Written questions by McMurdock.

What steps she is taking to ensure that bus service planning by local authorities considers the needs of older people who can no longer drive.

This Government knows that bus services can be a lifeline for many in rural areas and can be the only means of accessing essential services. Action is being taken to help improve local bus services across the country through the Bus Services Act 2025 which has put the power over local bus services back into the hands of local leaders. In addition, the Government has confirmed over £1 billion for the 2025 to 2026 financial year to support and improve bus services in England outside London. Essex County Council and Thurrock Council have been allocated £17.8 million and £2 million of this funding respectively, helping to improve bus services across these areas. We expect local authorities to work with bus operators to ensure local bus services deliver for all communities across their area, including those without access to cars, when considering how to improve bus services. Government does not hold information on the specific number of older people in rural areas who rely solely on bus services for travel. However, the Department for Transport's National Travel Survey and Annual Bus Statistics contain information about the demographics of bus passengers. The latest data from the National Travel Survey can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/national-travel-survey-statistics, and the Annual Bus Statistics can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/annual-bus-statistics-year-ending-march-2025.

What discussions she has had with Network Rail on the impact of prolonged closures on (a) community access and (b) local transport while undertaking its statutory duties to ensure safety at East Tilbury Level Crossing.

It is the responsibility of Network Rail, as the infrastructure manager for East Tilbury Level Crossing, to assess and manage the risks associated with the crossing in accordance with its statutory safety duties. Network Rail also has a duty of care to support accessibility and mitigate the impacts of prolonged downtime, as far as reasonably practicable, whilst ensuring safety is not compromised for all those using or near the crossing.

What assessment she has made of Network Rail’s compliance with its statutory safety duties in relation to the risk of isolation of East Tilbury when level-crossing barriers remain down for extended periods due to freight movement.

It is for the Office of Rail and Road (ORR), as the independent regulator for rail safety in Great Britain, to assess Network Rail’s compliance with its statutory safety duties and enforce the law accordingly.

What discussions she has had with Network Rail on whether the isolation of East Tilbury during prolonged barrier closures constitutes a safety risk.

It is the responsibility of Network Rail, as the infrastructure manager for East Tilbury Level Crossing, to assess and manage the risks associated with the crossing in accordance with its statutory safety duties. Network Rail looks at each level crossing in detail and works closely with local authorities and communities to understand the impact on the wider local road network.

Whether Network Rail has provided her with data on (a) barrier-down times, (b) duration of delays or (c) frequency of freight movements at the East Tilbury Level Crossing.

At this level crossing, there are around 150 scheduled passenger trains passing through each day and up to 45 freight services in both directions per day. During the last risk assessment, Network Rail identified that there were 102 level crossing activations, with an average barrier down time of four minutes and seven seconds, over a 24-hour period.

What assessment she has made of the risks to (a) residents requiring urgent medical treatment and (b) other vulnerable residents when East Tilbury is cut off by level-crossing closures.

It is for Network Rail, as the infrastructure manager for Britain’s railways, to assess and manage the risks at East Tilbury level crossing to ensure it remains safe for all users and the wider public, in accordance with its statutory safety duties.

Whether the forthcoming integrated national transport strategy will include targets for improving rural bus a) coverage and b) frequency.

The integrated national transport strategy will focus on creating a transport network that works well for people wherever they live, addressing the main barriers people face in accessing good transport and empower local leaders to deliver better transport for their communities. As the strategy is being finalised, I cannot comment on specific policy or metrics but it will seek to ensure transport across England is safe, reliable and accessible so people can make the journeys they need to easily. Beyond the strategy, the Government is committed to delivering better buses throughout England, including in rural areas, and introduced the Bus Services Act 2025 to put the power over local bus services back into the hands of local leaders. In addition, the Government has confirmed over £1 billion for the 2025 to 2026 financial year to support and improve bus services in England outside London. Essex County Council and Thurrock Council have been allocated £17.8 million and £2 million of this funding respectively, helping to improve bus services and connectivity across these areas. The Government is also introducing a new approach to monitoring bus service performance through a framework of bus outcomes focused on what matters most to passengers. Combined with the flexibility for local transport authorities to invest where it’s needed most locally, this framework will drive up standards and ensure a consistent level of bus service right across the country.

What information her Department holds on safety-risk assessments that consider the consequences for East Tilbury residents being cut off when the level-crossing barriers are down.

The Department does not hold this information. It is for Network Rail, as the infrastructure manager for Britain’s railways, to assess the risks at East Tilbury Level Crossing and ensure these are managed appropriately to protect users and the wider public, in accordance with its statutory safety duties.

If she will publish a breakdown of all committed public expenditure for the Lower Thames Crossing project to date.

The Department will continue to publish information on committed public expenditure for the Lower Thames Crossing through official reporting mechanisms. To date, over £1.3bn has been spent on the project, including technical surveys, design, land purchase, planning permission, and contract awards.

What assessment she has made of the potential merits of private finance support for delivering the remainder of the Lower Thames Crossing; and whether she has had discussions with private investors on that subject.

A robust assessment of private investment options has been undertaken, with the shortlist outlined in the updated Funding Statement in February 2025. The Government’s preferred financing option at this stage is the Regulated Asset Base (RAB) model as it offers an integrated approach that focuses delivery, reduces the financial burden on taxpayers, harnesses the benefits of private investment, and ensures strong regulatory oversight to promote the interests of users. The Department, National Highways and its advisors regularly hold informal discussions with private investment markets on a variety of themes and sectors.

When she plans to confirm the remaining funding necessary to complete the Lower Thames Crossing.

The Chancellor has committed a further £891m to complete the publicly funded works for the Lower Thames Crossing, the final tranche of Government support before private sector investment takes forward construction and long-term operation. The total Government investment in the project will stand at £3.1bn. This includes spend to date and funding committed through the Spending Review and Autumn Budget.

What plans she has to publish regular progress reports detailing (a) expenditure, (b) contractual commitments and (c) updates on the funding position for the Lower Thames Crossing.

The Department and National Highways are committed to transparency and will continue to provide updates on the Lower Thames Crossing, including expenditure, contractual commitments, and the funding position, through established reporting mechanisms.

What plans she has to use (a) public-private partnership, (b) concessions model, and (c) toll-based financing model for the Lower Thames Crossing; and what options remain under consideration.

The Government's preferred financing option at this stage is the Regulated Asset Base (RAB) model. This funding approach accelerates progress by unlocking private capital, therefore reducing the financial burden on taxpayers and boosting economic growth. This approach was selected following a robust assessment of private investment options, as set out in the updated Funding Statement in February 2025. Other models considered as part of this assessment included full public funding and public funding for the tunnels with DBFOM contracts for the roads.

What assessment she has made of the risk of cost escalation in the Lower Thames Crossing project.

While the Development Consent Order (DCO) provides a fixed framework that limits scope-driven changes and offers higher cost certainty for delivery, it is important to note that at this stage of a project of this size and complexity there is always a level of uncertainty on the ultimate final cost of the project. The government’s decision to proceed under the Regulated Asset Base (RAB) model will significantly reduce the financial burden of construction costs to taxpayers, bringing in substantial amounts of private investment.

What recent discussions have taken place with EU counterparts to discuss exemptions or streamlined processes for UK HGV drivers under the Entry/Exit System.

EES is being implemented by the EU to improve border security. Ultimately, any exemptions or amendments to Schengen rules, which EES will reinforce, are a matter for Member States and the EU. Whilst the UK Government is making every effort to engage with the EU as they roll out their implementation of EES, EES is not a UK Government initiative. The Government has been supporting ports and carriers to make sure they have the right technology and processes in place so EES registration can take place as smoothly as possible. The Government will continue to listen to concerns raised by sectors affected by these rules and will advocate for British citizens abroad.

What assessment has been made of the potential economic impact on the UK logistics industry due to the recent changes to the EU's Entry/Exit System, and what actions are the Department taking to minimise disruption.

The Entry-Exit System (EES) is an EU border security system being implemented across the EU. The UK Government is making every effort to engage with the EU as they roll out EES, to ensure border fluidity for UK citizens and businesses. This includes supporting ports and carriers to make sure they have the right technology and processes in place so EES registration can take place as smoothly as possible. All UK nationals including lorry and coach drivers are bound by the 90/180 limit on short stays in the Schengen area. This has been the case since the UK left the EU in 2021. We continue to encourage road haulage and coach operators to take the necessary steps to ensure their UK national drivers who work internationally remain within the 90/180 limit.

What assessment she has made of whether road maintenance issues contribute to the pattern of road-traffic collisions in South Basildon and East Thurrock.

The Department has not made an assessment of whether road maintenance issues contribute to the pattern of road-traffic collisions in South Basildon and East Thurrock. This Government takes the condition of our country’s roads very seriously and is committed to supporting local authorities in maintaining and renewing the local highway network. At the Autumn Budget, the Chancellor announced that by 2029-30, the Government will commit over £2 billion annually for local authorities to repair and renew their roads and fix potholes – doubling funding since coming into office. This record level of funding is enough to fill millions of potholes each year, enabling the Government to exceed its commitment to fix an additional one million potholes per year. Local highway authorities have a duty under Section 41 of the Highways Act 1980 to maintain the highways network in their area. The Act does not set out specific standards of maintenance, as it is for each individual local highway authority to assess which parts of its network need repair and what standards should be applied, based upon their local knowledge and circumstances.

What steps she is taking to improve public transport connectivity in rural communities where residents have no alternative to driving.

The Government knows that in rural areas, bus services can be a lifeline for many and can be the only means of accessing essential services, including healthcare and education, as well as other modes of public transportation such as rail links. The Government is taking action to help improve local bus services across the country and encourage greater integration between transport modes. We have introduced the Bus Services Act 2025 to put the power over local bus services back into the hands of local leaders, including in rural areas. In addition, the Government has confirmed over £1 billion for the 2025 to 2026 financial year to support and improve bus services in England outside London. Essex County Council and Thurrock Council have been allocated £17.8 million and £2 million of this funding respectively, helping to improve bus services and connectivity across these areas. The Government also intends to publish its integrated national transport strategy soon to set the long-term vision for domestic transport across England. It will focus on creating a transport network that works well for people, including those in rural areas.

What assessment she has made of the impact of limited bus routes in rural areas of South Basildon and East Thurrock on social isolation among residents who do not drive.

The Government knows that in rural areas, bus services can be a lifeline for many and can be the only means of accessing essential services, including healthcare and education, as well as other modes of public transportation such as rail links. The Government is taking action to help improve local bus services across the country and encourage greater integration between transport modes. We have introduced the Bus Services Act 2025 to put the power over local bus services back into the hands of local leaders, including in rural areas. In addition, the Government has confirmed over £1 billion for the 2025 to 2026 financial year to support and improve bus services in England outside London. Essex County Council and Thurrock Council have been allocated £17.8 million and £2 million of this funding respectively, helping to improve bus services and connectivity across these areas. The Government also intends to publish its integrated national transport strategy soon to set the long-term vision for domestic transport across England. It will focus on creating a transport network that works well for people, including those in rural areas.

What assessment she has made of the effect of reduced rural bus services on access to essential services, such as a) GP appointments, b) hospitals and c) educational facilities.

The Government knows that in rural areas, bus services can be a lifeline for many and can be the only means of accessing essential services, including healthcare and education, as well as other modes of public transportation such as rail links. The Government is taking action to help improve local bus services across the country and encourage greater integration between transport modes. We have introduced the Bus Services Act 2025 to put the power over local bus services back into the hands of local leaders, including in rural areas. In addition, the Government has confirmed over £1 billion for the 2025 to 2026 financial year to support and improve bus services in England outside London. Essex County Council and Thurrock Council have been allocated £17.8 million and £2 million of this funding respectively, helping to improve bus services and connectivity across these areas. The Government also intends to publish its integrated national transport strategy soon to set the long-term vision for domestic transport across England. It will focus on creating a transport network that works well for people, including those in rural areas.