Every parliamentary written question tabled by Ben Spencer this session, with the full answer and department. See how every department answers, or back to the MP page.
Showing 1–20 of 32 · Department for Transport
Whether the potential impact of changes on level crossing down times will be a factor in the upcoming SWR timetable review and consultation.
The potential impact of changes to level crossing down times will be a factor in the upcoming South Western Railway timetable review. This is an issue that is carefully considered as part of wider timetable development. The Department and the operator wel...
What perfomance metrics will be considered as part of SWR's leadership performance review.
The Department holds South Western Railway (SWR) to account against a range of performance measures focused on the delivery of reliable, safe and high quality services for passengers. This includes monitoring punctuality and cancellations, safety and oper...
What plans she has to consult communities for rail timetable reviews at a) the the pre-consultation stage and b) during the consultation period.
We expect train operating companies to consult and inform passengers and stakeholders in advance of material timetable changes in a manner appropriate to the scale of the proposed changes.
What the budget allocation is for a) community engagement and b) external consultants as part of SWR's timetable review in 2026.
No specific budget has been allocated by the Department for community engagement and external consultants as part of Southwestern Railway's (SWR) timetable refresh. SWR is leading on the timetable refresh and the budget allocation for these activities is ...
What assessment has she made of the adequacy of South Western Railway's community engagement compared to other providers.
No formal comparative assessment has been made by the Department of South Western Railway’s (SWR) community engagement against other operators. As SWR has not yet launched its public consultation for the timetable review, it would not be appropriate to as...
Whether her Department has had discussions with South Western Railway regarding ensuring children do not miss school due to rail delays in Runnymede and Weybridge constituency.
SWR recently informed the Department they have applied some mitigations around connections at Weybridge to hopefully avoid children missing school, due to rail delays. SWR also works closely with local schools and other stakeholders to help manage peak sc...
What is the minimum number of community face to face consultation events South Western Railway are required perform in Runnymede and Weybridge constituency as part of the timetable review.
There is no specified minimum number of community face to face consultation events that South Western Railway (SWR) is required to undertake in the Runnymede and Weybridge constituency as part of its timetable review. Engagement activity is led by SWR, an...
What assessment has she made of the potential impact of the conflict in the middle east on uk aviation due to aviation fuel prices and supply disruption.
The UK fuel system is built on diverse international supply chains, with multiple import routes and suppliers, ensuring resilience. My Department and I are working closely with the industry to monitor supply and understand their mitigations and alternative sourcing options. We will continue to monitor the situation closely, and work with airlines and airports to understand mitigations, should any disruption arise.
What assessment has she made of the potential impact of adjustments to sustainable aviation fuel manufacturing on increasing UK aviation fuel resilience in the context of the conflict in the Middle East.
The Government is monitoring the impact of conflict in the Middle East on fuel supplies, including its impact on the manufacturing of sustainable aviation fuel.The UK fuel system is built on diverse international supply chains, with multiple import routes and suppliers, ensuring resilience. My Department and I are working closely with the industry to monitor supply and understand their mitigations and alternative sourcing options. We will continue to monitor the situation closely, and work with airlines and airports to understand mitigations, should any disruption arise.
If she will make an assessment of the potential impact of the Transport (Duty to Cooperate) Bill on the economy.
The Government will outline its position on this Bill during the scheduled second reading.
What (a) data sources and (b) methodology was used by South Western Rail to (i) measure the performance and (ii) monitor outage events of the lifts at Weybridge Station.
South Western Railway (SWR) uses the Network Rail data source system Citadel, which logs lifts reported out of use, alongside SWR customers advising of lifts out of use. This approach is used at all SWR stations with lifts including Weybridge. This data is then fed into a dashboard for measuring performance. The dashboard, lift performance and outage events are all discussed at a meeting held each rail period between SWR and Network Rail. This review feeds into improvement works and activities.
What her planned timeline is for replacement of the lifts at Weybridge Station.
The lifts at Weybridge Station are expected to be replaced by Autumn 2026.
If she will make an assessment of the potential impact of level crossings on the economy, broken down by (a) region and (b) the UK's GDP.
Level crossings form part of the rail system of Great Britain, which plays a critical role in the development, economic growth, and social wellbeing of communities across the UK. By connecting communities and providing safe access to essential services and places of work, they also provide important benefits to local businesses and communities. Given their integral role within the national rail network, the Department does not hold information on the specific impacts of level crossings on the UK or regional economies. However, Network Rail, as the infrastructure manager of Great Britain’s railways, will take account of the impact on local businesses and communities of any decisions it takes that affect level crossings.
If she will (a) respond to and (b) support the provisions outlined in the Transport (Duty to Cooperate) Bill; and if she will meet the hon. Member for Runnymede and Weybridge to discuss the Bill.
I understand that the second reading of this Bill is scheduled for 13 June. The Government will set out its position as part of that debate.
Pursuant to the Answer of 16 December 2024 to Question 19765 on Large Goods Vehicles: Concrete, if she will publish the findings of the review of the call for evidence on the operation of Volumetric Concrete Mixers at higher weights.
The Department has published its findings today. These can be accessed at the following link:gov.uk/government/calls-for-evidence/volumetric-concrete-mixers-review.
If she will make an assessment of the adequacy of the accessibility to people who are digitally excluded of the consultation on Implementing the Carbon Offsetting and Reduction Scheme for International Aviation.
The Department for Transport published a consultation on implementing the Carbon Offsetting and Reduction Scheme for International Aviation (CORSIA) in December 2024. There are multiple ways to respond to the consultation: by online form, downloadable form, email and post. Tagged PDF files have been provided and users can also request alternative versions if the files are not suitable for their needs, to support accessibility.
If she will make an assessment of the adequacy of the accessibility to people who are digitally excluded of the consultation entitled Implementing the Carbon Offsetting and Reduction Scheme for International Aviation (CORSIA), published on 7 February 2025.
The Department for Transport published a consultation on implementing the Carbon Offsetting and Reduction Scheme for International Aviation (CORSIA) in December 2024. There are multiple ways to respond to the consultation: by online form, downloadable form, email and post. Tagged PDF files have been provided and users can also request alternative versions if the files are not suitable for their needs, to support accessibility.
What steps she is taking to improve accessibility at railway stations in Runnymede and Weybridge constituency.
We are carefully considering the best approach to the Access for All programme. Since April 2024, 19 stations have been completed with a further 8 due to be completed by April 2025. This will be the most stations completed in one year since the programme started in 2006. We will shortly be updating MPs and other stakeholders on our approach to Access for All. This Government is committed to improving the accessibility of the railway and recognises the social and economic benefits this brings to communities.
What information her Department holds on when each concrete section of the M25 within Runnymede and Weybridge constituency is expected to reach the end of its serviceable life.
The precise dates for treatment of individual sections will be determined based on regular monitoring of the condition of the carriageway. National Highways plans to give priority to treatments within the Noise Important Areas (NIA) identified by Departme...
How many noise important areas of the M25 there are within the Runnymede and Weybridge constituency; and what the location is of each.
The precise dates for treatment of individual sections will be determined based on regular monitoring of the condition of the carriageway. National Highways plans to give priority to treatments within the Noise Important Areas (NIA) identified by Departme...