Question time briefing: Transport

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ePolitix.com reports on Thursday's transport questions, in which ministers are accused of 'retreating' on speed limit reductions.

The shadow transport secretary today accused the government of a "major retreat" over its decision to reduce speed limits.

Theresa Villiers told the Commons that a petition on the Number 10 website calling for the prime minister not to reduce the national speed limit to 50mph was in the top three public petitions.

Such an action would "hit all motorists rather than tackling high-risk, problem drivers", she said.

But transport minister Jim Fitzpatrick replied that the government's consultation on speed limits was not "a blanket ban".

"There is no retreat," he told MPs at transport questions. "We are producing guidance for local authorities, not a ban."

But he added: "I can't guarantee that there won't be a reduction from 60 to 50mph on some roads."

The government is conducting an assessment, he explained, and it is then up to local authorities to make a decision on the roads.

At present 62 per cent of people are dying on roads which carry only 40 per cent of traffic, he said.

And he vowed that sensible motorists would be "on the right side" of the speed limit legislation.

"We want Britain's roads to be the safest in the world, as they were previously," Fitzpatrick added.

But Villiers replied: "Everything the minister has said this morning is a major retreat on the briefing given to journalists in March."

Richard Ottaway (Con, Croydon South) warned that the government guidance on speed limits would increase journey times, which would have a "knock on effect" on congestion and pollution.

Fitzpatrick explained that the closing date for the consultation on speed limits was July 14, adding that the government was "conscious of the question of emissions".

"I am sure that will be examined as part of this consultation," he said.

On rail, Hugh Bayley (Lab, City of York) inquired how much funding the Department for Transport plans to contribute to track renewals in the next five years.

Transport secretary Geoff Hoon replied that £15bn has been allocated, but said the department does not allocate money specifically for track renewals as this is up to Network Rail.

Hoon also recognised that there were "capacity questions" on the railway "and this government is addressing it".

Norman Baker (Lib Dem, Lewes) asked ministers to give Network Rail (NR) an incentive to introduce a seven-day railway.

"National Rail promised a year ago to move towards a seven-day railway but we have seen no progress on that," he said.

Baker suggested that if a replacement bus service is in operation at the weekend, NR should offer a reduction in ticket prices.

Hoon agreed that it was important to move towards a seven-day railway and confirmed the government is looking at weekend prices.

"I am confident that whatever suggestion he makes will be looked at seriously by the train company," Hoon told Baker.

Topical questions

David Evennett (Con, Bexleyheath and Crayford) raised the issue of disabled access on some station platforms, highlighting South East rail specifically.

Hoon agreed that it was a concern for the government and something was addressing.

Jim Devine (Lab, Livinston) asked about National Rail's employment practices, but was told by the Speaker that ministers would not answer his question.

Natascha Engel (Lab, North East Derbyshire) asked about the government's consultation on the concessionary bus scheme, and expressed her concern that it would be scrapped.

But transport minister Paul Clark clarified that the consultation is focused on "an improved administrative system" to take the scheme from district level to county councils.