Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if he will make an assessment of the potential impact of train strikes on 12 May 2023 on (a) the number of cars on the roads and (b) the level of emissions of (i) nitrogen dioxide, (ii) PM 2.5 and (ii) other gases.

HMG has not undertaken research into the impact of the 12 May strikes on traffic levels. Evidence from previous strikes, reported at Rail Strikes Survey, shows that some passengers switch to driving to deal with the disruption caused by strikes. This may have impacts on congestion and pollution in some areas. The Government is focused on resolving this dispute so that critically needed workforce reforms can take place, supported by a fair pay deal. The trade unions will not prevent the need for these reforms by targeting public events with strike action.

The Department publishes daily usage of domestic transport by mode for Great Britain on a monthly basis on Gov.uk and traffic data for 12 May 2023 will be published on 14 June. A wide range of factors can impact traffic and associated emissions: given the comparable lack of data points, any direct assessment of the impact of strike action on 12 May 2023 on traffic and associated emissions would not be robust and the Department has no plans to model individual days.