Asked by: Ben Maguire (Liberal Democrat - North Cornwall)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if she will have discussions with the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency on taking steps to reduce the number of short-notice cancellations of practical driving test appointments at (a) Launceston and (b) Bodmin driving test centres.
Answered by Lilian Greenwood - Government Whip, Lord Commissioner of HM Treasury
The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency’s (DVSA) main priority is to reduce car practical driving test waiting times, whilst upholding road safety standards.
As of 2 September 2024, there were 552,863 car practical driving tests booked, and 94,169 driving tests available within the 24-week booking window.
The two driving test centres (DTC) within the North Cornwall constituency of Bodmin and Launceston are shown in the table below. The table shows the August 2024 average waiting time, number of booked car practical driving tests, and available tests as of 2 September 2024 at both DTCs.
DTC | Average car practical driving test waiting time Aug 24 | Booked tests | Tests available to book in 24 week booking window |
Launceston | 10 | 818 | 55 |
Bodmin | 18.3 | 1,974 | 422 |
National | 18.4 | 552,863 | 94,169 |
The DVSA understands how disappointing it is when driving tests are cancelled and therefore will only cancel appointments as an absolute last resort. Those affected by cancellations will automatically be offered a new appointment at the original test centre on the next earliest date available. If this is unsuitable, a candidate can check the booking service for alternative appointments.
Measures in place to reduce waiting times for customers in DTCs, include the recruitment of driving examiners, conducting tests outside of regular hours, including at weekends and on public holidays, and buying back annual leave from driving examiners. The DVSA also continues to deploy examiners from areas with lower waiting times into those centres with longer waiting times. This is in addition to the DVSA recruiting additional examiners across the country into areas where waiting times are highest.
The table below shows the average waiting time for driving tests at each of the DTCs in Cornwall. Waiting time information per DTC is only available from April 2015 onwards. It is not possible to know the number of people who are waiting to take a test.
Financial year | 2015/16 | 2016/17 | 2017/18 | 2018/19 | 2019/20 | 2020/21 | 2021/22 | 2022/23 | 2023/24 | Apr 24 - Aug 24 |
Bodmin | 8 | 4.1 | 3.8 | 3.6 | 7.1 | 7.6 | 10.9 | 10.7 | 9.8 | 15.4 |
Camborne | 4.5 | 4.3 | 5.6 | 5.9 | 7.2 | 9.5 | 14.5 | 15.1 | 12.7 | 15 |
Isles of Scilly* | 4 | 18 | 16.5 | Nil | 14.6 | Nil | 7.5 | 21.7 | 20.9 | 21.6 |
Launceston | 6.9 | 4.2 | 3 | 2.4 | 8.6 | 11.9 | 13.5 | 8.8 | 11 | 12 |
Penzance** | 7 | 6.4 | 5.8 | 6.1 | 7.7 | 4.9 | 15.8 | 21.7 | 20.4 | 23.9 |
*Isles of Scilly DTC is a remote DTC and operates a book-to-hold system. Examiners are deployed once candidates have booked to hold.
** Penzance DTC operates on a part time basis (2 days per week).
Asked by: Ben Maguire (Liberal Democrat - North Cornwall)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what the (a) average waiting time and (b) longest waiting time for driving tests in Cornwall was in each of the last 10 years.
Answered by Lilian Greenwood - Government Whip, Lord Commissioner of HM Treasury
The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency’s (DVSA) main priority is to reduce car practical driving test waiting times, whilst upholding road safety standards.
As of 2 September 2024, there were 552,863 car practical driving tests booked, and 94,169 driving tests available within the 24-week booking window.
The two driving test centres (DTC) within the North Cornwall constituency of Bodmin and Launceston are shown in the table below. The table shows the August 2024 average waiting time, number of booked car practical driving tests, and available tests as of 2 September 2024 at both DTCs.
DTC | Average car practical driving test waiting time Aug 24 | Booked tests | Tests available to book in 24 week booking window |
Launceston | 10 | 818 | 55 |
Bodmin | 18.3 | 1,974 | 422 |
National | 18.4 | 552,863 | 94,169 |
The DVSA understands how disappointing it is when driving tests are cancelled and therefore will only cancel appointments as an absolute last resort. Those affected by cancellations will automatically be offered a new appointment at the original test centre on the next earliest date available. If this is unsuitable, a candidate can check the booking service for alternative appointments.
Measures in place to reduce waiting times for customers in DTCs, include the recruitment of driving examiners, conducting tests outside of regular hours, including at weekends and on public holidays, and buying back annual leave from driving examiners. The DVSA also continues to deploy examiners from areas with lower waiting times into those centres with longer waiting times. This is in addition to the DVSA recruiting additional examiners across the country into areas where waiting times are highest.
The table below shows the average waiting time for driving tests at each of the DTCs in Cornwall. Waiting time information per DTC is only available from April 2015 onwards. It is not possible to know the number of people who are waiting to take a test.
Financial year | 2015/16 | 2016/17 | 2017/18 | 2018/19 | 2019/20 | 2020/21 | 2021/22 | 2022/23 | 2023/24 | Apr 24 - Aug 24 |
Bodmin | 8 | 4.1 | 3.8 | 3.6 | 7.1 | 7.6 | 10.9 | 10.7 | 9.8 | 15.4 |
Camborne | 4.5 | 4.3 | 5.6 | 5.9 | 7.2 | 9.5 | 14.5 | 15.1 | 12.7 | 15 |
Isles of Scilly* | 4 | 18 | 16.5 | Nil | 14.6 | Nil | 7.5 | 21.7 | 20.9 | 21.6 |
Launceston | 6.9 | 4.2 | 3 | 2.4 | 8.6 | 11.9 | 13.5 | 8.8 | 11 | 12 |
Penzance** | 7 | 6.4 | 5.8 | 6.1 | 7.7 | 4.9 | 15.8 | 21.7 | 20.4 | 23.9 |
*Isles of Scilly DTC is a remote DTC and operates a book-to-hold system. Examiners are deployed once candidates have booked to hold.
** Penzance DTC operates on a part time basis (2 days per week).
Asked by: Ben Maguire (Liberal Democrat - North Cornwall)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps she is taking to help reduce waiting times for practical driving tests at (a) Launceston and (b) Bodmin driving test centres.
Answered by Lilian Greenwood - Government Whip, Lord Commissioner of HM Treasury
The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency’s (DVSA) main priority is to reduce car practical driving test waiting times, whilst upholding road safety standards.
As of 2 September 2024, there were 552,863 car practical driving tests booked, and 94,169 driving tests available within the 24-week booking window.
The two driving test centres (DTC) within the North Cornwall constituency of Bodmin and Launceston are shown in the table below. The table shows the August 2024 average waiting time, number of booked car practical driving tests, and available tests as of 2 September 2024 at both DTCs.
DTC | Average car practical driving test waiting time Aug 24 | Booked tests | Tests available to book in 24 week booking window |
Launceston | 10 | 818 | 55 |
Bodmin | 18.3 | 1,974 | 422 |
National | 18.4 | 552,863 | 94,169 |
The DVSA understands how disappointing it is when driving tests are cancelled and therefore will only cancel appointments as an absolute last resort. Those affected by cancellations will automatically be offered a new appointment at the original test centre on the next earliest date available. If this is unsuitable, a candidate can check the booking service for alternative appointments.
Measures in place to reduce waiting times for customers in DTCs, include the recruitment of driving examiners, conducting tests outside of regular hours, including at weekends and on public holidays, and buying back annual leave from driving examiners. The DVSA also continues to deploy examiners from areas with lower waiting times into those centres with longer waiting times. This is in addition to the DVSA recruiting additional examiners across the country into areas where waiting times are highest.
The table below shows the average waiting time for driving tests at each of the DTCs in Cornwall. Waiting time information per DTC is only available from April 2015 onwards. It is not possible to know the number of people who are waiting to take a test.
Financial year | 2015/16 | 2016/17 | 2017/18 | 2018/19 | 2019/20 | 2020/21 | 2021/22 | 2022/23 | 2023/24 | Apr 24 - Aug 24 |
Bodmin | 8 | 4.1 | 3.8 | 3.6 | 7.1 | 7.6 | 10.9 | 10.7 | 9.8 | 15.4 |
Camborne | 4.5 | 4.3 | 5.6 | 5.9 | 7.2 | 9.5 | 14.5 | 15.1 | 12.7 | 15 |
Isles of Scilly* | 4 | 18 | 16.5 | Nil | 14.6 | Nil | 7.5 | 21.7 | 20.9 | 21.6 |
Launceston | 6.9 | 4.2 | 3 | 2.4 | 8.6 | 11.9 | 13.5 | 8.8 | 11 | 12 |
Penzance** | 7 | 6.4 | 5.8 | 6.1 | 7.7 | 4.9 | 15.8 | 21.7 | 20.4 | 23.9 |
*Isles of Scilly DTC is a remote DTC and operates a book-to-hold system. Examiners are deployed once candidates have booked to hold.
** Penzance DTC operates on a part time basis (2 days per week).
Asked by: Ben Maguire (Liberal Democrat - North Cornwall)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether she has made a recent assessment of the adequacy of accessibility for passengers with reduced mobility at Bodmin Parkway railway station.
Answered by Lilian Greenwood - Government Whip, Lord Commissioner of HM Treasury
We are carefully considering the best approach to the Access for All programme. This Government is committed to improving the accessibility of the railway and recognises the social and economic benefits this brings to communities.
Asked by: Ben Maguire (Liberal Democrat - North Cornwall)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what recent assessment she has made of the potential merits of extending railway routes into North Cornwall constituency.
Answered by Simon Lightwood - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
Following the General Election and the State Opening of Parliament, the Government is now formulating its plans. The Department will announce its policy intentions in due course.
Asked by: Ben Maguire (Liberal Democrat - North Cornwall)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether her Department has had discussions with (a) Cornwall Council and (b) National Highways on road safety on the (a) A30 and (b) B3257 junction at Plusha.
Answered by Lilian Greenwood - Government Whip, Lord Commissioner of HM Treasury
The Department is aware of the safety issues at the junction between the A30 and B3257 at Plusha. National Highways maintains regular contact with the officers and local Members of Cornwall Council, as well as emergency services and other key stakeholders, including Vision Zero South West, regarding possible safety improvements for this stretch of the A30 as part of its A30 Kennards House to Five Lanes Safety Study.
Asked by: Ben Maguire (Liberal Democrat - North Cornwall)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what decision she plans to take on the proposed changes to the toll for the Tamar Bridge crossing.
Answered by Lilian Greenwood - Government Whip, Lord Commissioner of HM Treasury
An application for revising the Torpoint Crossing tolls (for the Tamar Bridge and the Torpoint Ferry) was made by Cornwall Council and Plymouth City Council on Thursday 2 May 2024. A Public Inquiry in respect of that application is due to begin on 15 October 2024. As this is a live application, I am unable to comment on what the final decision might be.
Asked by: Ben Maguire (Liberal Democrat - North Cornwall)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment she has made of the potential merits of allocating funding towards the maintenance of the Tamar toll bridge.
Answered by Lilian Greenwood - Government Whip, Lord Commissioner of HM Treasury
I recognise that The Tamar Crossings are a very important local issue. The Crossings are funded on a ‘user pays’ principle from toll income. No funding is received from Government or from the owners of the Tamar Crossings – Plymouth City Council and Cornwall Council. I do not expect this to change.
Asked by: Ben Maguire (Liberal Democrat - North Cornwall)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if she will visit Camelford to discuss the proposed A39 Camelford bypass with (a) residents, (b) businesses and (c) the Hon. Member for North Cornwall.
Answered by Lilian Greenwood - Government Whip, Lord Commissioner of HM Treasury
The Department is committed to putting transport at the heart of mission-driven government to support economic growth, promote social mobility and tackle regional inequality. The Chancellor has committed to presenting to Parliament, before summer recess, an assessment of the state of the new Government’s spending inheritance. We will consider proposals for the A39 Camelford bypass alongside other future road projects and will provide an update in due course.
Asked by: Ben Maguire (Liberal Democrat - North Cornwall)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether she has made a recent assessment of the potential merits of the proposed A39 Camelford bypass.
Answered by Lilian Greenwood - Government Whip, Lord Commissioner of HM Treasury
The Department is committed to putting transport at the heart of mission-driven government to support economic growth, promote social mobility and tackle regional inequality. The Chancellor has committed to presenting to Parliament, before summer recess, an assessment of the state of the new Government’s spending inheritance. We will consider proposals for the A39 Camelford bypass alongside other future road projects and will provide an update in due course.