The Transport Committee is to question the Minister for Roads and Buses in the final oral evidence session for its inquiry into joined-up journeys.
Members will ask Simon Lightwood about the Government’s Better Connected strategy, which calls itself the “Government’s vision for domestic transport in England’.
As well as exploring what has guided the strategy, they could ask what the Government expects to see from it and when we will start to see outcomes.
After expert witnesses told the Committee of several areas where the strategy could be improved, the Minister may be asked about revising and refining the strategy to incorporate such feedback.
Delivering better transport integration will require input from several national agencies, such as Great British Railways and National Highways. However, at present their exact role is unclear and the Minister could be pressed on the role that these agencies will play.
There is also likely to be a focus on local delivery, with MPs exploring how the Department for Transport will support collaboration between government, local authorities, transport operators, and providers of infrastructure and services.
The strategy commits to “proactively maintaining roads” and delivering a National Parking Platform but does not explicitly set out a vision for private cars in an integrated network. The Minister could therefore be pressed on how he understands the role of private cars in the future.
MPs may also ask how delivery of the Better Connected Strategy will be overseen and governed, and they could probe its understanding that improved transport integration can be a driver of economic growth.
The Evidence session takes place on Wednesday 8 July, 09.15, Committee Room 15, Palace of Westminster. You can watch the proceedings live on ParliamentTV.
(Picture: Stoyan Haytov)
