Asked by: Greg Smith (Conservative - Mid Buckinghamshire)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, with reference to the RAC Report on Motoring 2025, published in October 2025, what assessment she has made that report's recommendations on road safety.
Answered by Lilian Greenwood - Government Whip, Lord Commissioner of HM Treasury
The Department has noted the recent publication of the RAC Report on Motoring 2025, and is considering the recommendations.
Improving road safety is one of my Department’s highest priorities. This Government treats road safety seriously and is committed to reducing the numbers of those killed and injured on our roads. Our Road Safety Strategy is under development and will include a broad range of policies. We intend to publish by the end of the year.
Asked by: Greg Smith (Conservative - Mid Buckinghamshire)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, with reference to the RAC Report on Motoring 2025, published in October 2025, what assessment she has made of that report's recommendations on General Safety Regulation 2.
Answered by Lilian Greenwood - Government Whip, Lord Commissioner of HM Treasury
The Department has noted the recent publication of the RAC Report on Motoring 2025, and is considering the recommendations.
Improving road safety is one of my Department’s highest priorities. This Government treats road safety seriously and is committed to reducing the numbers of those killed and injured on our roads. Our Road Safety Strategy is under development and will include a broad range of policies. We intend to publish by the end of the year.
Asked by: Greg Smith (Conservative - Mid Buckinghamshire)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, with reference to the RAC Report on Motoring 2025, published in October 2025, what assessment she has made of that report's recommendations on vehicle cloning.
Answered by Lilian Greenwood - Government Whip, Lord Commissioner of HM Treasury
The Department has noted the recent publication of the RAC Report on Motoring 2025, and is considering the recommendations.
Improving road safety is one of my Department’s highest priorities. This Government treats road safety seriously and is committed to reducing the numbers of those killed and injured on our roads. Our Road Safety Strategy is under development and will include a broad range of policies. We intend to publish by the end of the year.
Asked by: Greg Smith (Conservative - Mid Buckinghamshire)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, with reference to the RAC Report on Motoring 2025, published in October 2025, what assessment she has made of that report's recommendations on headlight glare.
Answered by Lilian Greenwood - Government Whip, Lord Commissioner of HM Treasury
The Department has noted the recent publication of the RAC Report on Motoring 2025, and is considering the recommendations.
Improving road safety is one of my Department’s highest priorities. This Government treats road safety seriously and is committed to reducing the numbers of those killed and injured on our roads. Our Road Safety Strategy is under development and will include a broad range of policies. We intend to publish by the end of the year.
Asked by: Greg Smith (Conservative - Mid Buckinghamshire)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, with reference to the RAC Report on Motoring 2025, published in October 2025, what assessment she has made of that report's recommendations on requiring local authorities to allow at least two different payment methods for parking.
Answered by Lilian Greenwood - Government Whip, Lord Commissioner of HM Treasury
The Department for Transport have noted the recent publication of the RAC Report on Motoring 2025, including its recommendation on payment methods for parking, and is considering its recommendations.
Asked by: Greg Smith (Conservative - Mid Buckinghamshire)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what conditions for night time rail freight movements have been placed on the Oxford to Milton Keynes stretch of East West Rail.
Answered by Simon Lightwood - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
A noise assessment for East West Rail (EWR) was undertaken for the Environmental Statement supporting the Transport and Works Act Order application for the railway. The assessment assumed a traffic flow of 8 freight trains composed of 36 wagons during the nighttime period (23:00 – 07:00). Mitigations have been provided for this in line with the Noise Insultation (Railways and Other Guided Transport Systems) Regulations.
Asked by: Greg Smith (Conservative - Mid Buckinghamshire)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, how many night time freight movements are permitted on East West Rail.
Answered by Simon Lightwood - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
A noise assessment for East West Rail (EWR) was undertaken for the Environmental Statement supporting the Transport and Works Act Order application for the railway. The assessment assumed a traffic flow of 8 freight trains composed of 36 wagons during the nighttime period (23:00 – 07:00). Mitigations have been provided for this in line with the Noise Insultation (Railways and Other Guided Transport Systems) Regulations.
Asked by: Greg Smith (Conservative - Mid Buckinghamshire)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, when passenger services from Oxford to Milton Keynes will commence on East West Rail.
Answered by Simon Lightwood - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
The Department is working closely with Chiltern Railways and other partners to confirm a start date for the service. We are looking forward to commencing services as soon as all necessary authorisations and agreements are in place. Passenger services will commence once train testing and driver training have been completed.
Asked by: Greg Smith (Conservative - Mid Buckinghamshire)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether she has had recent discussions with Chiltern Railways on the refurbishment of Haddenham & Thame Parkway car park.
Answered by Simon Lightwood - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
My Officials have been in regular contact with Chiltern Railways regarding the refurbishment of Haddenham & Thame Parkway car park, particularly in light of the closure of the upper deck and the resulting capacity challenges.
The Department will continue to engage with Chiltern Railways to ensure that car park improvements deliver meaningful benefits for rail users and the wider local community.
Asked by: Greg Smith (Conservative - Mid Buckinghamshire)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what recent assessment she has made of the potential impact of the Zero Emission Vehicle mandate on the development of non-electric technologies to power motor cars.
Answered by Keir Mather - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
The Zero Emission Vehicle (ZEV) Mandate sets annual targets for the proportion of new zero emission cars and vans sold in the UK. This regulation does not require that new zero emission vehicles be electric, only that they emit no CO2 from the tailpipe. The ZEV Mandate therefore considers any vehicles that meet that criteria to be zero emission, including, for example, hydrogen fuel cell vehicles. Currently, battery electric is the leading ZEV technology.