Written questions by Smith.

How many night time freight movements are permitted on East West Rail.

A noise assessment for East West Rail (EWR) was undertaken for the Environmental Statement supporting the Transport and Works Act Order application for the railway. The assessment assumed a traffic flow of 8 freight trains composed of 36 wagons during the nighttime period (23:00 – 07:00). Mitigations have been provided for this in line with the Noise Insultation (Railways and Other Guided Transport Systems) Regulations.

What recent assessment she has made of the potential impact of the Zero Emission Vehicle mandate on the development of non-electric technologies to power motor cars.

The Zero Emission Vehicle (ZEV) Mandate sets annual targets for the proportion of new zero emission cars and vans sold in the UK. This regulation does not require that new zero emission vehicles be electric, only that they emit no CO2 from the tailpipe. The ZEV Mandate therefore considers any vehicles that meet that criteria to be zero emission, including, for example, hydrogen fuel cell vehicles. Currently, battery electric is the leading ZEV technology.

When passenger services from Oxford to Milton Keynes will commence on East West Rail.

The Department is working closely with Chiltern Railways and other partners to confirm a start date for the service. We are looking forward to commencing services as soon as all necessary authorisations and agreements are in place. Passenger services will commence once train testing and driver training have been completed.

Whether she has had recent discussions with Chiltern Railways on the refurbishment of Haddenham & Thame Parkway car park.

My Officials have been in regular contact with Chiltern Railways regarding the refurbishment of Haddenham & Thame Parkway car park, particularly in light of the closure of the upper deck and the resulting capacity challenges. The Department will continue to engage with Chiltern Railways to ensure that car park improvements deliver meaningful benefits for rail users and the wider local community.

What steps her Department is taking to support the uptake of low carbon fuels in the logistics sector.

The Department for Transport is actively supporting the uptake of low carbon fuels across the logistics sector through a range of measures. The Renewable Transport Fuel Obligation (RTFO) remains a key policy tool, which has delivered 55 MtCO2e of greenhouse gas (GHG) savings since its inception in 2008, that’s about two thirds of transport’s GHG savings between 2008 and 2022. In addition, the Department is advancing the production and use of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) through the introduction of a SAF Mandate, the Advanced Fuels Fund to support UK producers, and the development of a revenue certainty mechanism to unlock private investment in domestic projects. Recognising that achieving net zero in logistics will also require a transition to zero emission vehicles, we are accelerating the deployment of zero emission heavy goods vehicles (HGVs) and the necessary refuelling and charging infrastructure through the Zero Emission HGV and Infrastructure Demonstrator programme. The logistics sector plays a vital role in both economic growth and the UK’s net zero ambitions, and the Department remains committed to working closely with industry to support this transition.

Whether her Department has set a timeframe for the completion of research to (a) update and (b) strengthen the evidence base on the (i) extent and (ii) impact of pavement parking.

The Department has been considering all the views expressed in response to the 2020 pavement parking consultation and is currently working through the policy options and the appropriate means of delivering them. We will announce the next steps and publish our formal response as soon as possible. The new research announced last week will not delay this; my officials are finalising its terms now. Findings will be published within 12 weeks of agreeing final outputs, per Government Social Research protocols.

Whether her Department plans to release the representative sample of local authorities it plans to consult on pavement parking research.

The Department has been considering all the views expressed in response to the 2020 pavement parking consultation and is currently working through the policy options and the appropriate means of delivering them. We will announce the next steps and publish our formal response as soon as possible. The new research announced last week will not delay this; my officials are finalising its terms now. Findings will be published within 12 weeks of agreeing final outputs, per Government Social Research protocols.

Whether she is taking steps with Cabinet colleagues to help increase prosecutions of cyclists who jump red traffic lights.

Enforcement of traffic offences of this sort is a matter for the police. Those who cycle have a duty, like all road users, to behave in a safe and responsible manner and to follow the rules set out in The Highway Code. It is already an offence for cyclists to cycle without due care and attention or without reasonable consideration for other road users.

If she will conduct modelling on the potential impact of increases in the use of (a) low carbon-emitting and (b) synthetic fuels by vehicles in the logistics sector on carbon emissions.

Low carbon fuels, including synthetics, are helping decarbonise the logistics sector and are supported by the Renewable Transport Fuel Obligation. Any future policy decisions on the support for low carbon fuels in transport will be developed and informed by modelling potential impacts. In the logistics sector, delivering net zero will require the adoption of zero emission vehicles and this is why we are turbocharging the rollout of zero emission HGVs and their charging and fuelling infrastructure through our Zero Emission HGV and Infrastructure Demonstrator programme. The logistics sector is vital to drive economic growth and achieve net zero and we are committed to working with the sector to achieve these aims.

When she last met with the HS2 (a) Construction Commissioner and (b) Residents Commissioner.

The Secretary of State, who was appointed on 29th November 2024, has not yet met the Construction or Residents’ Commissioners. However, Minister for Rail Lord Hendy met both Commissioners on Monday 16th December.

What recent discussions she has had with the DVLA on the call for evidence entitled Registering historic, classic, rebuilt vehicles and vehicles converted to electric: call for evidence, updated on 9 December 2024.

The summary of the responses to the call for evidence was published on 9 December.As part of the ongoing engagement regarding this matter, the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency held a positive meeting with representatives of the Historic Vehicle User Group on 12 December, in which the DVLA updated the Group on potential next steps in reviewing the policies in this area.

What recent estimate she has made of the cost of HS2 Phase 1.

As reported in the last HS2 report to Parliament published in November 2023, HS2 Ltd indicated that its projected cost to deliver Phase 1 would significantly exceed the current Funding Envelope of £44.6 billion (2019 prices). Following the significant scope changes and deferrals made under the previous government, the Department is working with HS2 Ltd to review the Estimate at Completion (EAC) for HS2 Phase 1 and will report to Parliament in due course.

What recent assessment she has made of the potential impact of construction inflation on mitigation projects linked to the building of HS2 Phase 1.

The funding provided to HS2 Ltd includes allowances for inflation based on inflation forecasts set at spending reviews. HS2 Ltd has been impacted by high levels of inflation in recent years alongside all major construction projects. However, HS2 Ltd continues to bear down on its costs to mitigate this, manage pressures within its annual budgets, and is working to reduce the impact to any mitigation projects linked to the building of Phase 1.

What recent assessment she has made of the adequacy of capacity on Chiltern Railways services.

The Department continues to work closely with Chiltern Railways to support the delivery of an improved passenger experience. In response to passenger demand and to reduce overcrowding, Chiltern periodically adjusts its timetable. The Department is fully engaged with Chiltern’s fleet renewal programme. We are considering the option to procure additional trains to increase capacity, whilst ensuring value for money for the taxpayer.