Question to the Ministry of Justice:

To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, with reference to his Department's press release entitled Bus lanes to help stop traffic derailing court cases, published on 12 October 2026, whether he plans to introduce legislation requiring local authorities to permit Prisoner Escort and Custody Service vehicles to use designated bus lanes if voluntary uptake is deemed to be insufficient.

The Lord Chancellor and the Secretary of State for Transport wrote jointly to 12 local authorities on 23 September, urging them to make provision for Prisoner Escort and Custody Service vehicles to use bus lanes, in order to help the courts to deliver speedier justice. These authorities were selected because traffic congestion, leading to court delays, can be a particular problem in those areas. To date, Birmingham, Newcastle, Brighton, and Northampton have replied, and all these have indicated their readiness to adopt the recommended approach.

We are monitoring the responses we receive from local authorities and are keeping the position under review.