Asked by: Kirsten Oswald (Scottish National Party - East Renfrewshire)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, for what reasons Highways England is responsible for determining the future development of the bridges between Neilston and Uplawmoor on a former rail line in East Renfrewshire.
Answered by Baroness Maclean of Redditch
In addition to its primary role as highway authority for the strategic road network in England, Highways England manages the Historical Railways Estate on behalf of the Secretary of State for Transport across England, Scotland and Wales. It is planning to infill up to twenty-three bridge structures in Scotland over the next five years for the purpose of maintaining the safety of nearby communities and the drivers who use the roads which cross them.
East Renfrewshire Council has indicated that there are future plans for the former Lanarkshire and Ayrshire railway. There will be further discussions between Highways England and the local authority about plans for the three bridges. Highways England enjoys a strong working relationship with local councils, allowing for an open dialogue about local authority responsibilities and the potential future use or transfer of ownership of bridges.
Asked by: Kirsten Oswald (Scottish National Party - East Renfrewshire)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, pursuant to the Answer of 21 October to Question 102858 on Driving Tests: Coronavirus, how many theory test certificates expired during the 6 months following the passing of the Coronavirus Act 2020 without the candidate sitting their practical test within the required timescale; and what the comparable figures are for the same six month period in the previous three years.
Answered by Baroness Maclean of Redditch
A total of 99,892 theory test certificates expired during the 6 months following the passing of the Coronavirus Act 2020 without a practical test being passed.
The table below shows the comparable figures for the same 6-month period in the previous 3 years are as follows:
2019 | 97,573 |
2018 | 96,378 |
2017 | 89,462 |
Asked by: Kirsten Oswald (Scottish National Party - East Renfrewshire)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what recent estimate he has made of the number of theory test certificates that will expire during the 12 months following the passing of the Coronavirus Act 2020 without the candidate being able to sit a practical test within the required timescale.
Answered by Baroness Maclean of Redditch
The validity period of the theory test certificate is 2 years.
The total number of theory test passes between 25 March 2018 – 25 March 2019 is 1,005,789.
It is not possible to estimate how many of those will expire without the candidate being able to sit a practical test.
Asked by: Kirsten Oswald (Scottish National Party - East Renfrewshire)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, pursuant to the Answer of 21 October 2020 to Question 102859 on Driving Tests: Coronavirus, if he will bring forward legislative proposals to amend Section 91 of the Road Traffic Act 1988 to permit the repayment of theory test fees where a candidate's theory test certificate expires after the passing of the Coronavirus Act 2020 without the candidate being able to sit their practical test within the required timescale.
Answered by Baroness Maclean of Redditch
There are no plans to bring forward such legislative proposals.
Asked by: Kirsten Oswald (Scottish National Party - East Renfrewshire)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, pursuant to the Answer of 21 October 2020 to Question 102859 on Driving Tests: Coronavirus, what consultation he has conducted regarding legislative proposals to amend Section 91 of the Road Traffic Act 1988 to permit the repayment of theory test fees where a candidate's theory test certificate expires after the passing of the Coronavirus Act 2020 without the candidate being able to sit their practical test within the required timescale.
Answered by Baroness Maclean of Redditch
A candidate whose theory test certificate expires will have received the service for which they paid the fee. Therefore, no consultation has been conducted. The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency continues to refund the fee for the practical driving test as soon as a candidate’s theory test certificate expires.
Asked by: Kirsten Oswald (Scottish National Party - East Renfrewshire)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what estimate he has made of the backlog of (a) theory and (b) practical driving tests in (i) Scotland and (ii) Great Britain; and how long he estimates it will take to clear each backlog.
Answered by Baroness Maclean of Redditch
The attached table shows the practical driving test backlogs as at 21 December 2020:
The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) is working hard to reduce the backlog of tests whilst adhering to Government guidance to suspend its testing services to help stop the spread of coronavirus and keep people safe. It will continue to reschedule tests that are suspended in line with Government restrictions to the next available test dates.
Unlike driver practical tests, the DVSA is unable to make an estimate of the backlog of theory tests as these appointments are managed by re-scheduling candidates into a virtual centre, giving candidates the opportunity to choose an alternative date and time.
Demand for theory test services has increased as a result of national and local restrictions during the COVID-19 pandemic, the Scottish Government’s initiative to support vocational drivers, and the shortage of delivery and goods drivers due to Brexit.
Asked by: Kirsten Oswald (Scottish National Party - East Renfrewshire)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what estimate he has made of the number of applicants waiting for (a) theory and (b) practical driving test in (i) Scotland and (ii) England and (iii) Wales for whom a driving licence is a requirement of their current or potential employment.
Answered by Baroness Maclean of Redditch
The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency does not record, or hold, information to show candidates whose driving licence is a requirement of their current, or potential, employment.
Asked by: Kirsten Oswald (Scottish National Party - East Renfrewshire)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what estimate he has made of the economic cost to the (a) applicant and (b) wider economy of the wait for driving tests in (i) Scotland, (ii) England and (iii) where a driving licence is a requirement for the applicant maintaining or taking up employment.
Answered by Baroness Maclean of Redditch
The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) is responsible for the delivery of driver and vehicle testing. It does hold data on the economic cost to the applicant or wider economy.
The DVSA does not record, or hold, information to determine if a driving licence is a requirement for the applicant maintaining or taking up employment.
Asked by: Kirsten Oswald (Scottish National Party - East Renfrewshire)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, how many applicants resident in Scotland have (a) been offered and (b) accepted an appointment for a driving test elsewhere in Great Britain since the passing of the Coronavirus Act 2020.
Answered by Baroness Maclean of Redditch
Candidates select the test centre of their choice when booking a driving test. Some candidates may be residing temporarily in an area away from their home address, for example, for study or work purposes.
In the period 25 March 2020 to 30 November 2020, there were 754 candidates with Scotland postcodes who took their driving tests in England or Wales.
Asked by: Kirsten Oswald (Scottish National Party - East Renfrewshire)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, pursuant to the Answer of 21 October 2020 to Question 102854, what steps Network Rail (a) is taking and (b) plans to take to implement recommendations four and six from the 2018 Varley Review.
Answered by Chris Heaton-Harris
Network Rail will develop a baseline database of habitats and biodiversity across its estate such that long-term management plans can be developed in the same way as those for other railway assets such as track and embankments.
Network Rail are creating a culture dedicated to enhancing natural habitats and, will continue to strive towards demonstrating leadership by partnering with experts, communities and lineside neighbours. Training and recruitment will ensure that the organisation has specialist skills and competencies.