Asked by: Baroness Ritchie of Downpatrick (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the impact of illegal e-bikes and e-scooters on the L-Category sector; and what steps they are taking to ensure a fair, safe, and properly regulated micro-mobility market.
Answered by Lord Hendy of Richmond Hill - Minister of State (Department for Transport)
The Department continues to engage with the Motorcycle Industry Association to better understand how the micromobility and L-category sectors interact and can best support people in making the journeys that matter to them in a safe, efficient and cost-effective way.
The Government has committed to pursuing legislative reform for micromobility vehicles when parliamentary time allows. This will create safe, legal routes for people to use new transport technology, and help the police to crack down on those who use them in an irresponsible or anti-social way.
Asked by: Baroness Ritchie of Downpatrick (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask His Majesty's Government what progress has been made in the Department for Transport’s consideration of a review of L-Category licensing, as referred to by the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Transport in February at the Motorcycle Industry Association annual conference; and when they expect to publish further details on the review’s scope and timetable.
Answered by Lord Hendy of Richmond Hill - Minister of State (Department for Transport)
The Government treats road safety seriously and is committed to reducing the numbers of those killed and injured on our roads. We are considering plans to review the existing requirements for motorcycle training, testing, and licensing that take account of both long-standing plans in the Department for Transport and the Driver Vehicle and Standards Agency, and proposals received from the motorcycle sector. The Road Safety Strategy is under development and will include a broad range of policies. We intend to publish the Strategy this year.
Asked by: Baroness Ritchie of Downpatrick (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask His Majesty's Government what discussions they have had with the Maritime and Coastguard Agency regarding the contamination risk and clearance operation following the collision between two ships in the North Sea on 10 March.
Answered by Lord Hendy of Richmond Hill - Minister of State (Department for Transport)
His Majesty's Government has had regular discussions with the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) throughout this incident. HM Coastguard has provided bespoke operational updates to the Department and MCA officials have attended cross-Government meetings. DfT and MCA personnel also attend daily meetings with the Secretary of State’s Representative for Maritime Salvage and Intervention (SoSRep). Ministers have been kept informed throughout.
Asked by: Baroness Ritchie of Downpatrick (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of airspace modernisation in the UK.
Answered by Lord Hendy of Richmond Hill - Minister of State (Department for Transport)
The Airspace Modernisation Strategy sets out the overarching approach through nine elements that will modernise aircraft-based navigation and airspace management. The Strategy aligns with International Civil Aviation Organisation’s (ICAO) Global Air Navigation Plan to ensure interoperability with neighbouring countries.
Parts 1 and 2 of the refreshed Strategy were published in January 2023 and set out strategic objectives and delivery elements. Part 3, which focuses on the deployment of the design elements, was published in July 2024 and outlines the delivery plans over the next 2 plus 5 years, and a new iteration will be published annually in line with the CAA’s Annual Report.
Asked by: Baroness Ritchie of Downpatrick (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask His Majesty's Government when they will publish their response to the Creating a UK Airspace Design Service (UKADS) consultation, which ran from 22 October 2024 to 17 December 2024.
Answered by Lord Hendy of Richmond Hill - Minister of State (Department for Transport)
The consultation on the proposed UK Airspace Design Service has now closed. The Department for Transport and the Civil Aviation Authority are carefully considering the responses received to help inform the next stages of this project. The Government will set out its plans and the next steps later in 2025.
Asked by: Baroness Ritchie of Downpatrick (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask His Majesty's Government what discussions they have had with the Civil Aviation Authority and NATS Holdings about the delays and cancellations at Edinburgh Airport on 15 December.
Answered by Lord Hendy of Richmond Hill - Minister of State (Department for Transport)
The Air Traffic Control tower at Edinburgh airport is operated by Air Navigation Solutions (ANSL). Air Traffic Control tower operations are commercial agreements between the Air Navigation Service Provider (ANSP) and the airport concerned. Neither the Government or the Civil Aviation Authority has any involvement in the awarding of these contracts.
Asked by: Baroness Ritchie of Downpatrick (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask His Majesty's Government what discussions they have had with the Civil Aviation Authority, airline carriers and authorities of the main airports about the operation of the air traffic control system following technical failures at Edinburgh Airport on 15 December; and what assessment they have made of the operation of air traffic control technology.
Answered by Lord Hendy of Richmond Hill - Minister of State (Department for Transport)
Air Traffic Control tower operations at UK airports are commercial agreements between the Air Navigation Service Provider (ANSP) and the airport concerned. The Government, Civil Aviation Authority and airlines do not have any involvement in these agreements.
Asked by: Baroness Ritchie of Downpatrick (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the Motorcycles in bus lanes consultation outcome, published on 21 November, what assessment they have made of the compatibility of their statement that they have "no policy to promote greater uptake of motorcycles" with a multi-pathway approach to achieving net zero emissions by 2050.
Answered by Lord Hendy of Richmond Hill - Minister of State (Department for Transport)
This Government is committed to delivering greener transport to help achieve net zero by 2050, kickstart economic growth, make Britain a clean energy superpower and improve public health.
Mode shift away from more polluting vehicles plays an important role in delivering greener and more active transport and the Government will be ambitious in encouraging journeys by public and shared transport, and active travel. The Department aims to do this by transforming infrastructure and improving public transport to deliver more choice for freight and passengers.
At present, the Government has no policy to encourage or discourage greater use of motorcycles. The Government supports the purchase of zero emission motorcycles with the plug-in motorcycle grant for those who want to switch to an electric motorcycle. This is available until at least March 2025 and since 2016 has supported the purchase of over 14,000 mopeds and motorcycles.