Written questions by McMurdock.

What plans her Department has to increase levels of funding for casualty reduction schemes.

There have been no discussions between the Department for Transport and Essex County Council on achieving its Vision Zero target by 2040. Decisions on funding will come at the conclusion of the current spending review.

What assessment her Department has made of the potential impact of the time taken to allocate Local Highways Panel funding for the 2025-26 financial year on road safety improvements in Essex.

Local authorities often use Integrated Transport Block funding for road safety improvements and the Department hopes to announce ITB allocations for 2025/26 for Essex and other authorities shortly. This will allow Essex’s Local Highways Panels to decide how best to use the available funding: the Department does not get involved in local authority decision making of this sort. On highways maintenance, all local authority allocations for highway maintenance block capital funding in 2025/26, including for Essex County Council, were announced by the Secretary of State for Transport on 20 December 2024 and are published on gov.uk. Essex County Council will be receiving an uplift of over £12 million compared to the current financial year, taking its total funding for the year to nearly £46 million.

If her Department will make an assessment of the potential merits of providing additional ring-fenced funding for road safety improvements in Essex.

We have no plans to make an assessment of the merits of additional ring-fenced funding for road safety improvements in Essex. Local government is the main delivery agent of road safety. The responsibility to implement, fund, deliver, promote and enforce local road safety initiatives remains with local authorities under the 1988 Road Traffic Act. They will decide what measures may be appropriate to “take steps both to reduce and prevent accidents”.

What recent estimate she has made of the total cost of the Lower Thames Crossing; and what the cost for the project was originally projected to be.

Officials and National Highways are exploring all funding options for the Lower Thames Crossing, including private finance. As with all capital projects, spending decisions will be subject to the upcoming spending review and business case process. The assured cost estimate in line with the 2023 baseline for the project is £8.95bn, but it is important to recognise that there is a normal level of uncertainty at this early stage of the development of a project of the size and complexity of the Lower Thames Crossing. Over £800m has been spent on the project to date. This includes the technical surveys and investigations, land purchasing costs, as well as the Development Consent Order application and the three contracts to deliver the project. Following the announcement of the preferred route in April 2017, the subsequent statutory consultation in 2018 reported that the cost of developing and constructing the project was between £5.3-£6.8 billion. Prolongation and inflationary costs along with continued development of the project have resulted in the updated estimate. There is a robust framework to ensure that projects such as the Lower Thames Crossing continue to be assessed at all stages of the project. The project adheres to the Departmental governance framework as a Tier 1 project – this represents the Department’s projects that are either one or a combination of the largest, highest risk, novel and/or contentious. The project is assessed against several factors, including the scheme objectives and value for money.It also continues to follow the HM Treasury approval process for programmes and projects, as well as the Green Book and the Department for Transport’s Transport Analysis Guidance (TAG).

Whether she has made an assessment of the potential impact of the Lower Thames Crossing on residents of (a) South Basildon and East Thurrock constituency and (b) other surrounding areas.

The deadline for the decision on the application for a Development Consent Order by National Highways for the Lower Thames Crossing is 23 May 2025. The impacts of the Lower Thames Crossing, including the concerns of local residents, will be fully considered before a decision on the Development Consent Order is made. Given this is a live planning application to be determined by my Department, it would not be appropriate to comment further at this time.

What steps she is taking to ensure that the Lower Thames Crossing provides value for money for taxpayers.

Officials and National Highways are exploring all funding options for the Lower Thames Crossing, including private finance. As with all capital projects, spending decisions will be subject to the upcoming spending review and business case process. The assured cost estimate in line with the 2023 baseline for the project is £8.95bn, but it is important to recognise that there is a normal level of uncertainty at this early stage of the development of a project of the size and complexity of the Lower Thames Crossing. Over £800m has been spent on the project to date. This includes the technical surveys and investigations, land purchasing costs, as well as the Development Consent Order application and the three contracts to deliver the project. Following the announcement of the preferred route in April 2017, the subsequent statutory consultation in 2018 reported that the cost of developing and constructing the project was between £5.3-£6.8 billion. Prolongation and inflationary costs along with continued development of the project have resulted in the updated estimate. There is a robust framework to ensure that projects such as the Lower Thames Crossing continue to be assessed at all stages of the project. The project adheres to the Departmental governance framework as a Tier 1 project – this represents the Department’s projects that are either one or a combination of the largest, highest risk, novel and/or contentious. The project is assessed against several factors, including the scheme objectives and value for money.It also continues to follow the HM Treasury approval process for programmes and projects, as well as the Green Book and the Department for Transport’s Transport Analysis Guidance (TAG).

How much and what proportion of the Lower Thames Crossing is expected to be funded using public money.

Officials and National Highways are exploring all funding options for the Lower Thames Crossing, including private finance. As with all capital projects, spending decisions will be subject to the upcoming spending review and business case process. The assured cost estimate in line with the 2023 baseline for the project is £8.95bn, but it is important to recognise that there is a normal level of uncertainty at this early stage of the development of a project of the size and complexity of the Lower Thames Crossing. Over £800m has been spent on the project to date. This includes the technical surveys and investigations, land purchasing costs, as well as the Development Consent Order application and the three contracts to deliver the project. Following the announcement of the preferred route in April 2017, the subsequent statutory consultation in 2018 reported that the cost of developing and constructing the project was between £5.3-£6.8 billion. Prolongation and inflationary costs along with continued development of the project have resulted in the updated estimate. There is a robust framework to ensure that projects such as the Lower Thames Crossing continue to be assessed at all stages of the project. The project adheres to the Departmental governance framework as a Tier 1 project – this represents the Department’s projects that are either one or a combination of the largest, highest risk, novel and/or contentious. The project is assessed against several factors, including the scheme objectives and value for money.It also continues to follow the HM Treasury approval process for programmes and projects, as well as the Green Book and the Department for Transport’s Transport Analysis Guidance (TAG).

If she will make an assessment of the adequacy of the condition of train stations in South Basildon and East Thurrock constituency.

The Annual Business Planning round for 2025/26 is currently underway where the adequacy of funding for c2c will be considered. This includes the budget for assets, which covers the condition of train stations in the South Basildon and East Thurrock constituency and all across the c2c network.

What steps her Department plans to take to (a) establish and (b) monitor (i) customer service and (ii) other performance standards on the C2C train routes when they are under public ownership.

c2c services are being brought into public ownership, with the date for transfer scheduled for July 2025. The Annual Business Planning round for 25/26 is currently underway and customer service and other performance standards will be agreed in due course. The Department will continue to hold operators to account for their performance and ensure the best outcomes for passengers.

What assessment she has made of the adequacy of planned funding for (a) services and (b) infrastructure on C2C train routes in the period following its re-nationalisation.

c2c services are being brought into public ownership, with the date for transfer scheduled for July 2025. The Annual Business Planning round for 25/26 is currently underway where the adequacy of funding for c2c will be considered. Network Rail’s funding for its operation, maintenance and renewal of operational railway infrastructure, including C2C train routes, was set via the comprehensive and bottom-up Periodic Review 2023 process, run by the independent rail regulator, the Office of Rail and Road. This funding covers the period from 1 April 2024 to 31 March 2029.

Whether her Department has allocated funding for step-free access improvements at stations on C2C routes.

This government is committed to improving the accessibility of Britain’s railway and recognise the social and economic benefits this brings to communities. Since its launch in 2006, the Access for All programme has delivered step free upgrades at more than 250 stations across Britain. 11 stations have been upgraded since April 2024 with a further 20 due to complete by the end of March 2025. Ministers are carefully considering the best approach to the Access for All programme and we will ensure MPs and stakeholders are kept informed.

What assessment her Department has made of the potential impact of her planned ticket pricing policies on (a) affordability and (b) ridership for passengers using the C2C train routes in the period after its re-nationalisation.

Most regulated rail fares will increase by 4.6% on 2 March 2025. This will be the lowest absolute increase in three years and delivers a fair balance between taxpayers and passengers. This increase will support the Government’s long-term plans to achieve financial sustainability of the railway. Whilst it is our ambition through public ownership to deliver a more affordable railway, any long-term changes or concessions made to rail fares policy require balancing against the potential impacts on passengers, taxpayers and the railway. Through future legislation, we will set out the role Great British Railways will have in fares, ticketing, and other operational aspects of the Railway. Fares and ticketing will continue to be the responsibility of train operators until Great British Railways is established.

What steps she is taking to reduce waiting times for driving tests in South Basildon and East Thurrock constituency.

The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency’s (DVSA) main priority is upholding road safety standards while it works hard to reduce car practical driving test waiting times. Measures in place to reduce waiting times for customers at all driving test centres (DTC), include the recruitment of new driving examiners (DE), conducting tests outside regular hours, including at weekends and on public holidays, and buying back annual leave from DEs. DVSA also continues to deploy DEs from areas with lower waiting times into those where waiting times are longer. As part of recent recruitment at DTCs that serve the South Basildon and East Thurrock constituency, DVSA has made offers to five potential new DEs. This is made up of two DEs at Basildon DTC and three at Southend DTC. As part of ongoing recruitment, DVSA is aiming to fill a further three vacancies at Tilbury DTC, three at Basildon DTC and one at Southend DTC.

What steps she is taking to support bus services in Essex.

Improving local bus services is a key part of this government’s growth mission. As announced in the King’s Speech on 17 July 2024, the government will introduce a Buses Bill later this session. This will put the power over local bus services back in the hands of local leaders right across England, including in Essex, to ensure networks meet the needs of the communities who rely on them. The Bill will seek to increase the powers available to local leaders to choose the model that works best in their area, whether that be franchising, high-quality partnerships with private operators or local authority ownership. In addition, the government has confirmed an additional £925 million for the 2025 to 2026 financial year to support and improve bus services in England outside London which is in addition to the introduction of a new National Bus Fare Cap at £3 from January 2025, bringing total bus investment at the Budget to over £1 billion. Local authorities can use the £925 million to introduce new bus routes, make services more frequent and protect crucial bus routes for local communities. The government will continue working closely with local transport authorities including Essex County Council, and others, to deliver better bus services throughout England.

What steps her Department is taking to reduce the number of fatalities on roads in Essex.

This Government takes road safety very seriously and reducing those killed and injured on our roads is a key priority. The Department is currently considering policy options in this area. Local authorities are responsible for the management of local roads, within the rules set by Government, including setting local speed limits where the national limit would not be appropriate. The Safer Roads Fund is an innovative, non-competitive programme that provides funding for the most high risk ‘A’ roads in England. Essex County Council received funding of £4.96m as part of the Safer Roads Fund for the A113 and A104.

What steps she is taking to help reduce congestion in South Basildon and East Thurrock constituency.

This Government is committed to maintaining and renewing our road network so it can serve all road users and is safe. Traffic management of local roads is the responsibility of local traffic authorities who are best placed to understand local circumstances and needs.Traffic authorities are subject to the statutory network management duty which requires them to manage their roads to secure the ‘expeditious movement’ of all traffic including pedestrians, with a view to reducing congestion, and they have a wide range of tools already available to them to enable this.

What steps his Department is taking to extend contactless payments to additional train stations in Essex.

We have committed to expanding Pay As You Go (PAYG) contactless ticketing to further stations in the South East, with six stations on the Chiltern railways line having already gone live in June. This expansion will include the entire c2c network and the 19 stations operated by Greater Anglia in Essex, where passengers will benefit from a better ticketing offer. Unfortunately, this expansion has been delayed due to the cyber-attack at Transport for London (TfL). TfL are delivering necessary security measures, and the rail industry is working at pace to reschedule the launch, an update will be provided in due course.

What recent assessment she has made of the adequacy of train stations in South Basildon and East Thurrock constituency.

The Department has made no recent specific assessment of the adequacy of train stations in South Basildon and East Thurrock constituency.

What steps her Department is taking to improve bus services in South Basildon and East Thurrock constituency.

Good local bus services are an essential part of prosperous and sustainable communities. As announced in the King’s Speech on 17 July 2024, the government will introduce a Buses Bill later this parliamentary session, which will put decision-making into the hands of local leaders across England, including in South Basildon and East Thurrock. This will allow local areas to determine how best to design their bus services so that they have control over routes and schedules.The government has also committed to increasing accountability by providing safeguards over local networks across the country and empowering local transport authorities through reforms to bus funding.

How many EV charging points there are in South Basildon and East Thurrock constituency; and what estimate her Department has made of the potential demand for the future installation of such charging points.

Data on electric vehicle charging devices in the UK, held by the Department for Transport (DfT), are sourced from those installed or funded under Government approved grant schemes and from the electric vehicle charging platform Zapmap. The latest data available for the South Basildon and East Thurrock parliamentary constituency is at 1 July 2024, and reflects the constituency boundary at that point. This shows there were 15 public charging devices and that the Government has historically supported installation of 401 residential chargepoints, plus 41 workplace charging sockets. DfT does not collect data on private household charging except when installed or funded under a Government grant, therefore the true number of charging devices may be higher than recorded in these figures. To support the electric vehicle transition more charging infrastructure will be needed across the country. The exact number in a location will depend on a variety of factors such as availability of off-street parking, future charging behaviour and local driving patterns. South Basildon and East Thurrock constituency is part of Thurrock Council and Essex County Council. Under the Government’s Local Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Fund, Thurrock Council has been allocated £843,000 in capital and resource funding and Essex County Council has been allocated £9,102,000. This will help them work with industry to rollout additional local public chargepoints supporting future demand.