out across the country, and will he

give particular consideration to the available at the of hybrid tram

trains which means the vehicles can now run on non-electrified heavy

rail routes? An important point about the hybrid tram trains, as far

as I am aware, it is on track, on schedule, but I am particularly keen

to understand the lessons that can be learned from this particular

project to make sure that if we try any other project elsewhere, they

are done properly and the time first time round. The excellent report,

the free ports authority, written by my colleague, the honourable member

for Richmond, sets out the possibilities the UK ports post

Brexit to become free ports. It is estimated in that report it could

create 86,000 jobs in the UK. Could the Minister outline what the

possible at either ports like New Haven in my constituency have for

becoming free ports post Brexit. I have the report with me to which the

Honourable Lady refers. It is an excellent piece of work. I have

already arranged to meet its author. As you will know, I initiated the

maritime growth study when last in the department but it is time to

refresh that. It must be a living document, and as part of that

exercise we will consider the role of ports now that we offer lead --

freed from the clutches of the European Union. My ambitions are, as

ever, Mr Speaker, measured and modest. I see nothing more -- seek

nothing more than four Britannia to rule the waves. LAUGHTER

Ministers will be aware of the comments in Public Health England's

recent alcohol evidence review that drinking alcohol up to the

drink-drive limit increases the risk of accidents by 13 times. We have a

highest drink-drive limit of any country in Europe except for Malta,

so will we look to reducing that in line with the views of the Police

Federation, the RAC, the House of Lords, the Fire Brigades union and

77% of the public? We have no plans to review the drink-drive limit. The

80 mg per 100 millilitres of blood is one of the higher levels but no

country has a better record on road safety and improving the performance

in tackling drink-driving than we have. It is a combination of the

right limit and enforcement and cultural belief that ring driving is

wrong. All of that together makes the progress. Before Christmas, a

parent at Morley primary school in my constituency was badly injured

when driving in another vicinity of the school because another driver

was going too fast, a regular occurrence. I have consistently

requested that the county council change the speed limit, move the

signs, but they consistently refused to do so because they say nobody has

been killed yet. I don't want a child or a parent or anybody to be

killed. Is there anyway that the Minister can change the criteria by

which councils the site? Local authorities already have the powers

to introduce lower speed limits where they think it is appropriate,

and I think it should especially apply around schools. This decision

does not have to be a reactive one, waiting for something to happen, it

is inappropriate to act in such a way, so I will perhaps suggest that

I write to the authority in Derbyshire just to highlight the

powers they already have. But my right honourable friend the roads

minister is visiting the constituency in a fortnight or so

and perhaps you could also pick this up with him then. Brexit will cause

a dangerous free for all in cabotage, will the Minister agree to

meet with the Scottish Government to avoid this? I think we are some way

away from that. Discussions have to take place between our government

and the European Union on arrangements, post Brexit. They will

take place and we will inform the house of progress on that in due

cause. A start has been made in the first road improvement strategy in

upgrading the a 47 from Lowestoft to the A-1. I would be grateful if the

Minister could confirm that he will work with myself and other East

Anglian colleagues on the second roads improvement strategy to ensure

this could work continues. We have managed to achieve what he

wants respect to the bridge but is right and we need to do more in

respect of the second phase. This morning, I am writing to all

colleagues that he describes, to invite them to participate in the

process to help represent this. The A75 on my constituency benefits from

Google route designation. Can we be assured he will support the

continued designation of the euro route after the UK leads the

European Union. I have never heard anyone in this country refers to an

ARoad in the United Kingdom as a Euro route. I declare an interest as

a daily commuter on the East Coast Main Line, which is a well-run and

strategic route, but service outages, infrequent as they are, can

be very disruptive. Can I ask the Minister to prevail on operating

companies and Network Rail to improved medication with passengers

in real time so that they are made aware of these problems and can make

alternative arrangements as necessary. Passengers disruption is

an area that all operating companies need to improve on. A single source

of information which is consistent is required and it needs to be the

most up-to-date information. It is not acceptable for people to check

their phones on leaving home, checking their changes on time, only

to find that by the time they get to the station, it has been cancelled.

Not good enough. Will the Secretary of State reject the new proposal of

a line from HS2 in the constituency of Bolsover, between Hill coat and

Morton, because not only will it cut the council in two, it will destroy

scores of Houses in the village of Newton. Will he have a look at the

letter I have sent him in order to pacify the people of Blackpool with

this mad idea? Of course I will. I have taken a close interest in this

and have been up and down the route and I am keen we deliver economic

benefits in a way that works the best for local communities. I am

happy to take a look at these issues. It has been yet another week

of misery for hundreds of thousands of passengers on Southern Rail.

Given the unions have received guarantees of jobs, pay, and by the

Independent safety Rail Regulator on safety, with the Government now

support proposals from this side of the bench to limit strikes by

legislation? Or at least the impact of strikes? I know there is a lot of

interest and calls for such measures to be taken. We're considering how

we approach is future issues. I think he will join me in expressing

disappointment on this side of the House, that we have not heard today

one word from the other side of the House of regret, condemnation, or a

call for unions to go back to work. Mr Speaker, they just don't care.

The RAC estimates drivers are being overcharged by hundreds of millions

of pounds due to the over-zealous endorsement of private car parks.

Requiring operators to sign up to a credited trade association would

stop this. Does the Secretary of State agree that having all

companies sign up would ensure their business model is based on fair

treatment of the motorist? I will happily look into this matter. It is

the responsibility of TCL cheap that I will pick it up the ministerial

colleague. Increasing passengers and employees at Stansted Airport, the

growth of the Cambridge biomedical campus, the prospect of Crossrail 2,

the announcement of major housing developments and the welcome

prospect of new accelerated high-performance trains, what plans

does my right honourable friend have for increasing the track capacity on

the West Anglia line to take advantage of these factors? He's

right to raise these factors, he will know of the important work the

task force has done. Timetabling issues, where I hope you can also

make a contribution, he is right to raise it and we are looking closely

at it. Announcement on the way I hope his constituents will be

reflected in that. When the Blackpool North electrification

scheme faced delays two years ago and the rail minister was a

backbencher, he rightly demanded answers from ministers. There is no

real concern that the election location of the Midland Main line

will be further postponed or even cancelled north of coffee and

Kettering. Will the Minister provide the House with the same clarity that

he sought for his own constituency and give unequivocal assurance that

this manifesto promise will not be broken? We're continuing to work

towards the key outputs that matter most on the part of passengers. I

recognise the importance of this network. My right honourable friend

will work on a cross-party basis to identify the key regional priorities

we want to see reflected in the new franchise and I look forward to

working with her. There is widespread and cross-party support

for ages to in my constituency. We get the East Midlands harbour at

Kempton. There is still concern about the route. Can my right

honourable friend assure constituents that their voices will

be heard on the changes to the route will be made without affecting the

timetable for delivery? I can give that commitment, as a gift to the

honourable gentleman. This will bring huge benefits to the East

Midlands and Yorkshire and the areas around Sheffield. But I want to be

clear, we will be thoughtful and careful in the detail of the route

and the reason of the consultation is it gives us a chance to listen to

those views. You will be aware of the Vauxhall car fire scandal and

last month, 25 people in the House of Commons were affected, they are

aware of traumatised children leading to increased insurance. Will

the ministers agreed to meet with the families of those affected? I am

most aware of this issue. The D B S A is taking action with foxhole to

remedy the situation. I will be happy to meet with the honourable

gentleman and families affected. Can my right honourable friend provide

information as to plans for a new cross Pennine Road link? We have

recently announced plans to deal with the A66. We're awaiting work on

a trans-Pennine tunnel. I give commitment that whether that work is

recommended to go ahead or not, our commitment to delivering

trans-Pennine improvements will not in any way be affected by the

outcome of that study. Order! Business question, Valerie vows.

Could the Leader of the House please give us the forthcoming business?

The business for next week will be as follows, Monday 16th of January,

second reading of the National citizens service Bill, Lordes.

Cheesecake 17th of