Asked by: Lord Pendry (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask Her Majesty's Government what plans they have to create more space for walking and cycling during the COVID-19-related lockdown.
Answered by Baroness Vere of Norbiton
The Government welcomes appropriate changes to roads to give cyclists and pedestrians more space to enable social distancing. The details are for local authorities as they are responsible for managing their roads, but the Government is pleased to see that some local authorities have already begun to consider such changes.
There is a well-established range of traffic management measures already available to local authorities. Some measures, such as road closures, require Traffic Regulation Orders (TROs) to make them legal and enforceable, and we are aware that parts of that process are difficult for local authorities to comply with during the current situation. To assist with this, the Department has published temporary guidance, which suggests ways in which authorities can continue to make TROs, whilst still complying with the intention of the legislation.
This guidance has been circulated to local authorities already and will be kept under review. It will be withdrawn when circumstances allow.
Asked by: Lord Pendry (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask Her Majesty's Government what recent discussions they have had with UK airline companies about ensuring refunds for customers whose travel arrangements were cancelled as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Answered by Baroness Vere of Norbiton
The Government recognises the challenges businesses and consumers are experiencing regarding refunds for cancelled holidays and flights. Airlines are working hard to answer the high call volumes and to process the very large number of applications for refunds.
The Government appreciates the distress and frustration consumers may be experiencing. The Department for Transport is in regular conversation with UK airlines and working closely with the sector, the regulator and consumer groups to help ensure airlines deliver on their commitments.
Asked by: Lord Pendry (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask Her Majesty's Government whether the number of road accidents involving cyclists and pedestrians has increased by almost 50 per cent between 2009 and 2015; what assessment they have made of the difficulty of identifying the cyclists who infringe the rules for cyclists; and what consideration they are giving to introducing measures to improve the identification of cyclists.
Answered by Baroness Sugg
The number of road accidents involving cyclists and pedestrians has increased by 51.3 per cent between 2009 and 2015. In 2009 the number of pedestrians hit by a cyclist was 275 compared to 416 in 2015. The Department has made no recent assessment of the difficulties of identifying cyclists; the police consider they have sufficient powers to investigate if they are unsure of a person’s identity. The Cycle Safety Review was announced on 21 September 2017. Phase 1 of the review will consider the case for a new offence for cyclists akin to causing death or serious injury by careless or dangerous driving.