Written questions by Moran.

Whether her Department intends to convene a meeting of stakeholders involved in preparing for the commencement of East-West Rail passenger services.

Awaiting answer.

For what reasons East-West Rail passenger services have not yet commenced.

Awaiting answer.

With reference to the answer of 27 April 2026 to UIN 127833, what progress she has made on train modification, train testing and driver training to achieve the December timetable for passenger services between

Chiltern is continuing to work closely with its partners and the Department to conclude the remaining train, infrastructure and staff arrangements and a start date for the first East West Rail services. This includes the recruitment and training of 44 tra...

With reference to the answer of 18 September 2025 to Question UIN 76304, what progress has been made since that date towards to help enable the commencement of passenger services on each phase of East West Rail; what delivery milestones and indicative dates is her Department is working to; and when she expects to be in a position to publish a final timetable for the project.

The Department continues to work closely with Chiltern and other partners to confirm a start date for the first stage of services. For passenger services to commence, trains will need to have been modified and fully tested, and driver training will need to have been completed. East West Rail Company published its consultation on the remaining stages of the scheme on 14th April 2026 as part of preparations for its application for a development consent order in 2027. The consultation sets out timelines for delivery of services along the route.

What assessment her Department has made of the potential impact of local government reorganisation on the (a) implementation of transport infrastructure projects and (b) strategic planning.

The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government is the lead department for the planning system, and the Department for Transport works with it closely on the impacts of local government reorganisation. Existing district councils have responsibilities for taxi licencing and spatial planning, but transport infrastructure is generally delivered by county and unitary authorities. New unitary authorities formed by local government reorganisation should have appropriate scale to effectively deliver transport infrastructure projects and, outside of Strategic Authorities, to undertake their local transport authority responsibilities.

Whether she expects the first phase of East-West Rail to open this year; and what her Department's planned timetable is for the opening of the (a) Bletchley to Bedford and (b) Bedford to Cambridge sections.

The Department is working closely with Chiltern and other partners to confirm a start date for the service. We are looking forward to commencing services as soon as all necessary approvals and infrastructure are in place. Passenger services will commence once train testing and driver training have been completed. As for the second and third connections phases; the Government has committed to accelerating work to deliver EWR services between Oxford-Bedford. The full Oxford-Cambridge service is subject to an application for a Development Consent Order and is planned to commence from the mid-2030s.

What the scale of the revenue certainty mechanism will be; and how market pricing will be achieved.

The SAF Bill was introduced on Wednesday 14th May in the House of Commons, with legislative measures to implement an industry-funded revenue certainty mechanism to support SAF production in the UK.The Bill confirms the government’s position that any funding required should come from a levy on aviation fuel suppliers.Further work is required to design the allocation process for the revenue certainty mechanism. This will include greater detail regarding the size and timings of the contracts, as well as parameters around pricing. We will maintain a close and ongoing dialogue with industry on options for achieving cost control within the revenue certainty mechanism.

Whether her Department consulted the Environment Agency on the flooding components of the Oxford Rail Station Phase 2 project.

Network Rail consulted the Environment Agency on its Environmental Impact Assessment as part of the planning approval process for the Oxford Rail Station Phase 2 project.

With reference to the consultation entitled Smarter regulation: proposed changes to legislation for electrically assisted pedal cycles, which closed on 25 April 2024, what assessment her Department has made of

The Department is carefully considering the responses to the consultation, and will make an announcement on the way forward as soon as possible.

Whether she intends to establish a Road Safety Investigation Branch.

The safety of our roads is an absolute priority for this Government. We are committed to delivering a new Road Safety Strategy – the first in over a decade. We will set out next steps on this in due course.

What her Department's planned timetable is for the completion of the Oxfordshire Connect programme.

The Minister of State for Rail, Lord Hendy of Richmond Hill, and senior officials from my Department are having regular discussions with Network Rail (NR) to press them for a credible delivery plan for the completion of the Oxford station project and Botley Road bridge. Lord Hendy has written to you and other stakeholders with details of improvements being made to alleviate the effects of the bridge closure. He and the Chief Executive of NR will come to meet you, and other stakeholders, as soon as NR are certain of the delivery plan.

What discussions she has had with Network Rail on the status of the Oxfordshire Connect rail programme.

The Minister of State for Rail, Lord Hendy of Richmond Hill, and senior officials from my Department are having regular discussions with Network Rail (NR) to press them for a credible delivery plan for the completion of the Oxford station project and Botley Road bridge. Lord Hendy has written to you and other stakeholders with details of improvements being made to alleviate the effects of the bridge closure. He and the Chief Executive of NR will come to meet you, and other stakeholders, as soon as NR are certain of the delivery plan.