Transport Questions House of Commons

debate of the battle of Passchendaele. I will have a

round-up of the day in Parliament tonight, but first, Chris Gayle in

-- Chris Grayling. Questions to be Secretary of State for Transport.

Before I respond, can I welcome the new members of the Labour front

bench and also congratulate the new chair of the transport committee on

her success yesterday. The department has given two schemes the

go-ahead. We are looking at the coast to approve up to you four more

and funding of 30 more schemes will be considered in the future. We

announced the creation of a major road network which will allow a

greater number of road improvement projects to come forward. Details of

that will be consulted upon later this year. Should be read in my

constituency that is used as a film set, should it be opened? And what

would the Department do about it? Having walked the road to nowhere, I

agree that it would be better if they were genuine motorists and not

just those taking part in soap operas. Through the growth fund we

supply funds for schemes like that and it might be eligible for

consideration, depending on connectivity either end. I agree

that it would be better if it was opened to motorists. Dorset is a

wonderful place to live, work and visit, but our roads in Dorset

become congested, especially in the summer months. What assurances can

the Secretary of State give to me and my constituents that major

infrastructure projects in Dorset are a priority for this government?

There are two ways in which I hope we can deliver support. First of all

for those parts of the strategic road network that runs through

Dorsett, high with England is looking at what the next generation

of projects should be. Also the creation of the major road network

and the creation of more bypasses which will play an important role in

counties like Dorset where there is through traffic that the town is not

suited to. The Metro is well past its 35 year

design existence. Is this secretary of state aware of this situation and

can he tell us when he will provide the funds to replace the fleet.

First of all, can I congratulate the honourable gentleman to his

re-election to the backbench committee. I am aware of the issue

and I understand the importance of the Metro and the Newcastle area. My

department is looking carefully at what the best options are for the

future. I understand the need to make change so that the Metro can

continue to serve people. But this Secretary of State commit to

providing a comprehensive package for the South Wales Metro? We are

providing a substantial contribution towards the south Wales Metro and I

have extended an offer to the Welsh government to enable them to take

over the infrastructure so it can run an integrated service. I will

weight with interest to see what they bring forward. Since Crossrail

and the Thames link upgrade work proposed, does he welcomed the fact

that it is a Conservative government that has been behind the completion?

I am excited about Crossrail. It is the biggest engineering project of

its kind in Europe and I hope we can build on that expertise for UK plc

to win contracts internationally. Thames Link when it opens next year

will make a real difference to passengers in the north and South.

Could he tell me what he intends to do about the terrible transport

infrastructure investment between London and the North East resulting

in ?1943 being spent in London. People in North West Durham are

important as well. The balance between regions will depend on what

projects are happening at the time. She will have seen from our

manifesto our commitment to the Northern Powerhouse rell. I am

waiting to recommendations about what form it should take. The other

benefits for her constituency will be new express trains on being

north-east line. Would the Secretary of State meet with me and local

campaigners to get the electrification of the railway in

Wilton on track? I am happy to meet my honourable friend. I recognise

the issue. There is the private sector proposal that I said we will

look at to create BML too. We need to look at what is the best future

for the route and I am happy to meet her. Why doesn't the Secretary of

State for Transport tell his friends that some of these so-called

projects are pie in the sky from a government that has already

committed to spending more than ?80 billion on the HS2 in which there is

going to be to track through Derbyshire. Not one, too. One is

slow track, one a fast track. Why doesn't he get real and understand

there should be a reassessment of HS2. He only has a tiny majority and

believe me there are a lot of people on both sides of this house who are

fed up of the idea of spending money in the far distant future for a when

there's all these projects on the order paper today where they need

action. Mr Speaker, all I can say is I am very surprised that he is

talking about opposing a scheme that will deliver capacity improvements

and Jenny improvements between the great cities of the zero that will

link Birmingham and Manchester, Birmingham and Nottingham,

Birmingham at Sheffield, Birmingham and Leeds and it will make a

difference economically to the areas he represents.

Question number two. My department is working closely with other

departments including the Home Office to ensure that ports,

airports and other transport hubs are prepared for when we leave the

European Union. We do know that Brexit will mean profound challenges

at airports and ports, but there should be a 200% increase for border

security, but we have seen a 15% cut. How can we make sure that we

have passenger safety after Brexit? Our ambition after Brexit is to have

borders that function in as close to the current way as possible. What we

don't want to do is deter tourists and business people from coming into

the country. Having a managed migration system does not mean that

you have two create barriers to tourists. The Secretary of State did

not provide any substance in his answer in terms of the discussion he

is having. EU nationals are processed quickly using scanning

processes. The EU is planning a Visa system for non-EU citizens. What

will be the impact of that when the UK leads the EU? We have discussions

all the time about exit arrangements. We had a committee

meeting to that effect yesterday. It is not our intention or desire to

direct barriers at the Borders. We are investing in automated gates to

speed the flow through our borders and will continue to do things like

that. The open skies agreement is important in reaching airports such

as Prestwick in my constituency. The PM said that she had discussions

about this this week, but can the secretary of state confirm that we

will remain a member of the open skies? I am confident that after we

have left the European Union there will be an open skies agreement with

the United States. I've had discussions with my US counterparts.

There is a desire that arrangements remain as they are at the moment.

Can the Minister clarify that on our leaving the EU we will remain

members of... Obviously the detail that has come out of the

negotiations, we want to collaborate with our European partners on safety

issues, as we want to do with other organisations around the world. I

see nothing to suggest that will change after we have left. Have we

not already seen this government was much shocking acceptance by

condoning the leasing of Qatar airlines. The substitute Chris and

they are not subject to the same space base -- safety standards. All

other airlines that operate in and out of the UK are subject to these

same safety checks. They would not be able to use UK airports if we

were confident they were safe airlines to fly with.

Lord Russell Moyle? Not here. I hope he is all right. We will move on.

Rachel Maclean. Number four, Mr Speaker. Thank you, Mr Speaker. The

government seeks to make cycling and walking the natural choices for

people for short journeys or indeed as part of a longer journey. In

April this year we passed the first ever investment strategy for

England. It sets out plans for increasing cycling and walking and

identifies ?1.2 billion of funding which may be invested until 2021.

Thank you, Mr Speaker. I thank my honourable friend for his remarks.

In my constituency of Redditch there are many foot baths, cut through 's

and small tracks linking green spaces together. They are pleasant

for residents to make use of their leisure time. But they are not

always visible on platforms such as Google maps. We would like to

encourage health and well-being in our constituency. Can he confirm

what discussions he had with technology platforms to make this

more assessable to local residents? I thank the honourable lady for her

questions. I share her delight in these informal pathways of which we

have an enormous number in Herefordshire, as she might imagine.

Local authorities in the first instance are best placed to use

their knowledge and understanding of local networks as well as tourist

agencies and some local map providers. But from my point of view

there have not yet been any discussions with the electronic

mapping services. But I do take the point and have already made plans to

meet with some of them in order to take forward this agenda. Thank you,

Mr Speaker. You will know on the roads every year there are many

cyclists who are killed and injured. In my constituency, we had one

person killed this week and two injured. At the same time we want to

look at the issue of how to improve cycling and we have had discussions,

can I ask what discussions he has had with the health Department to

make sure there is more exercise but at the same time keep safe on the

roads? I recognise the problem he raises. I have personally not had

any discussions of the kind he describes. But the gum is making

significant investment in improving safety for cyclists. -- government.

It also improves cycle facilities and cycle lanes and the like and

that will be the continuous part of a programme in the following years.

Thank you, Mr Speaker. Can he reassure me he is having regular

discussions about promoting cycling and walking networks in new

developments? We have a big opportunity in Taunton Deane now we

have the garden town status. And I know constituents would like to link

up with Saint Luke and fits Warren and if the Minister could help with

some money to unlock that, would he agree to meet with me to discuss it?

Nothing... As a keen cyclist, I look forward to meeting her and

discussing bad. There are plenty of pots of money potentially available.

-- discussing this. We have been discussing this notably on the local

growth fund. Number five, Mr Speaker. I congratulate the

honourable lady on her election to this House. The electoral work is

continuing on the Western mainline. The good news for her constituents

and others in south Wales is the next generation of electric trains

arrive in Cardiff and Swansea this autumn. They will provide more

seats, better journey experiences. It is good news for rail users in

south Wales and the West Country. It has been reported the Secretary of

State is announcing more delays to the great Western mainline

electrification programme. My constituency in Gower are fed up

with the content the Government shows regarding investment. Can the

secretary of state confirmed this is going to happen? -- with the

contempt. We need to make Swansea the gateway to West Wales. I

appreciate the importance of transport to Swansea. That is why I

am doing what her constituents would want, to deliver a better journey

experience not in several years, but this autumn. We will have a new

generation trains providing much better journeys into London, exactly

the kind of service her constituents would want and I hope she will be

there to see it and realise what a difference we are going to make to

rail journeys in south Wales and elsewhere. Can I congratulate the

Secretary of State on a moving ahead with the electrification of the

railway line into south Wales and through Swansea? I can remind him a

Conservative Secretary of State announced the electrification of the

railway as far as Swansea and the Labour Party opposite did not

electrify a single inch of the rail lines in Wales to improve the Welsh

economy. If I remember rightly in 13 years they electrified only ten

miles. The important thing is we have got to make sure first and

foremost we are delivering better journeys for passengers. I am

pleased the changes this autumn mean you trains arrive in Swansea and

other parts of south Wales with an immediate improvement in journeys

for passengers. That is what we really want. Thank you, Mr Speaker.

We make the most of the benefits in south Wales, but we need new

stations to make the best of their capacity on the line. With the

Secretary of State agreed the proposal in the east of Cardiff is a

good proposal, backed by the private sector, across parties, the Welsh

government and Cardiff Council? When can we expect a decision on the new

station 's fund? It is an interesting proposal. It does not

need quite the same approval a station seeking public funding would

need. I'm happy for the project to go ahead. The real issue is about

making sure it can work with timetables so trains tan stop and

services can work. Private sector funding projects, I see no reason

why any of us would do anything else other than want to support it is

practical to do it. Number six, Mr Speaker. The Minister of State at

the Department of transport, Minister. It is always a delight to

fall under your gaze. The industrial strategy Green paper set out the

Government commitments to take account of the balance of spending

per head on infrastructure between different regions. The honourable

lady will be familiar with the transport and investment strategy,

published only last week. Which sets out the Government's priorities for

investment, supporting growth right across the country. In future I can

assure her that how projects contribute to a more balanced

economy will be measured and valued in a way that it has never been

before. Diana Johnson. We know London gets ten times the investment

Yorkshire and the Humber does. And while crossrail two has already been

earmarked for ?27 billion, the rail electrification into how has been

scrapped by transport ministers. The A63 upgrade has been delayed. --

into Harle. The Chamber of Commerce said it is concerned about the

downgrading to trans-Pennine 's. We pay our taxes and higher train

fares, so when do we actually get a fair deal for investment in

transport? Mr Speaker, I thought the honourable lady was on typically

churlish, because the Government has committed to regional growth. -- not

typically churlish. Supporting growth and jobs across the country.

That includes the 15 billion committed in the first investment

strategy. She knows these are schemes across the country. South,

east, west and north. But she is right. Let me find common ground.

She is right that her part of the country deserves its place in the

sun. Which is why we must rebalance our investment to reflect local

needs just like hers. Mr Philip Davies. Bradford is one of the

biggest cities in the country and in the last Parliament the Government

was supportive Bradford being a stop on the Northern Powerhouse rail.

Will they make sure the investment is provided to make sure Bradford is

a stop on Northern Powerhouse rail? As he will know, ye has made this

point before, and I know he is championing the interest people in

this regard in Bradford, we are waiting for proposals for transport

for the North. I have no doubt they are ones to which he will probably

contribute. He will make his case to them. We will consider them. I fully

understand the strength of his argument. Heidi Alexander. I do not

dispute the need for investment in transport infrastructure across the

country but the fact remains promised investment in London, for

example extra carriages on south-eastern services, have not yet

materialised. The rail minister on the 30th of March said it would be

happening very soon will stop can we have an update? The rail minister

has made it a priority. And when the Minister makes it a priority it gets

done. Martin Vickers. Thank you, Mr Speaker. He spoke about places in

the sun a minute ago. I am sure he thought Cleethorpes. One of the

urgent priorities is to resurface the A180, removing the concrete

surfaces. Does the Department have any plans to help with that project?

Since he did not answer question three, maybe he could develop the

role of apprentices in major schemes. I am always willing... I

was pleased to visit his constituency and unveil the new road

built there. Part of the strategy. He is right that there is a

challenge associated with the road surface nearby. I did consider it at

the time. The secretary of State has asked to look in greater detail. I

can assure him making sure roads are fit for purpose as well as investing

in new roads is at the heart of all we do. Very grateful to the right

Honourable gentleman. Rachel Maskell. These -- the east coast

main line between London and the North needs infrastructure

investments to end the disruption caused by antique overhead power

line failures. How much does he expect virgin East Coast contribute?

The East Coast Mainline is the line I use regularly. I am very familiar

with the quality of that service. She will know the new express trains

we are using on that mainline by the end of 2018 will offer more

capacity, reduced journey times and more reliable services. Rachel

Maskell. Not only does he not answer the question but he does not know

the amount of the operator has to contribute. But he is digging into

the back pocket of taxpayers to bail out the stagecoach virgin consortium

when two years ago the Government took East Coast out public after

returning ?1 billion to the Treasury. Maybe the minister can

tell us this... How much will be virgin East Coast contract. The

taxpayer? Does he not draw the same conclusion as these benches, that as

you pay for private and make savings from public rail, only a publicly

owned rail can operate in the public interest? My goodness, Mr Speaker.

It is like a journey to a past that never happened. I remember when one

British rail's last and most poignant slogans was, we are getting

there. Getting there is a fundamental requirement of any

journey. Could there be a less ambitious objective than merely

getting there? That is what nationalised railways were like. We

all remember them. They were a disaster. And the cost of

renationalising the railways in the way she recommends would be at least

?19 billion. The ?19 billion the honourable gentleman from Bolsover

would like to spend on all these other schemes. Neither Yates nor

Samuel Taylor Coleridge featured in the answer provided by the

honourable gentleman. Sir Nicholas Soames. I am also going to try to

keep Coleridge at this answer if I may. Mid Sussex will benefit from

the investment of over ?100 billion on local road maintenance and

small-scale transport schemes in West Sussex and the council up to

2021. The county banisters from access to ?304 million of funding in

the same period. -- benefits. Secured from the partnership. Mr

Speaker, Mid Sussex is very much looking forward to his visit in

early September to see these very serious problems we have on the

roads. Will my honourable friend agree that it is rotten government

to go on in pushing housing into constituents like Mid Sussex without

putting the investment in the infrastructure there in the first

place? It is not a matter for the county council but Mid Sussex

district Council, which cannot go on accepting this volume of

house-building without a significant investment in these major

bottlenecks on the road. My right honourable friend has made

his point eloquently. The network we have now is specifically designed to

be part of a wider strategy whose purpose is to provide the

infrastructure that new housing developments require that should be

part the solution for any of these schemes. This question has been

narrowly confined to Mid Sussex, from which the right honourable's

gentleman constituency is a way away. If he is going to focus on Mid

Sussex, we will hear him. Will be Minister accept that the

improvements to be road system to East Sussex... Mid Sussex would be

considerably improved if they could divert money from the ever deepening

bottomless pit of HS2 and therefore enable those projects to move

forward much more quickly? Can I join the member for Bolsover for

calling for a reassessment of this increasingly troubled scheme? Mr

Speaker, it is a mark of your grace that you are able to allow the

honourable gentleman to proceed with the question so evidently unrelated

to the issue. So much so that he wasn't able to make it to the name

of the constituency or area concerned. The answer to his

question, if I may dignify it with an answer is that there will be

plenty of investment. Generosity is my middle name. Minister Paul

Maynard. I will take this with number 14. Passengers are frustrated

about the lack of information they get when purchasing tickets. I have

been working with the industry, regulators and consumer groups

regarding fares and ticketing. We are getting on with delivering the

many proposals contained were in. If rail franchises do not adopt a more

transparent ticketing system, government should step in major

passengers are offered the best value for money? The ticketing is

essential to funding the day-to-day running of the railway. Passengers

should be listened to. Southend has two train lines and multiple

stations within the southern boundary. Wouldn't it be simpler if

the same ticket could be used on both lines? It would be good for

residents and visitors and will clear things up for visitors,

allowing them to do journeys into Southend and pop in somewhere else

on the way back to London. I agree that... The growth in smart

ticketing, the various ticket medias enhance the possibility for

passengers to have the flexibility he refers to. Welcome to make the

vision a bigger reality with technological changes. The ticketing

information passengers are most interested in is the price. Since

2014 commuter rail the increases have been capped at RPI, but in an

answer to me yesterday the rail minister said that fares policy is

under review. Next month is not inflation figures will determine the

capital of January 2018 and if the department reverts to the old

formula, tickets could rise by up to 5%. But the secretary of state

announces his plans next week, will he pledge that the improvements

passengers need will come at a price they can afford? She is starting to

prognosticate about what may or may not happen in the future. We will

not be raising theirs in the way she has talked about. We are always

putting passengers burst. She should not read more into things than is

actually there. Thank you again, Mr Speaker. The eight... Network Rail

are confident work will begin and finish as scheduled. We are in

regular contact with Network Rail in regard to this work. The Northampton

Road railway bridge is located next to the busiest road junction in

Kettering town centre. It will cause major disruption to the town. Can

the Minister tell us whether he is going to instate the half hourly

trains that will go over the new franchise? I have heard his

observations and views on the extra services from Kettering. We will be

launching our consultation soon and we will be thinking about what we do

next on that franchise. Thank you Mr Speaker. The low Carbon trial which

run to 2016 provided over ?11 million to support industry led

trials, alternative fuels, the majority of which use liquefied gas.

I thank the Minister for that answer and the company based in my

constituency produced the first refuelling station which limits the

release of methane into the atmosphere with significant cost

reductions at the process. This is seen as an alternative to diesel for

large HGVs. The forward the Minister commit to meeting with me, the

company and other partners in this project to discuss this matter

further. The short answer is yes, but I don't want to give a short

answer, so let me say this. In her constituency there is a Nissan plant

which I have visited. My visits to her constituency have been too few.

I will meet her and I will meet the company she describes to see what

more we can do. It's obvious the honourable lady is in a state of

overwhelming excitement. So will the people of her constituency when they

realise that they will be privileged with a visit from the right

honourable gentleman, particularly by those who know him. Karen Smith.

Especially, if I say, Mr Speaker, if there is an unveiling to go with it.

I salute the honourable member for the work she has done to raise the

issue of toad trailer safety following the tragic death of

Freddie Hussey. I look forward to meeting with her to discuss the

matter further on the 19th of July. Devious they led a campaign about

safety checks when towing trailers. There are plans to relaunch the

campaign this summer. The government has consulted about the law relating

to causing death by careless and dangerous driving and I look forward

to discussing all these issues would I meet with her. I look forward to

our meeting and I am grateful to the work of his predecessor, as are my

constituents whose son was killed by a loose trailer. Will he offer his

support to a new safety initiative which will see member organisations

across the country offering free towing safety checks to members of

the public? I am delighted the honourable lady has raised this

important initiative in the house and that the national trailer towing

has established a scheme so that people can go to one of the

participating service centres and get a provisional report an

inspection on the trailers. This will assist trailer owners to have

any identified defects rectified. I welcome the initiative and I welcome

the fact that they and other organisations are working closely

with government. Question number 13. We are transforming rail travel for

passengers across the North of England. We are progressing

priorities for investment in new stations and upgraded

infrastructure. I would like to impress upon the Minister the

urgency in getting the mid Cheshire rail link and the airport Western

Link. Populations are expanding, businesses are increasing, there

were tens of thousands of new homes. They cannot be catered for on the

local roads and HS2 will be an answer. But the Minister meet with

me and the mid Cheshire railway users Association? Firstly, can I

welcome her back to a place in this house. I'm all too of reopening the

line to meadow which. I am happy to meet with her and local campaigners.

All local transport authorities need to support projects and I'm sure

that we can work together to make this a reality. There has been a

great deal bid which includes rail improvements which the Chancellor

indicated in his budget would get some support. The Minister indicate

whether there has been any money put to the Department for Transport to

increase and improve the links between crew-macro and North Wales.

-- said two. We are looking out what passengers want in terms of

increased capacity. We are looking forward to doing more work and it

should benefit Cheshire and North Wales. ?1 is spent per person on the

transport infrastructure in cash and the Northwest for every ?7 spent in

London and the South is. Can we have our extra ?6 per person which will

help growth and jobs in the Northwest. We are looking to make

sure we balance our investment across the country. We have looked

carefully at the relevant regional transport figures and what they do

and don't tell us. We could have a lengthy answer that would displease

the speaker -- Mr Speaker. Number 15. Minister of State. My department

are in discussion with Nexus and Tyne Wear Metro regarding the

proposals. The honourable gentleman is a dedicated member, but he

represents a constituency in Sussex. Well done. Very well done. Minister

Jessye Norman. We have got there, Mr Speaker. The ?15 billion road

investment strategy published in 2014 and now is the scheme to

improve the lancing to Worthing section of a 27. A public

consultation will run from the 19th of July to the top of September 20

17. For the 19th of July the highways England website for the

scheme will have key information about the proposals with supporting

information. I am sorry to see the Minister took the wrong turning. I

am pleased to see we have a timetable since I posed this

question. The Minister knows how vital upgrading the 827 is to the

home of West Sussex, but there are concerns that the ?80 million

dedicated to the Worthing lancing section will be inadequate in

comparison to the ?250 million to bypass Aaron door that has only 5000

people. If the consultation shows it is not satisfactory, will he

consider looking at the more expensive option? We recognise that

a 27 is an important corridor across the south coast and we will look

very closely at any further proposals he wishes to make.

Just because the king of Spain visit yesterday and the honourable

gentleman felt it necessary to show off his language skills on that

occasion, there is no need to do so again. We have all seen what

unedifying spectacle it was. Having all three taken part in business

questions you will not be totally surprised by that contribution, I am

sure. Can I on a serious note paid tribute to the offices of the

British Transport Police and the start of Northern Rail for the way

in which they responded to the bomb attack in Manchester? The rail staff

in particular, whose job description this is not in any way part of,

responded heroically and they deserve our thanks. I thought you

might have picked something up from the Queen of Spain yesterday. I

wholly concur... Some Spanish. I concur with what the minister said

about the staff in Manchester. When the season of fruitfulness is upon

us, can I urge to the Rhondda tunnel, which would be a magnificent

tunnel, open to the public for cyclists to go through and a great

tourist attraction, if only his department were handed over to the

local charity and it gave it ?250,000, as well. I know relations

between the honourable gentleman and the Labour Party in south Wales

sometimes can be slightly strained. But I'm sure he will use his

influence on the Welsh government, to whom we have extended the offer

to give the tunnel, and they have not responded. I am waiting for

their response. Maybe he could encourage them to give us a

response. Can I ask them to sit down with the west Yorkshire combined

authority to make sure the Shipley Eastern bypass, badly needed in my

constituency and by the local economy is delivered and neither can

blame each other for lack of progress? I regularly meets the

combined authority and will happily discuss that issue with them. The

creation of the major roads network, the bypass fund, I hope means in

future we can unlock schemes which will make a difference to towns like

Shipley and others around the country. Andy McDonald. Two weeks

ago today the High Court gave the Secretary of State 14 days to decide

about Southern Rail claims that its appalling service was not their

fault but all down to industrial action. With a record fine imposed

today, this nonsense has been blown out of the water by months of the

Secretary of State and his ministers coming to the dispatch box and

blaming the unions. They has to come clean and accept Southern Rail is

not fit for purpose. Does he not accept continuing to tolerate such

ineptitude, expecting a rail service to rely on worker overtime and

compromising safety simply will not wash any longer and he has to call

time on GTR? He is clearly still not read the judgment of two weeks ago

which we have actually won. For months I have said the problems of

this railway are not purely down to industrial action. I am also very

clear, and so was the report, that the prime responsibility for the

trouble on the network in the last months have come from trade unions

fighting the battles of 30 years ago and they still get support from the

Labour Party. In reality the Labour Party and the unions are colluding

to bring trouble to passengers and should stop. Can I say the second

question must be shorter. And the right of the front bench to come in

on topical questions is not sacrosanct. I have to cater to

backbench members. If front bench members take too long I might

reconsider the entitlement of front bench members to come in,

trespassing on backbench time. Please, be brief. A sentence.

Missing appendix nine from the report, can we see it and can the

Minister tell us which claims the accents and those he rejects?

Secretary of State. -- accents. It has been for partial normal

performance of contracts and I have not yet sought to do anything

otherwise. This afternoon we are expecting the result of a ballot for

more strike action for a 23.8% pay rise and a deal already accepted by

the union on the same routes for the same company. This is able to clean

motivated set of threats of action and it should stop the Labour Party

should stop supporting it. For the first time in 45 years there is a

commercial rail service between Swanage and Wareham in my

constituency thanks to the dedication and hard work of

volunteers and members of the Swanage Railway. What assurance can

he give he will support the rail heritage and ensure this trial

becomes a permanent success? I am pleased to hear of what is happening

on the Swanage Railway. I have met with rail heritage. Always pleased

to hear reports of where heritage rail can work with mainline

operators. It has to be done safely. I agree with that. Whether we look

to build a more franchise agreements, whether we can bring

that in hand schemes we can then support. Last June 's ambitious

plans were published to expand the Tyne Wear Metro. Including

expanding it to Washington in my constituency. Will the Minister

assure me and my constituency they will act to upgrade this now

crumbling 37-year-old network and make sure the proposed extension

such as to Washington goes ahead? The honourable lady will know the

Government invested a great deal in the mess/ as it rightfully shirt.

Part of that is about improving stations, ticketing and rolling

stock. -- Metro, as it should. I understand her concern about the

extension of the Metro. When I come to her constituency, maybe she can

articulate that among the other things we should doubtless discuss.

Clearing traffic and air pollution are the public health concerns for

those living and working in my constituency. Under this government

is the local economy continues growing and thriving. But it does

affect the maritime industry may be most likely in Hamble Lane were

queueing on that plane is a real problem. Can he outline the

commitment to fund bypasses in my constituency to tackle air

pollution? I think it was Hegel that said nothing worthwhile was a treat

with that passion. She is a passionate advocate of this scheme.

I know it is important to her constituency and it is important for

the port which she was also a champion. We will look at it closely

because we know is vital to make our maritime future as glorious as our

maritime past. Mary Glindon. Can the Minister say whether the new rolling

stock for mercy travel, HS2 and crossrail will be with private or

public finance and why this is the case? There has been a long

tradition in this country under the governance of both sides of a

railway where we lease trains from the private sector. They have

equally been occasions as to the procurement of railway carriages for

the East Coast Main line and the great Western mainline whether

government has stepped in and taken the decision itself. We will look at

what is available for those schemes. For mercy travel, she will have to

talk to the Labour-controlled Mersey Council. -- Murcia travel. We are

obliged to him for dropping in on us. With Southend airport booming

there are opportunities for associated businesses around the

expanding airport. Will the Secretary of State agreed to look at

how we can use expanding business around successful regional airports?

Making sure regional airports are successful is really important. We

both visited Southend some years ago. I'm impressed by what the

airport achieved and how it can drive growth in the area. That

applies across the whole country. That is one of the reasons why

expansion of Heathrow and regional airports is so important. That is

why I hope together to make sure that Southend flourishes, as well.

Hardly any flowery words from the Government benches about

understanding the experience in the north-east, forced to use crumbling

rolling stock on Tyne Wear Metro. Flowery words will not get them to

work on time unless they are matched by investment. Will he now committed

to investing from the public purse in our rolling stock? The honourable

lady should know that investment is of course central to what we want to

achieve. We are investing 317 million through a renewal programme.

We are undertaking a major programme of structure renewal, refurbishing

most of the vehicles, modernising 45 stations, introducing smart

ticketing. What is not to like about that? We come now to Vicky Ford.

Chelmsford is one of the busiest commuter stations in the country.

But Chelmsford commuters had experienced frequent and significant

delays. Can the Minister provide an update on what actions are being

taken to counter the delays? I'm sorry to hear of the delays

experienced by her constituents the very hot weather does impact

reliability. Speed restrictions to protect overhead equipment. I have

met with the industry this week to discuss what lessons can be learned

about repeated periods of hot weather and how we can best protect

infrastructure. I hope the decisions they move on to take improve

reliability. When the Chancellor came to Bristol in May, he refused

to confirm whether electrification of the great Western line into the

city centre would go ahead. Transport Secretary confirm, has it

been deferred as we were told last year -- has it been ditched? I said

earlier we are focused on delivering the service improvement right now.

--? Has it been ditched? There is no secret this project did not go as

well as expected. From this autumn there will be brand-new trains, more

capacity, better service, six trains one out from Bristol into London.

This is really good news for her constituency. Another of my

constituents are very concerned about the high-speed two and the

impact upon them. Especially residents in Aisling who saw me in a

surgery last week. I will not go through every point they raised with

me then but I wonder if the Minister could meet with me to go through

every concern they have. We need to discuss that, I will be more than

happy to discuss that and the HS2 issues about the movement through

her constituency. More than happy to agree to that. When the Conservative

manifesto was published there was no mention of crossrail two. Can the

Minister tell us if it was by accident or design? When does he

plan to make a decision on the business case? Firstly I absolutely

support the need for the capacity improvements crossrail two will

bring to London and outside. Where are working our way through the

business case. I do not think it is any secret that the funding package

has not quite lived up to initial promise. But I want this to work. We

will do everything we can to make it work. Would my honourable friend

agree that in my constituency, part of a world Heritage site, is a great

place to live, apart from the traffic? And we look at a bypass and

a new cycle way to go right up the valley cycle route? Of course we

cannot only look at it but we will be delighted to receive an

application from bypass and I look forward to cycling that section of

the Derwent Valley when I come and visit on future occasions. The

Transport Secretary will outline his plans for rail investment in the

coming days. There is real concern the promised electrification of the

Midland Mainline, the best business case, will be delayed again, or

completely dropped. Keeping promises are important. Will the Minister

Keith Vaz? The promise I will be keeping is the service people want.

-- Will the Minister keep their promises? The capacity improvements

which are needed to make this route fit for purpose is one which will be

done and one for the next century. Will he congratulate the taxi firm

in Saint Austell who have recently replaced all 14 vehicles with

electric vehicles and are being hailed as the greenest taxi company

in the country? Does he agree more companies should follow their

example? Indeed, I was able to visit the new factory in Coventry building

electric London cabs. The future is certainly for low emission vehicles.

That apply to vehicles we might own and also hybrid vehicles and taxis

and I support what he has suggested. Order. Business questions. Valerie

Vaz. Can the leader of the House gave us the forthcoming business?

The leader of the House. Andrea Leadsom. Thank you, Mr Speaker. The

business for next week will be Monday the 17th of July, motion to

approve the statutory instrument relating to international immunity

and privilege, followed by a general debate on the abuse and intimidation

of candidates and the public in the general election campaign.

Thursday the 20th of July a motion relating to the appointment of the

new Parliamentary Commissioner for standards followed by a general

debate on matters to be