argyrotsipi/train-dataset huggingface dataset:
Leaving the EU: Ports — House of Commons, 2019-01-10
Topic: Transportation
Questions: What steps he is taking to reduce potential disruption to travel at UK ports in the event of the UK leaving the EU without a deal.; What steps he is taking to reduce potential disruption to travel at UK ports in the event of the UK leaving the EU without a deal.
Christopher Stephen Grayling (Conservative, Centre-right): It is a bit like the proverbial stuck gramophone record. I said very clearly, earlier this week, that we have let contracts with a number of operators, of which Seaborne represents about 10%, and we pay no money unless the service is delivered. To clarify further what the Chair of the Transport Committee said a moment ago, we are talking to a number of other potential outlets, in case extra capacity were to be needed—rail, ports, maritime—but nothing else has been decided. We have not issued instructions to any rail company about disruptive timetables and we have not taken any further steps to put additional measures in place. We are simply checking the lie of the land so that we can respond to all eventualities.
Leaving the EU: Ports — House of Commons, 2019-01-10
Topic: Transportation
Questions: What steps he is taking to reduce potential disruption to travel at UK ports in the event of the UK leaving the EU without a deal.; What steps he is taking to reduce potential disruption to travel at UK ports in the event of the UK leaving the EU without a deal.
Christopher Stephen Grayling (Conservative, Centre-right): This is why 90% of the new contracts are with DFDS and Brittany Ferries. As I said, I am disappointed that the Scottish National party does not welcome the DFDS contract that will provide additional routes from east coast ports to northern Europe, which will be beneficial to Scottish business.
CrossCountry Rail Franchise — House of Commons, 2019-01-10
Topic: Transportation
Andrew Hanson Jones (Conservative, Centre-right): The current CrossCountry franchise runs until October this year, with a possible extension to October next year. The hon. Gentleman should be assured that we are working to look at all options for the new CrossCountry franchise, including rolling stock. We will look at adding much needed capacity to the CrossCountry services as soon as trains become available.
CrossCountry Rail Franchise — House of Commons, 2019-01-10
Topic: Transportation
Andrew Hanson Jones (Conservative, Centre-right): I had a very positive meeting with the hon. Gentleman and his local council leader yesterday. We agree on the importance of the south-west economy, in particular its connectivity, and we recognise entirely the issue with the Voyager trains and how they are affected by the salt water to which they are exposed. CrossCountry is working on an engineering solution to that and we are working on adding capacity to the franchise. Passenger numbers have grown by 25%, so we need to put more rolling stock into it. We will look at where we can get the trains from to expand that capacity.
CrossCountry Rail Franchise — House of Commons, 2019-01-10
Topic: Transportation
Questions: As the hon. Member for Plymouth, Sutton and Devonport (Luke Pollard) outlined, there are constant issues with CrossCountry services west of Exeter due to their lack of resilience on the Dawlish coastal stretch. Can the Minister outline to me, and reassure me, that both the future rolling stock requirements and the work that we are doing to improve the resilience of this iconic coastal line will make a difference?
Andrew Hanson Jones (Conservative, Centre-right): My hon. Friend is absolutely correct. Protecting the line at Dawlish is crucial and sends a broader signal that the south-west is open for business, with all the connectivity that implies. So this is a national priority. Essential work is under way now to repair four existing breakwaters in the area. We have committed £15 million for further development work. Ensuring that the line is resilient, and that the south-west is open for business, is a priority.
CrossCountry Rail Franchise — House of Commons, 2019-01-10
Topic: Transportation
Questions: As the hon. Member for Plymouth, Sutton and Devonport (Luke Pollard) outlined, there are constant issues with CrossCountry services west of Exeter due to their lack of resilience on the Dawlish coastal stretch. Can the Minister outline to me, and reassure me, that both the future rolling stock requirements and the work that we are doing to improve the resilience of this iconic coastal line will make a difference?
Andrew Hanson Jones (Conservative, Centre-right): I recognise entirely the crowding issues that the hon. Gentleman describes and has experienced personally, and which I have also experienced personally, so we are certainly looking to add capacity in the next franchise. We are also looking to add capacity before that franchise comes into force, if we can find it.
CrossCountry Rail Franchise — House of Commons, 2019-01-10
Topic: Transportation
Questions: As the hon. Member for Plymouth, Sutton and Devonport (Luke Pollard) outlined, there are constant issues with CrossCountry services west of Exeter due to their lack of resilience on the Dawlish coastal stretch. Can the Minister outline to me, and reassure me, that both the future rolling stock requirements and the work that we are doing to improve the resilience of this iconic coastal line will make a difference?
Michael Louis David Fabricant (Conservative, Centre-right): Like Sheffield, we do not get much salt water in the west midlands, but West Midlands Railway is now purchasing over £1 billion- worth of new rolling stock. Could not the Minister use that model with the CrossCountry franchise?
CrossCountry Rail Franchise — House of Commons, 2019-01-10
Topic: Agriculture
Questions: As the hon. Member for Plymouth, Sutton and Devonport (Luke Pollard) outlined, there are constant issues with CrossCountry services west of Exeter due to their lack of resilience on the Dawlish coastal stretch. Can the Minister outline to me, and reassure me, that both the future rolling stock requirements and the work that we are doing to improve the resilience of this iconic coastal line will make a difference?
Andrew Hanson Jones (Conservative, Centre-right): I am aware of the new rolling stock that is coming in to the west midlands; indeed, it is coming in across many parts of our network. We have a fantastic story on rolling stock coming in over the next two years. I will look at what my hon. Friend says and get back to him with an answer.
Manchester Oxford Road Station — House of Commons, 2019-01-10
Topic: Transportation
Andrew Hanson Jones (Conservative, Centre-right): Richard George was appointed by the Secretary of State to review the operational performance challenges on the railway in the north of England, following the introduction of the May 2018 timetable. That includes the performance of services operating through the Castlefield corridor, which includes Oxford Road. The Department continues to work with Transport for the North, Richard George and the industry to find solutions to improve performance.
Manchester Oxford Road Station — House of Commons, 2019-01-10
Topic: Transportation
Andrew Hanson Jones (Conservative, Centre-right): The problem, which is clearly there because the Castlefield corridor is a bottleneck on our network, will be solved using a variety of solutions, some of which will be technical. Funding has been set aside in CP6 and we are working on what that will be spent on.
Manchester Oxford Road Station — House of Commons, 2019-01-10
Topic: Transportation
Andrew Hanson Jones (Conservative, Centre-right): If any of the train operating companies is in breach of its franchise, there are mechanisms to hold it to account. Northern is run through the Rail North partnership, which is a combination of the Department for Transport and Transport for the North.
Rail Travel: Affordability — House of Commons, 2019-01-10
Topic: Transportation
Andrew Hanson Jones (Conservative, Centre-right): The Department is very mindful of the affordability of rail services and we have capped regulated fares in line with inflation for the sixth year in a row. Last week we announced our intention to extend the 16-17 railcard, offering 50% off all rail journeys. Together with the recently launched 26-30 railcard, this means that everybody up to the age of 30 will have access to discounted rail fares.
Rail Travel: Affordability — House of Commons, 2019-01-10
Topic: Transportation
Andrew Hanson Jones (Conservative, Centre-right): I am acutely aware that passengers across the north—and, indeed, other parts of our network—did see an unacceptable service in 2018. Those Northern passengers most directly affected received targeted compensation worth about 8%—obviously, far more than the increase that we have just seen. Further compensation funds are available. We are agreeing with Transport for the North about how that money should be spent.
Rail Travel: Affordability — House of Commons, 2019-01-10
Topic: Transportation
Huw William Merriman (Conservative, Centre-right): I warmly welcome the decision to extend discounted fares for 16 and 17-year-olds. Four of the five secondary schools in my constituency have no sixth form. We require our students to stay in education until they are 18, and they have to travel by train either north to Kent or to the south coast I have always been a big believer in giving it 100%. May I encourage Front Benchers to have that as their long-term aspiration, so that we give a 100% discount on rail fares for 16 and 17-year-olds?
Rail Travel: Affordability — House of Commons, 2019-01-10
Topic: Transportation
Andrew Hanson Jones (Conservative, Centre-right): That would indeed be a very bold aspiration. Obviously, we want to make sure that we have a viable rail service. If we can offer greater value, we certainly will—that is why we have capped rail fares in line with inflation for the sixth year in a row. We are keen to offer value across the rail network wherever we can.
Rail Travel: Affordability — House of Commons, 2019-01-10
Topic: Transportation
Derek Gordon Thomas (Conservative, Centre-right): Too long. They will also be aware that people very much depend on that form of transport. The truth is that average wages across my constituency are about a third of those in the rest of the country. Will the Minister give consideration to whether there can be some fairness for my constituents so that they pay less for travel, given their dependency on the network and the distances they travel?
Rail Travel: Affordability — House of Commons, 2019-01-10
Topic: Transportation
Andrew Hanson Jones (Conservative, Centre-right): If it is possible to deliver greater value, we will of course look at those opportunities. Part of the Williams review is about rail fares. I will make sure that my hon. Friend’s comments are fed over to Mr Williams for his consideration.
Heathrow Third Runway: Highway Vehicles — House of Commons, 2019-01-10
Topic: Transportation
Christopher Stephen Grayling (Conservative, Centre-right): As the hon. Lady will be aware, the airports national policy statement requires 50% of passengers to use public transport by 2030, rising to 55% by 2040. It also requires 25% fewer staff car trips to work by 2030, and 50% fewer by 2040. In addition, I expect Heathrow to meet its public pledge of no greater airport-related road traffic.
Heathrow Third Runway: Highway Vehicles — House of Commons, 2019-01-10
Topic: Transportation
Christopher Stephen Grayling (Conservative, Centre-right): I want to go further than that. Western rail access is currently in development and we are in the early stages of preparation for southern rail access. We are also making provision at Old Oak Common for a Chiltern connection into that station that will provide a link into Heathrow. High Speed 2, of course, will arrive at Old Oak Common and deliver an opportunity to connect into Heathrow from a different route. Finally, it is my hope that the Mayor of London will, notwithstanding the financial challenges at Transport for London, deliver the Piccadilly line upgrade, which is so important.
Heathrow Third Runway: Highway Vehicles — House of Commons, 2019-01-10
Topic: Transportation
Justine Greening (Conservative, Centre-right): The terminal 5 planning conditions, set as part of its go-ahead, were that there would be no third runway and that there would be a legal limit of 480,000 flights a year. Now, of course, we are getting a third runway, and last week Heathrow asked—and, I presume, will be granted—permission to go beyond its 480,000-flight cap. Is not the reality that any assurances—legal, ministerial or public pledges from Heathrow—are utterly meaningless?
Heathrow Third Runway: Highway Vehicles — House of Commons, 2019-01-10
Topic: Transportation
Christopher Stephen Grayling (Conservative, Centre-right): My right hon. Friend has made her point succinctly. She will understand, though, that if an application comes forward from Heathrow to change the current rules, it would be wrong of me as Secretary of State to pass comment one way or the other at the moment.
Heathrow Third Runway: Highway Vehicles — House of Commons, 2019-01-10
Topic: Transportation
Christopher Stephen Grayling (Conservative, Centre-right): Even an expanded Heathrow is forecast to need only 6% of capacity on the Piccadilly line and, as I said a moment ago, we are already moving ahead with western access and starting the process of southern access. I am making provision for a Chiltern route into Old Oak Common, connecting to Heathrow by Crossrail, and HS2 will come to Old Oak Common as part of the first phase of that project. I think we are doing rather a lot to prepare for surface access to Heathrow.
Access for All — House of Commons, 2019-01-10
Topic: Transportation
Nusrat Munir Ul-Ghani (Conservative, Centre-right): Access for All has delivered step-free, accessible routes at more than 200 stations since it was launched in 2006, and a further 19 stations are currently under construction. To build on that success we have made a further £300 million available to extend the programme, and 300 stations have been nominated for that funding. I expect to announce the successful stations in April.
Access for All — House of Commons, 2019-01-10
Topic: Technology
Nusrat Munir Ul-Ghani (Conservative, Centre-right): My hon. Friend will be pleased to know that Hillside station has indeed been nominated. When preparing for nominations, the industry was asked to include any relevant factors, and Hillside’s nomination included details of the Open. Every factor will be given due weight during the ongoing selection process, and all I can say for now is that I hope there will be good news for my hon. Friend and his constituents in April.
Access for All — House of Commons, 2019-01-10
Topic: Transportation
Nusrat Munir Ul-Ghani (Conservative, Centre-right): We have £300 million available at the moment and we have received 300 nominations. All the issues that the right hon. Gentleman has raised will be taken into account. It is important to note that journeys with step-free access have increased from 50% in 2015 to 75% today.
Access for All — House of Commons, 2019-01-10
Topic: Transportation
Anna Mary Soubry (Conservative, Centre-right): As the Minister knows, if someone wants to get from one platform at Beeston station to the other, the advice is to take a taxi all the way round, which is wholly unacceptable. I am grateful for her acceptance of that fact, and we also bid for funding. Last year she agreed to come to Beeston station to see it for herself. Can she now assure me that she will certainly come before Easter?
Rail Electrification — House of Commons, 2019-01-10
Topic: Transportation
Andrew Hanson Jones (Conservative, Centre-right): This Government are investing at record levels in our rail network as part of the biggest rail modernisation programme for over a century to provide reliability and capacity. Passengers expect high-quality rail services, and we are committed to electrification where it delivers passenger benefits and value for money. We will also take advantage of state-of-the-art technology to improve services.
Rail Electrification — House of Commons, 2019-01-10
Topic: Transportation
Andrew Hanson Jones (Conservative, Centre-right): The work on Brexit is not in any way changing the delivery of service improvements across our rail network, and one has only to consider how much is happening across the network to prove that point. We are delivering a £50 million project to upgrade the north Wales railway, including a new signalling system, and rolling stock will be picked up as the franchise is renewed.
Rail Electrification — House of Commons, 2019-01-10
Topic: Transportation
Questions: Passenger numbers on the transpennine route are set to double over the next 20 years, but still it appears that the upgrade is being downgraded. Given that one third of transport spending in England is in London, will the Transport Secretary help to redress the imbalance by matching Labour’s commitment to Crossrail for the north?
Andrew Hanson Jones (Conservative, Centre-right): I do not accept the premise of the hon. Gentleman’s question. The transpennine route upgrade is a significant project and we are modernising the entire route. We will be investing £2.9 billion in the first phase of this ambitious upgrade, between Manchester, Leeds and York. The work will commence in the spring. It is the biggest single project of rail enhancement in this country during control period 6. It is complementary to the work on Northern Powerhouse Rail, which is also being developed.
Rail Electrification — House of Commons, 2019-01-10
Topic: Transportation
Questions: Passenger numbers on the transpennine route are set to double over the next 20 years, but still it appears that the upgrade is being downgraded. Given that one third of transport spending in England is in London, will the Transport Secretary help to redress the imbalance by matching Labour’s commitment to Crossrail for the north?
Andrew Hanson Jones (Conservative, Centre-right): Well, I can tell the hon. Gentleman that we will not be cancelling HS2, which is a positive project that will generate significant extra capacity right across our network. It is part of a modern, 21st-century rail network. With regard to the midland main line, we do not need to electrify the whole line in order to deliver the journey improvements, and we will see passenger benefits from a brand new fleet of trains from 2022.
Rail Electrification — House of Commons, 2019-01-10
Topic: Transportation
Questions: Passenger numbers on the transpennine route are set to double over the next 20 years, but still it appears that the upgrade is being downgraded. Given that one third of transport spending in England is in London, will the Transport Secretary help to redress the imbalance by matching Labour’s commitment to Crossrail for the north?
Andrew Hanson Jones (Conservative, Centre-right): That was absolute nonsense. Labour electrified 10 miles of existing network in all the 13 years it was in government. There has been more electrification in the north-west alone under this Government than in all those 13 years, so we will take no lessons from the Labour party on this. With regard to the transpennine upgrade, we are spending £2.9 billion. It is the biggest single project in control period 6, as I explained to the hon. Member for Manchester, Withington (Jeff Smith) only a moment ago. Rather than criticising, Labour Members should be supporting this project, and perhaps asking why they did not do it. We will take no lessons whatsoever from the Labour party, which did nothing at all for our rail network.
Crossrail — House of Commons, 2019-01-10
Topic: Transportation
Alexander Jesse Norman (Conservative, Centre-right): My hon. Friend is absolutely right to raise the important question of Crossrail. He will know that it is a wholly owned subsidiary of Transport for London, and it is for TfL in the first instance to evaluate the future. Notwithstanding recent hiccups, we feel excited about the potential for the project.
Crossrail — House of Commons, 2019-01-10
Topic: Transportation
Andrew Richard Rosindell (Conservative, Centre-right): I thank the Minister for his reply, but he will understand the huge disappointment in Romford, where we were hoping that Crossrail would be coming into action much sooner. At least partly because of the Mayor’s poor financial management of TfL, we have to wait a lot longer, so will the Minister assure the House that the new funding package will bring Crossrail to fruition much sooner?
Crossrail — House of Commons, 2019-01-10
Topic: Transportation
Alexander Jesse Norman (Conservative, Centre-right): As I said, Crossrail is a wholly owned subsidiary of TfL. It would be wrong for me to comment on the way the Mayor has handled TfL’s finances—that is a matter for him—but I will say that it is a very important project. As my hon. Friend will be aware, there is a new chief executive, Mr Wild, and he is understandably taking time to review the project fully before he publishes his own views.
Crossrail — House of Commons, 2019-01-10
Topic: Transportation
Alexander Jesse Norman (Conservative, Centre-right): I have not seen the report that the hon. Gentleman describes, but he will know that in July we published a written ministerial statement touching on the question of whether there might be delays. It is striking that the Secretary of State was not notified until the end of August, and there has been some suggestion that TfL was notified before that.
EU Motor Insurance Directive — House of Commons, 2019-01-10
Topic: Transportation
Alexander Jesse Norman (Conservative, Centre-right): The issue of Vnuk and insurance is very important and my hon. Friend is absolutely right to raise it. Our assessment is perfectly clear: if it is not amended, the proposal has the potential to shut down UK and European motorsport industries. We take it very seriously. Of course, there would be further impacts on innovation throughout the UK automotive industry, and potentially more widely.
Public Transport: Sporting Events — House of Commons, 2019-01-10
Topic: Transportation
Andrew Hanson Jones (Conservative, Centre-right): Officials from my Department have met the Premier League, most recently in November, to discuss collaboration between the railway industry and football bodies to improve travel to and from football matches. The Rail Delivery Group is a key partner in that ongoing collaboration.
Public Transport: Sporting Events — House of Commons, 2019-01-10
Topic: Transportation
Andrew Hanson Jones (Conservative, Centre-right): The joint project involving the Rail Delivery Group, train operators, football bodies, supporters’ groups, British Transport police and the DFT has been set up to look into a range of issues around football-related train travel. That work includes the exploration of a flexible ticketing offer for supporters, including for when matches are rescheduled. I am happy to have a conversation with the hon. Lady. I would be interested to hear whether she will condemn the strikes throughout the north on Saturdays, which are affecting football fans’ capacity to get to their matches. Let us hear Labour say something on behalf of football fans throughout the north, and not in support of strikers.
Public Transport: Sporting Events — House of Commons, 2019-01-10
Topic: Transportation
Patrick McLoughlin (Conservative, Centre-right): Will the Minister look at the responsibilities across his whole Department and other sectors covered by his Department as far as such situations are concerned? Last night, the M1 was closed for four hours, thus preventing all the supporters of Burton Albion from getting to the Etihad stadium. Will there be an inquiry into why it was necessary to close the M1 for four hours on both sides?