20 May 2026·Department for Transport·Answered
AskedWith reference to the Answer of 9 January 2026 to Question 100955, if she will provide a breakdown of the programmes Network Rail is undertaking to achieve its Net Zero target; and what the estimated cost to th
ReplyNetwork Rail has set a strategic target to contribute to achieving net zero carbon emissions by 2045 (Scotland) and 2050 (England and Wales). Although Rail is already one the lowest-carbon methods of travel we are committed to reducing our own carbon emis...
20 May 2026·Department for Transport·Answered
AskedWhat progress Northern has made on upgrading train sanding systems to improve braking performance since 17 December 2025; how many older units have been fitted with variable-rate sanding equipment to date; and
ReplySanding systems installed per month since December 2025 are as follows:December: 23Jan: 0Feb 0March: 3April: 0 Since 1 March 2020, 32 older Northern units have been fitted with variable rate sanding systems. The sanding improvement programme continues to ...
20 May 2026·Department for Transport·Answered
AskedWith reference to the Answer of 9 January 2026 to Question 100955, if she will provide a breakdown of programmes the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency is undertaking to decarbonise its driving test centre and
ReplyTo decarbonise its operational estate the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) will:Rationalise its current estate:Close and dispose of surplus Goods Vehicle Test Sites (GVTS).As leases expire at driving test centres, relocate into more modern and e...
20 May 2026·Department for Transport·Answered
AskedWhat estimate her Department has made of the total annual operating costs of public sector companies succeeding private franchises under the Passenger Railway Services (Public Ownership) Bill ; and if she will
ReplyAs train operating companies move into public ownership they will continue to enter into Police Service Agreements (PSAs) with the British Transport Police Authority (BTPA), and we do not expect any change to the existing funding arrangements. The BTPA wi...
18 May 2026·Department for Transport·Answered
AskedFor each train operating company under DfT Operator ownership, how many services were operated with fewer carriages than planned in each of the last 18 months; and what percentage of that operator’s total servi
ReplyIn the attached document is the available data for the number of short-formed services for each train operating company under DfT Operator ownership over the last 18 months, and the percentage of each operator’s total services based on the regime data for...
13 May 2026·Department for Transport·Answered
AskedWhat expenditure has the British Transport Police made on public affairs companies, and for what purposes, since 4 July 2024.
ReplyThe British Transport Police (BTP) has spent £0 on public affairs consultancy services.
5 Mar 2026·Department for Transport·Answered
AskedWhether she plans to publish an updated Business Case for East West Rail before the commencement of the Development Consent Order examination.
ReplyIn line with Treasury guidance, the development of the Business Case for East West Rail will progress as East West Rail Company continues to develop and refine the project. The Full Business Case will be submitted for approval and then published, once planning consent has been secured, which is standard for this type of project.
13 Jan 2026·Department for Transport·Answered
AskedWhat recent estimate she has made of the cost per kilometre of East West Rail from Bedford to Cambridge.
ReplyCapital cost estimates for Connection Stages 2 (Oxford-Bedford) and 3 (Oxford-Cambridge) routes were published by East West Rail Company in 2024. Final costs for the project will be driven by scope and design choices.
13 Jan 2026·Department for Transport·Answered
AskedWhether a decision has been made on the type of power or traction to be used on East West Rail.
ReplyIn its autumn announcement in November 2025, EWR Co set out proposals for the discontinuous (partial) electrification of the line which can deliver net zero services with hybrid battery-electric trains.
13 Jan 2026·Department for Transport·Answered
AskedWhat agreement has been made between East West Rail and Universal Destinations and Experiences on the development timeline of East West Rail during the construction of the Universal Theme Park in Bedfordshire.
ReplyUniversal’s plans for a theme park near Stewartby represents a significant local and national opportunity for economic growth. Following Government approval of the theme park in April 2025, EWR Co is working alongside Universal and key stakeholders to help integrate their proposals for the theme park with the railway and maximise the potential of both.
13 Jan 2026·Department for Transport·Answered
AskedWhat her planned timetable is for the construction of a railway station at Tempsford.
ReplyEast West Rail Company has set out details of its proposals for a new station at Tempsford as part of East West Rail in its autumn announcement in November 2025. The Government and East West Rail Company have committed to bring forward the delivery of a new station at Tempsford to introduce services on the East Coast Main Line to the area ahead of the full East West Rail scheme opening and design work is progressing on this.
8 Sept 2025·Department for Transport·Answered
AskedWhether he has considered including equestrianism within the definition of active travel for (a) planning and (b) other relevant policy purposes.
ReplyThe Government has no plans to include equestrianism within the definition of active travel. Decisions on infrastructure to support horse-riding are a matter for local authorities. Local Cycling and Walking Infrastructure Plans enable local authorities to take a strategic approach to planning local walking and cycling improvements, and to integrate these into wider plans for transport and economic development. We encourage and expect local authorities to consult with local groups such as equestrians as part of their stakeholder engagement.
17 Apr 2025·Department for Transport·Answered
AskedWhat initiatives her Department has considered to help encourage the conversion of buses to electric power.
ReplyThe transition to zero-emission buses (ZEBs) represents a great opportunity for UK bus manufacturers and repowering companies, both to supply the electric buses needed here in the UK and to win export orders abroad as other countries upgrade their bus fleets. The Government recognises the value that repower conversion can provide to advancing the decarbonisation of the bus fleet. We are encouraged by recent developments in the sector, including continued orders placed by operators for repowered buses in depots that have been electrified under ZEBRA. Future bus funding is still being considered in the round as part of the Spending Review, including funding to support ZEBs.
12 Feb 2025·Department for Transport·Answered
AskedWhat assessment she has made of the potential impact of the proposed discontinuous electrification of East West Rail on (a) capital costs and (b) operating costs of the railway.
ReplyThe cost of discontinuous electrification is already included in the publicised capital cost range of the project and the option of full electrification is still under consideration. However, electrification (discontinuous or full) is expected to significantly reduce operating costs for the line over its whole life.
8 Nov 2024·Department for Transport·Answered
AskedIf she will make an assessment of the potential merits of introducing a requirement for insurance providers to request images of the front and back of an applicant’s driving licence as part of the quotation pro
ReplyMotor Insurers already have the option to sign up to the MyLicence service run by DVLA, where a motor insurer can check the electronic driver record of an applicant for all the relevant information. This service is predicated on direct consent from the in...
26 Jul 2024·Department for Transport·Answered
AskedWhether she plans to review the performance of the Motor Insurance Bureau against their statutory obligations.
ReplyThe Department for Transport does not currently have any plans to review the performance of the Motor Insurers’ Bureau against their statutory duty. The Government is clear that addressing the rising costs of motor insurance is a priority and will set out the next steps on this in due course.