Asked by: David Drew (Labour (Co-op) - Stroud)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what analysis his Department has undertaken on the effect of the installation of mobile traffic lights on traffic disruption; and what assessment he has made of the merits of requiring contractors to start and finish work without leaving traffic lights unattended.
Answered by George Freeman
Local highway authorities are responsible for managing the local road network and for reducing the impact of road works on congestion. The majority now do this through the use of street works permit schemes. The Department issues advice and guidance on both the effective operation of permit schemes, and on the correct and safe use of both stop/go signs and portable traffic signals via the ‘Safety at street and road works code of practice.’
There is no blanket requirement for portable traffic signals to be manned and portable signals can be appropriate in many environments, 24 hours a day, and where works are no more than 300 metres long. It is for each local authority to consider the most effective way of managing traffic when they assess permit applications.
To help reduce the impact of street works on congestion, we are currently consulting on an amended street works permit condition that would require temporary traffic lights to be removed no later than 4 hours after a job has been completed.
Asked by: David Drew (Labour (Co-op) - Stroud)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what plans he has to bring forward legislative proposals to make parking over a recognised cycle lane an offence.
Answered by George Freeman
The Secretary of State for Transport has no plans to bring forward such legislation. Parking within advisory or mandatory cycle lanes is already an offence where parking restrictions, which could also include loading restrictions, are in place at such locations, and have been indicated by traffic signs, yellow lines and kerb markings as appropriate.
Asked by: David Drew (Labour (Co-op) - Stroud)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, with reference to the Inclusive Transport Strategy, published in July 2018, what recent progress his Department has made on developing a monitoring and enforcement framework for mandatory bus driver disability awareness training.
Answered by Nusrat Ghani
The Department for Transport publishes annual bus statistics which include an assessment of the proportion of operators requiring relevant staff to undertake disability awareness training consistent with relevant legislation. The most recent release indicated that 98% of staff worked for bus operators that mandated this training. The Department continues to engage with industry and regulators to ensure a proportionate approach to enforcement is followed.
Asked by: David Drew (Labour (Co-op) - Stroud)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, when he plans to publish his Department's its guidance for bus operators on the quality of training in relation to the EU Bus and Coach Regulations 2013 on making bus transport more accessible to guide-dog owners.
Answered by Nusrat Ghani
The Government remains committed to publishing best practice guidance on the provision of high quality disability awareness training for bus and coach drivers, to support operators to ensure that every driver has the knowledge and skills to assist disabled passengers.
We will publish the guidance later in the year and will work with the bus and coach industry to encourage its adoption.
Asked by: David Drew (Labour (Co-op) - Stroud)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, with reference to the oral evidence of the former Minister of State to the Transport Committee on active travel on 1 May 2019, what his policy is on increasing Government funding for improvements to cycling.
Answered by Chris Heaton-Harris
The Government is keen to promote cycling and understands this involves increasing funding. Decisions on future funding will be made as part of the multi-year Spending Review, which is planned for 2020.
Asked by: David Drew (Labour (Co-op) - Stroud)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what plans has he to discuss with bus operators a device to allow buses to carry bicycles by means of an external rack either in front or behind the vehicle.
Answered by George Freeman
It is for individual bus operators to take decisions on whether to fit racks for bicycles on their services. While I currently have no plans to discuss this, I would encourage bus operators to consider fitting such equipment where it is safe and legal to do so.
Asked by: David Drew (Labour (Co-op) - Stroud)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether he has plans to bring forward legislative proposals to permit the use of (a) e-scooters and (b) segways on roads.
Answered by George Freeman
The Department recognises that people want to take advantage of the opportunities lightweight, personal vehicles such as electric scooters and segways can offer. Ministers are actively looking at ways to provide a framework for UK leadership in transport technology and innovation, and safe and effective regulation.
The Future of Mobility: Urban Strategy, published on 19 March 2019 includes a Regulatory Review to address the challenges of ensuring our transport infrastructure and regulation are fit for the future.
The Strategy can be found at:
www.gov.uk/government/publications/future-of-mobility-urban-strategy
The Department will use the Regulatory Review to examine current legislation and determine from the evidence what is needed to make the necessary changes for a safe and healthy future. One strand of this will look at options for enabling micromobility devices (such as electric scooters and segways), and a consultation will be issued in due course.
Asked by: David Drew (Labour (Co-op) - Stroud)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, when he plans to publish an update on the commitment in the Inclusive Transport Strategy to develop a monitoring and enforcement framework for mandatory bus driver disability awareness training by 2018.
Answered by Grant Shapps
The Department for Transport publishes annual bus statistics which include an assessment of the proportion of operators requiring relevant staff to undertake disability awareness training consistent with relevant legislation. The most recent release indicated that 98% of staff worked for bus operators that mandated this training. The Department continues to engage with industry and regulators to ensure a proportionate approach to enforcement is followed.