Asked by: David Drew (Labour (Co-op) - Stroud)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, how many (a) pedestrians, (b) cyclists, and (c) motorcyclists have been fatally injured on English roads in each of the last five years for which figures are available.
Answered by Michael Ellis
The number of reported road pedestrian, pedal cyclist and motorcyclist fatalities in England for the years 2013 to 2017 is shown in the below table.
| Pedestrians | Pedal cyclists | Motorcyclists |
2013 | 334 | 91 | 291 |
2014 | 377 | 100 | 280 |
2015 | 346 | 93 | 313 |
2016 | 402 | 91 | 267 |
2017 | 410 | 92 | 297 |
Source: DfT STATS19
These figures are published in table RAS30053: https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/743642/ras30053.ods
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 the Government response to the consultation on E10.
Answered by Michael Ellis
Any decision to introduce E10 as a new grade of petrol must balance the needs of consumers with the emissions reductions it could help to deliver. Further to its call for evidence last year on whether, and how best, E10 might be introduced in the UK, the Department is working hard to publish a response as soon as possible this year.
Asked by: David Drew (Labour (Co-op) - Stroud)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what the timeframe is for bringing forward legislative proposals to extend the eligibility for the Blue Badge Scheme to include hidden disabilities.
Answered by Michael Ellis
The guidance to help local authorities implement the expanded scheme is being finalised and will be issued shortly, and the scheme will become operational on 30 August.
Asked by: David Drew (Labour (Co-op) - Stroud)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, for what reasons the British Model Flying Association was not consulted on proposals to register model flying enthusiasts.
Answered by Michael Ellis
In April, the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) published its public consultation on the proposed charge on drone users and model aircraft flyers to cover the costs of running the Drone Operator Registration and Education Scheme. Prior to the launch of this consultation, the CAA engaged with a broad range of users, including a significant number of model flyers, both associations and individuals. Model flyers will be involved in the subsequent phases of development of the scheme.
Asked by: David Drew (Labour (Co-op) - Stroud)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether he plans to consult local authorities on (a) improving the adequacy of secure overnight parking for lorries and (b) increasing the number of rest facilities for lorry drivers.
Answered by Michael Ellis
On the 24 July 2018 the Government issued a revised version of the National Planning Policy Framework that now indicates that the need for sufficient overnight lorry parking should be taken into account in planning policies and decisions. There are already various positive market developments, with operators coming forward with plans for new and expanded sites.
There are no current plans for a consultation with local authorities, although the potential for further communications with local authorities about lorry parking is under review.
Asked by: David Drew (Labour (Co-op) - Stroud)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether he plans to improve lorry driver training and conditions to tackle the shortage of drivers; and if he will make a statement.
Answered by Michael Ellis
The Government is working with the industry to ensure that the Trailblazer Apprenticeship standard that has been developed for lorry drivers fully meets the needs of the sector. The Driver Certificate of Professional Competence (CPC) is under review and we will introduce changes when a legislative opportunity arises.
Further measures will be announced shortly.
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 Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) consultation (CAP1775), what recent discussions he has had with the CAA on the potential introduction of (a) compulsory registration by model aircraft enthusiasts with the CAA, (b) registration fees, (c) age restrictions and (d) competency requirements.
Answered by Jesse Norman - Shadow Leader of the House of Commons
Department for Transport Ministers and officials have regular discussions with the CAA, including on the Drone Operator Registration Scheme and competency testing requirements, which will apply from November 2019. These will apply to all those in the UK operating drones or model aircraft between 250 grams and 20 kilograms.
These are part of a package of measures to address the safety and security challenges that unmanned aircraft pose. They will help law enforcement agencies to tackle the misuse of such aircraft effectively, alongside new Police powers to be introduced in the forthcoming Drones Bill.
Asked by: David Drew (Labour (Co-op) - Stroud)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if he will take steps to improve provision of information about (a) road safety, (b) suitability of roads for heavy good traffic and (c) speeding area hazards to companies that provide information for satellite navigation systems.
Answered by Jesse Norman - Shadow Leader of the House of Commons
The Department is not responsible for the information provided by satellite navigation systems. These systems are commercial products which assist drivers with navigation and information about the routes. Guidance provided by these satellite navigation systems should only ever be considered as advisory. However, Highways England publishes its traffic flow information and the Department is also aware that manufacturers produce satellite navigation devices for lorries in order to provide them with routing information appropriate to their vehicle.
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 increase the (a) level of storage and (b) access to storage for bikes on trains at all stops on the route between Birmingham and Bristol.
Answered by Andrew Jones
The Department encourages the train operators and Network Rail to continue to increase provision for bike storage at stations where there is demand to do so. Provision for carriage for bikes on trains is a matter for the train operators to balance against the other demands on space - for example for passenger seating, luggage and universally accessible facilities.
Asked by: David Drew (Labour (Co-op) - Stroud)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether he plans to extend the system of financial support for the installation of electric car charging points to people living in flats and apartments.
Answered by Jesse Norman - Shadow Leader of the House of Commons
We are supporting the development of residential chargrepoint infrastructure through the Electric Vehicle Homecharge Scheme (EVHS) (£500 off cost of installation); and we plan to consult as soon as possible on changes to building regulations to ensure every new home in England has a chargepoint where appropriate. The EVHS grant is designed to help private plug-in vehicle owners offset some of the upfront cost of the purchase and installation of a dedicated domestic recharging unit. It is available for people living in flats, as long as they meet all of the eligibility criteria of the scheme, which can be found in the EVHS guidance for customers online. The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Governments have launched a consultation to review the provision of chargepoint infrastructure as part of the Law Commission’s work to review and reinvigorate the commonhold tenure in England and Wales.