Topical Questions

David Simmonds (Ruislip, Northwood and Pinner) (Con) asked the Secretary of State for Transport about a constituent who was fined for breaching the ultra low emission zone (ULEZ) rules despite driving on a road where the ULEZ does not apply. The Secretary of State, Louise Haigh, acknowledged the issue and said they would pass it on to the Mayor of London. Jen Craft (Thurrock) (Lab) raised concerns about the proposed lower Thames crossing, arguing that it offers only short-term mitigation to the problem of congestion at the Dartford crossing and would have a detrimental environmental and quality-of-life impact. The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Transport, Lilian Greenwood, responded that the KenEx tram scheme proposal lacked critical detail, but stated that any alternatives brought forward would be considered. Helen Whately (Faversham and Mid Kent) (Con) criticised the Government's approach to transport infrastructure, claiming it was anti-growth. The Secretary of State, Louise Haigh, defended the Government's record, arguing that the previous government had presided over "billions of pounds of waste and failure" in infrastructure delivery. Mrs Sureena Brackenridge (Wolverhampton North East) (Lab) asked about the support the Department for Transport is providing to help local enforcement and campaigns to tackle dangerous driving. The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Transport, Lilian Greenwood, acknowledged the importance of road safety and stated that she had met with the Mayor of the West Midlands to discuss their shared determination to improve it. The Liberal Democrat spokesman, Mr Paul Kohler (Wimbledon) (LD), congratulated the Secretary of State on her comments about HS2 and asked for confirmation on the funding for Euston station and the northern leg of the project. The Secretary of State, Louise Haigh, acknowledged the "mess" left by the previous government and stated that a full announcement would be made shortly. Mary Glindon (Newcastle upon Tyne East and Wallsend) (Lab) asked the Secretary of State to outline the steps being taken to prevent another scandal like the sudden sacking of 800 P&O ferry employees. The Secretary of State, Louise Haigh, stated that the Government is bringing forward legislation to prevent such a scandal from happening again and is working with operators and trade unions to introduce protections. Sir John Whittingdale (Maldon) (Con) urged the Minister to press ahead with the widening scheme for the A12, arguing that it is essential for meeting the Government's growth and housing targets. The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Transport, Lilian Greenwood, acknowledged the pressures on the A12 but stated that a review of the Department's capital portfolio is underway, and that more information would be provided in the upcoming Budget and spending review. Lauren Edwards (Rochester and Strood) (Lab) expressed concern about the suspension of Eurostar services at Ashford and Ebbsfleet international rail stations, and asked the Secretary of State to meet with her and other interested parties to discuss options for restoring the service. The Secretary of State, Louise Haigh, acknowledged the disappointment and stated that she would meet with the MP and local stakeholders to continue discussing the matter. Clive Jones (Wokingham) (LD) asked the Minister to investigate how road maintenance funding for local authorities can be restored, as his constituency has lost over half its funding since 2016. The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Transport, Lilian Greenwood, recognised the "appalling state of our roads" and stated that the Government has already committed to supporting local authorities to fix up to 1 million extra potholes per year, with more to be said on this in due course. Steve Race (Exeter) (Lab) raised the issue of accessibility at two of Exeter's rail stations, St Thomas and Polsloe Bridge, which are only accessible by stairs. The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Transport, Lilian Greenwood, acknowledged the importance of accessibility and stated that the Government is carefully considering the best approach to the Access for All programme, but could not yet comment on specific station projects. Siân Berry (Brighton Pavilion) (Green) asked if the Minister's capital portfolio review has properly considered the health, social and equalities aspects of value for money, and whether it will recommend cancelling more road building schemes in favour of a boost to local authority active travel funding. The Secretary of State, Louise Haigh, stated that the review is considering how to better capture the wider implications of transport infrastructure funding, and that the Government is committed to working with Active Travel England to promote active travel and public transport, while also supporting road building. Sojan Joseph (Ashford) (Lab) raised concerns about the disruption caused by the deployment of Operation Brock to queue freight lorries heading to Dover on the M20, and asked the Government to work with relevant parties to minimise delays and ensure that Operation Brock is only used as a last resort. The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Transport, Lilian Greenwood, acknowledged the issues and stated that the Department is intensifying discussions with other government departments ahead of the implementation of the new EU entry/exit system. Sir Edward Leigh (Gainsborough) (Con) urged the Minister to ensure that the through train from Grimsby to London stops in Market Rasen, threatening to lie down on the line if it does not. The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Transport, Lilian Greenwood, stated that the Department is working with industry to address the issues that need to be resolved before such a service could be introduced, and that any proposals would be subject to a thorough business case process. Marsha De Cordova (Battersea) (Lab) asked the Minister to meet with her to discuss how the project to make Battersea Park station step-free can be put back on track, after the previous government cancelled the Access for All funding. The Secretary of State, Louise Haigh, said she would be delighted to meet with the MP to discuss the issue. Victoria Collins (Harpenden and Berkhamsted) (LD) asked about the assessment of the compatibility of the proposed expansion of Luton airport with the views of the Government's own advisers, the Climate Change Committee. The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Transport, Mike Kane, stated that he could not comment on the development consent order, but reminded people of the need to balance noise and local economic activity. Matt Rodda (Reading Central) (Lab) paid tribute to all those affected by the Paddington rail crash 25 years ago. The Secretary of State, Louise Haigh, joined the MP in paying tribute to the victims and the heroes who responded on the day. Luke Taylor (Sutton and Cheam) (LD) raised concerns about the reduction in services at Worcester Park station, including increased prices and earlier last trains. The Secretary of State, Louise Haigh, acknowledged the issues and stated that the Department is already working with operators to address such problems through the public ownership reforms and the creation of Great British Railways. Rachael Maskell (York Central) (Lab/Co-op) asked about the regulation of the cross-border taxi trade, which is undermining the standards set by local taxi companies and black cabs. The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Transport, Simon Lightwood, stated that the Department is aware of the concerns and would be delighted to meet with the MP to discuss the situation further. Mr Richard Holden (Basildon and Billericay) (Con) asked the Government to commit to extending the "get around for £2" bus fare scheme until at least the end of the current financial year. The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Transport, Simon Lightwood, stated that the Government is considering the benefits of the scheme and what steps to take next, which will be part of the upcoming spending review. Dr Lauren Sullivan (Gravesham) (Lab) asked what steps the Secretary of State is taking to promote river transport crossings, such as river buses, while the lower Thames crossing is under review. The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Transport, Lilian Greenwood, said she would ask her officials to look into river buses and write to the MP after the session. John Glen (Salisbury) (Con) asked to meet with the appropriate Minister to discuss connectivity and the removal of the pinch-point on the A36 south of Salisbury. The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Transport, Lilian Greenwood, said she would be happy to meet with the MP. Daniel Francis (Bexleyheath and Crayford) (Lab) paid tribute to the "Rights on Flights" campaign and asked what steps the Secretary of State is taking to improve aviation accessibility for disabled people. The Secretary of State, Louise Haigh, stated that she had met with the campaign and would set out the Government's plans to address the issue of aviation accessibility shortly. Wendy Morton (Aldridge-Brownhills) (Con) asked the Secretary of State to confirm that the funding for a train station in Aldridge is proceeding as planned and will be delivered by 2027, or if the funding has been signed away in favour of the Labour Mayor's bus nationalisation plans. The Secretary of State, Louise Haigh, stated that she would look into the funding for the Aldridge train station. Martin Vickers (Brigg and Immingham) (Con) welcomed the approval of the new roll-on, roll-off shipping terminal at Immingham but raised concerns about the pressure it will put on the local road network, particularly the A180. He asked the Secretary of State to bring forward improvements to the A180, including the removal of the concrete surfaces, and to consider upgrading it to motorway status. The Secretary of State, Louise Haigh, acknowledged the issues and stated that the Department would provide a National Highways update to the MP. Manuela Perteghella (Stratford-on-Avon) (LD) asked what steps the Secretary of State is taking to fix the lack of capacity in Chiltern Railways so that her constituents and visitors can travel directly and sustainably to and from London. The Secretary of State, Louise Haigh, stated that the reforms around Great British Railways are designed to address such issues, and that decisions around infrastructure and operations will be made together to deliver services that make sense for the constituency. Richard Foord (Honiton and Sidmouth) (LD) raised concerns about the lack of support from Devon county council for 20 mph zones, with many parishes being told they would have to pursue the measure through "community self-delivery." The Secretary of State, Louise Haigh, acknowledged the issue and stated that if local residents want to design and support local measures around speeding and road safety, they should be supported to do so by their local authorities.