Every parliamentary written question tabled by Shaun Davies this session, with the full answer and department. Back to the MP page.
Showing 1–20 of 29 · Department for Transport
When the contract tender will be published to construct the M54 M6 Link road.
The M54 to M6 Link Road was procured using the Regional Delivery Partnership framework, leading to a detailed design and build contract awarded by National Highways to Skanska Construction UK LTD on 23 October 2025. No future tendering exercises are scheduled on this scheme, given there is a contract in place.
What estimate she has made of when the Office for Road and Rail will decide on the next phase new services on the West Coast Mainline.
ORR are currently considering multiple applications for access rights from public service operators on the West Coast Mainline to support service alterations and additions from the May 2026 timetable change. Access to the rail network is currently a matter for the Office of Rail and Road (ORR) in its capacity as independent regulator for the rail industry. DfT is unable to direct ORR in its decision-making or to influence the timing of decisions.
When the M54 to M6 link road route will be confirmed.
The Preferred Route for the M54 to M6 Link Road scheme was announced in September 2018, following public consultation. The route selected provides the highest benefit to the local economy, the best journey time options, and was preferred by most of the respondents to the public consultation. The route includes a two-lane dual carriageway link road between M54 at junction 1 and M6 at junction 11.Funding for the scheme was confirmed on 8 July 2025, following the conclusion of the Spending Review. The scheme will be formally confirmed as part of the setting of the third Road Investment Strategy (RIS3), planned to be published by the end of March 2026.
What her timetable is for the implementation of national taxi standards across England.
The English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill, currently being considered by the House of Lords, seeks to provide a power for the Secretary of State to set in regulations requirements that must be met for any taxi or private hire vehicle licence to be issued and held.If passed, we are committed to using the powers to set the standards as quickly as possible. As this will be the first time that mandatory standards in taxi and private hire vehicle licensing have been set, it is vital that sufficient time is taken to get them right to provide certainty and stability for passengers and the trades.
What steps her Department is taking to improve rail connectivity in Shropshire.
West Midlands Railway’s (WMR’s) modern Class 196 fleet entered service between Shrewsbury and Birmingham in 2022, increasing capacity, and improving reliability and customer experience. Transport for Wales (TfW) are introducing new Class 197 trains from 2026 on their route through Shropshire to Birmingham International. The Department also worked with the West Midlands Rail Executive to restore the semi-fast WMR service between Shrewsbury and Birmingham New Street.
What recent progress her Department has made on the construction of the M6 M54 toll link road.
Following the conclusion of the Spending Review, funding was confirmed for the delivery of the M54 to M6 Link Road scheme. National Highways is currently undertaking preparatory works to ensure the project is ready to start construction. The delivery programme for the scheme will be confirmed as part of the third Road Investment Strategy (RIS3).
What her planned timeline is for the (a) funding and (b) construction of the M54 and M6 link road; and what the split between public and private funding will be.
On the 8th July, the Transport Secretary announced that the scheme will be progressing, following on from the Spending Review in June. The delivery timetable for the scheme will be confirmed during the setting of the next Road Investment Strategy [RIS3], which begins in April 2026. The scheme is publicly funded and will support the government’s mission to kickstart economic growth.
What the (a) operational cost and (b) salary of the Chief Executive of the Office of Road and Rail is; what assessment she has made of the (i) value for money and (ii) effectiveness of that office; and whether she plans to abolish that office.
The Office of Rail and Road’s Annual Report and Accounts for 2023/24 show a total expenditure of £40.77 million. This is detailed on page 53 of the report, available at:https://www.orr.gov.uk/sites/default/files/2024-07/orr-annual-report-and-accounts-2023-2024-web.pdf The Chief Executive’s annual salary for 2023/24 is reported as being in the range of £170,000–£175,000, with performance related pay of £5,000–£10,000. This information is published in the Remuneration and Staff Report, available at:https://www.orr.gov.uk/annual-report-and-accounts-2023-2024/accountability-report/remuneration-and-staff-report We would note that we expect the 2024/25 Annual Report and Accounts to be published in the next few weeks on ORR’s website which will provide updated information. The Department for Transport keeps the value for money and effectiveness of the ORR under ongoing review to ensure it delivers against its objectives efficiently and in line with public spending principles. As set out in our consultation, the Government is committed to delivering a simpler, more accountable railway, ensuring clear responsibilities and an efficient system that delivers for passengers and freight. The Government proposes that ORR will retain its key regulatory functions, including on safety and will have a robust and independent appeals function on access decisions, ensuring capacity allocation decisions remain fair and non-discriminatory. There are no plans to abolish the ORR.
If she will make it her policy to to allow the M6 toll company to remove pay barriers and introduce barrier-free technology.
Midland Expressway Limited (MEL), is the private consortium responsible for building and operating the M6 toll road. Specific legislation or amendment via regulation to existing PCN legislation is required to enable MELs potential plans to remove pay barriers and introduce barrier free technology in future. As M6 Toll is a privately owned asset, MEL would need to offer proposals that highlight the merits of removing toll barriers and how they will meet all the challenges of doing so for the Department to consider.
With reference to the Spending Review 2025, published on 11 June 2025, what assessment she has made of the (a) adequacy of the funding for the M54 link road to the M6 and (b) potential economic impact on the (i) region and (ii) UK.
As the Chancellor of the Exchequer announced on 11 June 2025, this Government will deliver notable improvements to people’s everyday travel by providing £24 billion of capital funding between 2026-27 and 2029-30 to maintain and improve roads across the country. Delivering faster, safer and more reliable journeys and unlocking economic growth across the country. We will provide updates on specific schemes in due course.
What assessment she has made of the adequacy of the performance of the train line between Aberystwyth and Birmingham International in the last 12 months; and whether she plans to allocate funding to improve (a) services and (b) rolling stock on that line in the next 12 months.
Services and rolling stock on this line are the responsibility of Transport for Wales. My officials meet regularly with TfW to agree performance improvement actions on this cross-border route. Building on the recent UK Government funded upgrade of the line’s signalling system to support the intended introduction of new trains, and the investment plans detailed in the recent Spending Review, we will continue to work collaboratively with the Welsh Government to further develop services on routes across Wales and the Borders
Whether her Department has had recent discussions with the owners of the M6 toll road on the potential merits of removing toll barriers.
M6 Toll is a privately-owned asset. My Department is aware that Midland Expressway Limited (MEL), which is a private consortium responsible for building and operating the M6 toll road, has ambitions for removing toll barriers which would potentially require creating a specific legislation or amendment via regulation to existing PCN legislation. MEL may offer proposals that highlight the merits of removing toll barriers and meet the challenges of doing so.
Whether her Department has had recent discussions with relevant stakeholders on the construction of a new light rail line in Telford constituency.
The Department has not held any discussions on the opening of a new light rail line or tramway system in the Telford constituency. Departmental officials have however held discussions with Telford Council, Transport Design International, Eversholt leasing and Network Rail on the proposed Greenway Initiative at Ironbridge Gorge. I understand the proposed scheme aims to use lightweight, battery powered ‘Revolution’ Very Light Rail trains to reopen 4 miles of disused heavy railway line. The rail minister will write to you shortly following your request for a meeting on this scheme.
How much is the capital grant to Telford and Wrekin Council for (a) road and (b) pothole (i) repairs and (ii) improvements in each of the last six years.
The Government takes the condition of local roads very seriously and is committed to maintaining and renewing the local highway network. DfT allocates capital funding to local highway authorities so they can most effectively spend it on maintaining and improving their respective networks, based upon their local knowledge, circumstances, and priorities. Local highway authorities should consider all parts of the highway network as part of their highway asset management plans, such as bridges, cycleways, and lighting columns – not just the fixing of potholes. Funding allocations for local highway maintenance are published on gov.uk.Telford and Wrekin Council, as a highway authority, has been allocated the following highway maintenance funding: YearHighways Maintenance funding for Telford and Wrekin Council2020/21£5,747,0002021/22£4,311,0002022/23£4,311,0002023/24£5,625,4002024/25£4,859,0002025/26£7,164,000 To receive the full funding allocation in 2025/26, Telford and Wrekin will have to comply with the requirements announced by the Secretary of State in March 2025.
What assessment she has made of the economic contribution of light railways.
Responsibility for light rail is devolved in England, where each local authority owns and is responsible for the operations and financial sustainability of its system.The economic contribution of each scheme can vary significantly based on numerous factors, including specific project conditions and requirements, geography, urban density, and land values.The Department will continue to work alongside local authorities to assess the economic contribution of light rail schemes.
What steps her Department is taking to improve rail infrastructure using dormant rail lines.
The Government believes that local transport authorities are best placed to advocate for projects which will most benefit their local areas. The ultimate aim is to encourage strong business cases, which effectively identify the optimal transport solution, which support growth, more homes and increased job opportunities.
What assessment she has made of the potential merits of initiatives to bring dormant rail lines into use.
The Government believes that local transport authorities are best placed to advocate for projects which will most benefit their local areas. The ultimate aim is to encourage strong business cases, which effectively identify the optimal transport solution, which support growth, more homes and increased job opportunities.
What steps her Department is taking to support light railway projects.
Responsibility for light rail is devolved in England, where each local authority owns and is responsible for the operations and financial sustainability of its system. Future local transport funding is subject to the outcome of the upcoming Spending Review.
What assessment she has made of the potential impact of a direct train services from Shropshire (via Telford) to London on economic growth; and what her planned timetable is for announcing a decision on the application for the new line between Wrexham General and London Euston (via Telford).
The Department for Transport provided a response to the Office of Rail and road regarding the live Open Access application from Wrexham, Shropshire & Midlands Railway to operate services between Wrexham General and London Euston on 4 February 2025. This letter set out our broad support for the proposal. We note the benefits of improved connectivity that these services would bring to a number of communities, but access to the rail network is ultimately a decision for the regulator, who will weigh stakeholder views against statutory duties and publish its decision in due course.
What the (a) average, (b) shortest and (c) longest wait was for determination of an application for a new rail line by a private operator for each year that records are available.
Access to the rail network is a matter for the Office of Rail and Road (ORR) in its capacity as independent regulator for the rail industry. ORR have advised that since 2020, it has determined four applications for wholly new open access services. ORR rejected one and approved three. The time taken to go through the industry processes and reach a decision on these applications was as follows:- Grand Union Trains (London – Stirling): 126 days- Grand Union Trains Application 1 (London – Carmarthen): 281 days- Grand Union Trains Application 2 (London – Carmarthen): 163 days- Go-op: 783 daysThe Go-op process involved significant changes to the application from the applicant over the course of two years. For all of these applications, ORR took decisions within 6 weeks of receiving all relevant information from the parties.