Written questions by Morton.

What assessment she has made of the impact of the Budget’s roads funding announcements on tackling congestion hotspots in Aldridge-Brownhills, including the A452, A461, Chester Road, Walsall Wood Road and Brownhills High Street; and whether additional funding will be made available to local authorities to deliver small-scale but high-impact junction and safety improvements.

Tackling congestion hotspots on local roads is a matter for local highway authorities. The roads in question are the responsibility of Walsall Council, which is part of the West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA). WMCA is in receipt of £1.05bn of City Region Sustainable Transport Settlements (CRSTS) funding for the period 2022/23 to 2026/27, and this Government has allocated £2.4bn of Transport for City Regions (TCR) funding to the region for the period up until 2031/32. It is for the combined authority to determine how this funding is allocated across the city region in line with its local priorities.The Government has also committed over £2 billion annually by 2029/30 for local authorities to repair and renew their roads and fix potholes – doubling funding since coming into office. For the first time, we have confirmed funding allocations for four years, enabling local authorities to plan ahead with certainty, move away from expensive, short-term repairs, and instead invest in proactive and preventative maintenance. As a result of this, WMCA are eligible to receive an additional £9 million in 2026/27.

What assessment she has made of the potential impact of funding for buses in the Autumn Budget 2025 on bus routes serving Aldridge-Brownhills constituency; and whether her Department plans to issue guidance to Combined Authorities on protecting services in semi-rural areas of the West Midlands.

The Government reaffirmed its commitment to investing in bus services long-term in the Spending Review, confirming over £3 billion from 2026/27 to support local leaders and bus operators across the country to improve bus services for millions of passengers. This includes multi-year allocations for local authorities under the Local Authority Bus Grant (LABG) totalling nearly £700 million per year, ending the short-term approach to bus funding and giving councils the certainty they need to plan ahead to improve services for local communities. West Midlands Combined Authority has been allocated £120 million under the LABG from 2026/27 to 2028/29. LABG allocations have been calculated using a fair and transparent approach that considers population size, levels of deprivation, the extent of existing bus services and rurality. The Government knows that bus services can be a lifeline for many, including in semi-rural areas. The Department for Transport’s guidance to local transport authorities and bus operators on developing their Bus Service Improvement Plans makes clear that these should consider how to improve services across the full Local Transport Authority area. In the case of West Midlands Combined Authority, this includes Aldridge-Brownhills constituency. The Government has also introduced the Bus Services Act 2025 which puts passenger needs, reliable services and local accountability at the heart of local bus services by putting the power back in the hands of local leaders right across England. The Act includes a measure on socially necessary services so that local authorities and bus operators have to have regard for alternatives to changing or cancelling services.

What steps she is taking to support bus operators in the West Midlands to maintain service frequency on key local routes, including those serving Aldridge and surrounding communities.

The Government knows that reliable and frequent bus services are vital to providing access to services and keeping communities connected. The Government’s Bus Services Act 2025 puts passenger needs, reliable services and local accountability at the heart of the industry by putting the power over local bus services back in the hands of local leaders right across England. As part of the Autumn 2024 Budget, the Government allocated over £1 billion to support and improve bus services in 2025/26 and keep fares affordable. This includes £243 million for operators through the Bus Service Operators Grant (BSOG) and BSOGPlus, and £712 million for local authorities. The BSOG helps operators to keep fares down and run services that might otherwise be unprofitable and could lead to cancellation. Of the £712 million for local authorities, the West Midlands Combined Authority has been allocated £50 million. Funding allocated to local authorities to deliver better bus services can be used in whichever way they wish to improve services for passengers, including expanding services and improving frequency. The Government reaffirmed its commitment to investing in bus services long-term in this Spending Review. On 11 June, the Government confirmed additional funding per year from 2026/27 to maintain and improve bus services, including taking forward franchising pilots and extending the £3 bus fare cap until March 2027.

What assessment she has made of trends in the level of rail freight crime; and what steps her department is taking to reduce those levels.

The British Transport Police (BTP) are responsible for policing the rail network in England, Scotland and Wales. The BTP work proactively with Freight Operating Companies (FOCs) to identify trends, advise on crime prevention and work to identify and arrest any offenders when crime is reported. BTP hold a 4-weekly Freight Working Group which is open to all freight operators. For 2025/26 year to date, BTP recorded 48 crimes across all FOCs, the majority of which relate to graffiti.

What assessment she has made of the adequacy of highways maintenance funding allocated to the West Midlands for 2025–26.

West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA) is in receipt of £1.05bn of devolved City Region Sustainable Transport Settlements (CRSTS) funding for the period 2022/23 to 2026/27, and has been allocated £2.4bn of Transport for City Regions (TCR) funding for the period up until 2031/32. These funding settlements are for investment in the West Midlands local transport network including local highways maintenance. For 2025/26, the Department has allocated £1.6 billion in capital funding for local highways maintenance nationally, including a £500 million uplift compared to the previous year. 25% of this uplift is contingent on local authorities adhering to reporting requirements and demonstrating that they are following best practice in highways maintenance. WMCA are eligible to receive an additional £8.6 million from this additional funding. Decisions on how this funding is spent across the city region rests with the combined authority in line with local priorities.

What recent discussions she has had with West Midlands Rail Executive on improving rail connectivity between Walsall and Birmingham; and what assessment her Department has made of the potential merits of restoring previous services levels.

The service between Walsall and Birmingham is operating with four trains per hour, which means that the previous service levels operating before Covid-19 have already been restored. These services operate with newly introduced Class 730 trains. The Department is working with West Midlands Rail Executive, Walsall Council and the railway industry regarding rail services in the wider Walsall Council area serving the new stations at Willenhall and Darlaston from next year.

Pursuant to the answer of 11 November 2025 to Question 87314, what discussions she has had with (a) Mayor Parker and (b) the West Midlands Combined Authority on funding to enable the Aldridge station project to progress from design work to delivery and completion.

This Government recently announced a £2.4 billion Transport for City Regions (TCR) funding settlement for the West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA), which will be available to spend from 2027/2028 to 2031/2032. Decisions on how this money is to be spent are devolved to Mayor Richard Parker and WMCA.

What discussions she has had with (a) the West Midlands Combined Authority and (b) Walsall Council on using the new statutory role for devolved leaders under the Railways Bill to prioritise the reopening of Aldridge Station.

The Department welcomes increased influence of devolved leaders to help shape the future of the country’s rail network. This government has also confirmed a £2.4 billion Transport for City Regions settlement for the West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA) to 2031-32 to deliver its priorities for local transport improvements. Should Aldridge Station be a priority, the region could consider using this settlement to fund its delivery. Continuing designs and a business case for the scheme, sponsored by WMCA and undertaken by Network Rail, will be completed in Spring 2026.

With reference to the proposed new Periodic Review funding process for Great British Railways, what mechanisms will be in place to ensure that investment in reopening stations such as Aldridge is considered alongside major infrastructure schemes when funding allocations are agreed.

During the new Periodic Review process, Great British Railway (GBR) will need to develop an integrated plan across all its proposed activity, this includes infrastructure, passenger services, and railway enhancements such as new stations. This integrated plan will ensure that all funding commitments from different sources and at different times, including those made during the new periodic review, will be considered and align across GBR’s responsibilities.

What assessment she has made of the potential merits of reopening Aldridge Station on (a) passenger interchange and (b) connectivity for routes into (i) Birmingham and (ii) Walsall.

The West Midlands Combined Authority are sponsoring Network Rail to develop detailed designs and an Outline Business Case for the proposed new Aldridge Station. This work, which is expected to complete in Spring 2026, will provide a detailed assessment of the potential merits of the scheme, including on passenger interchange and connectivity into Birmingham and Walsall.

Whether she has made an assessment of the how timetable integration on the Sutton Park line could support the restoration of passenger services at Aldridge Station.

The Department is aware that the West Midlands Rail Executive are at an early stage of undertaking a study to potentially introduce passenger services on the Sutton Park Line, including at Aldridge. This will include how such services would need to integrate with the existing timetable.

What discussions she has had with the Mayor of the West Midlands on reinstating funding for Aldridge train station.

I refer the hon Member to the answer given to Question UIN 87314 on 11 November 2025.

What discussions has she had with HM Treasury on reinstating funding for Aldridge train station.

Officials from the Department for Transport and HM Treasury have regular discussions on a range of transport issues. The designs are being funded by West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA) via its devolved City Region Sustainable Transport settlement fund.

What the (a) role and (b) functions of the Passenger Standards Authority will be.

The Passenger Watchdog will have a key role in giving passengers a powerful voice in the railway. It will advocate for all passengers’ interests, offer advice to passengers, the Government and operators, and independently monitor passenger experience, holding operators to account and reporting on its findings publicly and transparently. It will also be responsible for setting minimum consumer standards, taking action to drive improvements where these are not met, investigate repeated issues with passenger experience, and ensure there is a clear route for passengers to resolve disputes. This means passengers will have an independent voice fighting their corner, placing them back at the heart of our railways once again.

What estimate she has made of the total value of (a) debts, (b) leases and (c) other liabilities per railway operator the Government will be taking on following completion of the railway nationalisation programme.

In response to the Covid-19 pandemic, the Government implemented emergency contractual arrangements which involved taking on all revenue and the vast majority of cost risk from the train operating companies. Therefore, public ownership of these rail services is not expected to change the Government’s financial exposure. For example, it is expected that future transfers into public ownership will see existing rolling stock leasing arrangements novate to the new public sector operator on existing terms, and so we do not expect changes to current cost estimates as a result of the transfer of operations into public ownership. Relatedly, to drive value for passengers and taxpayers, the Department is working on a long-term rolling stock and infrastructure strategy, which will be the first for over 30 years, both to give certainty to the manufacturing and assembly market and to pursue modern standards of carbon-friendly traction and passenger comfort and accessibility.

What assessment she has made of the potential impact of nationalising South Western Railway on passenger rail prices since 25 May 2025.

As more train operators are brought into public ownership through the Department for Transport Operator and the establishment of Great British Railways, we must continue to ensure that passengers and taxpayers receive a fair deal. Since the pandemic, the level of taxpayer subsidy provided to the railway industry has increased from under a quarter of total income in 2018/19 to almost half in 2023/24. Our goal is to balance affordability for both passengers and taxpayers, while ensuring the railway’s long-term financial sustainability.

What her planned timeframe is for establishing the Passenger Standards Authority.

As the Government has announced, Transport Focus will be strengthened to become the Passenger Watchdog. It will continue its operations throughout the transition period and can start building up its capability shortly after the Railways Bill receives Royal Assent. We expect the watchdog will be fully established with all of its new powers within 12 months of this.

What estimate she has made of the annual cost to the public purse of leasing train carriages per railway operator once the nationalisation programme is complete.

Three train operating companies have transferred into public ownership since July 2024, South Western Railway, c2c and Greater Anglia. The leasing arrangements for both c2c and Greater Anglia were novated on their existing terms and it is the intention to transfer the remaining operators from the private to public sector on existing lease terms. The annual cost of rolling stock to operators is published on an annual basis by the Office for Rail and Road.

What assessment she has made of the potential impact of the rail nationalisation programme on passenger rail prices.

As more train operators are brought into public ownership through the Department for Transport Operator and the establishment of Great British Railways, we must continue to ensure that passengers and taxpayers receive a fair deal. Since the pandemic, the level of taxpayer subsidy provided to the railway industry has increased from under a quarter of total income in 2018/19 to almost half in 2023/24. Our goal is to balance affordability for both passengers and taxpayers, while ensuring the railway’s long-term financial sustainability.

What assessment she has made of the potential impact of the Midlands Rail Hub on (a) capacity on the West Coast Main Line and (b) passenger services into central Birmingham; and what discussions she has had with the West Midlands Combined Authority on the use of devolved transport funding to develop those proposals.

Midlands Rail Hub supports economic and housing growth in the region by creating capacity for more trains in central Birmingham. The additional capacity will support improved reliability of services running through New Street station, including trains that use the West Coast Main Line and will also mean more services from Worcester, South Wales and the South West.The West Midlands Combined Authority and West Midlands Rail Executive are closely involved in the development, design and delivery of Midlands Rail Hub.