Written questions by Obese-Jecty.

What assessment she has made of the potential impact of awarding the first certification for a remotely operated and unmanned vessel under the Maritime and Coastguard Agency’s Workboat Code Edition 3 Annex 2 to the ACUA Ocean PIONEER on (a) civilian passenger transport and (b) commercial shipping.

The Department for Transport, in collaboration with the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA), recognises the certification of ACUA Ocean’s PIONEER under Workboat Code Edition 3 Annex 2 as a significant milestone in innovation in the UK’s maritime regulatory landscape. This certification marks the first formal regulatory approval for a remotely operated unmanned vessel (ROUV) under the revised Workboat Code, setting a precedent for future autonomous maritime operations. The PIONEER is not designed for passenger carriage, is not certificated for passenger carriage and does not operate in contexts involving civilian transport. As such, the direct impact on civilian passenger transport is minimal at this stage. The Department continues to monitor technological advancements and public safety considerations in this area. The certification of PIONEER is expected to have a more immediate and transformative impact on commercial shipping. The vessel’s hydrogen-powered propulsion and autonomous capabilities align with the UK’s Clean Maritime Plan and decarbonisation goals. It is designed for offshore surveillance, environmental monitoring, and infrastructure inspection, offering a lower-emission alternative to conventional crewed vessels. This development supports the broader regulatory framework for autonomous and remotely operated vessels, enabling safer, more efficient, and environmentally sustainable operations in commercial sectors such as offshore energy, logistics, and hydrographic survey operations. The Department remains committed to working with industry stakeholders to ensure that safety, environmental, and operational standards evolve in step with technological innovation.

Whether she has made an assessment of the potential merits of a new station at Alconbury Weald as part of the East Coast Mainline Programme.

Following the conclusion of the Spending Review, I can confirm that there are no current plans to construct a new East Coast Main Line (ECML) station at Alconbury Weald. The Department recognises the importance of the ECML and is working with Network Rail and industry stakeholders in developing a sustainable long-term strategy of investment for the route.

When work to implement the European Train Control System on the East Coast Mainline between Huntingdon and Kings Cross will be completed.

1) There are no current plans to construct a new East Coast Main Line (ECML) station at Alconbury Weald. The Department recognises the importance of the ECML and is starting work with Network Rail and industry stakeholders on development of a long-term strategy of investment for the route. 2) The following progress has been made on the East Coast Digital Programme. In May 2025, the first phase of the scheme was complete with the removal of conventional lineside signals, and all services using digital signalling on the Northern City Line (NCL) between Finsbury Park and Moorgate. This is the first no signals commuter railway in the country, and first of any kind since the early Cambrian Line pilot in 2011. 100,000 services have now operated on NCL using digital signalling. The infrastructure between Welwyn and Hitchin has been upgraded for the first European Train Control System (ETCS) section on the ECML. In line with the approach taken on NCL, the Welwyn to Hitchin section will initially operate as an overlay (i.e. able to operate with both conventional and digital signalling) to facilitate driver conversion training. The work is being led by Network Rail who, subject to the necessary assurances and regulatory processes, anticipate being able to begin driver train using digital signalling through that section from summer 2026. 3) Work to implement the ETCS on the East Coast Mainline between Huntingdon and Kings Cross is scheduled to be completed in the early 2030s.

Pursuant to the Answer of 11 September 2025 to Question 75323 on Railways: Mobile Broadband, how much funding her Department plans to provide for low earth orbit satellite technology.

The Department was successful in securing funding of £33m capital and £24m resource (or operational expenditure) as part of the Spending Review to fit all mainline trains with Low Earth Orbit satellite technology to upgrade on -train wifi.

What progress she has made on the East Coast Digital Programme.

1) There are no current plans to construct a new East Coast Main Line (ECML) station at Alconbury Weald. The Department recognises the importance of the ECML and is starting work with Network Rail and industry stakeholders on development of a long-term strategy of investment for the route. 2) The following progress has been made on the East Coast Digital Programme. In May 2025, the first phase of the scheme was complete with the removal of conventional lineside signals, and all services using digital signalling on the Northern City Line (NCL) between Finsbury Park and Moorgate. This is the first no signals commuter railway in the country, and first of any kind since the early Cambrian Line pilot in 2011. 100,000 services have now operated on NCL using digital signalling. The infrastructure between Welwyn and Hitchin has been upgraded for the first European Train Control System (ETCS) section on the ECML. In line with the approach taken on NCL, the Welwyn to Hitchin section will initially operate as an overlay (i.e. able to operate with both conventional and digital signalling) to facilitate driver conversion training. The work is being led by Network Rail who, subject to the necessary assurances and regulatory processes, anticipate being able to begin driver train using digital signalling through that section from summer 2026. 3) Work to implement the ETCS on the East Coast Mainline between Huntingdon and Kings Cross is scheduled to be completed in the early 2030s.

What assessment she has made of the potential impact of the implementation of the European Train Control System on the East Coast Mainline on the feasibility of a new station at Alconbury Weald.

1) There are no current plans to construct a new East Coast Main Line (ECML) station at Alconbury Weald. The Department recognises the importance of the ECML and is starting work with Network Rail and industry stakeholders on development of a long-term strategy of investment for the route. 2) The following progress has been made on the East Coast Digital Programme. In May 2025, the first phase of the scheme was complete with the removal of conventional lineside signals, and all services using digital signalling on the Northern City Line (NCL) between Finsbury Park and Moorgate. This is the first no signals commuter railway in the country, and first of any kind since the early Cambrian Line pilot in 2011. 100,000 services have now operated on NCL using digital signalling. The infrastructure between Welwyn and Hitchin has been upgraded for the first European Train Control System (ETCS) section on the ECML. In line with the approach taken on NCL, the Welwyn to Hitchin section will initially operate as an overlay (i.e. able to operate with both conventional and digital signalling) to facilitate driver conversion training. The work is being led by Network Rail who, subject to the necessary assurances and regulatory processes, anticipate being able to begin driver train using digital signalling through that section from summer 2026. 3) Work to implement the ETCS on the East Coast Mainline between Huntingdon and Kings Cross is scheduled to be completed in the early 2030s.

When she expects Project Reach to be completed.

Network Rail’s Reach partners are developing a detailed delivery plan and hope to have made significant improvements to coverage this control period (end of 2029).

When she plans to launch a statutory consultation for East-West Rail Connection State 2 and 3.

East West Rail Company is planning further consultation in 2026. It is currently reviewing plans for this in line with the proposed Planning and Infrastructure Bill reforms. A further update will be provided shortly.

With reference to the UK’s Modern Industrial Strategy, CP 1337, published on 23 June 2025, how much of the funding to (a) maintain and (b) improve bus services will be spent in Huntingdon constituency in each year between 2025-26 and 2029-30.

The £900 million RDEL per year to maintain and improve bus services referenced in the UK's Modern Industrial Strategy refers to funding announced at the Spending Review on 11 June. This funding applies from 2026/27 through to 2028/29. The Department for Transport is working with key stakeholders to develop and implement a new bus grant allocation system for future years of bus funding, and individual allocations for Local Transport Authorities (LTAs) will be announced following this process. The Department has already announced individual allocations for funding to support and improve bus services in 25/26 through the LA Bus Grant. Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Combined Authority have been allocated £10.6 million. Funding allocated to local authorities to improve services can be used in whichever way they wish to deliver better services for passengers, which could include improvements in Huntingdon constituency.

With reference to the UK’s Modern Industrial Strategy, CP 1337, published on 23 June 2025, how much of the funding for the Local Transport Grant to improve transport connectivity in (a) smaller cities, (b) towns and (c) rural areas will be spent in Huntingdon constituency.

Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Combined Authority (CPCA) has been allocated just under £40 million of the Local Transport Grant from 2026-27 to 2029-30. It is for CPCA to determine how this funding is used across the combined authority and constituent authorities, in line with local priorities. The Local Transport Grant is additional to bus, active travel and highways maintenance funding.

With reference to the UK’s Modern Industrial Strategy, CP 1337, published on 23 June 2025, by what date she plans to publish the new plan for freight and logistics.

The Government intends to publish a new plan for freight and logistics before the end of the year. The development of this plan is underway in partnership with industry and sector stakeholders. This includes workshops in early summer and discussions with the Freight Council to ensure the plan addresses sector needs and supports the ambitions of the UK’s Modern Industrial Strategy.The forthcoming plan will build on actions already taken to raise the status of freight within government and provide tangible support the sector in areas including innovation and planning. The plan will reaffirm our commitment to collaborating with the freight and logistics sector to drive transformation and recognise freight as a strategic enabler in delivering economic growth and the transition to Net Zero. Further commitments and actions will be detailed when the plan is published.

With reference to the UK’s Modern Industrial Strategy, CP 1337, published on 23 June 2025, how much of the funding to support the roll-out of charging infrastructure will be spent on (a) privately-owned cars, (b) zero emission vans and (c) zero emission HGVs in Huntingdon constituency.

We’re investing over £4.5 billion to help industry and consumers make a supported switch to electric vehicles (EVs).  This includes £400 million to support the rollout of charging infrastructure, including along the strategic road network in England, charging infrastructure to facilitate the deployment of zero emission vans and HGVs, and existing grants.Alongside that, the Government’s £381 million Local EV Infrastructure (LEVI) Fund supports local authorities in England to work with industry and transform the availability of EV charging for drivers without off-street parking. Cambridge and Peterborough Combined Authority, which includes Huntingdon, was allocated almost £6.2m capital and resource funding through the LEVI Fund.

With reference to the UK’s Modern Industrial Strategy, CP 1337, published on 23 June 2025, how much of the Freight Innovation Fund accelerator is allocated to be spent in Huntingdon constituency.

In 2023, the Freight Innovation Fund accelerator awarded £133,000 to RoboK Limited, a Cambridgeshire based start-up. This award was part of the more than £3.9 million funding that the accelerator has allocated to small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) across the UK in the last three years.This accelerator programme is open to UK-based SMEs who meet additional eligibility criteria and fund recipients are subject to a rigorous selection process to ensure awards are directly supporting innovation in the freight sector and specific challenges set each year. The Department will shortly announce the successful SMEs for year four of the accelerator.

With reference to the UK’s Modern Industrial Strategy, CP 1337, published on 23 June 2025, how much of the capital funding to (a) maintain and (b) improve roads between 2026-27 and 2029-30 will be spent in Huntingdon constituency.

Further details on the breakdown of the £24 billion of capital funding will be announced in due course.

With reference to the UK’s Modern Industrial Strategy, CP 1337, published on 23 June 2025, what progress she has made on introducing low-earth-orbit satellite connectivity on mainline trains.

Following the Spending Review, we have secured funding to deliver low earth orbit satellite technology, to improve on board passenger Wi-Fi on mainline trains. We are currently considering the most appropriate procurement and delivery approach, with a preliminary notice period issued on gov.uk. Funding will be made available in 2026 as part of the settlement period.However, we know satellite connectivity will not work in tunnels. Network Rail's Project Reach will address mobile connectivity in 57 key mainline tunnels.

How many days were lost to sickness absence by civil servants in their Department (a) in total and (b) on average per employee between 5 July 2024 and 4 July 2025.

Data is published on the average working days lost for the central Department on an annual basis for each financial year. Information can be found at https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/sickness-absence with figures back to 1999.

Whether she has made an assessment of the potential merits of building a bypass on the A1 at Buckden roundabout, in the context of potential levels of traffic caused by (a) Universal Studios, (b) proposed development at Brampton Cross and (c) the proposed logistics parks at Hinchingbrooke and Wavesey.

There are currently no plans to bypass the Buckden Roundabout on the A1 in Cambridgeshire. However, the Department and National Highways recognise the significant emerging development in the region and will consider how to maintain the performance of the strategic road network and how it can support emerging development there. This will be considered as part of ongoing engagement with local authorities and other partners.

Which schools will be demolished as a result of the third runway at Heathrow.

The Government is currently assessing proposals for the delivery of a third runway at Heathrow. Detailed impacts, including on homes, social infrastructure and community facilities, will depend on the final scheme design and boundary, which have not yet been confirmed. Further updates will be provided as the assessment progresses.

What estimate she has made of the number of social housing properties that will be demolished in the building of the third runway at Heathrow.

The Government is currently assessing proposals for the delivery of a third runway at Heathrow. Detailed impacts, including on homes, social infrastructure and community facilities, will depend on the final scheme design and boundary, which have not yet been confirmed. Further updates will be provided as the assessment progresses.

Whether her Department has made an estimate of the number of homes that would need to be compulsory purchased in order to deliver the third runway at Heathrow.

The Government is currently assessing proposals for the delivery of a third runway at Heathrow. Detailed impacts, including on homes, social infrastructure and community facilities, will depend on the final scheme design and boundary, which have not yet been confirmed. Further updates will be provided as the assessment progresses.