Every parliamentary written question tabled by James Cartlidge this session, with the full answer and department. See how every department answers, or back to the MP page.
Showing 1–20 of 22 · Department for Transport
With reference to the Maritime and Coastguard Agency’s announcement on the future model for Coastguard Rescue Officers, what assessment her department has made of the sustainability of HM Coastguard in South Su
Changing the Coastguard Rescue Service operating model was not something which we wanted to do but is a mandated consequence of the Court of Appeal ruling. Public safety remains our priority and careful consideration was given to the options for a revised...
With reference to the Maritime and Coastguard Agency’s announcement regarding the future model for Coastguard Rescue Officers, what assessment she has made of alternative models that would allow some form of pa
Changing the Coastguard Rescue Service operating model was not something which we wanted to do but is a mandated consequence of the Court of Appeal ruling. Public safety remains our priority and careful consideration was given to the options for a revised...
With reference to the Maritime and Coastguard Agency’s announcement regarding the future model for Coastguard Rescue Officers, what plans her department has to maintain operational resilience of HM Coastguard i
Changing the Coastguard Rescue Service operating model was not something which we wanted to do but is a mandated consequence of the Court of Appeal ruling. Public safety remains our priority and careful consideration was given to the options for a revised...
With reference to the Maritime and Coastguard Agency’s announcement on the future model for Coastguard Rescue Officers, what assessment her Department has made of the potential effect of this announcement on op
Changing the Coastguard Rescue Service operating model was not something which we wanted to do but is a mandated consequence of the Court of Appeal ruling. Public safety remains our priority and careful consideration was given to the options for a revised...
With reference to the Maritime and Coastguard Agency’s announcement on the future model for Coastguard Rescue Officers, what plans her Department has to mitigate the potential effect of that announcement on ope
Changing the Coastguard Rescue Service operating model was not something which we wanted to do but is a mandated consequence of the Court of Appeal ruling. Public safety remains our priority and careful consideration was given to the options for a revised...
With reference to the Maritime and Coastguard Agency’s announcement regarding the future model for Coastguard Rescue Officers, whether she assessed alternative operating models prior to making a decision.
Changing the Coastguard Rescue Service operating model was not something which we wanted to do but is a mandated consequence of the Court of Appeal ruling. Public safety remains our priority and careful consideration was given to the options for a revised...
When the next round of Access for All funding will open.
Funding for future rounds of the Access for All (AfA) programme may be made available as part of the next Spending Review and this could provide an opportunity to fully or partially fund accessibility upgrades at stations. The process and timings for identifying future AfA projects have not yet been decided, although we have committed to reforming the AfA programme as we move towards the establishment of Great British Railways.
Whether her Department plans to review its consultation process on Volumetric Concrete Mixers.
The Department has no plans to review its consultation process on Volumetric Concrete Mixers (VCMs). The outcome of my department’s review into VCMs was published on 18 March 2025. This can be found at the following link:https://www.gov.uk/government/calls-for-evidence/volumetric-concrete-mixers-review
What estimate her Department has made of the annual economic contribution of volumetric concrete mixers to the economy.
The Department for Transport acknowledges the contribution VCMs make to our economy, particularly to the UK construction industry. The outcome of my department’s review into VCMs was published on 18 March 2025. This can be found at the following link: https://www.gov.uk/government/calls-for-evidence/volumetric-concrete-mixers-review
If she will make a comparative assessment of the potential impact of (a) 44-tonne, five-axle volumetric concrete mixers and (b) traditional drum mixers on (i) the number of vehicle movements, (ii) road wear and (iii) water usage.
The Department has not made a specific comparative assessment of the potential impact of 44-tonne, five-axle volumetric concrete mixers (VCMs) and traditional drum mixers. The Department estimates there are in the region of 1,000 VCMs in operation alongside 20,000 drum mixers. The report undertaken by National Highways as part of the Department’s review of VCMs compared the forces exerted by the VCMs to the standard highway vehicle load model used for assessing bridges and found the effects were up to 17% greater than for vehicles complying with the current standard weight limits. This will likely result in increased wear and tear and may impact the durability and lifespan of existing bridges. In addition to the impact on bridges, heavier vehicles also put more stress on roads. The outcome of the Department’s review into VCMs, including the report by National Highways, was published on 18 March 2025. This can be found at the following link: https://www.gov.uk/government/calls-for-evidence/volumetric-concrete-mixers-review
What assessment she has made of the potential merits of installing a passenger lift at Marks Tey station.
This Government is committed to improving the accessibility of the railway and recognises the social and economic benefits this brings to communities. Marks Tey has step free access to all platforms but not between platforms. It was nominated for the Access for All programme but is not among the next tranche of stations selected for feasibility studies by the previous Government. If any passenger is unable to use the station, they should contact Greater Anglia who will arrange alternative transport at no additional cost.
If she will make it her policy to review the effectiveness of National Highways' deployment of traffic officers on the A14 during serious accidents.
The police manage all incidents on the A14. National Highways is informed by the police of all incidents on the A14 and provides traffic officer support for serious incidents when a unit is available to attend.
If she will take steps to expedite the approval process for (a) the Ely Area Capacity Enhancement and (b) upgrades to the Haughley Rail Junction.
Despite its public statements of support, the previous government made no funding available for the Ely Area Capacity Enhancement (EACE) or upgrades to Haughley Junction. The Chancellor has been clear about the state of the nation's finances and has launc...
If she will make an assessment of the potential impact of MAERSK’s decision to relocate all UK operations from the Port of Felixstowe on (a) the surrounding road network, (b) Orwell Bridge and (c) Copdock Inter
Changes to shipping schedules and ports of call is standard practice within the shipping and ports market, with changes to shipping alliances being cyclical. At this time, it is not clear that the relocation of Maersk’s 2M Alliance operations away from Fe...
If she will make an assessment of the potential impact of the time taken for a decision to be made in relation to (a) the Ely Area Capacity Enhancement and (b) upgrades to Haughley Rail Junction on the (i) Orwe
The 2022 Outline Business Case for the Ely Area Capacity Enhancement (EACE) forecast that the scheme would lead to 98,000 fewer lorry journeys every year, implying benefits to the Ipswich road network. Despite its public statements of support, the previou...
What assessment she has made of the adequacy of bus services in South Suffolk constituency.
Good local bus services are an essential part of prosperous and sustainable communities. As announced in the King’s Speech, the government will introduce the Buses Bill to put the power over local bus services back in the hands of local leaders right acro...
If she will estimate the number of passengers in South Suffolk constituency for whom the £2 bus fare cap has been applied.
The £2 fare cap was launched by the Department for Transport (DfT) on 1 January 2023.The DfT published an interim report in September 2023 setting out emerging trends in key outcomes from the first two months of the scheme. The report is available on GOV....
What plans she has for the £2 bus fare cap beyond December 2024.
Delivering reliable and affordable public transport services for passengers is one of the government’s top priorities as we know how important this is for passengers and for local growth. The Department for Transport is looking at the future of the £2 far...
If she will make an assessment of the potential impact of maintenance works on the Orwell Bridge being scheduled as part of Highways England’s Significant Structures Scheme on traffic flows in that area.
National Highways recognises the importance of the Orwell Bridge and the impact its closure will have for residents and the local economy. The planning for the replacement of the bridge’s bearings is currently at the preliminary design phase, part of whic...
What her planned timetable is for funding remedial work on the Orwell Bridge, Suffolk; and if she will take steps to accelerate the provision of that funding.
The replacement of all 4 bridge joints on Orwell Bridge had been included within a scheme of planned works scheduled for construction starting in 2027. Due to the recent failure of one of the two westbound joints, National Highways is accelerating the rep...