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1142440

	registered interest
	date	25/07/2019
	answering body	Department for Transport
	answering dept id	27
	answering dept short name	Transport
	answering dept sort name	Transport
	hansard heading	Railways: North of England
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they support plans for a “Northern Link” freight line between Liverpool Docks and Yorkshire and the East Coast, including the reinstatement of the track between Colne and Skipton; and what action, if any, they are taking in relation to that project.
	tabling member printed	Lord Greaves
	uin	HL17514
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 06/08/2019 answer text <p>Local stakeholders have championed the reinstatement of the Colne-Skipton railway line and work is currently progressing to assess the proposed scheme and determine if it can be made affordable, will attract sufficient traffic, and is part of the right long-term solution for trans-Pennine rail traffic.</p><p> </p><p>We expect to receive the results later this year to inform a decision as to whether the scheme should progress to the ‘develop’ stage of the Government’s Rail Network Enhancements Pipeline. This is part of our new approach to rail enhancements to ensure we address the needs of passengers and freight, and that funding commitments appropriately reflect the stage of development of schemes.</p> answering member printed Baroness Vere of Norbiton question first answered 06/08/2019 13:48:13 answering member 4580 label Biography information for Baroness Vere of Norbiton
	tabling member	2569 label Biography information for Lord Greaves

1135422

	registered interest
	date	27/06/2019
	answering body	Department for Transport
	answering dept id	27
	answering dept short name	Transport
	answering dept sort name	Transport
	hansard heading	Settle-Carlisle Railway Line
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they intend to make improvements to (1) the Settle and Carlisle railway line, and (2) rail services between Leeds and Carlisle, in the short, medium or long term, with a view to returning the status of that line to a main line.
	tabling member printed	Lord Greaves
	uin	HL16743
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 05/07/2019 answer text <p>There are currently no plans in either infrastructure or service provision terms to return the Settle and Carlisle to a main line. Whilst the railway needs to balance passenger and stakeholder aspirations with the practical and economic viability of running additional services, ideas can always be put forward to Transport for the North for consideration. It should be noted that, as part of the current Northern Franchise, some additional evening and Sunday services have been added to the route.</p><p> </p><p> </p> answering member printed Baroness Vere of Norbiton question first answered 05/07/2019 10:53:21 answering member 4580 label Biography information for Baroness Vere of Norbiton
	tabling member	2569 label Biography information for Lord Greaves

1135423

	registered interest
	date	27/06/2019
	answering body	Department for Transport
	answering dept id	27
	answering dept short name	Transport
	answering dept sort name	Transport
	hansard heading	Settle-Carlisle Railway Line
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they intend to promote the use of reformed Class 43 Mark 3 InterCity 125 sets in order to provide a better service and passenger experience on the Settle and Carlisle railway line and rail services between Leeds and Carlisle; and what consideration they have given to extending Settle and Carlisle rail services into Scotland, the East Midlands or elsewhere.
	tabling member printed	Lord Greaves
	uin	HL16744
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 05/07/2019 answer text <p>The Department does not currently have any plans to promote the use of reformed Class 43 Mark 3 InterCity 125 sets on the Settle and Carlisle railway line and rail services. Northern’s existing fleet of 243 trains is in the process of being fully upgraded to a high standard. It is committed to improving customers’ on-board experience and has refurbished over 50% of its fleet already. The programme will see the introduction of free customer Wi-Fi, at seat power sockets and customer information media screens on all Northern’s trains. There are currently no plans to extend the Settle and Carlisle rail services into Scotland, the East Midlands or elsewhere, however ideas for these can always be put forward to Transport for the North for consideration.</p> answering member printed Baroness Vere of Norbiton question first answered 05/07/2019 10:56:27 answering member 4580 label Biography information for Baroness Vere of Norbiton
	tabling member	2569 label Biography information for Lord Greaves

1128139

	registered interest
	date	23/05/2019
	answering body	Department for Transport
	answering dept id	27
	answering dept short name	Transport
	answering dept sort name	Transport
	hansard heading	Railway Track: Iron and Steel
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to reports that British Steel provides 97 per cent of the steel for railway tracks, what are the implications for Network Rail if British Steel ceases to trade.
	tabling member printed	Lord Greaves
	uin	HL15953
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 05/06/2019 answer text <p>Network Rail’s priority is ensuring passengers have a safe, reliable railway while delivering value for money for taxpayers. They are responsible for maintaining contingency plans to deal with a wide range of situations that could impact the effective operation of the railway.</p><p>The Department has been working closely with Network Rail for a number of weeks to understand the impacts on them. Network Rail has strong plans in place to make sure that they are able to carry out all critical work on the railway.</p><p> </p> answering member printed Baroness Vere of Norbiton question first answered 05/06/2019 13:23:08 answering member 4580 label Biography information for Baroness Vere of Norbiton
	tabling member	2569 label Biography information for Lord Greaves

1128141

	registered interest
	date	23/05/2019
	answering body	Department for Transport
	answering dept id	27
	answering dept short name	Transport
	answering dept sort name	Transport
	hansard heading	Colne-Skipton Railway Line
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Baroness Vere of Norbiton on 23 May (HL15714), why they did not answer the final part of the question about who is carrying out further studies into the possible reinstatement and reopening of the Colne–Skipton railway line; whether they will now provide that answer; why the Written Answer mentioned Andrew Stephenson MP; and what is his role in the studies referred to.
	tabling member printed	Lord Greaves
	uin	HL15955
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 05/06/2019 answer text <p>The Government has asked the CH2MC consortium comprising Jacobs, CPC, GHD, Poise and Gardiner &amp; Theobald to provide technical advice and assurance on further feasibility work to assess the freight demand and commercial viability of this scheme. This advisory support was sourced from the current Specialist Technical and Commercial Advice for Rail (STAR) Framework.</p><p> </p><p>The response to HL15714 simply reflects the fact that the Member for Pendle, Andrew Stephenson MP, has made strong representations to Ministers about the proposal to reinstate the Colne-Skipton rail link. In response the Secretary of State for Transport has visited Colne twice in the last 16 months.</p> answering member printed Baroness Vere of Norbiton question first answered 05/06/2019 13:22:30 answering member 4580 label Biography information for Baroness Vere of Norbiton
	tabling member	2569 label Biography information for Lord Greaves

1126697

	registered interest
	date	14/05/2019
	answering body	Department for Transport
	answering dept id	27
	answering dept short name	Transport
	answering dept sort name	Transport
	hansard heading	Colne-Skipton Railway Line
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the announcement by the Secretary of State for Transport on 25 January, whether they have commissioned the further studies into the possible reinstatement and reopening of the Colne–Skipton railway line as part of a TransPennine freight line and for local passenger services; and if so, who is undertaking those studies.
	tabling member printed	Lord Greaves
	uin	HL15714
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 23/05/2019 answer text <p>Work is currently progressing and we expect to receive the results later this year to inform a decision as to whether the scheme should go to the ‘develop’ stage of the Government’s Rail Network Enhancements Pipeline.</p><p>Local stakeholders, including the local MP Andrew Stephenson, have championed the scheme and we are working closely with Transport for the North to assess the proposed scheme and to ensure that it can be affordable, will attract sufficient traffic, and is part of the right long-term solution for cross Transpennine rail traffic.</p><p>This is part of our new approach to rail enhancements to ensure we address the needs of passengers and freight, and that funding commitments appropriately reflect the stage of development of schemes.</p><p> </p> answering member printed Baroness Vere of Norbiton question first answered 23/05/2019 14:23:33 answering member 4580 label Biography information for Baroness Vere of Norbiton
	tabling member	2569 label Biography information for Lord Greaves

1122900

	registered interest
	date	24/04/2019
	answering body	Department for Transport
	answering dept id	27
	answering dept short name	Transport
	answering dept sort name	Transport
	hansard heading	West Coast Partnership Rail Franchise
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government what priority they give to at least one of the shortlisted bidders for the West Coast rail franchise being a British company; and what steps, if any, they have taken to achieve this.
	tabling member printed	Lord Greaves
	uin	HL15291
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 01/05/2019 answer text <p>The key aspect of competition is that it is fair and open to all companies. This approach has been followed throughout the West Coast Partnership competition and all bidders have been, and continue to be, treated equally. This allows for the greatest level of competition, which will contribute to us securing both the best value for money for the taxpayer and benefits for the passenger from the franchise.</p> answering member printed Baroness Vere of Norbiton question first answered 01/05/2019 11:42:29 answering member 4580 label Biography information for Baroness Vere of Norbiton
	tabling member	2569 label Biography information for Lord Greaves

1122901

	registered interest
	date	24/04/2019
	answering body	Department for Transport
	answering dept id	27
	answering dept short name	Transport
	answering dept sort name	Transport
	hansard heading	Railways: Franchises
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the likelihood of all the rail franchises in England and Wales being held by companies owned and controlled in other countries; and whether they consider such a situation to be desirable.
	tabling member printed	Lord Greaves
	uin	HL15292
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 09/05/2019 answer text <p>Ownership by non-UK governments accounts for 29% of the DfT-managed franchise market (based on notional share of passenger revenues during 2017/18). This calculation excludes train operators other than DfT-managed franchisees.</p><p> </p><p>All franchise bidders and operators are required to be UK tax registered firms, registered with Companies House and at arms-length from owners. Train operating companies pay tax here in the UK and, most importantly, have been awarded franchises through open competitions precisely because they offer the best deal for UK passengers and taxpayers. Private sector franchisees continue to support key investments to improve services to passengers, including expanded car parking provision, station upgrades, and major new train fleets.</p> answering member printed Baroness Vere of Norbiton grouped question UIN HL15294 question first answered 09/05/2019 13:00:41 answering member 4580 label Biography information for Baroness Vere of Norbiton
	tabling member	2569 label Biography information for Lord Greaves

1122903

	registered interest
	date	24/04/2019
	answering body	Department for Transport
	answering dept id	27
	answering dept short name	Transport
	answering dept sort name	Transport
	hansard heading	Railways: Franchises
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government what proportion of rail franchises currently in operation are held, in whole or in part, by companies wholly or partly owned by foreign governments; and what percentage of total ownership of rail franchises this represents.
	tabling member printed	Lord Greaves
	uin	HL15294
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 09/05/2019 answer text <p>Ownership by non-UK governments accounts for 29% of the DfT-managed franchise market (based on notional share of passenger revenues during 2017/18). This calculation excludes train operators other than DfT-managed franchisees.</p><p> </p><p>All franchise bidders and operators are required to be UK tax registered firms, registered with Companies House and at arms-length from owners. Train operating companies pay tax here in the UK and, most importantly, have been awarded franchises through open competitions precisely because they offer the best deal for UK passengers and taxpayers. Private sector franchisees continue to support key investments to improve services to passengers, including expanded car parking provision, station upgrades, and major new train fleets.</p> answering member printed Baroness Vere of Norbiton grouped question UIN HL15292 question first answered 09/05/2019 13:00:41 answering member 4580 label Biography information for Baroness Vere of Norbiton
	tabling member	2569 label Biography information for Lord Greaves

1078282

	registered interest
	date	26/02/2019
	answering body	Department for Transport
	answering dept id	27
	answering dept short name	Transport
	answering dept sort name	Transport
	hansard heading	Railways: North of England
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government what options they are considering for the future provision of rail freight across the Pennines including (1) from, and to, the port of Liverpool to, and from, destinations in Yorkshire and beyond and (2) power station fuel and container traffic to continental gauge standards; and what alternatives they are considering to the proposed new freight link via a reinstated Colne-Skipton line.
	tabling member printed	Lord Greaves
	uin	HL14054
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 07/03/2019 answer text <p>We are considering a range of options, as is standard practice, for how best to enhance the current capability and capacity for cross Pennine bulk and intermodal W10/W12 gauge rail freight between a range of origins and destinations, including a new link via Colne-Skipton and upgrades to other existing routes.</p><p> </p> answering member printed Baroness Sugg question first answered 07/03/2019 14:55:25 answering member 4584 label Biography information for Baroness Sugg
	tabling member	2569 label Biography information for Lord Greaves