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1388601

	registered interest
	date	16/12/2021
	answering body	Department for Transport
	answering dept id	27
	answering dept short name	Transport
	answering dept sort name	Transport
	hansard heading	Railways: Penzance
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what plans (a) his Department or (b) the franchise operator has to end the Night Riviera sleeper service from London Paddington to Penzance via Plymouth.
	tabling member constituency	Plymouth, Sutton and Devonport
	tabling member printed	Luke Pollard
	uin	94519
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 05/01/2022 answer text <p>There are currently no plans to end the Night Riviera sleeper service.</p> answering member constituency Aldridge-Brownhills answering member printed Wendy Morton question first answered 05/01/2022 14:08:40 answering member 4358 label Biography information for Wendy Morton
	tabling member	4682 label Biography information for Luke Pollard

1388602

	registered interest
	date	16/12/2021
	answering body	Department for Transport
	answering dept id	27
	answering dept short name	Transport
	answering dept sort name	Transport
	hansard heading	Great Western Railway
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether his Department has requested operating reductions in costs or routes from Great Western Railway.
	tabling member constituency	Plymouth, Sutton and Devonport
	tabling member printed	Luke Pollard
	uin	94520
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 05/01/2022 answer text <p>Negotiations are ongoing with Great Western Railway regarding a new National Rail Contract. It would be inappropriate to comment any further at this point.</p><p> </p> answering member constituency Aldridge-Brownhills answering member printed Wendy Morton question first answered 05/01/2022 14:10:37 answering member 4358 label Biography information for Wendy Morton
	tabling member	4682 label Biography information for Luke Pollard

1388603

	registered interest
	date	16/12/2021
	answering body	Department for Transport
	answering dept id	27
	answering dept short name	Transport
	answering dept sort name	Transport
	hansard heading	Railways: Dawlish
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what discussions he has had with Great Western Railway and Hitachi on the failure of IET trains at Dawlish after coming into contact with waves; and if he will make a statement.
	tabling member constituency	Plymouth, Sutton and Devonport
	tabling member printed	Luke Pollard
	uin	94521
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 05/01/2022 answer text <p>GWR and the train manufacturer, Hitachi, are working on further solutions for issues caused by sea water on electrical equipment on the roof. My Officials are working with GWR and Hitachi to ensure that any lessons learned are fully understood and recommendations implemented.</p><p> </p> answering member constituency Aldridge-Brownhills answering member printed Wendy Morton question first answered 05/01/2022 14:13:17 answering member 4358 label Biography information for Wendy Morton
	tabling member	4682 label Biography information for Luke Pollard

1399304

	registered interest
	date	04/01/2022
	answering body	Department for Transport
	answering dept id	27
	answering dept short name	Transport
	answering dept sort name	Transport
	hansard heading	Leamside Line
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if (a) the Parliamentary Under Secretary of State or (b) another Minister in his Department will visit the Leamside Line to discuss with stakeholders the case for its proposed reopening.
	tabling member constituency	Houghton and Sunderland South
	tabling member printed	Bridget Phillipson
	uin	96861
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 10/01/2022 answer text <p>In January 2020 the Government pledged £500 million for the Restoring Your Railway programme to deliver on our manifesto commitment to start reopening lines and stations to reconnect smaller communities, regenerate local economies and improve access to jobs, homes and education. The bid for the Leamside Line to the third round of the Ideas Fund was unsuccessful. My predecessor as Rail Minister provided feedback on the scheme and advice on alternative funding routes to the Hon Member and her colleagues. As stated in the Integrated Rail Plan, the case for re-opening the Leamside route would be best developed as part of any future city region settlement.</p><p> </p> answering member constituency Aldridge-Brownhills answering member printed Wendy Morton question first answered 10/01/2022 11:50:36 answering member 4358 label Biography information for Wendy Morton
	tabling member	4046 label Biography information for Bridget Phillipson

1399308

	registered interest
	date	04/01/2022
	answering body	Department for Transport
	answering dept id	27
	answering dept short name	Transport
	answering dept sort name	Transport
	hansard heading	Leamside Line
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, when his Department plans to bring forward plans for a future city region settlement to include an assessment of the potential merits of re-opening the Leamside Line.
	tabling member constituency	Houghton and Sunderland South
	tabling member printed	Bridget Phillipson
	uin	96862
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 11/01/2022 answer text <p>The Integrated Rail Plan published in November 2021 confirmed that the potential re-opening of the Leamside line would be best considered as part of a future city region settlement.</p><p>The Government has committed to investing £5.7bn in the transport networks for eight city regions in England, including the North East, through the City Region Sustainable Transport Settlements programme. The first settlement period will begin in April this year and will last for five years. As set out at the Spending Review, the North East will be eligible to access this funding once appropriate governance in in place.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p> answering member constituency Aldridge-Brownhills answering member printed Wendy Morton question first answered 11/01/2022 10:27:21 answering member 4358 label Biography information for Wendy Morton
	tabling member	4046 label Biography information for Bridget Phillipson

1399335

	registered interest
	date	04/01/2022
	answering body	Department for Transport
	answering dept id	27
	answering dept short name	Transport
	answering dept sort name	Transport
	hansard heading	Trains: Coronavirus
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what savings have been made as a result of train timetable alterations made in response to the covid-19 outbreak since March 2021.
	tabling member constituency	Dulwich and West Norwood
	tabling member printed	Helen Hayes
	uin	96985
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 10/01/2022 answer text <p>The national rail timetable changed three times since March 2021, in May, September and December. The industry sought to improve its passenger service offer and deliver an attractive, reliable and punctual timetable that met passengers’ needs. The changes implemented throughout 2021 increased the number of services that ran, which did not therefore attract cost savings.</p><p><strong> </strong></p><p><strong> </strong></p><p><strong> </strong></p> answering member constituency Aldridge-Brownhills answering member printed Wendy Morton question first answered 10/01/2022 11:47:57 answering member 4358 label Biography information for Wendy Morton
	tabling member	4510 label Biography information for Helen Hayes

1399336

	registered interest
	date	04/01/2022
	answering body	Department for Transport
	answering dept id	27
	answering dept short name	Transport
	answering dept sort name	Transport
	hansard heading	Trains: Greater London
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps he has taken to consult (a) hon. Members representing London constituencies, (b) Greater London Assembly members, (c) local authorities and (d) the London Mayor on train timetable alterations made since March 2021 in response to the covid-19 outbreak.
	tabling member constituency	Dulwich and West Norwood
	tabling member printed	Helen Hayes
	uin	96986
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 10/01/2022 answer text <p>In light of the surge in Omicron cases and rising staff sickness, the rail industry has made plans to operate the maximum level of service it can run reliably within existing operational constraints, to ensure passengers can plan their journeys with confidence.</p><p>Responding effectively to the challenges posed by this pandemic meant that the rail industry had to amend its timetables at short notice, cope with fluctuating passenger demand and staff absence, and act quickly on feedback from stakeholders. Train operators worked closely with their local markets and key stakeholders, including passenger groups, Members of Parliament, local and mayoral authorities, to find the best solution to the needs of the local community, and run a reliable service within existing current operational constraints. Industry partners will continue to collaborate to develop attractive timetables that are reliable and deliver excellent performance for passengers.</p><p> </p><p> </p> answering member constituency Aldridge-Brownhills answering member printed Wendy Morton question first answered 10/01/2022 11:46:03 answering member 4358 label Biography information for Wendy Morton
	tabling member	4510 label Biography information for Helen Hayes

1400055

	registered interest
	date	05/01/2022
	answering body	Department for Transport
	answering dept id	27
	answering dept short name	Transport
	answering dept sort name	Transport
	hansard heading	Railway Stations: Visual Impairment
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps his Department is taking to ensure that all train station platforms have warning tactile flooring installed to assist blind and partially sighted people when travelling by train.
	tabling member constituency	Slough
	tabling member printed	Mr Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi
	uin	98389
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 10/01/2022 answer text <p>We are committed to making sure that 100 percent of British mainline station platforms are fitted with tactile surfaces and Network Rail has received an initial £10 million to install tactile paving at priority stations not already funded.</p><p> </p><p>Tactiles have since been installed at a number of stations including Bournemouth, Chiswick and Overton with more to come.</p><p> </p><p>I will make further announcements on future rounds of funding in due course.</p><p><strong> </strong></p> answering member constituency Aldridge-Brownhills answering member printed Wendy Morton question first answered 10/01/2022 11:58:44 answering member 4358 label Biography information for Wendy Morton
	tabling member	4638 label Biography information for Mr Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi

1400314

	registered interest
	date	06/01/2022
	answering body	Department for Transport
	answering dept id	27
	answering dept short name	Transport
	answering dept sort name	Transport
	hansard heading	Railways: Fares
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what estimate he has made of the cost to passengers of the 3.8 per cent increase in rail fares due in March 2022.
	tabling member constituency	Sheffield, Heeley
	tabling member printed	Louise Haigh
	uin	99001
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 11/01/2022 answer text <p>Rail fares increases will be capped and tied to the Retail Price Index (RPI) figure for July 2021 (3.8 per cent). The Government has deliberately continued to use the July figure as it was lower than the months since, as an August or September RPI figure would have led to a 4.8 per cent or 4.9 per cent change with October being even higher at 6 per cent. In addition, as with 2021, we have temporarily frozen fares for passengers to travel at the lower price for the entirety of January and February 2022, with fares changing on 1 March 2022.</p><p>The Department takes guidance from the Passenger Demand Forecasting Handbook on the effects of changes to fares on rail demand. There are a number of factors which impact passenger demand, including most notably at the moment the pandemic’s impact on passenger travel.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p> answering member constituency Aldridge-Brownhills answering member printed Wendy Morton grouped question UIN 99002 99004 question first answered 11/01/2022 10:19:29 answering member 4358 label Biography information for Wendy Morton
	tabling member	4473 label Biography information for Louise Haigh

1400315

	registered interest
	date	06/01/2022
	answering body	Department for Transport
	answering dept id	27
	answering dept short name	Transport
	answering dept sort name	Transport
	hansard heading	Railways: Fares
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment his Department has made of the effect of fare increases on passenger numbers; and if he will place a copy in the Library of that assessment.
	tabling member constituency	Sheffield, Heeley
	tabling member printed	Louise Haigh
	uin	99002
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 11/01/2022 answer text <p>Rail fares increases will be capped and tied to the Retail Price Index (RPI) figure for July 2021 (3.8 per cent). The Government has deliberately continued to use the July figure as it was lower than the months since, as an August or September RPI figure would have led to a 4.8 per cent or 4.9 per cent change with October being even higher at 6 per cent. In addition, as with 2021, we have temporarily frozen fares for passengers to travel at the lower price for the entirety of January and February 2022, with fares changing on 1 March 2022.</p><p>The Department takes guidance from the Passenger Demand Forecasting Handbook on the effects of changes to fares on rail demand. There are a number of factors which impact passenger demand, including most notably at the moment the pandemic’s impact on passenger travel.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p> answering member constituency Aldridge-Brownhills answering member printed Wendy Morton grouped question UIN 99001 99004 question first answered 11/01/2022 10:19:29 answering member 4358 label Biography information for Wendy Morton
	tabling member	4473 label Biography information for Louise Haigh

1400316

	registered interest
	date	06/01/2022
	answering body	Department for Transport
	answering dept id	27
	answering dept short name	Transport
	answering dept sort name	Transport
	hansard heading	Railways: Tickets
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, on how many occassions the Book With Confidence scheme has been used by passengers since its introduction.
	tabling member constituency	Sheffield, Heeley
	tabling member printed	Louise Haigh
	uin	99003
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 11/01/2022 answer text <p>While it is not possible to track the specific number of occasions where the Book with Confidence scheme has been used by passengers, rail industry survey data suggests that the scheme has contributed significantly to passenger willingness to travel by train during the pandemic. The Government has therefore extended the Book with Confidence scheme through to 31 March 2022, in recognition of the continuing uncertainty facing passengers due to COVID-19.</p><p> </p><p> </p> answering member constituency Aldridge-Brownhills answering member printed Wendy Morton question first answered 11/01/2022 10:22:24 answering member 4358 label Biography information for Wendy Morton
	tabling member	4473 label Biography information for Louise Haigh

1400317

	registered interest
	date	06/01/2022
	answering body	Department for Transport
	answering dept id	27
	answering dept short name	Transport
	answering dept sort name	Transport
	hansard heading	Railways: Fares
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what estimate his Department has made of the average passenger fare per journey following the 3.8 per cent increase in rail fares in March 2022.
	tabling member constituency	Sheffield, Heeley
	tabling member printed	Louise Haigh
	uin	99004
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 11/01/2022 answer text <p>Rail fares increases will be capped and tied to the Retail Price Index (RPI) figure for July 2021 (3.8 per cent). The Government has deliberately continued to use the July figure as it was lower than the months since, as an August or September RPI figure would have led to a 4.8 per cent or 4.9 per cent change with October being even higher at 6 per cent. In addition, as with 2021, we have temporarily frozen fares for passengers to travel at the lower price for the entirety of January and February 2022, with fares changing on 1 March 2022.</p><p>The Department takes guidance from the Passenger Demand Forecasting Handbook on the effects of changes to fares on rail demand. There are a number of factors which impact passenger demand, including most notably at the moment the pandemic’s impact on passenger travel.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p> answering member constituency Aldridge-Brownhills answering member printed Wendy Morton grouped question UIN 99001 99002 question first answered 11/01/2022 10:19:29 answering member 4358 label Biography information for Wendy Morton
	tabling member	4473 label Biography information for Louise Haigh

1400318

	registered interest
	date	06/01/2022
	answering body	Department for Transport
	answering dept id	27
	answering dept short name	Transport
	answering dept sort name	Transport
	hansard heading	Railways: Fuels
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what estimate he has made of the total cost of fuel to franchised train operators in each year from 2015 to date.
	tabling member constituency	Sheffield, Heeley
	tabling member printed	Louise Haigh
	uin	99005
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 11/01/2022 answer text <p>The following table shows the total diesel fuel and traction electricity charges from 2015/16 to date.</p><table><tbody><tr><td><p><em>£m<sup>1</sup></em></p></td><td><p>2015/16</p></td><td><p>2016/17</p></td><td><p>2017/18</p></td><td><p>2018/19</p></td><td><p>2019/20</p></td><td><p>2020/21</p></td><td><p>2021/22<sup>2</sup></p></td></tr><tr><td><p><strong>TOTAL</strong></p></td><td><p><strong>558</strong></p></td><td><p><strong>506</strong></p></td><td><p><strong>522</strong></p></td><td><p><strong>593</strong></p></td><td><p><strong>611</strong></p></td><td><p><strong>539</strong></p></td><td><p><strong>297</strong></p></td></tr></tbody></table><p><em>Source: ORR data portal and train operating company management accounts</em></p><p><sup>1</sup> Figures are shown in £m for each financial year. For the period 2015/16 to 2020/21, figures are in 2020/21 prices. For 2021/22, figures are in 2021/22 prices.</p><p><sup>2 </sup>The figures for 2021/22 are taken from management accounts supplied to the Department by DfT-franchised train operating companies. The period covered is from 1 April to 11 December 2021. There may still be wash-up payments between the Department and DfT-franchised operators for 2021/22 to take place which are not reflected in the above figures.</p> answering member constituency Aldridge-Brownhills answering member printed Wendy Morton question first answered 11/01/2022 10:15:28 answering member 4358 label Biography information for Wendy Morton
	tabling member	4473 label Biography information for Louise Haigh

1352358

	registered interest
	date	03/09/2021
	answering body	Department for Transport
	answering dept id	27
	answering dept short name	Transport
	answering dept sort name	Transport
	hansard heading	Driving Licences: Medical Examinations
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, how many blood samples were requested by DVLA as part of a fitness to drive medical in each of the last five years.
	tabling member constituency	Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross
	tabling member printed	Jamie Stone
	uin	42064
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 08/09/2021 answer text <p>The number of blood tests requested by the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency as part of a medical fitness to drive investigation in the last five years is shown in the table below:</p><table><tbody><tr><td><p><del class="ministerial">Year</del></p></td><td><p><del class="ministerial">2015/16</del></p></td><td><p><del class="ministerial">2016/17</del></p></td><td><p><del class="ministerial">2017/18</del></p></td><td><p><del class="ministerial">2018/19</del></p></td><td><p><del class="ministerial">2020/21</del></p></td></tr><tr><td><p><del class="ministerial">Total requests</del></p></td><td><p><del class="ministerial">35,524</del></p></td><td><p><del class="ministerial">36,792</del></p></td><td><p><del class="ministerial">36,125</del></p></td><td><p><del class="ministerial">43,332</del></p></td><td><p><del class="ministerial">34,216</del></p></td></tr></tbody></table><table><tbody><tr><td><p><ins class="ministerial"><strong>Year</strong></ins></p></td><td><p><ins class="ministerial">2015/16</ins></p></td><td><p><ins class="ministerial">2016/17</ins></p></td><td><p><ins class="ministerial">2017/18</ins></p></td><td><p><ins class="ministerial">2018/19</ins></p></td><td><p><ins class="ministerial">2019/20</ins></p></td><td><p><ins class="ministerial">2020/21</ins></p></td></tr><tr><td><p><ins class="ministerial"><strong>Total</strong> <strong>requests</strong></ins></p></td><td><p><ins class="ministerial">35,524</ins></p></td><td><p><ins class="ministerial">36,792</ins></p></td><td><p><ins class="ministerial">35,040</ins></p></td><td><p><ins class="ministerial">36,125</ins></p></td><td><p><ins class="ministerial">43,332</ins></p></td><td><p><ins class="ministerial">34,216</ins></p></td></tr></tbody></table><p> </p><p>Information on the number of blood tests that needed to be retaken or the reason why is not readily available. Retrieving this information would require the interrogation of each individual case to identify the reason for which the blood test needed to be re-taken.</p><p> </p> answering member constituency Copeland answering member printed Trudy Harrison question first answered 08/09/2021 13:44:58 question first ministerially corrected 22/10/2021 10:14:22 answering member 4593 label Biography information for Trudy Harrison previous answer version 19299 answering member constituency Redditch answering member printed Rachel Maclean answering member 4668
	tabling member	4612 label Biography information for Jamie Stone

1354858

	registered interest
	date	13/09/2021
	answering body	Department for Transport
	answering dept id	27
	answering dept short name	Transport
	answering dept sort name	Transport
	hansard heading	Driving Licences
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what estimate he has made of the number of people waiting for their driving licence to be renewed by the DVLA; and what that estimate was for each of the last five years.
	tabling member constituency	Hemsworth
	tabling member printed	Jon Trickett
	uin	48142
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 21/09/2021 answer text <p>The Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA)’s online services are the quickest and easiest way to apply for a driving licence. There are no delays in successful online applications and customers should receive their driving licence within a few days. However, many people still choose or have to make a paper application for a driving licence. The DVLA receives around 60,000 items of mail every day which must be dealt with in person. Industrial action by members of the Public and Commercial Services union, along with having fewer staff on site to ensure social distancing in line with Welsh Government guidelines, has led to delays for customers who make paper applications.</p><p> </p><p>There are currently around 638,000 paper applications for a driving licence awaiting processing. This includes those applying for a driving licence for the first time and those renewing an existing licence. It should be noted that the large majority of applicants renewing an existing licence will be able to continue driving while their application is being processed. Information for each of the last five years is not available.</p><p> </p><p>The DVLA continues to look into opportunities to reduce the backlog and has been developing additional new online services and recruiting additional staff. The DVLA is urgently exploring the possibility of securing extra office space to house more staff to help reduce backlogs. <strong> </strong></p><p> </p><p> </p> answering member constituency Copeland answering member printed Trudy Harrison question first answered 21/09/2021 15:21:02 answering member 4593 label Biography information for Trudy Harrison
	tabling member	410 label Biography information for Jon Trickett

1354960

	registered interest
	date	13/09/2021
	answering body	Department for Transport
	answering dept id	27
	answering dept short name	Transport
	answering dept sort name	Transport
	hansard heading	Motor Vehicles: Noise
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, with reference to the Answer of 27 October 2020 to Question 105392 on Motorcycles: Noise, what further research the Government has undertaken on the effectiveness of acoustic cameras on reducing levels of noise pollution.
	tabling member constituency	Brentford and Isleworth
	tabling member printed	Ruth Cadbury
	uin	48254
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 21/09/2021 answer text <p>On 2<sup>nd</sup> August, the Department published the results of research into enforcement against excessive noise pollution from vehicles using acoustic cameras. This research has shown that the technology has the potential to identify excessively noisy vehicles, but that there are still difficulties in accurately measuring noise from individual vehicles in busier traffic conditions. Further research is being commissioned to address these challenges, which will include further roadside trials of selected technology.</p><p> </p><p>The Department has not held formal discussions with police forces on the enforcement of vehicle noise, but commissioned research in 2018 to better understand existing enforcement strategies and identify ways of enabling more effective approaches using alternative technologies. This research included a survey of police forces in England and Wales, including the Metropolitan Police. A report of this research was published on 8<sup>th</sup> June 2019.</p><p> </p><p><strong> </strong></p> answering member constituency Copeland answering member printed Trudy Harrison grouped question UIN 48255 48256 48257 48258 question first answered 21/09/2021 12:45:07 answering member 4593 label Biography information for Trudy Harrison
	tabling member	4389 label Biography information for Ruth Cadbury

1354968

	registered interest
	date	13/09/2021
	answering body	Department for Transport
	answering dept id	27
	answering dept short name	Transport
	answering dept sort name	Transport
	hansard heading	Motor Vehicles: Noise
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment he has made of the (a) reliability and (b) accuracy of acoustic cameras in enforcing road traffic noise limits.
	tabling member constituency	Brentford and Isleworth
	tabling member printed	Ruth Cadbury
	uin	48255
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 21/09/2021 answer text <p>On 2<sup>nd</sup> August, the Department published the results of research into enforcement against excessive noise pollution from vehicles using acoustic cameras. This research has shown that the technology has the potential to identify excessively noisy vehicles, but that there are still difficulties in accurately measuring noise from individual vehicles in busier traffic conditions. Further research is being commissioned to address these challenges, which will include further roadside trials of selected technology.</p><p> </p><p>The Department has not held formal discussions with police forces on the enforcement of vehicle noise, but commissioned research in 2018 to better understand existing enforcement strategies and identify ways of enabling more effective approaches using alternative technologies. This research included a survey of police forces in England and Wales, including the Metropolitan Police. A report of this research was published on 8<sup>th</sup> June 2019.</p><p> </p><p><strong> </strong></p> answering member constituency Copeland answering member printed Trudy Harrison grouped question UIN 48254 48256 48257 48258 question first answered 21/09/2021 12:45:07 answering member 4593 label Biography information for Trudy Harrison
	tabling member	4389 label Biography information for Ruth Cadbury

1354972

	registered interest
	date	13/09/2021
	answering body	Department for Transport
	answering dept id	27
	answering dept short name	Transport
	answering dept sort name	Transport
	hansard heading	Motor Vehicles: Noise
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what discussions he has had with officials from the Metropolitan Police on the enforcement of noise pollution from vehicles.
	tabling member constituency	Brentford and Isleworth
	tabling member printed	Ruth Cadbury
	uin	48256
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 21/09/2021 answer text <p>On 2<sup>nd</sup> August, the Department published the results of research into enforcement against excessive noise pollution from vehicles using acoustic cameras. This research has shown that the technology has the potential to identify excessively noisy vehicles, but that there are still difficulties in accurately measuring noise from individual vehicles in busier traffic conditions. Further research is being commissioned to address these challenges, which will include further roadside trials of selected technology.</p><p> </p><p>The Department has not held formal discussions with police forces on the enforcement of vehicle noise, but commissioned research in 2018 to better understand existing enforcement strategies and identify ways of enabling more effective approaches using alternative technologies. This research included a survey of police forces in England and Wales, including the Metropolitan Police. A report of this research was published on 8<sup>th</sup> June 2019.</p><p> </p><p><strong> </strong></p> answering member constituency Copeland answering member printed Trudy Harrison grouped question UIN 48254 48255 48257 48258 question first answered 21/09/2021 12:45:07 answering member 4593 label Biography information for Trudy Harrison
	tabling member	4389 label Biography information for Ruth Cadbury

1354973

	registered interest
	date	13/09/2021
	answering body	Department for Transport
	answering dept id	27
	answering dept short name	Transport
	answering dept sort name	Transport
	hansard heading	Motor Vehicles: Noise
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment he has made of the adequacy of the enforcement of noise pollution limits from vehicles.
	tabling member constituency	Brentford and Isleworth
	tabling member printed	Ruth Cadbury
	uin	48257
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 21/09/2021 answer text <p>On 2<sup>nd</sup> August, the Department published the results of research into enforcement against excessive noise pollution from vehicles using acoustic cameras. This research has shown that the technology has the potential to identify excessively noisy vehicles, but that there are still difficulties in accurately measuring noise from individual vehicles in busier traffic conditions. Further research is being commissioned to address these challenges, which will include further roadside trials of selected technology.</p><p> </p><p>The Department has not held formal discussions with police forces on the enforcement of vehicle noise, but commissioned research in 2018 to better understand existing enforcement strategies and identify ways of enabling more effective approaches using alternative technologies. This research included a survey of police forces in England and Wales, including the Metropolitan Police. A report of this research was published on 8<sup>th</sup> June 2019.</p><p> </p><p><strong> </strong></p> answering member constituency Copeland answering member printed Trudy Harrison grouped question UIN 48254 48255 48256 48258 question first answered 21/09/2021 12:45:07 answering member 4593 label Biography information for Trudy Harrison
	tabling member	4389 label Biography information for Ruth Cadbury

1354976

	registered interest
	date	13/09/2021
	answering body	Department for Transport
	answering dept id	27
	answering dept short name	Transport
	answering dept sort name	Transport
	hansard heading	Large Goods Vehicle Drivers: Driving Tests
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment he has made of the potential effect on safety of the reduced requirements for HGV driver tests.
	tabling member constituency	Huddersfield
	tabling member printed	Mr Barry Sheerman
	uin	48144
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 21/09/2021 answer text <p>The elements currently assessed to determine the competence of test candidates to hold a lorry licence will not change. The proposal is to allow the off-road reversing manoeuvres and, for vehicles with trailer, the un-coupling and coupling exercise, to be conducted separately by authorised third-party assessors.</p><p>The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency examiners will continue to conduct the on-road driving test. Any driver that does not meet the required standards will not be granted a test pass.</p> answering member constituency Copeland answering member printed Trudy Harrison question first answered 21/09/2021 15:09:44 answering member 4593 label Biography information for Trudy Harrison
	tabling member	411 label Biography information for Mr Barry Sheerman

1355004

	registered interest
	date	13/09/2021
	answering body	Department for Transport
	answering dept id	27
	answering dept short name	Transport
	answering dept sort name	Transport
	hansard heading	Motor Vehicles: Noise
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment he has made of the adequacy of the enforcement of noise pollution limits from vehicles.
	tabling member constituency	Brentford and Isleworth
	tabling member printed	Ruth Cadbury
	uin	48258
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 21/09/2021 answer text <p>On 2<sup>nd</sup> August, the Department published the results of research into enforcement against excessive noise pollution from vehicles using acoustic cameras. This research has shown that the technology has the potential to identify excessively noisy vehicles, but that there are still difficulties in accurately measuring noise from individual vehicles in busier traffic conditions. Further research is being commissioned to address these challenges, which will include further roadside trials of selected technology.</p><p> </p><p>The Department has not held formal discussions with police forces on the enforcement of vehicle noise, but commissioned research in 2018 to better understand existing enforcement strategies and identify ways of enabling more effective approaches using alternative technologies. This research included a survey of police forces in England and Wales, including the Metropolitan Police. A report of this research was published on 8<sup>th</sup> June 2019.</p><p> </p><p><strong> </strong></p> answering member constituency Copeland answering member printed Trudy Harrison grouped question UIN 48254 48255 48256 48257 question first answered 21/09/2021 12:45:07 answering member 4593 label Biography information for Trudy Harrison
	tabling member	4389 label Biography information for Ruth Cadbury

1355032

	registered interest
	date	13/09/2021
	answering body	Department for Transport
	answering dept id	27
	answering dept short name	Transport
	answering dept sort name	Transport
	hansard heading	Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency: Telephone Services
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what the DVSA’s target time is for answering customer calls on 0300 200 1122; and what its performance is against that target.
	tabling member constituency	Orkney and Shetland
	tabling member printed	Mr Alistair Carmichael
	uin	48161
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 21/09/2021 answer text <p>The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency’s (DVSA) target time for answering customer calls made to 0300 200 1122, which was set before the coronavirus pandemic, is 70% of calls answered within 30 seconds.</p><p>Pre-pandemic, the performance was 79.27% during the period 1 January to 31 August 2019.</p><p>The COVID-19 pandemic led to significant disruption to DVSA services with the customer service centre receiving an unprecedented number of customer calls – rising, for example, to around 30,000 extra calls each month during June, July and August 2021, which has inevitably impacted on the time taken to answer each call.</p><p>In addition, the COVID-19 pandemic led to increased staff attrition/departures during 2020/21, with the call centre operating with an average of 10 fewer agents than usual. The DVSA is currently undergoing a recruitment campaign to increase to the number of agents, which will improve the service standard.</p><p>The exceptionally high call volumes during the pandemic, and the fall in agent numbers, resulted in a performance of 40.88% during the period 1 January to 31 August 2020, and 38.27% for the same period this year.</p><p><strong> </strong></p><p> </p> answering member constituency Copeland answering member printed Trudy Harrison question first answered 21/09/2021 15:14:25 answering member 4593 label Biography information for Trudy Harrison
	tabling member	1442 label Biography information for Mr Alistair Carmichael

1355138

	registered interest
	date	13/09/2021
	answering body	Department for Transport
	answering dept id	27
	answering dept short name	Transport
	answering dept sort name	Transport
	hansard heading	Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency: Coronavirus
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what recent discussions he has had with the PCS union on ensuring that DVLA staff have a covid-secure working environment.
	tabling member constituency	Lanark and Hamilton East
	tabling member printed	Angela Crawley
	uin	48276
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 21/09/2021 answer text <p>Discussions between the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) and the Public and Commercial Services Union (PCS) about staff safety in relation to Covid-19 began before the initial lockdown was announced and have been ongoing throughout. The Department for Transport has also been involved in those discussions where appropriate.</p><p> </p><p>Staff safety remains an absolute priority for the department and the DVLA and all appropriate measures have been put in place. <strong> </strong></p><p>The PCS has made clear that our proposals are acceptable in terms of addressing their staff safety concerns.</p><p> </p> answering member constituency Copeland answering member printed Trudy Harrison question first answered 21/09/2021 15:18:48 answering member 4593 label Biography information for Trudy Harrison
	tabling member	4469 label Biography information for Angela Crawley

1355280

	registered interest
	date	14/09/2021
	answering body	Department for Transport
	answering dept id	27
	answering dept short name	Transport
	answering dept sort name	Transport
	hansard heading	Roads: Repairs and Maintenance
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether the pioneering technology used in 2016 by Highways England’s contractors to resurface the A1 at Brownieside continues to be utilised.
	tabling member constituency	North Herefordshire
	tabling member printed	Bill Wiggin
	uin	49041
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 23/09/2021 answer text <p>This technology is still being utilised by National Highways (formerly Highways England) where it is thought to be the most suitable for the project in question. It has been used on 6 different schemes within the Yorkshire and North East region since the original trial in 2016.</p><p> </p><p> </p> answering member constituency Copeland answering member printed Trudy Harrison question first answered 23/09/2021 11:10:49 answering member 4593 label Biography information for Trudy Harrison
	tabling member	1428 label Biography information for Sir Bill Wiggin

1355401

	registered interest
	date	14/09/2021
	answering body	Department for Transport
	answering dept id	27
	answering dept short name	Transport
	answering dept sort name	Transport
	hansard heading	Bridges: Northern Ireland and Scotland
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what expenditure the Government has incurred on preparatory work related to a fixed-link crossing between Scotland and Northern Ireland since 24 July 2019.
	tabling member constituency	Paisley and Renfrewshire North
	tabling member printed	Gavin Newlands
	uin	49170
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 22/09/2021 answer text <p>The Fixed Link Feasibility Study forms part of the Union Connectivity Review, independently chaired by Sir Peter Hendy CBE. Sir Peter’s review has not yet concluded, so the final figure is not yet available.</p><p> </p> answering member constituency Copeland answering member printed Trudy Harrison question first answered 22/09/2021 13:10:42 answering member 4593 label Biography information for Trudy Harrison
	tabling member	4420 label Biography information for Gavin Newlands