Asked by: Jim Shannon (Democratic Unionist Party - Strangford)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether she is taking steps to measure the potential impact of active travel funding on the number and proportion of trips (a) walked, (b) wheeled and (c) cycled.
Answered by Simon Lightwood - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
The Department for Transport and Active Travel England have developed a number of tools that measure the potential impact on numbers and proportions of people walking and cycling of active travel investment. This includes tools to enable local authorities to estimate increases in walking and cycling and the associated cost-benefit case for individual active travel schemes and the Cycling and Walking Investment Strategy (CWIS) Model.
Asked by: Jim Shannon (Democratic Unionist Party - Strangford)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what progress she has made on expanding the use of solar power at train stations.
Answered by Lilian Greenwood - Government Whip, Lord Commissioner of HM Treasury
The government is committed to establishing Great British Energy and significantly increasing the amount of renewable energy generation in the UK by 2030.
Network Rail has already installed assets for the generation of renewable energy on the rail estate, including at stations, and is continuing the roll out of new assets.
Asked by: Jim Shannon (Democratic Unionist Party - Strangford)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps he is taking to improve night-time public transport to support the night-time economy.
Answered by Simon Lightwood - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
The government knows that public transport is vital to keeping communities connected, including at night to support the nighttime economy.
The government introduced the Bus Services (No.2) Bill on 17 December to put the power over local bus services back into the hands of local leaders. In addition, the government has confirmed £955 million for the 2025 to 2026 financial year to support and improve bus services in England outside London. This funding can be used in whichever way local authorities wish to improve services for passengers, including improving nighttime bus services.
Rail services are supported by requirements on train operators to plan services and design timetables to meet both current and future passenger demand, while also ensuring value for money for the taxpayer. The government commitment to public ownership through Great British Railways will also help to deliver a unified system that focuses on reliable, affordable, high-quality, and efficient transport services, whilst also ensuring safety and accessibility. Under public ownership, passenger services can be operated in the interests of passengers, not shareholders, including by helping to improve access to night time services.
Asked by: Jim Shannon (Democratic Unionist Party - Strangford)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether she is taking steps to help promote an increase in the number of jobs available for pilots.
Answered by Mike Kane
The Government is supporting the UK aviation sector to drive economic growth and create jobs, including for pilots. We’re backing airport expansions, promoting sustainable aviation fuel, and working with the industry, the CAA, and international partners to raise the profile of aviation careers and improve access. The Reach for the Sky Challenge Fund has provided over £2 million to support outreach programmes that help young people pursue careers in aviation.
Asked by: Jim Shannon (Democratic Unionist Party - Strangford)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps she is taking to ensure that drivers are meeting the eyesight standards for driving.
Answered by Lilian Greenwood - Government Whip, Lord Commissioner of HM Treasury
Driver licensing is devolved in Northern Ireland. In Great Britain, drivers are required by law to notify the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) if they develop a medical condition that may affect safe driving or if they are no longer able to meet the required eyesight standards for driving. When the DVLA is notified, an investigation will be carried out and the driver may be required to undertake a formal assessment of vision, which must be carried out by a professional optometrist on specialised equipment. The DVLA may also act on information received from third parties. These types of notifications are most commonly received from the police, healthcare professionals, family, friends or neighbours.
If the police suspect that the driver of a vehicle does not meet the required standards of vision, then they can conduct a roadside vision test which requires the licence holder to be able to read a number plate from 20 metres in good daylight. If the police notify the DVLA that a driver has failed the test the licence will be revoked. If the driver does pass the eyesight test, the police can still notify the DVLA if they suspect that the driver has a medical condition or poor eyesight. The DVLA will then investigate to ensure the driver can meet the required standards.
The Government supports the NHS’s advice that adults should have their eyes tested every two years. This recommendation is included in many of the DVLA’s application forms and information leaflets about driving. Optometrists and ophthalmologists also play an important part by advising their patients of the implications of their vision on driving and the effect of their eye condition or any treatment that they are receiving. The General Medical Council and General Optical Council guidance confirms that it is appropriate for practitioners to notify the DVLA directly about a patient that is medically unfit to drive where the patient cannot or will notify themselves.
Asked by: Jim Shannon (Democratic Unionist Party - Strangford)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, how much funding will be allocated to electric vehicle charging points in Northern Ireland.
Answered by Lilian Greenwood - Government Whip, Lord Commissioner of HM Treasury
Northern Ireland will receive funding as part of their devolved settlement. Office for Zero Emission Vehicles’ domestic and commercial chargepoint grants are available throughout the UK, including Northern Ireland.
In addition, Northern Ireland has been awarded £1.35m through the On-Street Residential Chargepoint Scheme, to install 127 public chargepoints.
Asked by: Jim Shannon (Democratic Unionist Party - Strangford)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what discussions she has had with her counterparts in Northern Ireland on tackling unsafe road conditions.
Answered by Lilian Greenwood - Government Whip, Lord Commissioner of HM Treasury
As transport is a devolved matter, it is the responsibility of the Northern Ireland Executive to mitigate for unsafe road conditions. Where appropriate, the Department for Transport will work with the Northern Ireland Executive on shared transport challenges.
Asked by: Jim Shannon (Democratic Unionist Party - Strangford)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps she is taking to improve transport links between Northern Ireland and Great Britain.
Answered by Simon Lightwood - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
Whilst transport is devolved, the Department for Transport is committed to enhancing links between Northern Ireland and Great Britain. The Department is providing funding for Transport Scotland’s feasibility study to explore options to bypass the villages of Springholm and Crocketford on the A75 and is supporting the Windsor Framework to streamline transport and customs processes. The Government is also supporting key aviation routes, including the Public Service Obligation between City of Derry Airport and London Heathrow Airport.
Asked by: Jim Shannon (Democratic Unionist Party - Strangford)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps she is taking to encourage the use of electric vehicles in public transport.
Answered by Simon Lightwood - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
The Department is working with our rail industry stakeholders to develop credible long-term plans for further decarbonisation, bearing in mind the railway is already such a carbon efficient mode of transport. We expect electrification to play an important role in our programme to achieve our Net Zero 2050 target, tackle air pollution, and improve the passenger experience.
Which rail lines will be electrified will broadly depend on the most suitable technological choice and value for money. All investment decisions require proper funding and are subject to current and future spending reviews and will be integrated with rolling stock decisions.
Expanding the rollout of zero emission buses (ZEBs) is central to our efforts to decarbonise the bus fleet and improve air quality.
The Bus Services Bill, currently going through Parliament, places a requirement on bus operators not to use new diesel buses on local bus routes in England. This will not take effect prior to 2030, giving time to the sector to plan a smooth transition.
The UK continues to make positive advancements in the deployment of ZEBs year-on-year. More than 50% of new buses registered in 2024 were zero-emission: a record 1,600, up 33% on the previous year’s record of 1,200.
Asked by: Jim Shannon (Democratic Unionist Party - Strangford)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether she has had recent discussions with Boeing on the potential impact of technological advances in airplane manufacturing on travel times between London and the US.
Answered by Mike Kane
The Secretary of State for Transport has not met individually with Boeing since taking up the post. A representative of Boeing joined the Secretary of State and other Ministers at a meeting of the Jet Zero Taskforce in December 2024.