Every parliamentary written question tabled by Richard Fuller this session, with the full answer and department. Back to the MP page.
Showing 1–15 of 15 · Department for Transport
What progress Northern has made on upgrading train sanding systems to improve braking performance since 17 December 2025; how many older units have been fitted with variable-rate sanding equipment to date; and whether the project remains on track for completion by autumn 2028.
Awaiting answer.
With reference to the Answer of 9 January 2026 to Question 100955, if she will provide a breakdown of the programmes Network Rail is undertaking to achieve its Net Zero target; and what the estimated cost to the public purse is of those programmes.
Awaiting answer.
With reference to the Answer of 9 January 2026 to Question 100955, if she will provide a breakdown of programmes the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency is undertaking to decarbonise its driving test centre and vehicle inspection estate by 2050; and what total funding has been allocated to these schemes.
Awaiting answer.
What estimate her Department has made of the total annual operating costs of public sector companies succeeding private franchises under the Passenger Railway Services (Public Ownership) Bill ; and if she will provide a breakdown of how the funds currently recovered from private Train Operating Companies for the British Transport Police budget will be accounted for within the financial implications of the Bill.
Awaiting answer.
For each train operating company under DfT Operator ownership, how many services were operated with fewer carriages than planned in each of the last 18 months; and what percentage of that operator’s total services this represented.
The Department for Transport has indicated that it will not be possible to answer this question within the usual time period. An answer is being prepared and will be provided as soon as it is available.
What expenditure has the British Transport Police made on public affairs companies, and for what purposes, since 4 July 2024.
The Department for Transport has indicated that it will not be possible to answer this question within the usual time period. An answer is being prepared and will be provided as soon as it is available.
Whether she plans to publish an updated Business Case for East West Rail before the commencement of the Development Consent Order examination.
In line with Treasury guidance, the development of the Business Case for East West Rail will progress as East West Rail Company continues to develop and refine the project. The Full Business Case will be submitted for approval and then published, once planning consent has been secured, which is standard for this type of project.
What recent estimate she has made of the cost per kilometre of East West Rail from Bedford to Cambridge.
Capital cost estimates for Connection Stages 2 (Oxford-Bedford) and 3 (Oxford-Cambridge) routes were published by East West Rail Company in 2024. Final costs for the project will be driven by scope and design choices.
What her planned timetable is for the construction of a railway station at Tempsford.
East West Rail Company has set out details of its proposals for a new station at Tempsford as part of East West Rail in its autumn announcement in November 2025. The Government and East West Rail Company have committed to bring forward the delivery of a new station at Tempsford to introduce services on the East Coast Main Line to the area ahead of the full East West Rail scheme opening and design work is progressing on this.
What agreement has been made between East West Rail and Universal Destinations and Experiences on the development timeline of East West Rail during the construction of the Universal Theme Park in Bedfordshire.
Universal’s plans for a theme park near Stewartby represents a significant local and national opportunity for economic growth. Following Government approval of the theme park in April 2025, EWR Co is working alongside Universal and key stakeholders to help integrate their proposals for the theme park with the railway and maximise the potential of both.
Whether a decision has been made on the type of power or traction to be used on East West Rail.
In its autumn announcement in November 2025, EWR Co set out proposals for the discontinuous (partial) electrification of the line which can deliver net zero services with hybrid battery-electric trains.
Whether he has considered including equestrianism within the definition of active travel for (a) planning and (b) other relevant policy purposes.
The Government has no plans to include equestrianism within the definition of active travel. Decisions on infrastructure to support horse-riding are a matter for local authorities. Local Cycling and Walking Infrastructure Plans enable local authorities to take a strategic approach to planning local walking and cycling improvements, and to integrate these into wider plans for transport and economic development. We encourage and expect local authorities to consult with local groups such as equestrians as part of their stakeholder engagement.
What initiatives her Department has considered to help encourage the conversion of buses to electric power.
The transition to zero-emission buses (ZEBs) represents a great opportunity for UK bus manufacturers and repowering companies, both to supply the electric buses needed here in the UK and to win export orders abroad as other countries upgrade their bus fleets. The Government recognises the value that repower conversion can provide to advancing the decarbonisation of the bus fleet. We are encouraged by recent developments in the sector, including continued orders placed by operators for repowered buses in depots that have been electrified under ZEBRA. Future bus funding is still being considered in the round as part of the Spending Review, including funding to support ZEBs.
What assessment she has made of the potential impact of the proposed discontinuous electrification of East West Rail on (a) capital costs and (b) operating costs of the railway.
The cost of discontinuous electrification is already included in the publicised capital cost range of the project and the option of full electrification is still under consideration. However, electrification (discontinuous or full) is expected to significantly reduce operating costs for the line over its whole life.
If she will make an assessment of the potential merits of introducing a requirement for insurance providers to request images of the front and back of an applicant’s driving licence as part of the quotation process.
Motor Insurers already have the option to sign up to the MyLicence service run by DVLA, where a motor insurer can check the electronic driver record of an applicant for all the relevant information. This service is predicated on direct consent from the individual seeking a policy quote.