Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether she plans to introduce a statutory definition of (a) autonomous delivery robots and (b) Personal Delivery Devices; what assessment she has made of the impact of such devices on pavement accessibility and safety for (i) blind and partially sighted people, (ii) wheelchair users, (iii) older people and (iv) other disabled pedestrians; and if she will make an assessment of the potential merits of introducing legislation to prohibit the operation of autonomous delivery robots on public pavements.

Advances in technology have the potential to boost our economy and undertake dangerous jobs such as highways maintenance, but it's important the safety of pedestrians and vulnerable road users is put first.

We have announced that we intend to trial pavement robots using powers the Government is seeking through the Regulating for Growth Bill and these trials will have a clear definition of pavement robots.

A key part of the trial will be understanding the impact on pedestrians, particularly the most vulnerable groups.

This will be done with a view to creating a clear, lawful route to market for pavement delivery robots that protects the safety of pedestrians and vulnerable road users. No permanent regulations will come into force without detailed public consultation and a full assessment of the impacts.