0:00:00 > 0:00:00and will be a debate remark were pockmarked and stay. Don't forget to
0:00:00 > 0:00:04join me for a round-up at 11p tonight but first, questions to
0:00:04 > 0:00:07Chris Grayling and his team of ministers.
0:00:14 > 0:00:23Order! Order! Questions to the Secretary of State for transport.
0:00:23 > 0:00:28Question number one.The Secretary of State for transport, secretary
0:00:28 > 0:00:32Chris Grayling. No, we don't allocate funding on a per head of
0:00:32 > 0:00:36population bases. We ensure spending goes where it is most needed and
0:00:36 > 0:00:42delivers greatest value for money. You may be interested to know that
0:00:42 > 0:00:45recent evaluations showed that planned central government transport
0:00:45 > 0:00:49investment over the next few years is equally balanced with 1039 pounds
0:00:49 > 0:00:56of planned spending per head in the North compared with £1029 in the
0:00:56 > 0:00:59South.May I take this opportunity to thank all of those who are
0:00:59 > 0:01:04involved in keeping our transport system is going in this inclement
0:01:04 > 0:01:09weather. I am sure fellow Yorkshire MPs would share my surprise at the
0:01:09 > 0:01:11Secretary of State's recent Yorkshire post article saying
0:01:11 > 0:01:17spending in the North was somehow greater in the north than the South.
0:01:17 > 0:01:21Does he agree with me that spinning figures simply won't fix our archaic
0:01:21 > 0:01:29Northern Rail way systems all get Northern commuters to work on time?
0:01:29 > 0:01:32Chibok I echo the comments about those working hard to keep transport
0:01:32 > 0:01:36system open today. We are very grateful to all of them. What I
0:01:36 > 0:01:39would say in a week when the Labour Party has already had issues with
0:01:39 > 0:01:44the use of statistics, she should look at the official statistics from
0:01:44 > 0:01:47the independent infrastructure authority which show that government
0:01:47 > 0:01:53spending is higher in the north van in the South.I'm sure we could
0:01:53 > 0:01:57spend more government money on transport in the East Midlands,
0:01:57 > 0:02:02particularly Northamptonshire and especially Kettering. The Midland
0:02:02 > 0:02:05mainline's new franchises being negotiated at the moment. Would the
0:02:05 > 0:02:09gentleman make sure that Kettering's rail services are better after that
0:02:09 > 0:02:16franchises ordered now?He is a strong champion for Kettering. He
0:02:16 > 0:02:19will be delighted that with the expansion of capacity to Corby it
0:02:19 > 0:02:22means there will be a much better commuter service in the mornings and
0:02:22 > 0:02:27evenings through Corby down to Kettering and beyond. This is one of
0:02:27 > 0:02:31the benefits that is coming from the biggest investment in the Midland
0:02:31 > 0:02:42mainline since the 1870s.Just to give the Secretary of State example
0:02:42 > 0:02:48of equal treatment, when they rail franchise comes to the new franchise
0:02:48 > 0:02:52in 2020, is it true that because the current carriages on HST are
0:02:52 > 0:02:56disability noncompliant they will be scrapped, the power cars will be
0:02:56 > 0:03:00kept and put together with second-hand cast of characters from
0:03:00 > 0:03:06the east Coast line? So instead of a brand-new hybrid hype whoa train we
0:03:06 > 0:03:12were promised we are going to get hybrid trains with 30-year-old para
0:03:12 > 0:03:17cars and 30-year-old discarded carriages from another line?The
0:03:17 > 0:03:21Midland mainline is going to have brand-new trains delivered as soon
0:03:21 > 0:03:25as we possibly can in the early 20 20s, years ahead of what would
0:03:25 > 0:03:32otherwise have been the case on the original scheme.Within the context
0:03:32 > 0:03:37of the idea of equity spending, I wonder if my right honourable
0:03:37 > 0:03:41friend, after this snow event is over, would ask some serious
0:03:41 > 0:03:45questions or even review why it is that when we have an event like this
0:03:45 > 0:03:51we are still not in any way, in some cases, prepared? I discovered in
0:03:51 > 0:03:55some cases that Heathrow is busy off-loading flights because they
0:03:55 > 0:04:03can't cope with it, whereas... It is regional flights. What I am saying
0:04:03 > 0:04:07to my honourable friend is, given all of that, places like Gatwick and
0:04:07 > 0:04:12other airports are able to cope. Does he not think it is ridiculous
0:04:12 > 0:04:15that in some airports they are simply unable to cope and others in
0:04:15 > 0:04:20the UK can?Of course I know a number of members are here today
0:04:20 > 0:04:28because flights to regional airports have been not able to go and I
0:04:28 > 0:04:31expect us to be able to sort that out today as quickly as possible,
0:04:31 > 0:04:34though it is really important the transport system is run safely. One
0:04:34 > 0:04:39of the benefits of the expansion of Heathrow airport is that that
0:04:39 > 0:04:42airport will become more resilient to difficult situations like that
0:04:42 > 0:04:49whoa this week and connections will be more reliable.I pay tribute to
0:04:49 > 0:04:53transport workers giving the system going. In his opening comments the
0:04:53 > 0:04:57Secretary of State said allocation of funding was a fair process so can
0:04:57 > 0:05:04he explain why his Government has ignored recommendations to fund
0:05:04 > 0:05:09Scotland £6 million and yet since then, there has been a £250 billion
0:05:09 > 0:05:17loss of revenue for southern rail and found a £250 million for HS2?
0:05:17 > 0:05:21His Government has been ignoring the Scottish Government since July this
0:05:21 > 0:05:25year so will he meet the Scottish government, as there needs to be
0:05:25 > 0:05:30equity funding?Once again the SNP is arguing against the use of the
0:05:30 > 0:05:32Barnett Formula. They love the Barnett Formula when it is
0:05:32 > 0:05:36advantageous to them but when they don't like it they want to get rid
0:05:36 > 0:05:39of it. Eyes and they say to them, this Government has followed the
0:05:39 > 0:05:42principles of the Barnett Formula but the Treasury has given Scotland
0:05:42 > 0:05:46a bit more money above that so I wish they would stop complaining.
0:05:46 > 0:05:51The reality is that Scotland is now better represented with a group of
0:05:51 > 0:06:02Conservative MPs who are much more effective than this MP ever was.Mr
0:06:02 > 0:06:06Speaker, Secretary of State's acceptance of the Hendy review 2016
0:06:06 > 0:06:10recognised necessary changes to the Scoble great Western education and
0:06:10 > 0:06:13following completion of the feasibility assessment of the line
0:06:13 > 0:06:17between Reading and Basingstoke that has been identified that
0:06:17 > 0:06:19electrification of that section is not required to deliver improvements
0:06:19 > 0:06:24to passengers.Given my honourable friend's commendable plan to scrap
0:06:24 > 0:06:31all diesel only trains from our tracks by 2040, would he extend whoa
0:06:31 > 0:06:35consider extending cross wail to Reading and Basingstoke as an
0:06:35 > 0:06:40alternative to improve capacity into London from Northampton?The
0:06:40 > 0:06:43department always welcomes suggestions from my honourable
0:06:43 > 0:06:46friend. There are no current plans to extend the crossrail route and no
0:06:46 > 0:06:49assessment has yet been made of the amount or availability of any such
0:06:49 > 0:07:03scheme.Question three.Thank you. We have ambitious plans to
0:07:03 > 0:07:06transport emissions, including ending the sale of new conventional
0:07:06 > 0:07:13petrol diesel cars and vans on the use of diesel only trains.
0:07:13 > 0:07:21Greenhouse gas emissions will be reduced. Action to tackle hotspots
0:07:21 > 0:07:27is being taken. We will be launching a zero emissions transport paper and
0:07:27 > 0:07:34the House can view that.Can I thank the Minister for that reply? He will
0:07:34 > 0:07:39know that 24% of emissions are transport related. You will know
0:07:39 > 0:07:43there are hotspots across the country, including in my own
0:07:43 > 0:07:46constituency, and thousands of people die prematurely as a result
0:07:46 > 0:07:52of poor air quality, including 61 in my own constituency in Gedling. How
0:07:52 > 0:07:55does he intend to accelerate the progress he has outlined to us and
0:07:55 > 0:08:01the policy development in Parliament?We absolutely recognise
0:08:01 > 0:08:10the issues he raises and I think he will know that we will work very
0:08:10 > 0:08:12closely with the department for environment and rural affairs on
0:08:12 > 0:08:15this issue. Our specific plans on transport emissions will be released
0:08:15 > 0:08:27in our report this month.Can the Minister assure the House that
0:08:27 > 0:08:34emissions, as far as the department is concerned, refers to both carbon
0:08:34 > 0:08:37and air quality emissions in terms of nitrogen dioxide and small
0:08:37 > 0:08:42particulate matter and that that is fully addressed together in the
0:08:42 > 0:08:47department?Yes, I can absolutely give him that assurance. Defra is
0:08:47 > 0:08:52the lead agency within government on this but the work... Only on Monday,
0:08:52 > 0:08:57in fact, we put on the statute book the renewable transport fuel
0:08:57 > 0:08:59obligation which specifically balances the two sides of that
0:08:59 > 0:09:07equation.Oxford is proud to call itself a cycling city, yet last week
0:09:07 > 0:09:11it was identified in the High Court ruling on air pollution as one of
0:09:11 > 0:09:15the 45 cities the Government needs to do more to help. Will pay more
0:09:15 > 0:09:20money be to Oxford to help us make that modal shift?I'm sure she will
0:09:20 > 0:09:24be aware that substantial amounts of money have been put aside already to
0:09:24 > 0:09:29help local authorities affected by air quality problems and it is up to
0:09:29 > 0:09:34Oxford to apply for that money when it becomes available.I do drive an
0:09:34 > 0:09:39electric car but many people do not. A northern powerhouse rail would
0:09:39 > 0:09:43take many cars off the road. The all-party group on the northern
0:09:43 > 0:09:47powerhouses calling for the project for northern powerhouse rail to be
0:09:47 > 0:09:51brought forward to coincide with the completion of HS2 in 2032. With the
0:09:51 > 0:09:57Minister support that proposal? Two is what I am always grateful for
0:09:57 > 0:09:59invitations to support proposals. I will leave that to the specific
0:09:59 > 0:10:10ministers concerned but he will be aware it is a manifesto commitment.
0:10:10 > 0:10:14I am not sure I see any merits in the early termination of the Virgin
0:10:14 > 0:10:18Trains East Coast franchise and it is not something I would like to
0:10:18 > 0:10:22happen but you have to deal with the world that is, not as you would like
0:10:22 > 0:10:26be. My priority is to ensure the continued smooth running of the East
0:10:26 > 0:10:30Coast franchise first partners and employees to make sure the trains
0:10:30 > 0:10:33run and deliver the services people need. A new arrangement to operate
0:10:33 > 0:10:36this railway prior to the east coast partnership in 2020 needs to be put
0:10:36 > 0:10:40in place. We are currently conducting a full appraisal of the
0:10:40 > 0:10:44options I will return to the House in due course.Illuminating
0:10:44 > 0:10:50information but I think the secretary's first priority before
0:10:50 > 0:10:58that is to seek to group the question with others.I am very
0:10:58 > 0:11:01grateful. I am afraid to say that server standards have deteriorated
0:11:01 > 0:11:09on virgin stagecoach East coach. I am a regular customer on that line
0:11:09 > 0:11:12and that is despite the best efforts of the excellent staff on board
0:11:12 > 0:11:19trains and its stations. But those staff are now facing their sixth
0:11:19 > 0:11:24employer in a decade and a half. Will he meet me and some of those
0:11:24 > 0:11:29staff so they can express their concerns about the way in which the
0:11:29 > 0:11:31franchise has been conducted, and will he give the House an
0:11:31 > 0:11:34undertaking that there is a genuine public sector operator ready to take
0:11:34 > 0:11:40over should it be required, or has Directly Operated Railways And been
0:11:40 > 0:11:44outsourced already?
0:11:44 > 0:11:48I can give a guarantee that has been the case, we have been making
0:11:48 > 0:11:52preparations for some considerable time, there is a genuine alternative
0:11:52 > 0:11:55Fitbit is deemed best for the passenger and best value for the
0:11:55 > 0:12:01taxpayer. I and my colleagues are happy to talk to staff but I would
0:12:01 > 0:12:04correct one point, the reality is that the independent assessments of
0:12:04 > 0:12:08passenger satisfaction that would have shown a higher level of
0:12:08 > 0:12:11passenger satisfaction since the change of franchise, not a lower
0:12:11 > 0:12:19one.I would like to say a huge thank you to the staff involved in
0:12:19 > 0:12:24keeping the trains running. As has been said, the current Virgin Trains
0:12:24 > 0:12:27East Coast mainline franchise agreement will end three years early
0:12:27 > 0:12:31making it the third franchise failure in around a decade, and I
0:12:31 > 0:12:34wonder, as well as the people who use the line, I don't agree with
0:12:34 > 0:12:38your assessment, but will the Secretary of State recognise that
0:12:38 > 0:12:42there is a problem and see this as the perfect opportunity to bring
0:12:42 > 0:12:47those contracts back in-house?As I have said in his house before, I
0:12:47 > 0:12:51need to do what is best for passengers and the taxpayer. The
0:12:51 > 0:12:55reality is that since the transition, regardless of the fact
0:12:55 > 0:12:59that Stagecoach got their numbers wrong, passenger satisfaction has
0:12:59 > 0:13:02risen, more people are employed by the railway and it delivers more
0:13:02 > 0:13:06body to the taxpayer. That is the reality, they can say it is not
0:13:06 > 0:13:16true, it is true and it is a fact they have to deal with.I can assure
0:13:16 > 0:13:20the Minister and Secretary of State that my constituency, after three
0:13:20 > 0:13:23failed franchisees and the experience of a directly operated
0:13:23 > 0:13:26railway, or would much prefer the directly operated railway. With the
0:13:26 > 0:13:35Minister commit to eight directly operated railway service?I have
0:13:35 > 0:13:38said I will do what is best for the passenger and the taxpayer. Their
0:13:38 > 0:13:42party do not seem to get this. The reality is that passenger
0:13:42 > 0:13:46satisfaction levels are higher today than three years ago, that is what
0:13:46 > 0:13:52independent research shows.They may not like it but it is true. Next
0:13:52 > 0:13:56year Bradford will have seen a marked increase in the number of
0:13:56 > 0:13:59much-needed direct intercity trains serving the city but the chaos with
0:13:59 > 0:14:06the East Coast line has put this in trouble. Connection to the rest of
0:14:06 > 0:14:10the country is vital so will the Minister ensure that whatever
0:14:10 > 0:14:14happens to the east Coast franchise, Bradford will see an increase in the
0:14:14 > 0:14:18number of direct trains?It is an important point. Let's be clear, it
0:14:18 > 0:14:21is my contention that whatever arrangements are put in place for
0:14:21 > 0:14:25the next three years, the service improvements that have been promised
0:14:25 > 0:14:29will be delivered. There is an issue in relation to infrastructure and
0:14:29 > 0:14:32additional capacities of the northern part of the route which
0:14:32 > 0:14:36will have to be resolved and then maybe amendments to the timetables
0:14:36 > 0:14:40but it will not stop is delivering the services. In the case of
0:14:40 > 0:14:46Bradford I expect to fulfil the commitments made.I would agree that
0:14:46 > 0:14:50there are no merits from the early termination of the franchise but
0:14:50 > 0:14:55there are opportunities from the new partnership. By constituency has ten
0:14:55 > 0:14:59railway stations, none of which have a direct rail service to London.
0:14:59 > 0:15:02Would my right honourable friend agree this is an opportunity to look
0:15:02 > 0:15:09at providing services to those towns not presently served?My honourable
0:15:09 > 0:15:13friend has been a regular advocate for direct services, I would like to
0:15:13 > 0:15:17see those services happen, I am looking to see if we can maximise
0:15:17 > 0:15:21capacity of the East Coast to make additional services possible but the
0:15:21 > 0:15:26arrival of HS2 will allow many of those services that cannot be run
0:15:26 > 0:15:30now because of capacity constraints to happen because of the additional
0:15:30 > 0:15:34capacity HS2 will create routes to the north Scotland.I am not
0:15:34 > 0:15:39entirely sure what the impact of the Virgin Trains East coast franchise
0:15:39 > 0:15:44is a portion but that was the honourable gentleman -- doubtless
0:15:44 > 0:15:49the honourable gentleman is about to explain to us.I am absolutely going
0:15:49 > 0:15:54to! Given the alternatives being proposed I wonder if the Secretary
0:15:54 > 0:15:57of State has seen the remarks by President Obama about the
0:15:57 > 0:16:03nationalised French Railways and if he has remarks upon the?Wisdom
0:16:03 > 0:16:07sometimes come from our allies across the Channel and I have to say
0:16:07 > 0:16:11I did see those remarks and it is a timely reminder that in nationalised
0:16:11 > 0:16:17railway is not the panacea that some think it is.Not the warship
0:16:17 > 0:16:19perspective but the international perspective, why would I expect
0:16:19 > 0:16:23anything less from someone so illustrious as a man who served as
0:16:23 > 0:16:27my constituency chairman for three years for which he deserved a medal!
0:16:27 > 0:16:34Jack Brereton.Number five, Mr Speaker.I beg pardon, we have
0:16:34 > 0:16:41missed frontbenchers, let's them. Thank you, the Secretary of State
0:16:41 > 0:16:44says Stagecoach got their sums wrong but clearly the Department got their
0:16:44 > 0:16:48sums wrong as well when they awarded the contract to them. Franchise
0:16:48 > 0:16:53holders should not be allowed to bid for future franchises, does he agree
0:16:53 > 0:16:57this is an opportunity to put this franchise into the public sector and
0:16:57 > 0:17:02allow further public sector involvement across all franchises to
0:17:02 > 0:17:07improve and review the franchise tender process?We certainly keep
0:17:07 > 0:17:09the franchise process under continual review to work to improve
0:17:09 > 0:17:14it but as I said a moment ago, public railway is not the panacea
0:17:14 > 0:17:20everyone claims it is bad side. What I would say also, I intend to take
0:17:20 > 0:17:25the right decisions for the taxpayer and travelling public root, that is
0:17:25 > 0:17:32imported, and I intend to act within the law, which is also important.On
0:17:32 > 0:17:35Monday the chief executive of Stagecoach said that he knew there
0:17:35 > 0:17:39was a problem with the East Coast franchise finances weeks after
0:17:39 > 0:17:44taking over the contract in March 2015 and had been talking to the
0:17:44 > 0:17:49Department about it but two years. Why didn't the Secretary of State
0:17:49 > 0:17:54put together a contingency plan for the route given that his department
0:17:54 > 0:17:58was in dialogue with the operator over the difficulties? The Secretary
0:17:58 > 0:18:02of State had two years to sort this mess out and is that it simply
0:18:02 > 0:18:08incredible but he still does not know what to do?I have not been
0:18:08 > 0:18:15Secretary of State for two years but let's be clear, we have been
0:18:15 > 0:18:21planning, I have been Secretary of State of 18 months, Mr Speaker, he
0:18:21 > 0:18:25cannot do his sons. Since I became aware there was a problem on the
0:18:25 > 0:18:28route, we have been doing contingency planning so we have a
0:18:28 > 0:18:32long-term plan for the route and short-term options but you cannot
0:18:32 > 0:18:36put though short-term options into place until the appropriate moment
0:18:36 > 0:18:40arrives when they are necessary and we are prepared for the moment when
0:18:40 > 0:18:45it arises and will deal with the alternatives.Given that the
0:18:45 > 0:18:50taxpayer has already lost out on over £2 billion of premium payments,
0:18:50 > 0:18:53can the Secretary of State ad buys the house whether the financial
0:18:53 > 0:18:57ramifications of the termination of the franchise are now completely
0:18:57 > 0:19:04known and concluded? In the alternative, what about your body is
0:19:04 > 0:19:09earmarked to settle further assist in gay big demands through
0:19:09 > 0:19:18litigation or arbitration?Again, the Labour Party cannot do it sums.
0:19:18 > 0:19:22We have written off £2 billion a body, they wrote of £1.4 billion
0:19:22 > 0:19:28when National Express collapsed. Whatever happens, this railway will
0:19:28 > 0:19:31continue to generate a substantial return for the taxpayer and it is
0:19:31 > 0:19:35time they did the sums properly rather than misrepresenting the
0:19:35 > 0:19:43reality.Thank you, Mr Speaker. I know the Member for Stoke-on-Trent
0:19:43 > 0:19:47South is concerned about the impact of traffic in his constituency, we
0:19:47 > 0:19:51discussed it when he came to the department just last week. HS2
0:19:51 > 0:19:54Limited are already working with high with England and local highways
0:19:54 > 0:19:58authorities to mitigate the effect of construction traffic and will
0:19:58 > 0:20:02continue to do so as the bill progresses. The planning regime
0:20:02 > 0:20:06established under the bill includes powers for local planning
0:20:06 > 0:20:09authorities to improve final construction routes for large goods
0:20:09 > 0:20:14vehicles. We will work closely with the authorities to make sure impacts
0:20:14 > 0:20:17on communities and traffic are appropriate.I thank the Minister
0:20:17 > 0:20:21for the response. Could she update the house of the measures to be put
0:20:21 > 0:20:26in place to tackle and mitigate the impact of traffic particularly
0:20:26 > 0:20:36affecting junction 15 of the M6 from construction of phase 2A?We
0:20:36 > 0:20:40recognise the need to keep traffic moving the residents and businesses.
0:20:40 > 0:20:45Income advance, junction 15 of the M6 is an important access route for
0:20:45 > 0:20:49HS2 construction traffic. We recognise it is an important access
0:20:49 > 0:20:53route for the Stoke-on-Trent area. HS2 Limited are working closely with
0:20:53 > 0:20:57high with England to minimise the impact of the M6 and consider any
0:20:57 > 0:21:01opportunities for delivery with a smart motorway.Question number
0:21:01 > 0:21:12seven, Mr Speaker.Six, well done, pretty good.With permission, Mr
0:21:12 > 0:21:18Speaker, I will answer questions six and 12 together. The bus services
0:21:18 > 0:21:21act 2017 presents local authorities with new powers to bring about
0:21:21 > 0:21:25change and unlock potential for the bus service industry to increase
0:21:25 > 0:21:31passenger numbers. Since 1982 bus usage has fallen but is variable
0:21:31 > 0:21:34across the country. Passenger journeys on local bus services in
0:21:34 > 0:21:40England have decreased 4% since 2009-2010 to 4.4 billion
0:21:40 > 0:21:514,000,000,020 16-20 17. -- 4.4 billion in 2016-2000 and 17. Does
0:21:51 > 0:21:57the Minister believe there is a correlation between cuts in bus
0:21:57 > 0:22:00budget and bus usage falling to an all-time low?What action has been
0:22:00 > 0:22:10taken to rectify this?Bus patronage is increasing for people who go to
0:22:10 > 0:22:14work, actually, 3 million people choose to travel to work on the bus,
0:22:14 > 0:22:1960% of people who'd use public transport use the bus. Increasing
0:22:19 > 0:22:24bus patronage is at the forefront of the Government's bus agenda, it is
0:22:24 > 0:22:28vital for combating congestion and reducing emissions. Government
0:22:28 > 0:22:31provides around £1 billion of funding for concessionary travel
0:22:31 > 0:22:35every year and around £250 million will be paid this year to support
0:22:35 > 0:22:42bus services in England through the operators' grant.Recent devolution
0:22:42 > 0:22:47deal has seen the power to re-regulate buses by London style
0:22:47 > 0:22:51franchising in areas like my own with a metronome. How does the
0:22:51 > 0:22:53Government plan to support those retro bears that take the choice to
0:22:53 > 0:23:01franchise there but bashed -- then was that were?Bears have the
0:23:01 > 0:23:05freedom to do it and it is right these decisions are taken locally
0:23:05 > 0:23:10either with a local authority or the man and we would encourage all local
0:23:10 > 0:23:14authorities all there is to consider how they can use these powers to
0:23:14 > 0:23:18make improvements for passengers and increase bus patronage.Damian
0:23:18 > 0:23:27Green.The real question seven, served.As my right honourable
0:23:27 > 0:23:31friend knows, I have asked highways England to progress plans to promote
0:23:31 > 0:23:34a lorry holding area through the normal process as a permanent
0:23:34 > 0:23:38solution to Operation Stack. Highways England intend to undertake
0:23:38 > 0:23:44public consultation in the spring to consider the scale and scope. The
0:23:44 > 0:23:51commitment to this is strong.The Secretary of State is aware of the
0:23:51 > 0:23:55extreme urgency of finding a solution to this. Even if we assume
0:23:55 > 0:23:58full implementation period after Brexit we could be less than two
0:23:58 > 0:24:03years away from new customs arrangements at Dover and problems
0:24:03 > 0:24:06there could be disastrous not just for roads across Kent but for the
0:24:06 > 0:24:12National Road haulage industry as well. Can he assure us that by the
0:24:12 > 0:24:16time of Brexit sufficient off-road parking spaces will be available to
0:24:16 > 0:24:20avoid a recurrence of Operation Stack?There are two points I should
0:24:20 > 0:24:26make first of all it is absolutely the intent of the Government to
0:24:26 > 0:24:29maintain a free-flowing border, that is of paramount importance. But the
0:24:29 > 0:24:33other point is to be absolutely clear that we will have both a
0:24:33 > 0:24:38solution in place by next March which keeps the M25 ring in both
0:24:38 > 0:24:43directions but also provides the there is congestion at the ports,
0:24:43 > 0:24:47but we intend to move beyond that and deliver a long-term solution
0:24:47 > 0:24:52which will not only deal with this solution of trouble at the ports but
0:24:52 > 0:24:55also respite to Kent residents who are fed up with lorries blocking
0:24:55 > 0:25:03their local roads.80% of the road freight to and from the UK goes
0:25:03 > 0:25:10through Dover. There is surely no realistic chance of all those
0:25:10 > 0:25:14lorries being checked from March next year. Isn't the reality that if
0:25:14 > 0:25:19we leave the EU without a deal, utter chaos of the road that work
0:25:19 > 0:25:27within miles of Dover is completely unavoidable?It is for this country
0:25:27 > 0:25:31to decide how we manage our borders, to decide what checks we put in
0:25:31 > 0:25:34place, and the Government is committed to making sure there is a
0:25:34 > 0:25:40free-flowing border at Dover, that is something we will deliver.Is it
0:25:40 > 0:25:48his department's policies that a new fixed lab across the channel will
0:25:48 > 0:25:52help the disruption.We have bold visions for the future, that is the
0:25:52 > 0:25:56way we plan properly for the future in transport terms but right now our
0:25:56 > 0:26:00bold vision for this country is HS2, potential expansion of Heathrow
0:26:00 > 0:26:04airport, the lower Thames crossing, the trans-Pennine Tunnel, the 8303,
0:26:04 > 0:26:09so this is a Government with lots of big visions for Britain and is
0:26:09 > 0:26:13delivering.
0:26:13 > 0:26:19The chairman of Maritime UK has said that if a deal is not reached on
0:26:19 > 0:26:24Brexit, lorry drivers could be stuck on the main roads to Dover for up to
0:26:24 > 0:26:27two days but even if the deal is reached with the hard border at
0:26:27 > 0:26:34vital ferry ports, the industry is warning that customs and Port health
0:26:34 > 0:26:38checks will cause massive disruptions so what actual concrete
0:26:38 > 0:26:43assurances, Secretary of State give us that that is not going to be the
0:26:43 > 0:26:48case?I have regular dialogue with both the border industry and the
0:26:48 > 0:26:51ports sector and that have been very clear to them, as I am clear with
0:26:51 > 0:26:56this House and the Prime Minister is being clear, we do not intend to
0:26:56 > 0:26:59impose a fixed border, we want a free-flowing border and that is what
0:26:59 > 0:27:11we will deliver.Secretary of State. All franchise operators are required
0:27:11 > 0:27:16to obtain a pre-follicle -- prequalification passport to adopt
0:27:16 > 0:27:21the department may withdraw it in the event that the passport
0:27:21 > 0:27:26holder... This would prevent the franchise holder from Billington
0:27:26 > 0:27:34franchise competitions.I take it from Matt that it is possible for
0:27:34 > 0:27:49the Secretary of State to disallow an incumbent... Can he remove GoVia
0:27:49 > 0:27:54from the Thameslink service? If not what guarantees are there that my
0:27:54 > 0:27:59constituents will get the service they deserve?We will accept the
0:27:59 > 0:28:03outcome that will deliver the best possible service for his
0:28:03 > 0:28:07constituents. This is a competitive process. I will not hesitate to
0:28:07 > 0:28:12remove a passport from a firm that requires that happened. I also
0:28:12 > 0:28:20operate within European recruitment law -- procurement law, and that
0:28:20 > 0:28:23requires us to take a proportionate approach and I will always seek to
0:28:23 > 0:28:29do that and operate within the law. Bastia no fewer than 67 million rail
0:28:29 > 0:28:36journeys were cancelled or severely curtailed and as I raised with the
0:28:36 > 0:28:40Prime Minister yesterday, most of the compensation was trousered by
0:28:40 > 0:28:42rail operating companies so when they bid to renew their franchises
0:28:42 > 0:28:47will the way they have treated their customers with compensation be a key
0:28:47 > 0:28:52consideration, as it should be?He is right that we need to make sure
0:28:52 > 0:28:56passengers get the compensation payments they are entitled to. The
0:28:56 > 0:28:59compensation structure is far more complex than those that have been
0:28:59 > 0:29:02highlighted in the media in recent days but I'm very clear that the
0:29:02 > 0:29:05move we are going through this year to provide digital ticketing across
0:29:05 > 0:29:10the whole network will make it much more straightforward to give
0:29:10 > 0:29:13passengers the compensation they deserve and need and to do so simply
0:29:13 > 0:29:18without having to fill in complicated forms.The estimates
0:29:18 > 0:29:21report was very revealing, showing how hundreds of millions of pounds
0:29:21 > 0:29:27are being spent on compensation, underwriting failure and bailouts.
0:29:27 > 0:29:32In CP four alone, a staggering 39.4 million of public money and
0:29:32 > 0:29:35constituents' money was handed over to private operators, while
0:29:35 > 0:29:40passengers were forced to pay over the to travel. How much more public
0:29:40 > 0:29:44money will be passed to these failed rail operators? What the party
0:29:44 > 0:29:50opposite fail to understand - less than £3 in every £100 that is spent
0:29:50 > 0:29:54on the railways remains with the companies. The rest is going into
0:29:54 > 0:29:56the biggest infrastructure programme, better services, new
0:29:56 > 0:30:02trains. Improvements that people could only dream of in 13 years of
0:30:02 > 0:30:04labour but pro-government but which they are getting under the
0:30:04 > 0:30:10Conservatives. That is certainly no apology to our
0:30:10 > 0:30:13constituents. Is lack of due diligence has caused chief executive
0:30:13 > 0:30:16David Brown of the embattled southern rail fame to announce he
0:30:16 > 0:30:24has done and, expletive deleted, good job and he will bid again for
0:30:24 > 0:30:27the next franchise contracts. Virgin and Stagecoach will do the same.
0:30:27 > 0:30:33These companies are on a huge gravy train at the expense of taxpayers so
0:30:33 > 0:30:36why is the Secretary of State being held to ransom and even prepared to
0:30:36 > 0:30:44consider rewarding their failure? When she talks about a private gravy
0:30:44 > 0:30:47train, I would encourage her to go and look at the conversation that
0:30:47 > 0:30:52the French prime minister had about his state railway. Use of the
0:30:52 > 0:30:55dilapidated network, delays, abysmal debt... The situation is alarming,
0:30:55 > 0:31:00not to say untenable. The French pay more and more for a public service
0:31:00 > 0:31:04that pays less and less well. So what I would stay to her
0:31:04 > 0:31:07constituents is that I'm delighted that the people of York are going to
0:31:07 > 0:31:12see every single train that serves their station replaced as new or
0:31:12 > 0:31:16with brand-new trains over the next 12 to 18 months, a change they
0:31:16 > 0:31:22haven't seen for decades.During the franchise process, business cases
0:31:22 > 0:31:31got a lot of focus. The Virgin Trains East Coast contact was
0:31:31 > 0:31:34mentioned earlier. Being a member of the Public Accounts Committee and
0:31:34 > 0:31:37present about hearing, I can say that the franchisee Holder said that
0:31:37 > 0:31:41although the figures were not what he was expecting, they were not an
0:31:41 > 0:31:44insurmountable barrier to the franchise working and he quoted the
0:31:44 > 0:31:49Scottish referendum and Brexit and a declining trend of passenger figures
0:31:49 > 0:31:52as a real reason why the franchise failed. Can I asked my right
0:31:52 > 0:31:55vulnerable friend that when franchises across the country are
0:31:55 > 0:32:00being looked at in the future, he encourages companies to take a broad
0:32:00 > 0:32:04range of dynamic scenario planning so they get accurate figures?He
0:32:04 > 0:32:07makes an important point and what I would say is that we are now
0:32:07 > 0:32:11migrating to franchise systems that are much more focused on quality. It
0:32:11 > 0:32:15is my view that the quality of service will drive revenues as much
0:32:15 > 0:32:19as anything else. We will see a very different approach where we don't
0:32:19 > 0:32:22necessarily take the highest bid but are looking for high-quality and the
0:32:22 > 0:32:27bits and looking to be prudent about the mechanisms so this doesn't
0:32:27 > 0:32:33happen again.Since becoming road safety minister I have met several
0:32:33 > 0:32:40times with the honourable gentleman and often with the broad range of
0:32:40 > 0:32:47road safety organisations. Those institutions include RoSPA, the
0:32:47 > 0:32:57RSPCA and others.I come say he is keenly interested in this subject
0:32:57 > 0:33:02but isn't it still that there are 1720 knocks on the door where a
0:33:02 > 0:33:08police man or woman knocks on the door and says, "Your daughter, son,
0:33:08 > 0:33:13mum, dad, grandfather, are dead". That is the truth so we can't be
0:33:13 > 0:33:17complacent. Can we look at having an investigatory body in investigating
0:33:17 > 0:33:22every death on the road and could she Daughtry oversees developer and
0:33:22 > 0:33:25colleagues of his? 1.3 million people worldwide die every year.
0:33:25 > 0:33:31Isn't it time we did something to help them?As he will know we are
0:33:31 > 0:33:34very closely involved in supporting nations around the world and raising
0:33:34 > 0:33:38road safety standards and he has been involved in that himself. With
0:33:38 > 0:33:42regards to a national body, we have looked at that and I am sure he will
0:33:42 > 0:33:47take some comfort from the fact that only today we are laying regulations
0:33:47 > 0:33:51that will allow driving instructors to undertake motorway driving with
0:33:51 > 0:33:55learners and that is part of a much wider push back in order to improve
0:33:55 > 0:34:04better driving quality and reduce fertility is.The previous Transport
0:34:04 > 0:34:09Committee's June 2016 inquiry into all in running concluded that a %
0:34:09 > 0:34:14noncompliance with signals was an acceptable and in its response the
0:34:14 > 0:34:18Government agreed, promising to tackle it threw up, racial education
0:34:18 > 0:34:21and enforcement. This January the chief executive of highways England
0:34:21 > 0:34:29wrote to me with an update stating, "We have reduced compliance whoa
0:34:29 > 0:34:32noncompliance to 8%." How can it be acceptable for the government to
0:34:32 > 0:34:35continue to roll out all lame running when it appears to have made
0:34:35 > 0:34:40zero process on reducing these dangerous driving offences?A survey
0:34:40 > 0:34:43has been done on all in running which shows that if anything it may
0:34:43 > 0:34:48be more safe than the previous arrangements and that is something
0:34:48 > 0:34:54to be welcomed. As regards her point, we will be looking at that.
0:34:54 > 0:35:00Does he not recognise the correlation between his government's
0:35:00 > 0:35:04decision to scrap road safety targets introduced by Labour and the
0:35:04 > 0:35:08failure to reduce the number of those seriously injured or killed on
0:35:08 > 0:35:14our roads?I'm a little reluctant to get into statistics came with the
0:35:14 > 0:35:19honourable gentleman but he will be aware that road fatalities fell by
0:35:19 > 0:35:29four % last time it was mentioned, to September 17, and those overall
0:35:29 > 0:35:32road injuries fell by five percentage of the picture is a mixed
0:35:32 > 0:35:39one and generally heading in the right direction.
0:35:39 > 0:35:43Thank you, Mr Speaker. On December 2015, the Department for Transport
0:35:43 > 0:35:50published the road safety statement Working Together To Build A Safer
0:35:50 > 0:35:54Roads System, and it is working towards its objectives and I am
0:35:54 > 0:35:58pleased to announce specifically today the department has announced a
0:35:58 > 0:36:04specific study on the third attempt on our side to understand the
0:36:04 > 0:36:08relationship between tyre degradation and tyre safety. Two
0:36:08 > 0:36:12other attempts were made to commissioners research. The guidance
0:36:12 > 0:36:15given has been very effective but that marks a further move towards
0:36:15 > 0:36:22road safety.Julian and Jill Smith in my constituency tragically lost
0:36:22 > 0:36:25their daughter Rhiannon nearly a year ago in a road collision and are
0:36:25 > 0:36:29now campaigning for better preventative action. Can I agree
0:36:29 > 0:36:34with my friend and asked that the Minister looks seriously at cause by
0:36:34 > 0:36:39campaign groups like Break to make sure the nationwide crash
0:36:39 > 0:36:47investigation Branch is established? As the honourable lady says, this is
0:36:47 > 0:36:52obviously a tragic incident for the family concerned and one's heart
0:36:52 > 0:36:57goes out to them. As I said to her colleague we continued to look
0:36:57 > 0:37:01closely at setting up such a national body.In the last 15 years
0:37:01 > 0:37:08there have been 340 casualties on the notorious A417. That follows 140
0:37:08 > 0:37:12accidents in the last five years alone. Will my right honourable
0:37:12 > 0:37:16friend join me in warmly welcoming the landmark we have reached of the
0:37:16 > 0:37:20consultation stage on the short listed new road schemes, and does he
0:37:20 > 0:37:24agree with me that by backing this project this government is committed
0:37:24 > 0:37:30to saving lives in Gloucestershire's roads?Of course I welcome mat and,
0:37:30 > 0:37:36as he will be aware, it has been the product of a great deal of hard work
0:37:36 > 0:37:38by local campaigners and the department over a considerable
0:37:38 > 0:37:43period of time.With the Minister consider introducing or reducing the
0:37:43 > 0:37:49drink-drive limit? The reduction in Northern Ireland and Scotland has
0:37:49 > 0:37:53led to less deaths on the road and less work for police. It seems the
0:37:53 > 0:37:58most obvious thing to do.We continue to keep the situation under
0:37:58 > 0:38:03review and, of course, he will be aware that there have been moves in
0:38:03 > 0:38:06that direction in Scotland and as that policy works its way through,
0:38:06 > 0:38:16we will continue to look closely at the issue.Number 13.Thank you, Mr
0:38:16 > 0:38:19Speaker. The department published its latest statistics on road
0:38:19 > 0:38:22conditions in England. That shows that local road conditions in
0:38:22 > 0:38:30January of this year... That shows the local classified roads are
0:38:30 > 0:38:31improving, fewer local roads continue with maintenance but there
0:38:31 > 0:38:36is much ado, which is why the government maintains record levels
0:38:36 > 0:38:41Tautai wave maintenance up to 2021 as well as having an action fund to
0:38:41 > 0:38:48counteract potholes totalling £296 million in this Parliament.I would
0:38:48 > 0:38:56like to thank him for that answer. He will be aware that a council has
0:38:56 > 0:38:59submitted an effective business case for the funding of the north-west
0:38:59 > 0:39:02relief road in Shrewsbury which is the final bit of the circular Road
0:39:02 > 0:39:06around our town. What steps is he taking to ensure that the scheme is
0:39:06 > 0:39:12looked upon favourably?I absolutely aware of that and my honourable
0:39:12 > 0:39:14friend has been a tireless campaigner for this road over the
0:39:14 > 0:39:20years. I can assure him that we recognise the concern he indicates.
0:39:20 > 0:39:24The department has received the funding bid for the Shrewsbury
0:39:24 > 0:39:29Northwest relief road and it is being actively and currently
0:39:29 > 0:39:33considered.The Government was intending to close the driving test
0:39:33 > 0:39:36centre in Pontypridd and move it to Llantrisant, which will make it far
0:39:36 > 0:39:42more inconvenient for people in the Rhondda, one of the most floristry
0:39:42 > 0:39:44constituencies in the land, probably make it more cost-effective for
0:39:44 > 0:39:48people to learn how to drive safely and will put the driving centre in a
0:39:48 > 0:39:51blaze which doesn't have suitable roads to be able to do the test
0:39:51 > 0:39:55properly. Will he look again at closing the Pontypridd driving test
0:39:55 > 0:40:04centre, please?What is called the Art of shoehorning in... He did do
0:40:04 > 0:40:06it mostly. We congratulate the honourable gentleman on his
0:40:06 > 0:40:13ingenuity.Style is everything in these matters, one wonders, or
0:40:13 > 0:40:16whether content should have a place. The answer to that question is that
0:40:16 > 0:40:21we will continue to look at it but I doubt that it will change.That is
0:40:21 > 0:40:32shopping! -- shocking.In the 2016 /17 financial year the department
0:40:32 > 0:40:37spent almost £2.5 million on supporting the community transport
0:40:37 > 0:40:40sector through the bus service operators Grant and since January
0:40:40 > 0:40:502013 it is devote approximately £2.9 billion -- it has devolved
0:40:50 > 0:40:55approximately £2.5 million. The consultation closes on the 4th of
0:40:55 > 0:41:02May.I thank him for that answer. He will know that there is a very real
0:41:02 > 0:41:05threat to the future of some operators from the changes he is
0:41:05 > 0:41:10consulting on. What more can he do to protect existing use of permits,
0:41:10 > 0:41:13rather than require what are generally small local charities to
0:41:13 > 0:41:18go through the full commercial status?
0:41:18 > 0:41:25I have spent a lot of time working with the bodies responsible for the
0:41:25 > 0:41:27sector and local transport organisations and take my hat off to
0:41:27 > 0:41:36the work that they do in the way of social care and transport can join.
0:41:36 > 0:41:39In the document I'm sure you have read he will recall that we have
0:41:39 > 0:41:48laid out three potential exemptions on which we are consulting, showing
0:41:48 > 0:41:53there is no condition in specific cases in local transport, a
0:41:53 > 0:41:59potential distance exemptions, and the separation of commercial and
0:41:59 > 0:42:07non-commercial activities. We expect these to receive comments and
0:42:07 > 0:42:20feedback will stop I understand what he talked about taking his hat off.
0:42:20 > 0:42:24And I don't understand whether he would do that in this weather. Many
0:42:24 > 0:42:28operators use diesel vehicles so what recommendations as the UK
0:42:28 > 0:42:31Government made to the German government so that the false Lagan
0:42:31 > 0:42:43are held to account.It is a Rhondda valet volley Valley by proxy. We
0:42:43 > 0:42:48continue to press the German government hard on that issue and
0:42:48 > 0:42:51regard the behaviour from Volkswagen as unacceptable. We are improving
0:42:51 > 0:42:58the emissions regime and toughening testing regimes and taking active
0:42:58 > 0:43:13steps to penalised.Number 16. In the East Midlands 7 billion has been
0:43:13 > 0:43:19sent on transport since 2010. Title that is improved, reduce congestion
0:43:19 > 0:43:24and transporting people ideas and goods. In Derbyshire and
0:43:24 > 0:43:28Nottinghamshire this has included £371 million government for
0:43:28 > 0:43:33extensions to the Nottingham tram system and 4.5 million for the new
0:43:33 > 0:43:38statesman at Ulverston. Indeed, the government have a proud record of
0:43:38 > 0:43:41transport infrastructure and we have seen more transport infrastructure
0:43:41 > 0:43:45in Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire planned over these ten years than
0:43:45 > 0:43:50there has been ever undertaken by the government and I welcome the
0:43:50 > 0:43:58proposals will be a 38 and smart motorways, and for Derby stations
0:43:58 > 0:44:03and Nottingham stations.Can I suggest you my honourable friend we
0:44:03 > 0:44:09look at other products like smaller projects which will make a vast
0:44:09 > 0:44:15improvement and fully bid for the Ashbourne bypass. Mark Annable
0:44:15 > 0:44:21friend for Doctor Dale 's has been a great advocate of transport as a
0:44:21 > 0:44:30previous Mr in the department. He has investigated a large upgrade. It
0:44:30 > 0:44:39is important to assess the particular project in Ashbourne and
0:44:39 > 0:44:41if the council applies for government funding we will consider
0:44:41 > 0:44:47their bid.He wasn't merely a minister in the department, but the
0:44:47 > 0:44:52secretary of state, the Right honourable gentleman of notable
0:44:52 > 0:45:02industry and distinction. Mr Dennis Skinner. The previous speaker...
0:45:02 > 0:45:05Said a lot of things about the possibilities of getting extra money
0:45:05 > 0:45:13spent in Derbyshire. What he failed to do and it is very important is
0:45:13 > 0:45:18that when the electrification of the Midland line was put forward in the
0:45:18 > 0:45:23house it was decided that it would only go as far as Kettering and
0:45:23 > 0:45:32Corby. What I am saying to the honourable minister of transport is
0:45:32 > 0:45:38should it not be the question now of having the wholesale electrification
0:45:38 > 0:45:44of the Midland line meaning people in Derbyshire will be better off as
0:45:44 > 0:45:51a result.I apologise for my earlier mistake and I apologise to my right
0:45:51 > 0:46:03honourable friend as well resign! LAUGHTER
0:46:03 > 0:46:08That is not just Right now but I will consider it in the future. I
0:46:08 > 0:46:17was expecting a HS2 question. Oh you're saving it? Wonderful. Maybe
0:46:17 > 0:46:20even ignored Jin jobs coming along the line but is talking about
0:46:20 > 0:46:25electric occasions Labour 2007 rail strategy said it would not be
0:46:25 > 0:46:31prudent to commit to order thing products such as network-wide
0:46:31 > 0:46:33notification for which longer-term benefits are currently uncertain and
0:46:33 > 0:46:49which could delay capacity. It would deliver for the taxpayer.2016 and
0:46:49 > 0:46:582021 will see the use Midlands received 3.2% of investment. This is
0:46:58 > 0:47:00exacerbated by the electrification cancellation on mainline. It is
0:47:00 > 0:47:06wanted by the mainline and communities and the environment and
0:47:06 > 0:47:15why are the ministers the only ones who don't understand this?We
0:47:15 > 0:47:20haven't yet fairly put out what we will be doing in that
0:47:20 > 0:47:23electrification but I would like to point out that sometimes the
0:47:23 > 0:47:27information is shared isn't absolutely accurate. The government
0:47:27 > 0:47:32has supported the Midlands and not just aged this to investing in
0:47:32 > 0:47:40motorways and trunk roads but £24 million to develop and progress
0:47:40 > 0:47:42translational strategies across the Midlands with Midlands collect. --
0:47:42 > 0:47:47connect.The honourable members who missed out on substantive questions
0:47:47 > 0:47:52can seek to catch my eye on topical questions. Sir Henry Bellingham.
0:47:52 > 0:47:59Secretary of state. The space bill is now completed through Parliament
0:47:59 > 0:48:04and I would like to extend my thanks to all involved on both sides on the
0:48:04 > 0:48:07debate and it was a debate conducted in good humour on both sides of the
0:48:07 > 0:48:11house and we both share the aspiration of the bill for the
0:48:11 > 0:48:18commercial sector in the UK.As the Secretary of State aware that both
0:48:18 > 0:48:23Network Rail and Govia Thameslink are committed to ensuring that eight
0:48:23 > 0:48:28carriage trains are introduced between Cambridge and Kingsley by
0:48:28 > 0:48:32the end of the year. It is vital to reduce congestion and will he make
0:48:32 > 0:48:37sure that the commitment is honoured? I will certainly do that,
0:48:37 > 0:48:41and also recommit to the improvements needed in Ely which are
0:48:41 > 0:48:50absolutely essential and unlocking growth and the element.Since 1979
0:48:50 > 0:48:55the distinctive yellow and green minibuses of Ealing community
0:48:55 > 0:48:58transport have provided a vital lifeline for the disabled and
0:48:58 > 0:49:04elderly of the borough but now change government guidance threatens
0:49:04 > 0:49:10the very existence of the social enterprise. A delegation of drivers
0:49:10 > 0:49:14came to see me nearly in tears as pensioners themselves again I have
0:49:14 > 0:49:19the time or inclination to retrain for the new license. Will he think
0:49:19 > 0:49:28again?As she will be aware it is currently asked to question. As I
0:49:28 > 0:49:32have indicated there are many workarounds on this is you and there
0:49:32 > 0:49:34are no reasons for any community transport company to be adverse
0:49:34 > 0:49:42first the worried. There may be some players operating in a commercial
0:49:42 > 0:49:46wave that that is how the matter rests and that is what we will do
0:49:46 > 0:49:53shall try to do. It is wonderful that new technologically superior
0:49:53 > 0:49:57trains are being introduced on Britain's railways yet many
0:49:57 > 0:50:02passengers are complaining that some of these trains have seats that are
0:50:02 > 0:50:06cramps and uncomfortable. We don't want to have Ryanair on the tracks.
0:50:06 > 0:50:12With the Minister do all he can that the specifications include passenger
0:50:12 > 0:50:20comfort at the heart.Mr Speaker train seating is required to address
0:50:20 > 0:50:22both the comfort of passengers and to conform to relevant design
0:50:22 > 0:50:30standards which include addressing fire safety and crashworthiness. We
0:50:30 > 0:50:33don't want people to bring in available questions and my wonderful
0:50:33 > 0:50:41friend will take comfort in the fact that seeds become comfortable over
0:50:41 > 0:50:52use. It has now been over 800 faces the government -- data says the
0:50:52 > 0:50:56government promised to research a law on pavement parking. Can we
0:50:56 > 0:51:03update this? We will update later in the spring.Last weekend, completely
0:51:03 > 0:51:11unrelated to the current weather, there were dangerous scenes and this
0:51:11 > 0:51:13might be be extremely good investment programme that is going
0:51:13 > 0:51:23on but what has the Minister to say on these? Clearly what took place
0:51:23 > 0:51:27last Sunday was unacceptable and on behalf often I apologise and we have
0:51:27 > 0:51:33made our views known to the company in the strongest possible terms. The
0:51:33 > 0:51:43companies is putting arrangements in place to compensate.Last Friday I
0:51:43 > 0:51:46arranged a site meeting between Network Rail at the YMCA south
0:51:46 > 0:51:53London to talk about an abandoned strip of land owned by Network Rail
0:51:53 > 0:51:59in Mitch and the hope that the YMCA good provide great free have --
0:51:59 > 0:52:04pre-arranged housing on that land for young people. How can we
0:52:04 > 0:52:07encourage the Network Rail to use all those scraps of land to the
0:52:07 > 0:52:12benefit of everyone?I would happily meet her with the honourable lady to
0:52:12 > 0:52:19discuss this issue to make sure that we use all of the opportunities the
0:52:19 > 0:52:22Network Rail has two bit scraps of lands to good use whether they are
0:52:22 > 0:52:28for housing or walkway or psyching purposes and I will happily meet
0:52:28 > 0:52:35with her to discuss that. What is the Department doing to help more
0:52:35 > 0:52:38people cycle safely as happens in cities like Amsterdam and
0:52:38 > 0:52:42Copenhagen, especially given the startling revelation to the joint
0:52:42 > 0:52:47air quality select committee by Professor Stephen Holgate that
0:52:47 > 0:52:51drivers and passengers are inhaling up to ten times more poor air
0:52:51 > 0:52:57quality than cyclists and pedestrians on the street?Well, the
0:52:57 > 0:53:01answer to that question is a great deal and with more to come. I was
0:53:01 > 0:53:09very pleased to be able to meet and go to the APPG which he chairs
0:53:09 > 0:53:15meeting with Chris Boardman and an excellent example of individual
0:53:15 > 0:53:18initiative in Manchester can drive great change. We have a cycle safety
0:53:18 > 0:53:22review coming up looking at a very wide range of issues relating to
0:53:22 > 0:53:27cycling including some impacts and some of the recent information and
0:53:27 > 0:53:35as he says it is good for the body and soul of people who do it.Thank
0:53:35 > 0:53:40you Mr Speaker. Cheshire Oaks in my constituency is a great success
0:53:40 > 0:53:44story in increased investment in 300 jobs there but if you live another
0:53:44 > 0:53:52part of the constituency there are no buses go to there. This is a
0:53:52 > 0:53:55sorry state of affairs, people should be able to get into work.Bus
0:53:55 > 0:54:02services and frequencies, what journeys people take and how
0:54:02 > 0:54:06frequently those services are run, I would urge him to discuss this with
0:54:06 > 0:54:09local authorities instead who should be discussing this or taking it
0:54:09 > 0:54:15forward with the local bus service providers.I am extremely grateful
0:54:15 > 0:54:19for the secretary of state recently visiting my constituency of
0:54:19 > 0:54:23Stoke-on-Trent South and I was pleased to give him the
0:54:23 > 0:54:30Stoke-on-Trent HS2 supply. Could my honourable friend updates in the
0:54:30 > 0:54:36house on the plans for a jest and Stoke-on-Trent? I want to put it on
0:54:36 > 0:54:46record to put Stoke in receipt of a service when double opens.The local
0:54:46 > 0:54:51authority as planned big things for the station and I want to work with
0:54:51 > 0:54:59him and the local authority to take forward.The western side of the 60
0:54:59 > 0:55:07is upgrading to smart motorways, it has in gridlock and horror for the
0:55:07 > 0:55:11traffic on a daily basis and even now we still see the 50 limit but
0:55:11 > 0:55:16moved. When will we see progress on this most of the network?I know
0:55:16 > 0:55:21they are taking longer than intended and we want to get this resolved as
0:55:21 > 0:55:25possible. It is only because as someone who travels from time to
0:55:25 > 0:55:28time to Old Trafford that the area is surrounded by roadworks on the
0:55:28 > 0:55:32motorway and with the new extension of the metrolink but I will hope
0:55:32 > 0:55:39that he sees that the government is since the process of resource saying
0:55:39 > 0:55:43magister and the greater magister area.He will know from our previous
0:55:43 > 0:55:48conversations that people have waited too long to see improvements
0:55:48 > 0:55:54on the rail link in Plymouth. When can the people of Plymouth sees
0:55:54 > 0:55:58something delivered? Some work complete, an Dawlish, which is his
0:55:58 > 0:56:05number one responsibility.
0:56:05 > 0:56:08Protecting the line at Dawlish is a national priority of utmost
0:56:08 > 0:56:13importance and I am determined to find a permanent solution for this
0:56:13 > 0:56:17vital connection. £15 million funding has been provided to Network
0:56:17 > 0:56:19Rail to take this forward and planning and development work is
0:56:19 > 0:56:23well under way to talk there will be no unnecessary delay and we will
0:56:23 > 0:56:27complete this work as soon as we can within the law.Very good to see the
0:56:27 > 0:56:31honourable gentleman the Member for Hove back in his place.There is one
0:56:31 > 0:56:38set of tracks and one rail link between London and Brighton but
0:56:38 > 0:56:47there are three separate pricing strategies. Can I urge the Secretary
0:56:47 > 0:56:52of State to introduce the lower one, which could be done without
0:56:52 > 0:56:55technical changes whatsoever and have a transformative impact on
0:56:55 > 0:57:00passengers who have suffered so much in the last few years?We are
0:57:00 > 0:57:04working our way through the recommendations of the Gibb report
0:57:04 > 0:57:07and firstly the automation of ticketing, which are because a
0:57:07 > 0:57:12prerequisite of broad affairs reform which is necessary. He will be aware
0:57:12 > 0:57:21that a smart card has launched across the network.During the
0:57:21 > 0:57:23recent appalling weather, Worcestershire County Council has
0:57:23 > 0:57:29been sharing information about where the nearest... Will the Secretary of
0:57:29 > 0:57:36State join me in praising them for helping residents with the appalling
0:57:36 > 0:57:39conditions?I absolutely praise them and I'm delighted we have ample
0:57:39 > 0:57:45stocks of snow on hand to do with the current inconveniences. Let me
0:57:45 > 0:57:48say that not least of the joys of this particular scheme and approach
0:57:48 > 0:57:52is that it opens the way to Herefordshire, a place that I know
0:57:52 > 0:57:57the House will wish to visit on regular occasions.The Secretary of
0:57:57 > 0:58:04State will be aware that no money was spent in CP five period in
0:58:04 > 0:58:07support enhancements to the rail infrastructure in North Wales.
0:58:07 > 0:58:10Having seen the unanimity from North Wales and north-west England on
0:58:10 > 0:58:16Monday of this week, does he not accept that our time has come in
0:58:16 > 0:58:22terms of cross-border rail investment?I would like to praise
0:58:22 > 0:58:28my right honourable friend for the work he has done for bringing it
0:58:28 > 0:58:32together and to thank the members from North Wales who attended. I
0:58:32 > 0:58:36gave a clear indication of the government's sympathy around the
0:58:36 > 0:58:44need for the hub in Crewe and the resembling that will take place that
0:58:44 > 0:58:48will improve the performance and we are carrying out a study about how
0:58:48 > 0:58:55we deliver a proper service. Under this government the time has come
0:58:55 > 0:59:03for proper investment. Can the Minister assure me that in assessing
0:59:03 > 0:59:06the feedback from his current consultation his number one
0:59:06 > 0:59:13objective will be to put the future of organisations on a long-term
0:59:13 > 0:59:22financial footing?I can absolutely assure him that book goal has always
0:59:22 > 0:59:30been to do that to the benefit of the transport sector.Arrest and his
0:59:30 > 0:59:35predecessor have been supportive of my safety campaign and a hashtag
0:59:35 > 0:59:41campaign following us tragic death in 2014. Would he agree with me that
0:59:41 > 0:59:46the hallways permits and trailer registration bill offers a fantastic
0:59:46 > 0:59:50opportunity to highlight the importance trailer safety?I
0:59:50 > 0:59:53absolutely recognise the campaign she has fought and I think it is
0:59:53 > 0:59:59very worthwhile. I slightly doubt whether it is in fact the case
0:59:59 > 1:00:02that... An attempt will be made within the rules but this is a very
1:00:02 > 1:00:06narrowly defined piece of legislation that focuses very
1:00:06 > 1:00:09specifically on permit thing and trailer registration server may not
1:00:09 > 1:00:13be scope to add other things but I would be delighted to talk to her
1:00:13 > 1:00:22about the campaign.The need for a boost to West Oxfordshire transport
1:00:22 > 1:00:29is now a cute. Wilderness to agree to make it happen?The A40 is one of
1:00:29 > 1:00:35the roads that could potentially benefit from a major road network.
1:00:35 > 1:00:40They will deal with this second-tier... But will fall through
1:00:40 > 1:00:47the cracks between local authorities... My expectation is
1:00:47 > 1:00:52that he and his local authority will be beating a path to my door when
1:00:52 > 1:00:55the funding is first released. But I would say that the railway line is
1:00:55 > 1:00:59getting new trains much sooner than that, which I hope will be of
1:00:59 > 1:01:05benefit to his constituents. Ministers say they want to reduce
1:01:05 > 1:01:16roadside emissions so will he listen to calls for investment in rail
1:01:16 > 1:01:23freight as an answer to a problem? This is precisely why I have very
1:01:23 > 1:01:29pleased to have started work on the Skipton railway line tit of this
1:01:29 > 1:01:33could provide a rail link across the Pennines. Is a matter of frustration
1:01:33 > 1:01:38that it takes eight to nine hours for a freight train to go from the
1:01:38 > 1:01:42port of Liverpool to the freight train at Drax. This is one route
1:01:42 > 1:01:45that could deliver improvements and I am looking forward to the end of
1:01:45 > 1:01:47the year.
1:01:50 > 1:01:53This week of all weeks rail passengers want up-to-date
1:01:53 > 1:01:58information about delays and cancellations. South-eastern trains'
1:01:58 > 1:02:04website has failed to provide any line time updates in any single hour
1:02:04 > 1:02:07of this week, today included. Will he bear that in mind when the
1:02:07 > 1:02:15franchise comes up for renewal?Here a powerful champion for his
1:02:15 > 1:02:19constituents and is right to expect that the company provides prompt and
1:02:19 > 1:02:22accurate and timely information so that passengers can have the journey
1:02:22 > 1:02:30quality they deserve.My constituent Jim Irving who was active all his
1:02:30 > 1:02:35life now suffers with motor neurone disease and, like many, relies on
1:02:35 > 1:02:38his mobility scooter for independence. Scooters are currently
1:02:38 > 1:02:43banned from the Tyne & Wear Metro. What will the Secretary of State do
1:02:43 > 1:02:46to remedy this and will he give assurances that our new promised
1:02:46 > 1:02:52rolling stock will improve provision for scooters?As she will rightly
1:02:52 > 1:03:04know it is absolutely time that we improve the rolling stock on Metro.
1:03:04 > 1:03:07It is a decision that will be taken locally about the configurations but
1:03:07 > 1:03:15I expect this money to be spent on disability with compliant rolling
1:03:15 > 1:03:19stock to talkCould he give an update on the progress of
1:03:19 > 1:03:21negotiations regarding air connections with the EU after we
1:03:21 > 1:03:30leave next March?The European commission has published its
1:03:30 > 1:03:33negotiating position for aviation links to drop it is worth saying
1:03:33 > 1:03:38there have been a lot of scare stories around over last few months.
1:03:38 > 1:03:41The commission says that in all circumstances, whether or not we
1:03:41 > 1:03:45have a trade or implementation period, there has to be a
1:03:45 > 1:03:47negotiation agreements so the recommendation on side that the
1:03:47 > 1:03:55flights need to come continue, and I'm at my Spanish counterpart
1:03:55 > 1:03:57yesterday and we both agreed it is a sense of authorised to continue and
1:03:57 > 1:04:02we will ensure there is no disruption.Does the Secretary of
1:04:02 > 1:04:05State understand the severe disappointment and anger from the
1:04:05 > 1:04:08far south-west about the rail strategy published yesterday and now
1:04:08 > 1:04:13do the right thing, instead of spinning the 15 million already
1:04:13 > 1:04:16announced, much Labour's two by 5 billion investment from the
1:04:16 > 1:04:22south-west?I am not going to take lessons from a party that did
1:04:22 > 1:04:26nothing for transport and the south-west over a long period. This
1:04:26 > 1:04:33government is doing things that Labour never did. Brand-new trains,
1:04:33 > 1:04:37new signals in Cornwall to ensure we can have new services.We have run
1:04:37 > 1:04:41out of time and had some very competence of answers, for which we
1:04:41 > 1:04:44are grateful, but I'm going to take only two more if they are very short
1:04:44 > 1:04:51questions and answers.Will the Minister please look into the
1:04:51 > 1:04:54concerns that the flyover and tunnel at Stonehenge will damage the
1:04:54 > 1:04:58valuable archaeological site at Brook Mead?He will be interested to
1:04:58 > 1:05:03know that I actually sent a message of welcome to the team that is
1:05:03 > 1:05:08looking at Stonehenge of the moment and we will look at the concerns he
1:05:08 > 1:05:13has and he is welcome to write to me with further details.When is the
1:05:13 > 1:05:15government going to catch up with the rest of the world and take the
1:05:15 > 1:05:19opportunity of the quick, easy, cost-effective way of reducing
1:05:19 > 1:05:27transport emissions by introducing E ten?We have something under review
1:05:27 > 1:05:31at the moment it would