argyrotsipi/train-dataset huggingface dataset:
National Road Safety Targets — House of Commons, 2017-03-30
Topic: Transportation
Questions: Cyclists in Stroud—and for that matter in Sefton—are crying out for more road safety measures to ensure they can go around roundabouts and across junctions in safety. Will the Minister take that into account in national transport planning?
Andrew Hanson Jones (Conservative, Centre-right): That comes down to activity undertaken to enforce the rules and to educating cyclists about the importance of following road safety directions. I am aware of cyclists who go through red lights. It is unsafe. It is part of our THINK! education campaign to help cyclists to know what is good behaviour on our roads.
National Road Safety Targets — House of Commons, 2017-03-30
Topic: Transportation
Questions: Cyclists in Stroud—and for that matter in Sefton—are crying out for more road safety measures to ensure they can go around roundabouts and across junctions in safety. Will the Minister take that into account in national transport planning?
Anna Mary Soubry (Conservative, Centre-right): Two people died in November on the A52 in Bramcote, a suburban part of my constituency. There was another accident just a few weeks ago. In both of those cases, and after many complaints from residents for many years, there is clearly a real problem with people racing at very high speeds. Would the Minister be so good as to meet my constituent Tony Smith, who organised a petition, presented in this place only last month, of 1,600 people calling on Highways England to introduce speed regulation measures? We would be very grateful for that meeting in order to advance the campaign.
National Road Safety Targets — House of Commons, 2017-03-30
Topic: Transportation
Questions: Cyclists in Stroud—and for that matter in Sefton—are crying out for more road safety measures to ensure they can go around roundabouts and across junctions in safety. Will the Minister take that into account in national transport planning?
Andrew Hanson Jones (Conservative, Centre-right): I meet local road safety campaigners on a regular basis, in particular families who have lost loved ones in incidents on our roads. They are difficult meetings, but I would of course be very happy to meet my right hon. Friend and her constituent.
National Road Safety Targets — House of Commons, 2017-03-30
Topic: Transportation
Questions: Cyclists in Stroud—and for that matter in Sefton—are crying out for more road safety measures to ensure they can go around roundabouts and across junctions in safety. Will the Minister take that into account in national transport planning?
Andrew Hanson Jones (Conservative, Centre-right): I simply do not accept that policymaking is as simple as setting targets. If we look at all the action the Government are undertaking—the changes to the statutory option on drink driving, drug driving legislation, the THINK! campaign, the increase in penalties in relation to mobile phone use and so on—we see that our efforts to take road safety further are significant. If policymaking was as simple as setting targets, Gordon Brown would have left us a very well-run Government and nobody pretends he did that.
Heathrow: Noise Monitoring — House of Commons, 2017-03-30
Topic: Transportation
Christopher Stephen Grayling (Conservative, Centre-right): Noise is measured around Heathrow airport by a set of fixed and mobile monitors. To ensure effective monitoring, the Government have instructed the Civil Aviation Authority to validate the data from the monitors, and reports based on that information are published annually.
Heathrow: Noise Monitoring — House of Commons, 2017-03-30
Topic: Environment
Tania Mathias (Conservative, Centre-right): Planes are currently flying at too low an altitude, which is causing excessive noise pollution over homes and schools in my constituency. Will the Secretary of State meet me to discuss how the new noise commission will be able to prevent medically unsafe noise levels from aircraft flying over residential areas?
Heathrow: Noise Monitoring — House of Commons, 2017-03-30
Topic: Transportation
Christopher Stephen Grayling (Conservative, Centre-right): I am well aware of the concerns of my hon. Friend’s constituents and others, particularly about aircraft such as the A380 as it comes in on the flightpath into Heathrow airport. Obviously we need to get this right, and I hope that the airspace modernisation programme will help in that regard. We are pressing ahead with the establishment of an independent commission on civil aviation noise, and consulting on the powers that it should have. My hon. Friend has had a number of sensible thoughts about how we might address the problem, and I should be happy to meet her to discuss it.
Heathrow: Noise Monitoring — House of Commons, 2017-03-30
Topic: Transportation
Christopher Stephen Grayling (Conservative, Centre-right): I do not think that it is a question of comparison between airports. What we have at Heathrow is a world-beating package of compensation for those affected, combined with a rapid change in aircraft technology which means that the new generation of aircraft coming on stream are much quieter than any we have seen before. Alongside that are our plans for the modernisation of airspace. We also need to ensure that the angles of approach to Heathrow are the best possible, in order to minimise the impact on local residents. I believe that, overall, we are taking the right approach to what I know is a difficult issue for the hon. Lady’s constituents and others. We have tried to get the balance right.
Heathrow: Noise Monitoring — House of Commons, 2017-03-30
Topic: Transportation
Nigel Paul Huddleston (Conservative, Centre-right): Does the Secretary of State agree that one of the best ways of reducing congestion and noise pollution around Heathrow would be better use of regional airports, and does he agree that a reduction in air passenger duty for regional airports would be a good incentive?
Heathrow: Noise Monitoring — House of Commons, 2017-03-30
Topic: Transportation
Christopher Stephen Grayling (Conservative, Centre-right): I am a strong supporter of our regional airports. There are some great success stories, including what I suspect is my hon. Friend’s pet regional local airport, Birmingham: it has been enormously successful in recent years. However, I fear that my hon. Friend will have to make representations about air passenger duty to the Chancellor during Treasury questions.
Heathrow: Noise Monitoring — House of Commons, 2017-03-30
Topic: Transportation
Christopher Stephen Grayling (Conservative, Centre-right): We have tried to set out the impact of the change in broad terms. It is certainly the case that in comparison with Gatwick and its fully mixed-mode operation, Heathrow, across three runways, is able to offer respite in a way that was not assumed by the Airports Commission in its consideration of both proposals. The impact on neighbouring communities is one factor among many that the commission considered, as did the Government.
Road Collision Investigation Unit — House of Commons, 2017-03-30
Topic: Transportation
Andrew Hanson Jones (Conservative, Centre-right): No assessment has been made of the merits of establishing a road collision investigation unit, as there are well-established collision investigation units in the police service, and effective ways of reporting conclusions and outcomes. The Department does, however, directly fund a programme of detailed investigation under the road accident in-depth study, in conjunction with police forces, coroners and several hospitals.
Road Collision Investigation Unit — House of Commons, 2017-03-30
Topic: Transportation
Andrew Hanson Jones (Conservative, Centre-right): I am aware of the hon. Gentleman’s long-established campaigning interest in road safety, and I would just refer back to the earlier answer: we have well-established collision investigation units within the police service, so I see no point in duplication.
Road Collision Investigation Unit — House of Commons, 2017-03-30
Topic: Transportation
Andrew Hanson Jones (Conservative, Centre-right): The condition of the local roads is the responsibility of the local highways authorities, and we are very keen to support them in their work. I fully recognise that there is a backlog and have seen various projections of how much that might cost to fill, which is why we have allocated a record amount of money to support local highways authorities. The sum stands at over £6 billion during this Parliament, including £250 million specifically to help fix potholes.
Congestion: Oxfordshire — House of Commons, 2017-03-30
Topic: Transportation
Andrew Hanson Jones (Conservative, Centre-right): The Government have an ambitious strategy for tackling congestion right across the country. In Oxfordshire this includes investing £35 million for public transport improvements on the A40 and a £9.5 million budget for Didcot station car park expansion, as well as investing some £19.4 million in the next financial year to reduce congestion at key locations across the county.
Congestion: Oxfordshire — House of Commons, 2017-03-30
Topic: Transportation
Robert Alexander Courts (Conservative, Centre-right): Congestion on the A40 between Witney and Oxford causes daily misery for commuters and restricts the economic growth of this vital dynamic area. It is essential that a complete solution to this problem is found. The £35 million for the public transport solution is welcome, but what steps will the Government take to provide funding for a complete solution to the congestion on that busy road?
Congestion: Oxfordshire — House of Commons, 2017-03-30
Topic: Transportation
Andrew Hanson Jones (Conservative, Centre-right): As ever, my hon. Friend speaks up vigorously on behalf of his constituency. We recognise the importance of that local road to the economic growth of the area, which is why we are supporting the A40 science transit scheme, with £35 million of local growth funding for enhancements to the A40 corridor. I encourage local partners to continue to work together to explore further options to address the issues along that stretch of road. I would of course be happy to discuss any of the options with my hon. Friend.
North Wales-England Transport Links — House of Commons, 2017-03-30
Topic: Transportation
Christopher Stephen Grayling (Conservative, Centre-right): The Government are investing in major signalling renewals on the north Wales line to improve reliability and, after years of waiting, in the Halton curve. This will improve rail connectivity between north Wales, west Cheshire and the Liverpool city region, including Liverpool John Lennon airport. Our recently announced national productivity investment fund will also support local authority investment on the A483 corridor between Chester and Wrexham.
North Wales-England Transport Links — House of Commons, 2017-03-30
Topic: Transportation
Christopher Stephen Grayling (Conservative, Centre-right): I know all about the letter, and indeed had a meeting to discuss the issue yesterday. I am seized of the necessity to make sure that north Wales does not miss out in the investment that we are putting into our rail network. We will bring forward our thoughts in due course, but I can assure the right hon. Gentleman that this is very much top of mind in the Department.
North Wales-England Transport Links — House of Commons, 2017-03-30
Topic: Transportation
Christopher Paul Davies (Conservative, Centre-right): Mid Wales has difficulty with transport links to both north and south Wales, and indeed to England—although I can assure everyone that it is worth the difficulty of the journey in getting to mid Wales. What more can my right hon. Friend do to ensure that road links to mid Wales are improved?
North Wales-England Transport Links — House of Commons, 2017-03-30
Topic: Transportation
Christopher Stephen Grayling (Conservative, Centre-right): We will do our bit on the English side of the border—we are spending more money than ever on the road network in England—but I fear that it is to Cardiff that my hon. Friend will have to look for the improvements that will provide that final link into his constituency. His is, of course, a beautiful part of the country, and all of us would want to be able to visit it.
North Wales-England Transport Links — House of Commons, 2017-03-30
Topic: Transportation
Christopher Stephen Grayling (Conservative, Centre-right): I had a meeting yesterday with the man who I hope will be the next city region mayor, the Conservative candidate Tony Caldeira, and I can assure the hon. Gentleman that he has ambitious plans to improve the transport infrastructure in and around the Merseyside region.
East Midlands Rail Franchise — House of Commons, 2017-03-30
Topic: Government Operations
Paul Christopher Maynard (Conservative, Centre-right): On 1 March this year, the Department announced the three companies that are shortlisted to bid for the next east midlands franchise. A public consultation will be held in due course, followed by the publication of the invitation to tender and the stakeholder briefing document.
East Midlands Rail Franchise — House of Commons, 2017-03-30
Topic: Transportation
Edward John Comport Argar (Conservative, Centre-right): I welcome that answer. In the context of my hon. Friend’s work on the franchise, can he reassure me and my constituents that when the new franchise is awarded we will see new, modern rolling stock capable of operating on diesel and electric lines on that route, as well as later services and Sunday services operating on the popular local Ivanhoe line?
East Midlands Rail Franchise — House of Commons, 2017-03-30
Topic: Transportation
Paul Christopher Maynard (Conservative, Centre-right): My hon. Friend is quite right to campaign on behalf of the Ivanhoe line and of his constituents. I hope that all Members of Parliament across the east midlands will contribute to the consultation and make it clear what they want to see in the new franchise. We look forward to reading their responses to the consultation.
East Midlands Rail Franchise — House of Commons, 2017-03-30
Topic: Transportation
Paul Christopher Maynard (Conservative, Centre-right): The hon. Gentleman will have to forgive me for making a somewhat elliptical response. We are continuing to look at the options for rolling stock on that route, working closely with the current franchisee and other bidders for the franchise. We hope to make an announcement in due course.
Kettering Rail Service — House of Commons, 2017-03-30
Topic: Transportation
Paul Christopher Maynard (Conservative, Centre-right): As my hon. Friend has just heard, the train timetable options for the new east midlands franchise are still under development. Once it is complete and we have reviewed the responses to the public consultation, we will have a much better idea of what we want the bidders to deliver against. This will clearly include significant improvements, where possible to services to and from Kettering.
Kettering Rail Service — House of Commons, 2017-03-30
Topic: Transportation
Philip Thomas Hollobone (Conservative, Centre-right): This relates to the junction between the suburban service out of St Pancras to Corby and the midland main line service from St Pancras to Derby, Nottingham and Sheffield. The connectivity from Kettering northward was halved by the last Labour Government to one train per hour. Will the Minister make it one of his top priorities to reinstate the half-hourly service northward?
Kettering Rail Service — House of Commons, 2017-03-30
Topic: Transportation
Paul Christopher Maynard (Conservative, Centre-right): My hon. Friend and I have already discussed at some length the opportunities to improve services from Kettering, and everyone in the House knows what a doughty campaigner he is for his constituency. I am sure that I will be reminded time and again of these issues. A sixth path is being created on the route, and I look forward to seeing how the consultation recommends that it be best deployed. I am sure that Kettering will feature heavily in those submissions.
Bus Passenger Satisfaction — House of Commons, 2017-03-30
Topic: Transportation
Andrew Hanson Jones (Conservative, Centre-right): The independent transport user watchdog, Transport Focus, produces an annual bus passenger satisfaction survey, and the autumn 2016 report was published last week. Overall bus passenger survey results scored 87%, up from 86% in the previous year.
Ship-to-Ship Transfers — House of Commons, 2017-03-30
Topic: Energy
Paul Christopher Maynard (Conservative, Centre-right): Neither I nor the Minister responsible for this issue, my right hon. Friend the Member for South Holland and The Deepings (Mr Hayes), has had any contact with the Scottish Government so far about the devolution of ship-to-ship transfers. However, the Minister of State wrote to Scottish Ministers earlier this month, acknowledging that the permitting arrangements for granting oil transfer licences for ship-to-ship transfers needed improvement. Our intention is to review the process around the application and assessment of licences in consultation with the devolved Administrations later this year.
Litter Removal: Highways England — House of Commons, 2017-03-30
Topic: Transportation
Andrew Hanson Jones (Conservative, Centre-right): Litter collection is an important part of Highways England’s duties. The Department recently asked Highways England to identify the worst spots on the network, and they were targeted for cleaning in early March. Highways England is responsible for cleaning litter only on motorways and the strategic road network—about 2.5% of the total road network—but it removes 200,000 sacks of litter from the roadside every year.
Litter Removal: Highways England — House of Commons, 2017-03-30
Topic: Transportation
Helen Olivia Bicknell Whately (Conservative, Centre-right): Over 2,000 people responded to my recent rural residents survey in Faversham and Mid Kent, and one of the most common concerns was litter, especially on the A2 and the M2. What steps is my hon. Friend taking to ensure that Highways England fulfils its statutory duty to keep Kent’s roads clean?
Litter Removal: Highways England — House of Commons, 2017-03-30
Topic: Environment
Andrew Hanson Jones (Conservative, Centre-right): This issue is raised constantly by Ministers with Highways England. It has a duty to adhere to the code of practice on litter and refuse, which is part of the Environmental Protection Act 1990, and we monitor that very carefully. My hon. Friend may be interested to know that 200 bags of litter were collected in March at the Marling Cross lorry park on the A2.
European Transport and Safety Organisations — House of Commons, 2017-03-30
Topic: Transportation
Questions: What recent discussions he has had with the Secretary of State for Exiting the European Union on the UK’s membership of the (a) European Aviation Safety Agency, (b) Single European Sky air traffic movement research project and (c) European common aviation area.
Christopher Stephen Grayling (Conservative, Centre-right): That may be, Mr Speaker, but the hon. Lady does speak an awful lot of nonsense. We are not pursuing a Little Britain strategy; we are looking to build our role in the world, and aviation will be an important part of that, which is why we are seeking to expand Heathrow airport—subject to the consultation happening at the moment. We will of course bring forward our proposals in due course to this House and to this country. Many of these international bodies go far beyond the European Union, and we will carry on playing a role in many international bodies that go far beyond the European Union.
Topical Questions — House of Commons, 2017-03-30
Topic: Transportation
Christopher Stephen Grayling (Conservative, Centre-right): Last year I set out a bold vision for a railway that puts passengers at the heart of everything it does. We have already heard today about our plans to deliver more capacity for commuters on Southeastern trains. Longer trains on the Southeastern network are a priority for this Government and an absolute priority for the new franchise. On Monday, I announced news for commuters on the south-western routes, with the new franchise announcement. With the experience of MTR, which delivers 99.9% reliability on the Hong Kong metro, the new franchisee will oversee a £1.2 billion investment, delivering more trains, faster journeys and more space. That will bring about a transformation for those passengers, which we are also looking to do for passengers around Manchester, Liverpool and Cardiff in addition to those around London.
Topical Questions — House of Commons, 2017-03-30
Topic: Transportation
Helen Olivia Bicknell Whately (Conservative, Centre-right): The recently published "Kent Corridors to M25 Route Strategy" identifies Brenley Corner in my constituency as a congestion and accident hotspot. Can my right hon. Friend confirm that his Department is considering significant investment in that junction?
Topical Questions — House of Commons, 2017-03-30
Topic: Transportation
Christopher Stephen Grayling (Conservative, Centre-right): We are in the process of digesting the route strategies provided by Highways England. The strategies set a blueprint for the projects we will need to deliver in the future to ease those points of congestion. I cannot at this early stage give a Government commitment to individual projects, but we are looking carefully at that study and others. We are seized of the need to make sure that we address such problems.
Topical Questions — House of Commons, 2017-03-30
Topic: Transportation
Christopher Stephen Grayling (Conservative, Centre-right): Given the current state of the Labour party, I am not sure I would go down that road if I were the hon. Gentleman. We are currently looking at what is the best approach to the future regulation and structure of our taxi and private hire services. I see it as a particular priority to ensure public safety. We and local authorities are doing that work, and we want to deliver the right framework for it. Our job is to ensure that we have the right choice for consumers and the right options in our marketplace, but we also want to protect those parts of our industry, such as London black cabs, that are a national institution and that none of us would wish to see disappear. This is about a measured approach. Of course, some of the most evocative issues lie in the hands of the London Mayor and not of this Government.
Topical Questions — House of Commons, 2017-03-30
Topic: Government Operations
Christopher Stephen Grayling (Conservative, Centre-right): Let us be clear about this. First, on the appointment to the chief executive role of HS2, I want the best person for that job, and we will always seek to recruit the best person for that job. I will also ensure that if there are any questions about the recruitment process, they are addressed and investigated carefully by the civil service to reassure me that we can make an appointment without any concern. That we did, and I have absolute confidence in both that recruitment process and in that new chief executive. Yesterday’s announcement that CH2M HILL has decided to withdraw from the contract after an issue—not a massive one—emerged in the contracting process is the right one. I am grateful to the company for doing that, as it is the right thing to do. I want to make sure that Government contracting processes recruit the right expertise, corporate or individual, but are also robust in making sure that, if things are not done right, it is addressed. That is what has happened.