Department for Transport

We work with our agencies and partners to support the transport network that helps the UK’s businesses and gets people and goods travelling around the country. We plan and invest in transport infrastructure to keep the UK on the move.



Secretary of State

Heidi Alexander
Secretary of State for Transport

Shadow Ministers / Spokeperson
Liberal Democrat
Paul Kohler (LD - Wimbledon)
Liberal Democrat Spokesperson (Transport)

Conservative
Gareth Bacon (Con - Orpington)
Shadow Secretary of State for Transport

Liberal Democrat
Baroness Pidgeon (LD - Life peer)
Liberal Democrat Lords Spokesperson (Transport)
Junior Shadow Ministers / Deputy Spokesperson
Conservative
Lord Moylan (Con - Life peer)
Shadow Minister (Transport)
Jerome Mayhew (Con - Broadland and Fakenham)
Shadow Minister (Transport)
Ministers of State
Lord Hendy of Richmond Hill (Lab - Life peer)
Minister of State (Department for Transport)
Parliamentary Under-Secretaries of State
Lilian Greenwood (Lab - Nottingham South)
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
Mike Kane (Lab - Wythenshawe and Sale East)
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
Simon Lightwood (LAB - Wakefield and Rothwell)
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
There are no upcoming events identified
Debates
Tuesday 29th April 2025
Select Committee Docs
Wednesday 30th April 2025
09:00
Select Committee Inquiry
Tuesday 17th December 2024
Rail investment pipelines: ending boom and bust

The Transport Committee is examining investment pipelines for the railway.

This inquiry will examine how a planned, steady pipeline …

Written Answers
Wednesday 30th April 2025
Neighbourhood Policing: Speed Limits
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment his Department has made of the effectiveness of Community Speed …
Secondary Legislation
Thursday 24th April 2025
Motor Vehicles (Driving Licences) (Amendment) (No. 4) Regulations 2025
These Regulations amend regulation 35 of, and Schedule 5 to, the Motor Vehicles (Driving Licences) Regulations 1999 (S.I. 1999/2864) to …
Bills
Tuesday 17th December 2024
Bus Services (No. 2) Bill [HL] 2024-26
A bill to make provision about local and school bus services; and for connected purposes.
Dept. Publications
Monday 28th April 2025
15:25

Department for Transport Commons Appearances

Oral Answers to Questions is a regularly scheduled appearance where the Secretary of State and junior minister will answer at the Dispatch Box questions from backbench MPs

Other Commons Chamber appearances can be:
  • Urgent Questions where the Speaker has selected a question to which a Minister must reply that day
  • Adjornment Debates a 30 minute debate attended by a Minister that concludes the day in Parliament.
  • Oral Statements informing the Commons of a significant development, where backbench MP's can then question the Minister making the statement.

Westminster Hall debates are performed in response to backbench MPs or e-petitions asking for a Minister to address a detailed issue

Written Statements are made when a current event is not sufficiently significant to require an Oral Statement, but the House is required to be informed.

Most Recent Commons Appearances by Category
Mar. 27
Oral Questions
Nov. 05
Urgent Questions
View All Department for Transport Commons Contibutions

Bills currently before Parliament

Department for Transport does not have Bills currently before Parliament


Acts of Parliament created in the 2024 Parliament

Introduced: 18th July 2024

A Bill to make provision for passenger railway services to be provided by public sector companies instead of by means of franchises.

This Bill received Royal Assent on 28th November 2024 and was enacted into law.

Department for Transport - Secondary Legislation

These Regulations amend regulation 35 of, and Schedule 5 to, the Motor Vehicles (Driving Licences) Regulations 1999 (S.I. 1999/2864) to specify the fee payable for the large vehicle off road manoeuvres test. They also make provision for the fee payable for such a test conducted by a large vehicle off road manoeuvres test examiner to be paid to and retained by the relevant large vehicle off road manoeuvres test provider.
These Regulations amend the Road Vehicles (Construction and Use) Regulations 1986 (“the 1986 Regulations”) to enable the road use of hydrogen-fuelled non-road mobile machinery and category T tractors.
View All Department for Transport Secondary Legislation

Petitions

e-Petitions are administered by Parliament and allow members of the public to express support for a particular issue.

If an e-petition reaches 10,000 signatures the Government will issue a written response.

If an e-petition reaches 100,000 signatures the petition becomes eligible for a Parliamentary debate (usually Monday 4.30pm in Westminster Hall).

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Department for Transport has not participated in any petition debates
View All Department for Transport Petitions

Departmental Select Committee

Transport Committee

Commons Select Committees are a formally established cross-party group of backbench MPs tasked with holding a Government department to account.

At any time there will be number of ongoing investigations into the work of the Department, or issues which fall within the oversight of the Department. Witnesses can be summoned from within the Government and outside to assist in these inquiries.

Select Committee findings are reported to the Commons, printed, and published on the Parliament website. The government then usually has 60 days to reply to the committee's recommendations.


11 Members of the Transport Committee
Ruth Cadbury Portrait
Ruth Cadbury (Labour - Brentford and Isleworth)
Transport Committee Member since 11th September 2024
Rebecca Smith Portrait
Rebecca Smith (Conservative - South West Devon)
Transport Committee Member since 21st October 2024
Katie Lam Portrait
Katie Lam (Conservative - Weald of Kent)
Transport Committee Member since 21st October 2024
Laurence Turner Portrait
Laurence Turner (Labour - Birmingham Northfield)
Transport Committee Member since 28th October 2024
Baggy Shanker Portrait
Baggy Shanker (Labour (Co-op) - Derby South)
Transport Committee Member since 28th October 2024
Alex Mayer Portrait
Alex Mayer (Labour - Dunstable and Leighton Buzzard)
Transport Committee Member since 28th October 2024
Olly Glover Portrait
Olly Glover (Liberal Democrat - Didcot and Wantage)
Transport Committee Member since 28th October 2024
Elsie Blundell Portrait
Elsie Blundell (Labour - Heywood and Middleton North)
Transport Committee Member since 28th October 2024
Catherine Atkinson Portrait
Catherine Atkinson (Labour - Derby North)
Transport Committee Member since 28th October 2024
Scott Arthur Portrait
Scott Arthur (Labour - Edinburgh South West)
Transport Committee Member since 28th October 2024
Steff Aquarone Portrait
Steff Aquarone (Liberal Democrat - North Norfolk)
Transport Committee Member since 28th October 2024
Transport Committee: Upcoming Events
Transport Committee - Private Meeting
30 Apr 2025, 9:15 a.m.
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Transport Committee - Oral evidence
Managing the impact of street works
30 Apr 2025, 9:15 a.m.
At 9:15am: Oral evidence
Lilian Greenwood MP - Minister for the Future of Roads at Department for Transport
Anthony Ferguson - Deputy Director for Traffic and Technology at Department for Transport

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Transport Committee - Private Meeting
6 May 2025, 4 p.m.
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Transport Committee - Private Meeting
7 May 2025, 9:15 a.m.
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Transport Committee - Oral evidence
Rail investment pipelines: ending boom and bust
7 May 2025, 9:15 a.m.
At 9:15am: Oral evidence
Sir Andrew Haines - Chief Executive at Network Rail
Jeremy Westlake - Chief Financial Officer at Network Rail
At 10:15am: Oral evidence
Robert Cook - Policy Director at Railway Industry Association
Noel Travers - Chair at Railway Industry Association
Elaine Clark OBE - Chief Executive at Rail Forum
Michelle Craven-Faulkner - Vice Chair at Rail Forum

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Transport Committee: Previous Inquiries
Young and novice drivers Coronavirus: implications for transport e-scooters HS2: update NATS: failure in air traffic management systems Railway network disruption over Christmas Work of the Department for Transport 2010-15 The work of the Maritime and Coastguard Agency Volkswagen Group emissions violations Operation Stack inquiry Vehicle type approval inquiry All lane running inquiry Surface transport to airports inquiry Road traffic law enforcement inquiry Road haulage sector: Skills and workforce planning inquiry Maritime Policy and Coastguard Modernisation inquiry The Department for Transport and rail policy Investing in the railway NATS inquiry Network Rail: update Strategic river crossings Motoring of the future Smaller airports Government motoring agencies - the user perspective Transport's winter resilience: Christmas 2013 Transport's winter resilience: rail flooding Security on the railway The cost of motor insurance: whiplash Airports Commission: Interim Report Draft National Policy Statement on National Networks Cycling safety: follow up High Speed Rail: follow up Offshore helicopter safety Access to ports Transport and the Olympics The work of the Vehicle and Operator Services Agency (VOSA) Local authority parking enforcement Cost of motor insurance: whiplash Aviation Strategy Competition in the local bus market Access to transport for people with disabilities Low Carbon Vehicles Marine Pilotage Land Transport Security Road Freight Road Safety Rail 2020 Rail franchising Transport's winter resilience The Work of Network Rail Local decision making on transport spending Better roads Maritime strategy Safety at level crossings Drink & drug driving law Transport and the economy Cost of motor insurance Bus services after the Spending Review Licensing of taxis and private hire vehicles Effective road and traffic management Impact on transport of adverse weather conditions Sulphur emissions by ships Cable theft on the railway Work of the DVLA and DSA Draft Civil Aviation Bill Flight time limitations Air Travel Organisers' Licensing (ATOL) reform Coastguard Service Regional breakdown of public transport expenditure Cancellation of the InterCity West Coast franchise competition Passenger transport in isolated communities Cancelled Rail electrification schemes inquiry Intercity East Coast rail franchise inquiry Traffic Commissioners inquiry Active travel inquiry Local roads funding and governance Pre-appointment hearing on ORR inquiry Rail timetable changes inquiry BMW vehicle recall inquiry Freight and Brexit inquiry Health of the bus market inquiry Network Rail priorities inquiry Taxi and private hire reform in England inquiry HS2: update with Allan Cook inquiry Pavement parking inquiry Road Safety inquiry Trains fit for the future? inquiry The work of Highways England inquiry Williams Rail Review inquiry Priorities of the new Secretary of State for Transport inquiry Departmental policy and performance: Update with the Secretary of State inquiry Railways: Update with the Rail Minister inquiry Road safety: young and novice drivers inquiry Road safety: mobile phones inquiry Community Transport inquiry Airports National Policy Statement (NPS) inquiry Policy priorities for the Department for Transport inquiry Aviation and Brexit inquiry Mobility as a Service inquiry Rail infrastructure investment inquiry National Drowning Prevention Strategy one-off session Transocean Winner incident and emergency towing vessels one-off session Maritime Growth Study inquiry Airspace management and modernisation inquiry Vauxhall vehicle fires one-off session Airports National Policy Statement inquiry Volkswagen emissions follow-up session Drones inquiry HS2: CH2M contract one-off session Rail compensation one-off session Rail franchising inquiry Rail technology: signalling and traffic management inquiry Improving the rail passenger experience inquiry Airport expansion in the South East inquiry Bus Services Bill inquiry Urban congestion inquiry Departmental priorities and annual report and accounts one-off session High Speed Two one-off session Rail safety inquiry Vauxhall Zafira B fires one-off session Trains fit for the future? Self-driving vehicles Accessible transport: legal obligations National Networks National Policy Statement Strategic road investment Our future transport Minimum service levels for rail Future of transport data Strategic transport objectives Buses connecting communities Managing the impact of street works Rail investment pipelines: ending boom and bust Active travel Departmental policy and performance: Update with the Secretary of State Health of the bus market Local roads funding and governance Pavement parking Priorities of the new Secretary of State for Transport Railways: Update with the Rail Minister Road Safety Road safety: mobile phones Road safety: young and novice drivers Trains fit for the future? Williams Rail Review The work of Highways England

50 most recent Written Questions

(View all written questions)
Written Questions can be tabled by MPs and Lords to request specific information information on the work, policy and activities of a Government Department

22nd Apr 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what representations she has received from Historic England on Network Rail’s redevelopment of London Liverpool Street.

The Department for Transport has not received any representations from Historic England around the redevelopment proposals for Liverpool Street station. However, I understand that Network Rail have closely consulted with Historic England in the development of their updated proposals. Whilst Historic England had significant concerns about the original plans, I am now reassured that the revised proposals have substantially addressed those concerns. Plans are at an early stage and will continue to liaise with relevant stakeholders as the project develops.

Simon Lightwood
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
24th Apr 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, with reference to the ongoing e-scooter trials, what recent assessment she has made of the impact of e-scooters on (a) the modal shift of transport away from private cars and (b) reducing traffic congestion in trial areas; and what estimate she has made of the number of collisions involving e-scooters.

The Department for Transport has indicated that it will not be possible to answer this question within the usual time period. An answer is being prepared and will be provided as soon as it is available.

Simon Lightwood
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
23rd Apr 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether her Department has made an assessment of the potential impact of removing return tickets on disabled people.

We will carefully consider and give due to regard to any equality considerations as we move to improve fares and ticketing for passengers. To ensure disabled passengers are not disadvantaged, they can get a one third discount on their fares with a Disabled Persons' Railcard.

Simon Lightwood
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
23rd Apr 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what information her Department holds on the amount of (a) land and (b) property estate owned by Network Rail that is (i) unused, (ii) under-developed and (iii) available for commercial use.

Network Rail owns c.52,000 hectares of land. All of Network Rail’s land is deemed to be operational and required for the specific functioning of the railway network. Land can only be deemed surplus once it has gone through a regulatory process governed by the Office of Rail and Road (ORR).

Network Rail regularly reviews whether land can be released from operational use and has a pipeline of potential sites that are at different stages of the business release and regulatory process. This is not a static list and information is released to potential purchasers and delivery partners at the appropriate time.

Significant sites that are in the pipeline for development, include:

  • Newcastle Forth Yards: a 100-acre regeneration opportunity which could deliver 5,000 new homes

  • Manchester Mayfield: opportunity for 1,500 new homes

  • Cambridge: a mixed-use development with 425 homes

  • Nottingham: 200 new homes following 348 successfully delivered homes at The Barnum, Nottingham

Network Rail also owns, and manages, other commercial uses on its estate principally within in its managed stations (retail and advertising for example) and within the retained arch portfolio.

Simon Lightwood
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
23rd Apr 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what information her Department holds on the amount of land owned by Train Operating Companies that is (a) unused, (b) undeveloped and (c) available for commercial use.

The Department does not hold information on land owned by train operating companies as they do not typically own land; rather they lease stations and pay track and depot access charges to the relevant infrastructure owner.

Simon Lightwood
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
22nd Apr 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether her Department is taking steps to help reduce the cost of driving lessons for learners in rural areas.

The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency does not employ driving instructors and so has no power or control over what they charge for their services, including lessons.

Fees charged by Approved Driving Instructors (ADI) for driving lessons anywhere in the country, including rural areas are a commercial business arrangement. The department has not offered any form of financial support to ADIs since the register's inception and there are no plans to change this.

Lilian Greenwood
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
22nd Apr 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether her Department has made an assessment of the potential merits of supporting driving instructors with operational costs.

The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency does not employ driving instructors and so has no power or control over what they charge for their services, including lessons.

Fees charged by Approved Driving Instructors (ADI) for driving lessons anywhere in the country, including rural areas are a commercial business arrangement. The department has not offered any form of financial support to ADIs since the register's inception and there are no plans to change this.

Lilian Greenwood
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
22nd Apr 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps her Department is taking to (a) support Community Speed Watch schemes and (b) deter (i) antisocial driving and (ii) street racing in rural areas.

Community Speedwatch schemes are initiatives coordinated by the police working with local volunteers to target speeders, and decisions on whether to operate local schemes are operational matters for the police.  The Department for Transport agrees that these schemes can be a useful way of monitoring speeds and encouraging drivers to stay within speed limits.  However, it has not made any assessment of the effectiveness of the programmes in the West Dorset constituency.

Turning to the deterrence of antisocial driving and street racing in rural areas, the Crime and Policing Bill, introduced to Parliament in February, includes proposals to give the police greater powers to clamp down on all vehicles involved in anti-social behaviour including street racing, with officers no longer required to issue a warning before seizing these vehicles.

Lilian Greenwood
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
22nd Apr 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment his Department has made of the effectiveness of Community Speed Watch programmes in reducing speeding in West Dorset constituency.

Community Speedwatch schemes are initiatives coordinated by the police working with local volunteers to target speeders, and decisions on whether to operate local schemes are operational matters for the police.  The Department for Transport agrees that these schemes can be a useful way of monitoring speeds and encouraging drivers to stay within speed limits.  However, it has not made any assessment of the effectiveness of the programmes in the West Dorset constituency.

Turning to the deterrence of antisocial driving and street racing in rural areas, the Crime and Policing Bill, introduced to Parliament in February, includes proposals to give the police greater powers to clamp down on all vehicles involved in anti-social behaviour including street racing, with officers no longer required to issue a warning before seizing these vehicles.

Lilian Greenwood
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
22nd Apr 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps her Department is taking to improve road safety for horse riders in West Dorset constituency.

In my answer of 28 April 2025 to WPQ-45414, WPQ-45415 and WPQ-45416 on horse rider safety, I stated that The Highway Code was updated in 2022 to improve the safety of all road users, particularly the most vulnerable. Key changes included the introduction of a Hierarchy of Road Users, which ensures that those who do the greatest harm have the greatest responsibility to reduce the danger or threat that they pose to others, along with the strengthening of guidance on safe passing distances and speeds when overtaking horse riders.

The Government's flagship road safety campaign, THINK!, ran campaigns to alert road users of the changes as they came into effect and broader behaviour campaigns to encourage understanding and uptake of the guidance. Results from the last campaign showed that by September 2023 93% of drivers agreed it was their responsibility to give space to vulnerable road users. We will continue to promote The Highway Code changes on THINK! and DfT social media channels and via our partner organisations.

Local authorities are responsible for road safety on the local road network. Section 39 of the Road Traffic Act (RTA) 1988 puts a 'statutory duty' on the local authorities to provide a safe local road network. This includes road construction, accident investigation and analysis, traffic calming and setting speed limits. The Government treats road safety with the utmost seriousness and provides local authorities with guidance on road safety measures, but it should be noted that it is up to individual authorities to determine how they meet their statutory duty.

Lilian Greenwood
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
24th Apr 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps her Department is taking to increase the availability of practical driving tests in Pembrokeshire.

The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency’s (DVSA) main priority is upholding road safety standards while it works hard to reduce car practical driving test waiting times.

On the 23 April, the Secretary of State for Transport appeared before the Transport Select Committee and announced that DVSA will take further actions to reduce driving test waiting times across the country.

Further information on these actions and progress on the DVSA’s 7-point plan, which was set out last year, can be found on GOV.UK.

For driving test centres (DTCs) that serve Pembrokeshire, DVSA have three potential new driving examiners due to start training later this year.

Lilian Greenwood
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
24th Apr 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what recent assessment she has made of the impact of the current caps on the values of fines available to local authorities outside London on driver behaviour.

No recent assessment has been made. A number of parking sector stakeholders conducted research recently into this complex issue, and it has been submitted to the Department. Officials will be reviewing the research and its findings in due course.

Lilian Greenwood
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
25th Apr 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether she is taking steps with her EU counterparts to help (a) improve the accessibility and (b) increase the use of UK blue parking badges in the EU.

The Department for Transport has ongoing discussions with individual countries regarding continued recognition of the UK Blue Badge across the European Union (EU).

Lilian Greenwood
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
22nd Apr 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps her Department is taking to facilitate the carriage of (a) e-scooters and (b) e-bikes on rural train services.

It is for individual train operators to decide whether e-scooters and e-bikes are accepted on their trains, following risk assessments to determine the safety of accepting these vehicles onboard. In general, e-scooters are not permitted on train services, whilst e-bikes are permitted provided they meet certain conditions. This includes being road-legal, stored in a designated area and not charged on trains.

In terms of wider public transport, the government recognises the benefits that e-scooters and e-bikes can bring and published guidance to public transport operators in February 2024, aimed at ensuring that responses to fire risks are appropriately targeted, effective, and proportionate, so that the potential of these forms of transport is not unnecessarily limited.

Simon Lightwood
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
24th Apr 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether his Department has made an assessment of the potential impact of irregular rail timetables on (a) employment and (b) education access in Greater Manchester.

The department requires its operators to plan services and rail timetables that are designed to respond to expected passenger demand, which includes understanding local demand factors such as access to employment and education. These timetables should be resilient and provide value for money for the taxpayer. Timetables are kept under review and, where appropriate, adjusted to reflect fluctuations in demand.

Simon Lightwood
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
22nd Apr 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if she will take steps to fund a disability access lift at Teignmouth railway station.

We are committed to the Access for All programme, which has delivered accessible routes at more than 270 stations. Teighmouth station was not selected by the previous Government for the programme, but the station already has an accessible route, and if any passenger is unable to use the station GWR will provide assistance or alternative transport at no additional cost.

Simon Lightwood
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
24th Apr 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps her Department is taking to increase the (a) frequency and (b) reliability of rail services on the Rose Hill to Manchester Piccadilly line.

The department expects operators to match capacity and frequency of their services to demand, which can mean increased service frequency where that is the right response - although these must also be operationally sustainable and deliver value for taxpayers.

Ministers have made very clear to Northern’s management that its current performance, including between Rose Hill and Manchester, is not acceptable, and that is why the Rail North Partnership, through which the Department and Transport for the North jointly manage Northern’s contract, issued it with a notice of breach of contract. This required Northern to produce a detailed plan to improve its services.

Simon Lightwood
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
22nd Apr 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether her Department has made an assessment of the potential merits of integrating cycling infrastructure with rural train stations.

We have recently announced £222.5 million to local authorities outside of London for the delivery of active travel schemes and community engagement. It is for local authorities to make their own decisions about where to prioritise investment in local transport networks, including links between different transport modes.

The Government agrees on the importance of a properly integrated national transport system and will be saying more on this in due course in a new Integrated Transport Strategy. Active Travel England works with local authorities to help design and deliver high-quality networks that are properly integrated with other local transport services.

Simon Lightwood
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
22nd Apr 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if she will take steps to ensure that ticket offices in Devon are not closed.

I am not aware of any plans to close ticket offices in Devon. Closing a ticket office would be a major change under the Ticketing and Settlement Agreement and any proposal to close a ticket office would require a period of consultation before any decision was made.

Simon Lightwood
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
22nd Apr 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, pursuant to the Answer of 9 April 2025 to Question 43362 on Railways: Newton Abbot, if she will extend South Western Railway services from Exeter St David's to Newton Abbot when it enters public ownership.

There are currently no plans to extend South Western Railway services from Exeter St David’s to Newton Abbot when it enters public ownership.

Simon Lightwood
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
22nd Apr 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what discussions she has had with her French counterpart on the impact of restricted passport checking facilities at Paris Gare Du Nord station on Eurostar passengers.

The Government recognises the importance of smooth passenger flows at Paris Gare du Nord, given this is a key terminal for cross-Channel passenger services. Eurostar and SNCF Gare Connexions, the station operator, are delivering a project to expand the number of border control points and eGates within the current terminal footprint, which will increase border capacity. There are also longer-term plans to significantly expand the cross-Channel terminal in the station to accommodate expected growth in passenger numbers. My officials regularly engage with key European and industry partners, including Eurostar and the French authorities, including holding recent discussions to understand long-term expansion plans for the station.

Simon Lightwood
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
22nd Apr 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what recent assessment she has made of the potential impact of the Midlands Rail Hub on economic growth in Hinckley and Bosworth constituency.

Midlands Rail Hub would unlock thousands of homes and drive economic growth, with better connections regionally and nationally and more reliable trains. This means more opportunities for the people of Hinckley.

In December the Chancellor launched the second stage of the Spending Review. This is a ‘zero-based’ review, to ensure every line of spending – including the transport infrastructure portfolio – delivers the Plan for Change and provides good value for taxpayers.

Simon Lightwood
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
22nd Apr 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what discussions his Department has had with Network Rail on plans for the redevelopment of London Liverpool Street station.

Officials in my Department are engaged with Network Rail Property and Planning teams around the redevelopment proposals for Liverpool Street station. These plans are at an early stage and will be subject to planning consents. Both my Department and Network Rail will continue to review these plans as they develop.

Simon Lightwood
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
22nd Apr 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if he will make an assessment of the (a) adequacy of disability access at train stations in Newton Abbot constituency and (b) potential impact of removing customer service assistants at railway stations on disabled residents.

We are committed to enhancing railway accessibility for all, including those in the Newton Abbey constituency with disabilities. As part of the ongoing Spending Review, we are assessing public spending and cannot comment on individual schemes until the process concludes this Summer.

Rail operators, under their license conditions and Accessible Travel Policy, must participate in the Passenger Assist scheme, ensuring disabled passengers and those with additional needs can travel safely and with confidence.

Simon Lightwood
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
22nd Apr 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, how many FTE staff work for Great British Rail transition team.

The Great British Railways Transition Team (GBRTT) was set up as a temporary organisation under the previous government to design and transition towards Great British Railways, including building cross-industry capability. GBRTT no longer directly employs any staff. The Department working in close collaboration with Network Rail, DfTO and wider industry partners is taking forward work on the design and transition to GBR.

Simon Lightwood
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
22nd Apr 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps her Department plans to take with Great British Railways to reduce levels of disruption on railways.

GBR will be a directing mind, running the railways as one system, with a relentless focus on passengers. Track and train will be unified, creating a more efficient and reliable system meeting passenger and freight customers’ needs and ensuring value for the taxpayer.

Simon Lightwood
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
22nd Apr 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if she will make an assessment of the potential impact of the (a) Digswell Viaduct and (b) Welwyn North Station on levels of capacity on the East Coast Main Line.

An assessment of the impact of Digswell Viaduct and Welwyn North Station on capacity levels on the East Coast Main Line (ECML) was completed by Network Rail whilst developing the timetable that will be introduced on the ECML in December 2025. The Minister has approved this timetable for implementation, following an industry taskforce recommendation to do so, to enable the full benefits of a £4 billion investment in the route.

Simon Lightwood
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
22nd Apr 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what criteria her Department uses to determine speed limits in villages.

Decisions on making local speed limits on roads in England rest with traffic authorities who have responsibility for roads in local areas. The Department for Transport issues best practice guidance to assist authorities setting local speed limits, designed to make sure that speed limits are appropriately and consistently set while allowing for flexibility to deal with local circumstances.

The guidance suggests that while government policy is that a 30mph speed limit should be the norm through villages, it may be appropriate to consider 20mph limits in built-up village streets that are primarily residential in nature, or where pedestrian and cyclist movements are high, where there is a safety case and local support.

The Department for Transport has made no assessment of the potential merits of extending 20mph limits or zones in rural villages in West Dorset constituency.

Lilian Greenwood
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
22nd Apr 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether her Department has made an assessment of the potential merits of extending 20mph zones in rural villages in West Dorset constituency.

Decisions on making local speed limits on roads in England rest with traffic authorities who have responsibility for roads in local areas. The Department for Transport issues best practice guidance to assist authorities setting local speed limits, designed to make sure that speed limits are appropriately and consistently set while allowing for flexibility to deal with local circumstances.

The guidance suggests that while government policy is that a 30mph speed limit should be the norm through villages, it may be appropriate to consider 20mph limits in built-up village streets that are primarily residential in nature, or where pedestrian and cyclist movements are high, where there is a safety case and local support.

The Department for Transport has made no assessment of the potential merits of extending 20mph limits or zones in rural villages in West Dorset constituency.

Lilian Greenwood
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
22nd Apr 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what support her Department provides to local councils for reducing speed limits in villages.

Decisions on making local speed limits on roads in England rest with traffic authorities who have responsibility for roads in local areas. The Department for Transport issues best practice guidance to assist authorities setting local speed limits, designed to make sure that speed limits are appropriately and consistently set while allowing for flexibility to deal with local circumstances.

The guidance suggests that while government policy is that a 30mph speed limit should be the norm through villages, it may be appropriate to consider 20mph limits in built-up village streets that are primarily residential in nature, or where pedestrian and cyclist movements are high, where there is a safety case and local support.

The Department for Transport has made no assessment of the potential merits of extending 20mph limits or zones in rural villages in West Dorset constituency.

Lilian Greenwood
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
22nd Apr 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what guidance her Department provides to drivers prescribed medicinal cannabis on (a) driving safety and (b) legal responsibilities.

There is a requirement on drivers to notify DVLA of a medical condition that affects their ability to drive safely. The DVLA will make an assessment on their fitness to drive. Information can be found on GOV.UK www.gov.uk/health-conditions-and-driving

The DVLA advise that medical prescribers should give patients advice on driving while using medical cannabis, as they would with any other medication.

This advice covers the main point that the patient should not drive if they feel impaired, and sometimes includes more specific guidance to support safe consumption.

DVLA publish this advice on GOV.UK www.gov.uk/guidance/assessing-fitness-to-drive-a-guide-for-medical-professionals

In 2015 the Government introduced a new offence in regard to driving with a specific controlled drug in the body above that drug’s accepted limit. The Government took a zero tolerance approach to 8 drugs most associated with illegal use, with limits set at a level where any claims of accidental exposure can be ruled out. This includes cannabis, including both illicit and medically prescribed. Advice is published on GOV.UK www.gov.uk/government/collections/drug-driving.

Lilian Greenwood
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
22nd Apr 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether her Department plans to introduce stricter penalties for mobile phone use while driving.

Government keeps motoring offences under review, and is considering possible interventions.

Lilian Greenwood
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
22nd Apr 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether her Department has made an assessment of the potential impact of mobile phone usage while driving on the number of road accidents in the past five years.

Statistics on road collisions are available based on data reported to the Department by police forces via the STATS19 data collection system. Within STATS19, reporting officers can record up to 6 factors which they consider may have contributed to the collision occurring.

The number of reported road injury collisions in Great Britain where a police officer attended and assigned ‘driver using mobile phone’ as a contributory factor are shown in the table for the last 5 years for which data are available.

Year

Number of collisions with ‘driver using mobile phone’ as a contributory factor

2019

420

2020

368

2021

440

2022

468

2023

463

Lilian Greenwood
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
25th Apr 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if she will take steps with (a) Stockport Council and (b) the Greater Manchester Combined Authority to provide Metrolink services to Stockport.

This Government is investing in transport improvements across our city regions, including Greater Manchester which is receiving over £1 billion through its City Region Sustainable Transport Settlement. In line with the Government’s commitment to devolution, decisions on where to invest this funding, including whether to extend the Metrolink network, rest with Greater Manchester Combined Authority, in partnership with its constituent local authorities. The Greater Manchester CRSTS programme includes a number of schemes which will transform public transport and active travel in Stockport, including initiatives focused on bus priority.

Simon Lightwood
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
22nd Apr 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether her Department has conducted public awareness campaigns on the dangers of mobile phone use while driving.

THINK! is the Government’s flagship road safety campaign, which aims to reduce the number of people killed or seriously injured on our roads by addressing a range of issues, including mobile phone distraction. In 2022, the Government ran a THINK! Campaign targeting 17-24 year old men and women, which coincided with the broadening of the legal offence of using a handheld phone while driving.

The campaign led to 75% of young men agreeing that it is always dangerous to use a handheld phone when you are at the wheel, with between two thirds to 80% of the audience taking action to change their behaviour after seeing the campaign’s short films.

Previous THINK! campaigns have addressed the role of passengers in distracting drivers, including through mobile phone use. Mobile phone campaigns also ran in 2017 and 2018 after the 2017 increase in penalties for driving while using a handheld phone. A radio advert asking drivers to ‘Put your phone away’ runs throughout the year via the Fillers service, through which radio stations run public service adverts at no cost.

Lilian Greenwood
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
17th Apr 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether Great British Railways will consider housing growth in capacity planning.

An integrated, affordable and sustainable transport network plays a vital role in unlocking homes and providing access to jobs and essential services.

Great British Railways (GBR) will work closely with the Department for Transport, MHCLG and other government departments to align housebuilding with future transport infrastructure strategy and investment.  This will include considering housing growth as part of future capacity planning to help us deliver 1.5 million homes over the next 5 years.

Simon Lightwood
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
17th Apr 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what new transport infrastructure her Department plans to build to support the new Universal Studios Theme Park in Bedfordshire.

As part of the Plan for Change, the government is working towards delivering a major investment in infrastructure around the site to support the delivery of the project and ensure it is well connected and easily accessible.

The details of negotiations between private investors and the Government are currently confidential. Further information on plans for infrastructure investment around the site will be set out in due course.

Simon Lightwood
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
17th Apr 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether she has made an assessment of the potential impact of (a) the completion of (i) Alconbury Weald and (ii) other new housing in Huntingdon, (b) planned commercial development at Brampton Cross and (c) the expansion of RAF (A) Wyton and (B) Molesworth on passenger numbers on the East Coast Main line.

The upcoming East Coast Main Line timetable recast in December 2025 will create additional capacity through the introduction of additional peak services between Letchworth and London King’s Cross helping to alleviate pressure on Thameslink services and the peak Peterborough to King’s Cross service, which should ease passenger numbers at stations such as Hitchin.

Any significant increase in rail passenger demand, including from the developments mentioned, and subsequent requirement for potentially increased services would guide the Department’s future infrastructure planning.

Simon Lightwood
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
17th Apr 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment her Department has made of the potential impact of the cost of rolling stock contract renegotiations on the nationalisation of South Western Railways.

South Western Railways services will transfer into public ownership on 25 May 2025, as its National Rail Contract with the Department expires. New rolling stock leases will be in place prior to the date of transfer. The expected cost of renewing leases were already recognised in the expected future budget requirements.

Simon Lightwood
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
17th Apr 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what discussions her Department has had with Network Rail on the December 2025 East Coast Main Line timetable.

The Department has been in regular discussion with Network Rail since 2018 on the new East Coast Main Line (ECML) timetable including through industry planning forums. Last year, the Department commissioned an industry taskforce, including Network Rail, to oversee the readiness for this change and make a recommendation to implement. On their advice, I approved this timetable for implementation in December 2025 to enable the full benefits of a £4 billion investment in the route.

Simon Lightwood
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
17th Apr 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if she will make an assessment of the potential impact of the proposed (a) railway station and (b) new town at Tempsford on (i) journey times and (ii) capacity on Thameslink services.

Network Rail will consider the impact of any new station at Tempsford as part of business case development for any East Coast Main Line infrastructure investment at the southern end of the route, including journey time and capacity implications for Thameslink services.

Simon Lightwood
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
17th Apr 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether her Department is taking steps to encourage bus companies to install cycle racks on their vehicles in (a) rural and (b) other areas.

The government is committed to delivering better bus services that meet passengers’ needs, including in rural areas, and has set out ambitious plans to reform bus services, including through the Bus Services (No.2) Bill and investing over £1 billion to support and improve bus services. The majority of bus services operate on a commercial basis, and decisions about the management and design of their bus fleet are for bus operators to make, including whether to install cycle racks.

The government recognises that bus services are part of a wider transport ecosystem, and it is vital to view them in the context of an integrated transport network designed with passengers as the priority. We have announced plans to develop an Integrated National Transport Strategy to set the long-term vision for transport in England. This will focus on how transport should be designed, built and operated to better serve the people who use it and ensure that the transport network is complementary, including the interaction between different modes of travel.

Simon Lightwood
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
17th Apr 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what her planned timescales are for considering local bus service improvement plans.

Bus Service Improvement Plans (BSIPs) are developed by Local Transport Authorities (LTAs) and set out the vision, objectives and delivery plans of LTAs and their partners to drive improvements to local bus services. While the government expects BSIPs to be published and readily accessible to all, they remain under the full control of local leaders and the Department no longer reviews the BSIPs before approving funding allocations.

Simon Lightwood
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
17th Apr 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, pursuant to the Answer of 13 March 2025 to Question 35855 on Govia Thameslink Railway: Standards, what information her Department holds on when Great British Railways plans to publish provisional (a) timetables and (b) capacity improvement plans for services on the Bedford line.

The Government will establish a new access and charging framework in primary legislation, enabling Great British Railways to be a true directing mind for the railway. We will simplify the operational running of the railways by bringing together responsibility for managing allocation of railway capacity and timetabling with the management of infrastructure.

Legislation will be introduced later this session to make these vital reforms.

Simon Lightwood
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
17th Apr 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if she will make an estimate of the potential impact of the new Universal Studios Theme Park in Bedfordshire on passenger numbers on the East Coast mainline.

Rail passenger impact calculations have been considered throughout and there are not expected to be significant impacts on the East Coast Mainline.

The Universal Studios Theme Park will be well-served by rail, with a new station at Wixams which is currently under construction on the Midland Main Line. Much of the park’s passenger demand will be in the opposite direction to normal commuter flows, thereby utilising existing capacity.

Simon Lightwood
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
17th Apr 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what recent assessment Network Rail has made of the need for a new East Coast Mainline station at Alconbury Weald.

The Department are aware of the long-standing local aspirations for an East Coast Main Line station at Alconbury Weald that would align with the new housing being developed in the area. We continue to work closely with the Ministry of Housing, Communities & Local Government to ensure an integrated approach to infrastructure planning.

Simon Lightwood
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
17th Apr 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether the East West Rail will be designated as an England and Wales project.

East West Rail is set to cover the route from Oxford to Cambridge and is therefore part of the RNEP portfolio which covers funding for projects in England and Wales. The RNEP portfolio can be distributed to any scheme across England and Wales.

Simon Lightwood
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
17th Apr 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps her Department is taking to improve the reliability of the Thameslink service to Rainham; and if she will make an assessment of the potential merits of Southeastern trains making additional stops at Higham in the event of Thameslink service cancellations to Rainham.

My Department is working with Southeastern, Govia Thameslink Railway and Network Rail to address reliability issues on the Rainham route, particularly following a rise in cancellations since the beginning of the year driven by employee sickness and training demands linked to new technology.

Higham station currently has two Thameslink services per hour with additional Southeastern services at peak times. Station coverage is monitored to ensure a minimum service of one train per hour in each direction and Southeastern services can be scheduled to make additional stops at Higham if required.

Simon Lightwood
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
17th Apr 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what (a) religious and (b) cultural holidays are observed by their Department.

The UK Civil Service only formally observes the government-set bank holidays.

Mike Kane
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)