Asked by: Anneliese Dodds (Labour (Co-op) - Oxford East)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what progress Active Travel England has made on creating a disabled people's panel to help inform its work.
Answered by Simon Lightwood - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
Active Travel England (ATE) does not have any current plans to create a disabled people’s panel and does not set policy. ATE routinely works with the Disabled Persons Transport Advisory Committee and disabled representative organisations to improve its output, such as guidance products.
ATE is setting up a technical advisory group to help improve its products and processes so they better address the barriers people face to active travel, particularly those from underrepresented groups.
Asked by: Anneliese Dodds (Labour (Co-op) - Oxford East)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether her Department has provided guidance to local authorities on (a) legacy shared space schemes and (b) how streets covered by those schemes can be altered to be made more accessible for blind and partially sighted people.
Answered by Simon Lightwood - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
Local authorities are bound by the Public Sector Equality Duty and it is for them to ensure any schemes they take forward are delivered in a way that allows them to comply with this duty. The Department provides guidance in Inclusive Mobility on designing accessible public realm, and the need for streets to be accessible to all is highlighted in other guidance documents as a matter of course.
In 2018 local authorities were asked to pause any new shared space schemes that incorporated a level surface and were at the design stage. Existing schemes or ones that were contractually committed or under construction were not in scope to avoid incurring financial penalties. This is still the position, and it is for local authorities to determine what changes may be required to existing schemes, taking into account their obligations under equalities legislation.
Asked by: Anneliese Dodds (Labour (Co-op) - Oxford East)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment she has made of the effectiveness of the powers of councils to improve street accessibility.
Answered by Simon Lightwood - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
Local authorities are bound by the Public Sector Equality Duty and it is for them to ensure any schemes they take forward are delivered in a way that allows them to comply with this duty. The Department provides guidance in Inclusive Mobility on designing accessible public realm, and the need for streets to be accessible to all is highlighted in other guidance documents as a matter of course.
In 2018 local authorities were asked to pause any new shared space schemes that incorporated a level surface and were at the design stage. Existing schemes or ones that were contractually committed or under construction were not in scope to avoid incurring financial penalties. This is still the position, and it is for local authorities to determine what changes may be required to existing schemes, taking into account their obligations under equalities legislation.
Asked by: Anneliese Dodds (Labour (Co-op) - Oxford East)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what discussions she has had with Highways England on the potential impact of abuse of roadworkers on levels of retention of roadworkers.
Answered by Lilian Greenwood - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
The Department is concerned about the increasing reports of abuse and intimidation faced by roadworkers and recognises the potential impact this has on both recruitment and retention in the sector.
National Highways also takes this issue seriously and works closely with its delivery partners to ensure all incidents of abuse on the Strategic Road Network are reported. It also supports the Stamp it Out campaign, which aims to eliminate abuse across transport networks, and contributed to the development of Stamp it Out’s recent guidance on road network crimes and the types of evidence required to prosecute them.
The Department will continue to support work to address this unacceptable behaviour and ensure roadworkers feel safe and supported in their roles.
Asked by: Anneliese Dodds (Labour (Co-op) - Oxford East)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what information her Department holds on the number of roadworkers who have been spat at from passing drivers in the last five years.
Answered by Lilian Greenwood - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
While the Department for Transport does not hold specific data on the types, trends and impacts of roadworker abuse, we work closely with the Highways Authorities and Utilities Committee (HAUC) UK, the representative body for the industry, who provide a mechanism for reporting roadworker abuse through the HAUC App. Abuse to roadworkers can also be reported to the local Highway Authority or in more serious cases where there is an immediate danger or a crime is taking place, the police. In 2023, GeoPlace worked with HAUC UK to gather data and publish the “Road Worker Abuse Report” on the prevalence, nature and impact of road worker abuse across the England, Scotland and Wales. The report highlighted some of the abuse that roadworkers had been subjected to, such as spitting, projectiles being thrown and punching. The Government strongly condemns any abuse directed at roadworkers, who play a vital role in installing and maintaining the infrastructure we rely on daily. We remain committed to working with HAUC UK, local authorities, the police, and campaign groups to tackle this issue and ensure roadworkers can carry out their duties safely and with respect.
Asked by: Anneliese Dodds (Labour (Co-op) - Oxford East)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, how many roadworkers have been hit by vehicles breaching cones or road signs indicating live work zones in each of the last five years.
Answered by Lilian Greenwood - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
While the Department for Transport does not hold specific data on the types, trends and impacts of roadworker abuse, we work closely with the Highways Authorities and Utilities Committee (HAUC) UK, the representative body for the industry, who provide a mechanism for reporting roadworker abuse through the HAUC App. Abuse to roadworkers can also be reported to the local Highway Authority or in more serious cases where there is an immediate danger or a crime is taking place, the police. In 2023, GeoPlace worked with HAUC UK to gather data and publish the “Road Worker Abuse Report” on the prevalence, nature and impact of road worker abuse across the England, Scotland and Wales. The report highlighted some of the abuse that roadworkers had been subjected to, such as spitting, projectiles being thrown and punching. The Government strongly condemns any abuse directed at roadworkers, who play a vital role in installing and maintaining the infrastructure we rely on daily. We remain committed to working with HAUC UK, local authorities, the police, and campaign groups to tackle this issue and ensure roadworkers can carry out their duties safely and with respect.
Asked by: Anneliese Dodds (Labour (Co-op) - Oxford East)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, how many roadworkers have been hit by projectiles thrown by passing drivers or their passengers in each of the last five years.
Answered by Lilian Greenwood - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
While the Department for Transport does not hold specific data on the types, trends and impacts of roadworker abuse, we work closely with the Highways Authorities and Utilities Committee (HAUC) UK, the representative body for the industry, who provide a mechanism for reporting roadworker abuse through the HAUC App. Abuse to roadworkers can also be reported to the local Highway Authority or in more serious cases where there is an immediate danger or a crime is taking place, the police. In 2023, GeoPlace worked with HAUC UK to gather data and publish the “Road Worker Abuse Report” on the prevalence, nature and impact of road worker abuse across the England, Scotland and Wales. The report highlighted some of the abuse that roadworkers had been subjected to, such as spitting, projectiles being thrown and punching. The Government strongly condemns any abuse directed at roadworkers, who play a vital role in installing and maintaining the infrastructure we rely on daily. We remain committed to working with HAUC UK, local authorities, the police, and campaign groups to tackle this issue and ensure roadworkers can carry out their duties safely and with respect.
Asked by: Anneliese Dodds (Labour (Co-op) - Oxford East)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what discussions she has had with the Secretary of State for the Home Department on (a) abuse of roadworkers and (b) steps to help tackle this.
Answered by Lilian Greenwood - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
While the Department for Transport does not hold specific data on the types, trends and impacts of roadworker abuse, we work closely with the Highways Authorities and Utilities Committee (HAUC) UK, the representative body for the industry, who provide a mechanism for reporting roadworker abuse through the HAUC App. Abuse to roadworkers can also be reported to the local Highway Authority or in more serious cases where there is an immediate danger or a crime is taking place, the police. In 2023, GeoPlace worked with HAUC UK to gather data and publish the “Road Worker Abuse Report” on the prevalence, nature and impact of road worker abuse across the England, Scotland and Wales. The report highlighted some of the abuse that roadworkers had been subjected to, such as spitting, projectiles being thrown and punching. The Government strongly condemns any abuse directed at roadworkers, who play a vital role in installing and maintaining the infrastructure we rely on daily. We remain committed to working with HAUC UK, local authorities, the police, and campaign groups to tackle this issue and ensure roadworkers can carry out their duties safely and with respect.
Asked by: Anneliese Dodds (Labour (Co-op) - Oxford East)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what discussions her Department has had with Police Forces on (a) abuse of roadworkers and (b) steps to help tackle this.
Answered by Lilian Greenwood - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
While the Department for Transport does not hold specific data on the types, trends and impacts of roadworker abuse, we work closely with the Highways Authorities and Utilities Committee (HAUC) UK, the representative body for the industry, who provide a mechanism for reporting roadworker abuse through the HAUC App. Abuse to roadworkers can also be reported to the local Highway Authority or in more serious cases where there is an immediate danger or a crime is taking place, the police. In 2023, GeoPlace worked with HAUC UK to gather data and publish the “Road Worker Abuse Report” on the prevalence, nature and impact of road worker abuse across the England, Scotland and Wales. The report highlighted some of the abuse that roadworkers had been subjected to, such as spitting, projectiles being thrown and punching. The Government strongly condemns any abuse directed at roadworkers, who play a vital role in installing and maintaining the infrastructure we rely on daily. We remain committed to working with HAUC UK, local authorities, the police, and campaign groups to tackle this issue and ensure roadworkers can carry out their duties safely and with respect.
Asked by: Anneliese Dodds (Labour (Co-op) - Oxford East)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment she has made of trends in the level of abuse of roadworkers in different local authority areas.
Answered by Lilian Greenwood - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
While the Department for Transport does not hold specific data on the types, trends and impacts of roadworker abuse, we work closely with the Highways Authorities and Utilities Committee (HAUC) UK, the representative body for the industry, who provide a mechanism for reporting roadworker abuse through the HAUC App. Abuse to roadworkers can also be reported to the local Highway Authority or in more serious cases where there is an immediate danger or a crime is taking place, the police. In 2023, GeoPlace worked with HAUC UK to gather data and publish the “Road Worker Abuse Report” on the prevalence, nature and impact of road worker abuse across the England, Scotland and Wales. The report highlighted some of the abuse that roadworkers had been subjected to, such as spitting, projectiles being thrown and punching. The Government strongly condemns any abuse directed at roadworkers, who play a vital role in installing and maintaining the infrastructure we rely on daily. We remain committed to working with HAUC UK, local authorities, the police, and campaign groups to tackle this issue and ensure roadworkers can carry out their duties safely and with respect.