Every parliamentary written question tabled by Ben Maguire this session, with the full answer and department. Back to the MP page.
Showing 21–36 of 36 · Department for Transport
If Ministers within her Department will meet with the hon. Member for North Cornwall to discuss safety improvements at the A30 junction at Plusha.
I would be delighted to meet with the Hobourable Member to discuss these issues, and I understand this has been arranged and will take place in the coming weeks.
What steps her Department has taken to help prevent (a) accidents and (b) fatalities at the A30 junction at Plusha in the last 12 months.
National Highways have conducted a study of the section of the A30 between Kennards House and Five Lanes which includes the junction at Plusha. Fatalities have all occurred due to right turn movements out of Plusha, and in November 2024 National Highways closed this crossover with temporary traffic measures preventing these movements eastbound towards Launceston. Instead, road users are being encouraged to use the nearby Five Lanes grade separated junction. The speed limit has also been reduced to 50mph at this location. National Highways, working with Cornwall Council and Devon and Cornwall Police, will be delivering a £4.6m scheme to improve the safety of this junction and broader route by limiting movements at a number of junctions along the A30.
Whether the Government's forthcoming road safety strategy will prioritise infrastructure improvements at the A30 Plusha Junction in North Cornwall constituency.
The Government treats road safety with the utmost seriousness, and we are committed to reducing the numbers of those killed and injured on our roads. My department is developing our road safety strategy, the first in over a decade, and will set out more details in due course.
If her Department will make an assessment of the potential merits of increasing the maximum authorised mass permitted for volunteer minibus drivers to over 3.5 tonnes.
Drivers wishing to operate a passenger carrying vehicle with 8-16 seats must have the D1 entitlement on their driving licence. For drivers using their car licence to drive a minibus where the licence was first obtained after 1 January 1997, this weight is limited to 3,500kgs. Many minibuses come under the proscribed weights and can therefore be driven using additional entitlements on a category B (Car) licence. Any decision to amend existing rules would require a careful assessment of the road safety implications and our international obligations. The Department has no current plans to conduct such an assessment.
If she will make an assessment of the potential merits of raising the maximum age threshold of driving volunteer minibus services to 80.
An individual driving a minibus using additional entitlements through a Category B (Car) driving licence, may drive a minibus after the age of 70 but must demonstrate they meet higher Group 2 medical standards for reasons of passenger safety and safety to other road users. There are no plans to change this.
Whether the Cornwall Newquay Airport to London Southend Airport route operated by Eastern Airways is part of a Public Service Obligation deal.
The Cornwall Newquay Airport to London Southend Airport route planned by Eastern Airways is a commercial service that is not part of the Public Service Obligation (PSO) contract. The Department for Transport along with Cornwall Council continues to fund the PSO between Cornwall Newquay Airport and London Gatwick.
What recent steps her Department has taken to (a) reduce the number of abandoned leisure boats and (b) mitigate environmental damage from those boats.
The department has taken no recent steps to address either of the two issues raised in the question. The department has issued advice in the port marine safety code around the issue of abandoned vessels, but that advice is aimed at vessels which pose a threat to safety. The department would expect that each port would use its powers in a reasonable manner to the limit of its authority to address any issue caused by abandoned leisure vessels, and would do so in would environmentally responsible way.
If she will make an assessment of the potential merits of providing additional (a) funding and (b) support for (i) local authorities and (ii) harbourmasters to (A) safely dispose of and (B) reclaim abandoned vessels.
Many ports already have powers to remove, dispose of, and recoup costs pertaining to abandoned vessels. Environmental impact is a factor that may be considered as a part of a decision to intervene. If ports do not have powers to remove vessels, they can seek additional powers if needed by means of a Harbour Revision Order As these legal avenues already exist, the Department has taken no recent action, nor plans to undertake an assessment but we continue to welcome input from stakeholders on these issues.
Whether she has made an assessment of the potential merits of introducing a detailed national registration system for leisure vessels.
The Secretary of State for Transport has not assessed this the potential merits of introducing a detailed national registration system for leisure vessels. Whilst registering on the Small Ships Register is not mandatory, small ship owners are encouraged to register their vessel. The small ships register (part 3) currently has 34,527 vessels registered.
How many scheduled trains with destinations in Cornwall were cancelled due to lack of crew in the last 12 months.
The Department does not hold cancellation data at this level of detail. However, we acknowledge that performance is not where it needs to be on Great Western Railway or Cross-Country services. This is due to a range of issues including infrastructure and fleet reliability, as well as traincrew availability. The Department is working closely with both operators to improve performance.
If her Department will make an assessment of the potential merits of extending the Camel Trail in North Cornwall to (a) Camelford and (b) beyond.
A feasibility study for this route has been funded through Shared Prosperity Funding, applied for by the local town council and Cornwall Council Community Area Partnership Lead. Sustrans, who manage the National Cycle Network, has put proposals to Active Travel England to undertake further development of the route in 2025, which will assess the potential merits of extending the Camel Trail to Camelford.
With reference to the oral contribution of 21 November 2024 by the then Secretary of State for Transport, Official Report column 369, when the road safety strategy will be implemented.
Since the general election, the Department has begun work on a new Road Safety Strategy, the first in over a decade. The Department will share more details in due course.
Whether her Department has made an assessment of the potential merits of allowing hon. Members to propose locations for funding from the Road Safety Strategy.
The Department has not made an assessment. The Department has begun work on a new Road Safety Strategy, the first in over a decade. The Department will share more details in due course. Local authorities are responsible for the management of local roads, within the rules set by Government. It is for the local authority to decide what measures may be appropriate in their local areas.
If she will make an assessment of the potential merits of a graded junction at the A30 Plusha junction.
The Department is aware of the safety issues at the junction between the A30 and B3257 at Plusha. National Highways is investigating a number of possible early-delivery modest safety improvements for this stretch of the A30. This is part of its A30 Kennards House to Five Lanes Safety Study. A wholly new graded junction would need to be considered for delivery beyond 2030 as part of a future road investment strategy period.
How the funds allocated to Cornwall through the Bus Service Improvement Plan will be accessed by the local authority.
The £10.5 million allocated to Cornwall Council in 25/26 to support and improve bus services will be paid directly to them by the Department for Transport.
What her Department's planned timetable is for making a decision on the proposed A39 Camelford Bypass plans.
The Government’s Budget in October delivers increased investment in local transport, supporting everyday journeys and addressing poor connectivity within our towns and cities across the country. The Department’s Major Road Network/ Large Local Majors programme, which includes the proposed A39 Camelford Bypass scheme, is now being reviewed in light of the Budget. Further details will be released in due course.