Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps National Highways is taking to coordinate with local authorities on managing (a) fly-tipping and (b) litter in places which overlap between special roads and trunk roads.

Answered by Lilian Greenwood - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)

National Highways works closely with local authorities to tackle litter on the Strategic Road Network (SRN). National Highways has introduced litter partnership agreements to facilitate better coordination of litter clearing operations and has provided health and safety training to key local authority personnel to support their litter-clearing teams.

National Highways regularly engage with local authorities to help identify opportunities for local authority teams to access the network and address priority areas of concern for litter-picking and sweeping. Local authorities are able to utilise National Highways’ traffic management to schedule their own litter picks, helping to reduce costs for taxpayers and minimise disruption to road users. Although National Highways does not possess enforcement powers, in the event its CCTV operators notice illegal activity such as littering or fly tipping taking place on the SRN, evidence of that is also passed onto the local authorities responsible for prosecution.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what was the total cost to the public purse was of British transport police offices in the last financial year (a) based at rail stations (b) not based at rail stations.

Answered by Simon Lightwood - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)

The British Transport Police do not hold data separating the costs for station-based and non-station-based offices. The British Transport Police operate from 141 properties split between railway stations and commercial buildings close to the railway.

In the financial year 24/25, the total cost of British Transport Police’s estate including all running, maintenance, general improvement, and asset replacement costs was approximately £26.8m. In addition, as part of BTP’s cost reduction measures there was a one-off cost of £10.2m to relocate the British Transport Police Force Headquarters, which is anticipated to save £1.4m a year.

The cost of policing the rail network in Great Britain is primarily covered through the funding agreements that the British Transport Police Authority holds with Network Rail, the rail operators and Transport for London.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if she will make an assessment of the potential merits of requiring local authorities to consider the curtilage of properties when assessing local speed limits.

Answered by Lilian Greenwood - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)

Traffic authorities have the power to make speed limits on the public roads which they manage.  English authorities are asked to consider the best practice guidance ‘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.  This lists important factors that may be taken into account which include, among other things, the composition of road users including existing and potential levels of vulnerable road users, and the road environment such as the level of roadside development and the possible impacts (for example, severance, noise or air quality) on residents.  This could include effects on the curtilage of neighbouring properties.

The final decision is for the traffic authority, working with the police who would carry out any enforcement.

The Department’s guidance to English traffic authorities can be viewed at the following link: www.gov.uk/government/publications/setting-local-speed-limits/setting-local-speed-limits.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether her Department has issued guidance to local authorities on the weight that should be given to quality of life issues when assessing local speed limits.

Answered by Lilian Greenwood - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)

Traffic authorities have the power to make speed limits on the public roads which they manage.  English authorities are asked to consider the best practice guidance ‘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.  This lists important factors that may be taken into account which include, among other things, the composition of road users including existing and potential levels of vulnerable road users, and the road environment such as the level of roadside development and the possible impacts (for example, severance, noise or air quality) on residents.  This could include effects on the curtilage of neighbouring properties.

The final decision is for the traffic authority, working with the police who would carry out any enforcement.

The Department’s guidance to English traffic authorities can be viewed at the following link: www.gov.uk/government/publications/setting-local-speed-limits/setting-local-speed-limits.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether her Department has issued guidance to local authorities on considering the hierarchy of road users when assessing local speed limits.

Answered by Lilian Greenwood - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)

Traffic authorities have the power to make speed limits on the public roads which they manage.  English authorities are asked to consider the best practice guidance ‘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.  This lists important factors that may be taken into account which include, among other things, the composition of road users including existing and potential levels of vulnerable road users, and the road environment such as the level of roadside development and the possible impacts (for example, severance, noise or air quality) on residents.  This could include effects on the curtilage of neighbouring properties.

The final decision is for the traffic authority, working with the police who would carry out any enforcement.

The Department’s guidance to English traffic authorities can be viewed at the following link: www.gov.uk/government/publications/setting-local-speed-limits/setting-local-speed-limits.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps her Department is taking to support manufacturers of (a) 44-tonne and (b) all weights of volumetric concrete mixers.

Answered by Lilian Greenwood - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)

The Department has supported the transition of volumetric concrete mixer (VCM) operators and manufacturers by providing a 10-year temporary weight exemption, allowing time to adapt to compliant vehicles.

The temporary arrangement will conclude in 2028. Existing VCMs will be able to continue operating, but only within the applicable weight limits.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what recent assessment her Department has made of the adequacy of the HGV parking and driver welfare match funding grant scheme.

Answered by Lilian Greenwood - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)

The HGV Parking Matched Funding Grant Scheme (MFGS) was launched in 2022 to fund investment in HGV driver welfare facilities, lorry parking provision, site security, and decarbonisation. These priorities were identified through the National Survey of Lorry Parking (2022) and aim to improve the working conditions of HGV drivers.

My department has commissioned an independent evaluation of the scheme, to consider the application and delivery process, the role of the scheme in improving lorry driver facilities in England and the impact of the site improvements for drivers.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps National Highways is taking to reduce (a) fly-tipping and (b) litter on roads it is responsible for.

Answered by Lilian Greenwood - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)

National Highways are committed to the effective management of fly tipping and litter on the Strategic Road Network (SRN). National Highways pick litter on the SRN every day and its inspectors regularly survey the network, grading it in accordance with the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs’ Code of Practice on Litter and Refuse.

National Highways consistently work to deliver improved clean-up using innovative methods such as industrial vacuums, as well as undertaking several anti-littering interventions to influence behaviours and attitudes of road users towards litter. These include anti-littering messaging through social media, trialling AI enforcement cameras to capture those throwing litter on the SRN, using geofencing to send targeted anti-littering messages to mobile devices around identified litter hotspots, as well as putting anti-littering posters and signs and installing car and lorry height bins at motorway service areas.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, pursuant to the Answer of 15 May 2025 to Question 904123 Gatwick Airport: Carbon Emissions, if she will list the organisations from which she has received carbon emissions projection data relating to Gatwick's proposed expansion.

Answered by Mike Kane - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)

As this is live planning application that is yet to be decided, unfortunately I cannot comment in detail at this time. However, all information provided to the Secretary of State by the applicant, the Examining Authority, and any parties who chose to make written representations is available on the Planning Inspectorate website. This will include information on carbon emissions.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask His Majesty's Government what plans, if any, they have to revise section 19 of the Transport Act 1985 to require those driving school minibuses to hold a professional driving qualification or equivalent.

Answered by Lord Hendy of Richmond Hill - Minister of State (Department for Transport)

The Transport Act 1985 permit system was designed to recognise the value of not-for profit organisations that provide services for community, social and charitable benefit including schools and the wider education sector.

Whilst there are no immediate plans to alter the section 19 and section 22 permit system, ensuring the arrangements work well and are safe is something that is regularly under consideration.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask His Majesty's Government which statutory harbour authorities in England charge for overhanging residential balconies.

Answered by Lord Hendy of Richmond Hill - Minister of State (Department for Transport)

The department has not conducted a review of all Statutory Harbour Authorities to assess if they have the power to charge for overhanging residential balconies. Given the divergence in port local acts, it is not clear how many ports have this power.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of how bringing railways into public ownership will (1) reduce operating costs, (2) deliver economic growth, (3) improve delivery for passengers and freight operators, (4) reduce cost to passengers, and (5) ensure fair access to the network by all passengers and freight operators.

Answered by Lord Hendy of Richmond Hill - Minister of State (Department for Transport)

Bringing train operations into public ownership is the first step in the Government’s plans for wider rail reform, including establishing Great British Railways (GBR). Under public ownership, passenger services will be operated in the interests of passengers, not shareholders. Under GBR, we will create a unified and simplified railway that puts passengers first, rebuilding trust.

GBR is set to be the ‘directing mind’ for the rail industry, bringing together the management of the network and the delivery of passenger services into a single public body, to deliver better services for passengers and freight customers, and better value for money for taxpayers. These changes form a critical part of the Government’s wider Plan for Change - delivering growth, jobs, and housing through greater connectivity, putting more money in people’s pockets, and rebuilding Britain.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask His Majesty's Government what is the timeframe for considering improvements to east-west rail links; what progress they have made in providing a regular passenger service on the Hellifield Link between Lancashire and Yorkshire.

Answered by Lord Hendy of Richmond Hill - Minister of State (Department for Transport)

In May 2024 Northern Trains launched the Yorkshire Dales Explorer, which links Manchester and Ribblehead, restoring passenger services to the line between Clitheroe and Hellifield for the first time in more than two decades. Northern has worked with local bus providers to co-ordinate services and with stakeholders including the Yorkshire Dales National Park and rambling groups, who organised walks around the timetable. This service has been a great success and won a silver award in the tourism category at the 2025 Community Rail Awards.

Rail North Partnership and Northern are now working with stakeholders including Lancashire County Council and York & North Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority to assess whether additional services on this line could be operationally practical and offer value for money.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Lord Hendy of Richmond Hill on 10 April (HL6331), whether they have held any meetings with the Port of London Authority in the past 12 months; on what date any such meetings took place; and whether the issue of overhanging residential balconies was discussed.

Answered by Lord Hendy of Richmond Hill - Minister of State (Department for Transport)

The department has held many meeting with the PLAs. As one of the most important UK ports, officials and Ministers from across government meet with the Port regularly to discuss a range of issues. I can confirm that the issue of balconies has been raised.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps Great British Rail plans to take to help improve (a) travel times, (b) punctuality and (c) passenger experience on the West of England line.

Answered by Simon Lightwood - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)

Services operated by South Western Railway, which operates the West of England line, will transfer into public ownership when their contract expires on 25 May 2025. Under public ownership, passenger services will be operated in the interests of passengers, not shareholders.

Bringing train operations into public ownership is the first step in the Government’s plans for wider rail reform. The Railways Bill will be introduced later this session, which will enable the establishment of Great British Railways (GBR). GBR will have the tools and operational independence it needs to plan and run the rail system on a long-term basis to deliver for passengers and freight customers.

Through these reforms we will deliver better quality services for passengers and freight customers, resulting in fewer delays and a timetable that better serves their needs.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what recent assessment she has made of the adequacy of funding for the British Transport Police.

Answered by Simon Lightwood - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)

The British Transport Police’s (BTP) budget is set by the British Transport Police Authority (BTPA). It is the executive non-departmental public body that oversees the Force and is their employer. BTPA sets the BTP’s budget annually following proposals from the Force and views from industry. Set against a backdrop of wider public sector efficiencies and affordability by the rail industry it has agreed a budget increase for the financial year 2025/26 of 5.9%. BTP work closely with BTPA and industry operators to make final resourcing decisions with their agreed budget.

The cost of policing the rail network in Great Britain is primarily covered through the funding agreements that the British Transport Police Authority holds with Network Rail, the rail operators and Transport for London.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment she has made of the adequacy of funding for the British Transport Police.

Answered by Simon Lightwood - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)

The British Transport Police’s (BTP) budget is set by the British Transport Police Authority (BTPA). It is the executive non-departmental public body that oversees the Force and is their employer. BTPA sets the BTP’s budget annually following proposals from the Force and views from industry. Set against a backdrop of wider public sector efficiencies and affordability by the rail industry it has agreed a budget increase for the financial year 2025/26 of 5.9%. BTP work closely with BTPA and industry operators to make final resourcing decisions with their agreed budget.

The cost of policing the rail network in Great Britain is primarily covered through the funding agreements that the British Transport Police Authority holds with Network Rail, the rail operators and Transport for London.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what plans she has for future funding arrangements for the British Transport Police (a) during and (b) after the transition to Great British Railways.

Answered by Simon Lightwood - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)

The British Transport Police’s (BTP) budget is set currently set by the British Transport Police Authority (BTPA). It is the executive non-departmental public body that oversees the Force and is their employer. BTPA sets the BTP’s budget annually following proposals from the Force and views from industry.

We anticipate that the level of funding for the BTP during the transition to and commencement of Great British Railways will similarly balance the needs of the industry and the force against public sector affordability.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps she plans to take to improve rail services in the West Midlands.

Answered by Simon Lightwood - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)

West Midlands Trains has recently introduced two brand new fleets of high capacity trains in the West Midlands area, with a third new fleet on its West Coast routes starting service shortly. Five new stations are also under construction. Meanwhile, CrossCountry started operating a bigger fleet last weekend, significantly boosting capacity on its network, and all its trains will be fully refurbished in the next three years. A Pay-As-You-Go scheme is being implemented to help deliver seamless journey integration. Longer term, work continues on developing the Midlands Rail Hub scheme.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what her plans are for future funding arrangements for British Transport Police (a) during and (b) after the transition to Great British Railways.

Answered by Simon Lightwood - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)

The British Transport Police’s (BTP) budget is set currently set by the British Transport Police Authority (BTPA). It is the executive non-departmental public body that oversees the Force and is their employer. BTPA sets the BTP’s budget annually following proposals from the Force and views from industry.

We anticipate that the level of funding for the BTP during the transition to and commencement of Great British Railways will similarly balance the needs of the industry and the force against public sector affordability.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what recent assessment she has made of the adequacy of the level of funding for the British Transport Police.

Answered by Simon Lightwood - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)

The British Transport Police’s (BTP) budget is set by the British Transport Police Authority (BTPA). It is the executive non-departmental public body that oversees the Force and is their employer. BTPA sets the BTP’s budget annually following proposals from the Force and views from industry. Set against a backdrop of wider public sector efficiencies and affordability by the rail industry it has agreed a budget increase for the financial year 2025/26 of 5.9%. BTP work closely with BTPA and industry operators to make final resourcing decisions with their agreed budget.

The cost of policing the rail network in Great Britain is primarily covered through the funding agreements that the British Transport Police Authority holds with Network Rail, the rail operators and Transport for London.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what discussions her Department has had with National Grid on resilience in the rail sector.

Answered by Simon Lightwood - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)

Network Rail, as the owner and operator of Great Britian’s railway infrastructure, is responsible for ensuring the resilience of the railway.

Network Rail and National Grid are actively engaged in discussions about the rail sector's resilience, including issues related to power supply, climate change adaptation, and infrastructure improvements. These discussions involve stakeholders from across the industry to ensure a collaborative approach to addressing challenges and opportunities to grow, expand and improve the resilience of the railway network to meet the needs of passengers and freight users.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether her Department plans to develop a zero-emission coach travel roadmap to 2050.

Answered by Simon Lightwood - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)

We have no current plans to draft a roadmap. The Government is working with the sector to fully decarbonise the coach fleet. We are pleased to see the progress that has been made so far, particularly as long distance zero emission coaches have only been on the market since 2024. We expect to see the numbers of zero emission coaches on UK roads continue to grow as more coach operators opt for them on commercial grounds. We also welcome that some coach operators are starting to use charging infrastructure at bus depots and strongly encourage this shared use of facilities.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what discussions her Department has had with Network Rail on maintaining ownership of the northern part of Hornbeam Lane in Barnehurst.

Answered by Simon Lightwood - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)

There have are no active discussions between officials in my Department and Network Rail regarding maintaining ownership of the northern part of Hornbeam Lane. If the hon member provides details, my Department would be happy to support the resolution of any issues.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of the (a) transition to and (b) commencement of Great British Railways on the level of funding for British Transport Police.

Answered by Simon Lightwood - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)

The British Transport Police’s (BTP) budget is set currently set by the British Transport Police Authority (BTPA). It is the executive non-departmental public body that oversees the Force and is their employer. BTPA sets the BTP’s budget annually following proposals from the Force and views from industry.

We anticipate that the level of funding for the BTP during the transition to and commencement of Great British Railways will similarly balance the needs of the industry and the force against public sector affordability.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if she will ask Network Rail to install Overlay Miniature Stop Lights at Viaduct level crossing in Chirk Bank.

Answered by Simon Lightwood - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)

My department looks to Network Rail, as the infrastructure manager for Britain’s railways, to make operational decisions independent of government in accordance with its statutory safety duties and expertise. These include decisions on the appropriate safety arrangements at specific level crossings, which are informed by thorough risk assessments. These risk assessments consider a range of factors, including potential hazards, visibility, train speed and level crossing usage.

It is important that these decisions are made by Network Rail, without any interference or direction from my department, to maintain its independence.

I have, however, passed on this request to Network Rail, who will be able to advise on the appropriateness of the safety arrangements at Viaduct Level Crossing in Chirk Bank.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of the establishment of Great British Railways on funding for the British Transport Police.

Answered by Simon Lightwood - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)

The British Transport Police’s (BTP) budget is set currently set by the British Transport Police Authority (BTPA). It is the executive non-departmental public body that oversees the Force and is their employer. BTPA sets the BTP’s budget annually following proposals from the Force and views from industry.

We anticipate that the level of funding for the BTP during the transition to and commencement of Great British Railways will similarly balance the needs of the industry and the force against public sector affordability.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Local Transport will meet the hon. Member for Richmond Park to discuss the future of Hammersmith Bridge.

Answered by Simon Lightwood - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)

My officials are working with the London Borough of Hammersmith and Fulham and Transport for London to progress viable options for the future of Hammersmith Bridge. I would be pleased to discuss these with the hon. Member for Richmond Park in due course.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment she has made of the adequacy of existing levels of funding for the British Transport Police.

Answered by Simon Lightwood - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)

The British Transport Police’s (BTP) budget is set by the British Transport Police Authority (BTPA). It is the executive non-departmental public body that oversees the Force and is their employer. BTPA sets the BTP’s budget annually following proposals from the Force and views from industry. Set against a backdrop of wider public sector efficiencies and affordability by the rail industry it has agreed a budget increase for the financial year 2025/26 of 5.9%. BTP work closely with BTPA and industry operators to make final resourcing decisions with their agreed budget.

The cost of policing the rail network in Great Britain is primarily covered through the funding agreements that the British Transport Police Authority holds with Network Rail, the rail operators and Transport for London.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment she has made of the adequacy of funding for the British Transport Police.

Answered by Simon Lightwood - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)

The British Transport Police’s (BTP) budget is set by the British Transport Police Authority (BTPA). It is the executive non-departmental public body that oversees the Force and is their employer. BTPA sets the BTP’s budget annually following proposals from the Force and views from industry. Set against a backdrop of wider public sector efficiencies and affordability by the rail industry it has agreed a budget increase for the financial year 2025/26 of 5.9%. BTP work closely with BTPA and industry operators to make final resourcing decisions with their agreed budget.

The cost of policing the rail network in Great Britain is primarily covered through the funding agreements that the British Transport Police Authority holds with Network Rail, the rail operators and Transport for London.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether she has had discussions with Network Rail on a timetable to install lighting on the footbridge at Slade Green Station.

Answered by Lilian Greenwood - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)

Bexley London Borough Council approached Network Rail with a proposal to retrofit LED lighting to the underside of the footbridge handrails at Slade Green station. Network Rail has held meetings with Bexley Council representatives to discuss the proposal and has prepared and issued a Basic Asset Protection Agreement to the council.

Network Rail is working closely with Bexley Council to finalise the outstanding agreements required to move forward with the proposals and remains supportive. The timeframe for the works is influenced by several factors, including the scope of the project, track access, design reviews, and more. We anticipate being able to provide a clearer timeline once the outstanding agreements with the council have been finalised.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether her Department plans to implement improvements to the West of England rail line in the context of the cancellation of the A303 Stonehenge road improvement scheme.

Answered by Lilian Greenwood - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)

The Government has no plans for enhancements to the West of England line at this time. Government investment priorities for rail enhancements in England and Wales will be set out following the conclusion of the Spending Review next month.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, pursuant to the Answer of 30 October 2024 to Question 10460 on Railways: Electrification, whether she has made an estimate of the potential savings to the public purse per mile of track electrified from introducing a rolling programme of electrification.

Answered by Lilian Greenwood - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)

The department has not made an estimate of the potential savings of a rolling programme of electrification; however, we recognise the potential benefits such a programme could have for reducing the cost of delivering electrification infrastructure in this country. Officials are working closely with Network Rail to develop updated plans for where and when electrification is required to deliver a fully decarbonised railway over the next 25 years that considers both track and train and the significant recent progress in battery technology, and will consider potential cost savings as part of this process.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of progress being made towards developing road-worthy autonomous vehicles, and what steps they are taking to enable autonomous vehicles to be driven on roads legally.

Answered by Lord Hendy of Richmond Hill - Minister of State (Department for Transport)

To achieve our ambitions for the automated vehicle sector, we are working at pace to implement the regulatory framework for self-driving vehicles in the second half of 2027.

We are exploring options for accelerating early commercial pilots in advance of full implementation and will update on this work soon. By combining long-term regulatory certainty with near-term trialling opportunities, we are creating the right conditions for a thriving self-driving vehicles market.

Alongside developing our domestic regulations, we are playing a leading role in work to align international rules and regulations on self-driving, which will enable our companies to export globally. This work is anticipated to complete in early 2027.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask His Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to improve infrastructure for autonomous vehicles to operate effectively.

Answered by Lord Hendy of Richmond Hill - Minister of State (Department for Transport)

Self-driving vehicles will need to be able to safely operate using existing infrastructure as is and therefore we do not anticipate any immediate changes in current road maintenance practices.

Road authorities may choose to develop their networks to maximise the benefits of new technologies (e.g. sending a warning of a hazard on a road).

National Highways are exploring the impacts of automated vehicles on road layout, lane markings and roadwork design, and digitisation across the Strategic Road Network (SRN).

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Lord Hendy of Richmond Hill on 15 May (HL7132), whether the consultation will set out a timeline for implementing UN Global Technical Regulation No. 22 in the UK, and whether they will publish that timeline.

Answered by Lord Hendy of Richmond Hill - Minister of State (Department for Transport)

A proposed timeline for implementing UN Global Technical Regulation No. 22 in the UK will be set out in the consultation. The Government aims to publish this consultation later this year.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask His Majesty's Government what is the ratio of electric vehicle charging points in England for rural areas compared to urban areas.

Answered by Lord Hendy of Richmond Hill - Minister of State (Department for Transport)

The information requested is held by the Department for public electric vehicle charging devices.

As of 1 April 2025, there were 10,239 public electric vehicle charging devices in rural locations and 55,543 public electric vehicle charging devices in urban locations in England.

This equates to 15.5% of devices being in rural locations and 84.3% in urban locations.

This should be considered against population estimates for rural and urban locations. Latest statistics published by Defra, containing mid-year estimates for 2022, report that 16.6% of the population live in rural locations and 83.4% in urban locations.

The percentage increase in the number of public charging devices in rural locations is consistently higher than for urban locations. In 2024 there was a 45% increase in the number of public charging devices in rural locations, and a 35% increase in urban locations.

The Department does not hold data on the number of private electric vehicle charging devices by rural-urban classification.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, pursuant to the Answer of 12 May 2025 to Question 49854 on Electric Vehicles: Charging Points, how much of the funding allocated for charging infrastructure in the Autumn Budget 2024 has been spent; and how that money has been spent.

Answered by Lilian Greenwood - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)

The £200m to accelerate EV chargepoint roll out announced at Autumn Budget 2024 will be invested in the financial year 2025/26 (April 2025 to March 2026) to support local, en-route, and home and workplace charging.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what the (a) average and (b) longest waiting time was for a practical driving test in Somerset in each of the last five years, by driving test centre

Answered by Lilian Greenwood - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)

The table below shows the (a) average and (b) longest waiting time for a practical driving test in each of the last five years, by driving test centre (DTC) in Somerset.

The table below shows the (a) average and (b) longest waiting time for a practical driving test in each of the last five years, by DTC in Wiltshire.

Please note that the maximum waiting time until the middle of 2021 was 18 weeks. The maximum waiting time since then has been 24 weeks.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, how many full-time equivalent (a) civil servants and (b) consultants were working on proposals for the expansion of Heathrow Airport on 20 May 2025; and what the cost to the public purse is for (a) the time spent by civil servants and (b) consultants who have been working on this since 29 January 2025.

Answered by Mike Kane - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)

The Chancellor announced on 29 January that the government supports expansion that is in line with our legal, environmental and climate obligations and has invited proposals for a third runway at Heathrow Airport, to be brought forward by the summer.

As the lead department supporting this key priority, we are working with colleagues across government to ensure appropriate resource to support the successful delivery of this work including, where appropriate, external expertise. Between the months of January and May 2025, the Department has not spent any money on consultants in relation to Heathrow work.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what the scale of the revenue certainty mechanism will be; and how market pricing will be achieved.

Answered by Mike Kane - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)

The SAF Bill was introduced on Wednesday 14th May in the House of Commons, with legislative measures to implement an industry-funded revenue certainty mechanism to support SAF production in the UK.

The Bill confirms the government’s position that any funding required should come from a levy on aviation fuel suppliers.

Further work is required to design the allocation process for the revenue certainty mechanism. This will include greater detail regarding the size and timings of the contracts, as well as parameters around pricing. We will maintain a close and ongoing dialogue with industry on options for achieving cost control within the revenue certainty mechanism.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what the (a) average and (b) longest waiting time was for a practical driving test in Wiltshire, by driving test centre in each of the last five years.

Answered by Lilian Greenwood - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)

The table below shows the (a) average and (b) longest waiting time for a practical driving test in each of the last five years, by driving test centre (DTC) in Somerset.

The table below shows the (a) average and (b) longest waiting time for a practical driving test in each of the last five years, by DTC in Wiltshire.

Please note that the maximum waiting time until the middle of 2021 was 18 weeks. The maximum waiting time since then has been 24 weeks.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, pursuant to the Answer of 20 May 2025 to Question 52794 on Lisburn-Antrim Railway Line, what funding is available for the reopening of rail lines across the United Kingdom.

Answered by Simon Lightwood - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)

While transport is largely devolved to Northern Ireland, the UK Government was uniquely able to offer funding for specific rail feasibility studies through Union Connectivity Development Fund. This fund was set up to address recommendations and next steps raised by the Union Connectivity Review.

The Government is currently working to finalise what will be a challenging Spending Review - while this work is continuing, I cannot comment further on funding availability.

We demand that the government requires bus operators to refund passengers for cancellations. When bus operators fail to provide the paid-for service – such as by terminating routes early and stranding passengers – a refund system similar to train 'Delay Repay' or cancellation refunds should apply.

I would like increased funding to add more bus services, and at greater frequency, in rural areas so people in such areas don't have to rely on cars to get to places, e.g. the nearest town and city or the nearest village with a shop. I think this should be prioritised over increased buses in cities.

I would like the government to lower the drink drive limit in England, the alcohol limit for drivers, to be in line with that of Scotland.

I am concerned that young people can struggle to pay travel expenses, including to get to school and college. Sometimes it is difficult for parents to fund this as well. We want a free travel pass to be provided to all children aged 10-18 so they can commute to school and back.

Found: JAQU, the Joint Air Quality Unit, is a joint piece of work that we are doing with the Department for Transport

Found: worked in a variety of roles in government departments, including in the Treasury, the Department for Transport

Found: worked in a variety of roles in government departments, including in the Treasury, the Department for Transport

Found: Security Council, with CSSF funding to back various interventions under that by the NCA or the Department for Transport

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, pursuant to the Answer of 13 May 2025 to Question 52340 on Government Departments: Equality, in which departments have decisions on EDI spending controls been delegated to their Permanent Secretary.

Answered by Georgia Gould - Parliamentary Secretary (Cabinet Office)

The following Departments have formally informed the Cabinet Office that their Minister has delegated the decision to approve external Equality Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) expenditure to the Permanent Secretary:

• Department for Science, Innovation and Technology

• HM Treasury

• Ministry for Housing, Communities and Local Government

• Department for Business and Trade

• Cabinet Office

• Home Office

• Department for Culture, Media and Sport

• Department for Transport

Found: -8.5% MOD HMT MHCLG - LG HO DfE DWP Scotland DCMS MOJ DBT N I reland DHSC DEFRA CO Wales HMRC DSIT DfT

Found: spending in all years shown, however the actual expenditure of Network Rail only appears in the Department for Transport

Found: & Technology: Ministers' Hospitality - April 2025 CSV, 1.42 KB View online Department for Transport

Found: : subsidy DWP Non-HRA Rent Rebates: subsidy DWP Rent Allowance: subsidy DfT

Found: (NB: these have their own CPIDs) Local police (England only) Local fire & rescue (England only) DfT

Found: 2020 and the “Coronavirus (COVID-19): safer transport guidance for operators' from the Department for Transport

Found: guidance has been developed with input from other Government Departments, in particular DESNZ and DfT

Found: Crown copyright 2022 ISSN 0309-4278 Published by the Air Accidents Investigation Branch, Department for Transport

Found: The Department for Transport, Met Office and partners have created this series of transport hazard

Found: From: Department for Transport and Met Office Published 29 May 2025 Get emails about this

Found: From: Department for Transport and Met Office Published 29 May 2025 Get emails about this

Found: The Department for Transport, Met Office and partners have created this series of transport hazard

Found: The Department for Transport, Met Office and partners have created a series of transport hazard summaries

Found: From: Department for Transport and Met Office Published 29 May 2025 Get emails about this

Found: The Department for Transport, Met Office and partners have created this series of transport hazard

Found: The Department for Transport, Met Office and partners have created a series of transport hazard summaries

Found: From: Department for Transport and Met Office Published 29 May 2025 Get emails about this

Found: From: Department for Transport and Met Office Published 29 May 2025 Get emails about this

Found: Before the bill becomes law, leaders of Network Rail, DfT Operator Limited (DFTO), and the Department

Found: DfT statistics show that a record of nearly 3,000 public charging devices were added in April alone –

Found: of all South Western Railway services has transferred into public ownership and is being managed by DfT

Found: District Council © HS2 Ltd. gov.uk/hs2 High Speed Two (HS2) Limited has been tasked by the Department for Transport

Found: District Council © HS2 Ltd. gov.uk/hs2 High Speed Two (HS2) Limited has been tasked by the Department for Transport

Found: High Speed Two (HS2) Limited has been tasked by the Department for Transport (DfT) with managing the

Found: High Speed Two (HS2) Limited has been tasked by the Department for Transport (DfT) with managing the

Found: High Speed Two (HS2) Limited has been tasked by the Department for Transport (DfT) with managing the

Found: High Speed Two (HS2) Limited has been tasked by the Department for Transport (DfT) with managing the

Found: of Hillingdon © HS2 Ltd. gov.uk/hs2 High Speed Two (HS2) Limited has been tasked by the Department for Transport

Found: High Speed Two (HS2) Limited has been tasked by the Department for Transport (DfT) with managing the

Found: Borough Council © HS2 Ltd. gov.uk/hs2 High Speed Two (HS2) Limited has been tasked by the Department for Transport

Found: High Speed Two (HS2) Limited has been tasked by the Department for Transport (DfT) with managing the

Found: District Council © HS2 Ltd. gov.uk/hs2 High Speed Two (HS2) Limited has been tasked by the Department for Transport

Found: High Speed Two (HS2) Limited has been tasked by the Department for Transport (DfT) with managing the

Found: Buckinghamshire Council © HS2 Ltd. gov.uk/hs2 High Speed Two (HS2) Limited has been tasked by the Department for Transport

Found: Birmingham City Council © HS2 Ltd. gov.uk/hs2 High Speed Two (HS2) Limited has been tasked by the Department for Transport

Found: High Speed Two (HS2) Limited has been tasked by the Department for Transport (DfT) with managing the

Found: High Speed Two (HS2) Limited has been tasked by the Department for Transport (DfT) with managing the

Found: High Speed Two (HS2) Limited has been tasked by the Department for Transport (DfT) with managing the

Found: Merchant Shipping (Prevention of Air Pollution from Ships) (Amendment) Regulations 2023 (final stage IA; DfT

Found: different groups; • Transport improvements, including £23.3 million awarded by the Department for Transport

Found: sector with support services. 2.2.75 There are 11 major Scottish ports classified under the Department for Transport

Found: The UK Bill is sponsored by the Department for Transport (DfT). 7.