Every parliamentary written question tabled by Charlotte Cane this session, with the full answer and department. Back to the MP page.
Showing 1–20 of 38 · Department for Transport
Pursuant to the answer of 26 March 2026 to question 121006, whether her Department will consider underlying geology within its review of the funding formula for the distribution of capital funding to local highways authorities.
The Department expects to consider underlying geology, as one of the many conditions that affect the wear and tear of local roads, as part of its review of the funding formula it uses to distribution highways maintenance funding to local highway authorities.
What estimate her Department has made of the annual cost of repairing and maintaining soil affected roads.
The Department is aware of the challenges associated with maintaining peat soil affected roads. Under Section 41 of the Highways Act 1980, the statutory responsibility for maintaining the public highway rests with local highway authorities, who are best placed to make decisions based on their local knowledge and circumstances. As such the Department has not undertaken an assessment of the annual cost of maintaining soil affected roads.To support local highway authorities in the maintenance of their highway networks, the Government has confirmed a record investment of £7.3 billion for local highways maintenance over the next four years. This record investment builds on the investment of £1.6 billion this financial year, a £500 million increase compared to the previous financial year.
Pursuant to the answer of 5 March 2026 to question 117027, whether her Department plans to review highways maintenance funding formulas alongside the review of highways maintenance best practice.
The government plans to review the funding formula that it uses to distribute capital funding to local highways authorities to see whether it can be adjusted to consider, for example, the conditions that affect the wear and tear of local roads. However, the government cannot commit to any changes to the allocation methodology until each option has been assessed for feasibility and deliverability, in line with the normal policy making process. The government would also expect to engage with local highway authorities about any methodology to understand how any changes might impact on their services. The Department’s review of the highways maintenance guidance it provides to local highway authorities in the Well Managed Highways Infrastructure Code of Practice will progress in addition to this and will be completed by the end of 2026.
What data her Department holds on the condition of roads in Ely and East Cambridgeshire constituency.
Official statistics on the condition of local roads in England are published annually: Road conditions in England to March 2025 - GOV.UK. Local authorities in England are required to provide the Department for Transport (DfT) with data on the condition of local roads annually under the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government’s single data list. DfT does not hold information on the condition of roads for Ely or East Cambridgeshire constituency but does hold information for Cambridgeshire. In the financial year ending March 2025, the percentage of local A road and motorway in Cambridgeshire where maintenance should have been considered was 7%, for B and C road this was 16% and for unclassified road was 22%. For the same period, in England, the percentage of local A road and motorway where maintenance should have been considered was 5%, for B and C road was 7% and for unclassified road was 17%.
What assessment her Department has made of the potential impact of peat soils on road maintenance.
Section 41 of the Highways Act 1980 place a statutory duty on local highway authorities to maintain public highways, based upon their local knowledge and circumstances. The Department is aware of the challenges associated with peat soil. The Department is undertaking a comprehensive review of the highways maintenance guidance it provides to local highway authorities in the Well Managed Highways Infrastructure Code of Practice, which will incorporate and signpost best practice guidance for treating soil affected roads. This will be completed at the end of 2026. To support local highway authorities in the maintenance of their highway networks, the Government has confirmed a record investment of £7.3 billion for local highways maintenance over the next four years. This record investment builds on the investment of £1.6 billion this financial year, a £500 million increase compared to the previous financial year.
What steps her Department is taking to assess the maintenance of soil affected roads.
Section 41 of the Highways Act 1980 place a statutory duty on local highway authorities to maintain public highways, based upon their local knowledge and circumstances. The Department is aware of the challenges associated with peat soil. The Department is undertaking a comprehensive review of the highways maintenance guidance it provides to local highway authorities in the Well Managed Highways Infrastructure Code of Practice, which will incorporate and signpost best practice guidance for treating soil affected roads. This will be completed at the end of 2026. To support local highway authorities in the maintenance of their highway networks, the Government has confirmed a record investment of £7.3 billion for local highways maintenance over the next four years. This record investment builds on the investment of £1.6 billion this financial year, a £500 million increase compared to the previous financial year.
Pursuant to the Department's Answer of 18 November 2025 to Question 89133 on Railways: East of England, if she will make an estimate of the cost to the (a) freight sector and (b) economy of the pause in work on that programme since 2022.
We are focused on prioritising the schemes that will make the greatest difference for passengers and support economic growth as quickly as possible. The previous government had committed to a number of projects that were unfunded, including the Ely Area Capacity Enhancement scheme.
Pursuant to the Answer of 18 November 2025 to Question 89316 on Railways: East of England, whether there are civil servants in her Department working on the Ely Area Capacity Enhancement Scheme.
The previous government had committed to a number of projects that were unfunded, including the Ely Area Capacity Enhancement (EACE) scheme. EACE will be kept under review. It is a worthy scheme that will be considered for potential progression in the future as funding becomes available.
Whether she has had discussions with the ports sector on the potential merits of progressing the Ely Area Capacity Enhancement Scheme.
We are focused on prioritising the schemes that will make the greatest difference for passengers and support economic growth as quickly as possible. The previous government had committed to a number of projects that were unfunded, including the Ely Area Capacity Enhancement scheme.
Pursuant to the Department's Answer to Question 89264 on Railways: East of England, answered on 18 November 2025, if she will make an estimate of the funding required for Network Rail to undertake detailed planning for the Ely Area Capacity Enhancement Scheme.
The Secretary of State updated Parliament on the 8th of July regarding which rail and road infrastructure projects will progress following the completion of the 2025 Spending Review. The Ely Area Capacity Enhancement (EACE) was not among those projects funded at this time. The previous government had committed to a number of infrastructure projects that were unfunded, this included the EACE scheme.
What steps her Department is taking to make public transport affordable for young people.
The Government knows how important affordable public transport services are in enabling young people to get to education, work and access vital services. The Government has taken action to keep the cost of bus travel lower by introducing a £3 cap on single fares in England outside London, and confirmed at the Spending Review that this would be extended until March 2027. At present, the majority of bus services operate on a commercial basis by private operators, and any decisions regarding the level at which fares are set outside the scope of the Government’s £3 bus fare cap are commercial decisions for operators. Bus operators can choose to offer discounted fares for young people, and in the year ending March 2025, youth discounts were offered by at least one commercial bus operator in 73 out of 85 local authority areas in England outside London.As part of the Autumn 2024 Budget, the Government allocated over £1 billion to support and improve bus services in 2025/26. This includes £712 million for local authorities, which can be used to expand services and improve reliability, which are currently massive obstacles for too many people. Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Combined Authority has been allocated £10.6 million of this funding. Funding allocated to local authorities to deliver better bus services can be used in whichever way they wish to improve services for passengers, which could include introducing new fares initiatives to reduce the cost of bus travel for young people. With regard to rail, under-16s receive 50 per cent off all adult rail fares, and the 16-17 Saver railcard extends this discount to 16 and 17-year-olds. Season tickets purchased with a valid 16-17 Saver can be used for an additional 4 months after the railcard expires, to help make rail travel more affordable for young people who remain in education past their 18th birthday.
What assessment her Department has made of the potential impact of the Ely Area Capacity Enhancement Scheme on the (a) economy and (b) environment.
The Department recognises the benefits that the Ely Area Capacity Enhancement scheme could bring to the region. The previous government stated their support for the project but did not provide funding for it to progress.
Pursuant to the Answer of 7 November 2025 to Question 86919 on Railways: East of England, if he will take steps to estimate the funding required for Network Rail to undertake detailed planning for the Ely Area Capacity Enhancement Scheme.
The previous government had committed to a number of projects that were unfunded, including the Ely Area Capacity Enhancement (EACE) scheme. EACE will be kept under review. It is a worthy scheme that will be considered for potential progression in the future as funding becomes available.
How many civil servants in her Department are working on the Ely Area Capacity Enhancement Scheme.
The previous government had committed to a number of projects that were unfunded, including the Ely Area Capacity Enhancement (EACE) scheme. EACE will be kept under review. It is a worthy scheme that will be considered for potential progression in the future as funding becomes available.
If she will make an assessment of the cost to the (a) freight sector and (b) economy of the time taken to commence work on the Ely Area Capacity Enhancement Scheme.
The previous government had committed to a number of projects that were unfunded, including the Ely Area Capacity Enhancement (EACE) scheme. The EACE was assessed as having a Benefit Cost Ratio of 4.89 against a cost estimate of £489m at Outline Business Case stage, at the point the programme was paused by the previous Government in 2022.
What steps her Department is taking to progress the Ely Area Capacity Enhancement Scheme.
The previous government had committed to a number of projects that were unfunded, including the Ely Area Capacity Enhancement (EACE) scheme. EACE will be kept under review. It is a worthy scheme that will be considered for potential progression in the future as funding becomes available.
Whether she has considered allowing railcards to be used for (a) weekly, (b) monthly and (c) annual rail tickets.
Season tickets already provide significant savings to the cost of rail travel, which can exceed the savings provided by railcards in many cases. Although there are no current plans to extend the validity of railcards, the Government recognises their value. That is why the Railways Bill gives Great British Railway the flexibility to update and evolve concessionary offers as passenger needs change. The 16-17 Saver and the Jobcentre Plus Travel Discount Card already permit holders to purchase discounted season tickets.
When she last met with freight companies to discuss the Ely Area Capacity Enhancement Scheme.
The Rail Minister regularly meets with the freight industry to discuss a range of issues. The previous government had committed to a number of projects that were unfunded, including the Ely Area Capacity Enhancement (EACE) EACE will be kept under review. It is a worthy scheme that will be considered for potential progression in the future as funding becomes available.
What estimate she has made of the funding required for Network Rail to undertake detailed planning for the Ely Area Capacity Enhancement Scheme.
The Secretary of State updated Parliament on the 7th of July regarding which rail and road infrastructure projects will progress following the completion of the 2025 Spending Review. The Ely Area Capacity Enhancement and upgrades to Haughley Junction were not among those projects funded at this time. The previous government had committed to a number of infrastructure projects that were unfunded, this includes the EACE and Haughley Junction schemes.
What progress she has made on the Ely Junction Upgrade Scheme.
The Ely Area Capacity Enhancement (EACE) programme was paused by the previous government in 2022. The Secretary of State updated Parliament on the 7th of July on which rail and road infrastructure projects will proceed following the 2025 Spending Review.At this stage, the EACE programme was not allocated funding. I fully recognise the strategic importance of the EACE programme. It has a strong case for future investment, and we are committed to working with stakeholders to support its place in the pipeline of future rail enhancements.