Department for Transport

We work with our agencies and partners to support the transport network that helps the UK’s businesses and gets people and goods travelling around the country. We plan and invest in transport infrastructure to keep the UK on the move.



Secretary of State

Heidi Alexander
Secretary of State for Transport

Shadow Ministers / Spokeperson
Liberal Democrat
Paul Kohler (LD - Wimbledon)
Liberal Democrat Spokesperson (Transport)

Conservative
Gareth Bacon (Con - Orpington)
Shadow Secretary of State for Transport
Junior Shadow Ministers / Deputy Spokesperson
Conservative
Lord Moylan (Con - Life peer)
Shadow Minister (Transport)
Jerome Mayhew (Con - Broadland and Fakenham)
Shadow Minister (Transport)
Ministers of State
Lord Hendy of Richmond Hill (Lab - Life peer)
Minister of State (Department for Transport)
Parliamentary Under-Secretaries of State
Lilian Greenwood (Lab - Nottingham South)
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
Mike Kane (Lab - Wythenshawe and Sale East)
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
Simon Lightwood (LAB - Wakefield and Rothwell)
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
There are no upcoming events identified
Debates
Tuesday 28th January 2025
Select Committee Inquiry
Tuesday 17th December 2024
Rail investment pipelines: ending boom and bust

The Transport Committee is examining investment pipelines for the railway.

This inquiry will examine how a planned, steady pipeline …

Written Answers
Wednesday 29th January 2025
Driverless Vehicles
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what her Department's timeline is for making autonomous vehicles commercially available for …
Secondary Legislation
Thursday 12th December 2024
Merchant Shipping (Prevention of Oil Pollution) (Amendment) Regulations 2024
These Regulations amend the Merchant Shipping (Prevention of Oil Pollution) Regulations 2019 (S.I. 2019/42) (“the 2019 Regulations”) to implement amendments …
Bills
Tuesday 17th December 2024
Bus Services (No. 2) Bill [HL] 2024-26
A bill to make provision about local and school bus services; and for connected purposes.
Dept. Publications
Wednesday 29th January 2025
12:09

Department for Transport Commons Appearances

Oral Answers to Questions is a regularly scheduled appearance where the Secretary of State and junior minister will answer at the Dispatch Box questions from backbench MPs

Other Commons Chamber appearances can be:
  • Urgent Questions where the Speaker has selected a question to which a Minister must reply that day
  • Adjornment Debates a 30 minute debate attended by a Minister that concludes the day in Parliament.
  • Oral Statements informing the Commons of a significant development, where backbench MP's can then question the Minister making the statement.

Westminster Hall debates are performed in response to backbench MPs or e-petitions asking for a Minister to address a detailed issue

Written Statements are made when a current event is not sufficiently significant to require an Oral Statement, but the House is required to be informed.

Most Recent Commons Appearances by Category
Jan. 09
Oral Questions
Nov. 05
Urgent Questions
Jan. 28
Westminster Hall
Jan. 21
Adjournment Debate
View All Department for Transport Commons Contibutions

Bills currently before Parliament

Department for Transport does not have Bills currently before Parliament


Acts of Parliament created in the 2024 Parliament

Introduced: 18th July 2024

A Bill to make provision for passenger railway services to be provided by public sector companies instead of by means of franchises.

This Bill received Royal Assent on 28th November 2024 and was enacted into law.

Department for Transport - Secondary Legislation

These Regulations amend the Merchant Shipping (Prevention of Oil Pollution) Regulations 2019 (S.I. 2019/42) (“the 2019 Regulations”) to implement amendments to Annex I (prevention of pollution by oil) to the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships, 1973 (“MARPOL”). The amendments were adopted by International Maritime Organization (IMO) Resolution MEPC.329(76) on 17th June 2021 and came into force internationally on 1st November 2022. The Regulations also make consequential amendments to the 2019 Regulations and to the Merchant Shipping (Fees) Regulations 2018 (S.I. 2018/1104) (“the Fees Regulations”).
These Regulations amend the Road Vehicles (Construction and Use) Regulations 1986 (S.I. 1986/1078) to allow vehicles to use a camera-monitor system as an alternative to mirrors, and to ensure, if sideguards are required through the type approval process, that they remain fitted.
View All Department for Transport Secondary Legislation

Petitions

e-Petitions are administered by Parliament and allow members of the public to express support for a particular issue.

If an e-petition reaches 10,000 signatures the Government will issue a written response.

If an e-petition reaches 100,000 signatures the petition becomes eligible for a Parliamentary debate (usually Monday 4.30pm in Westminster Hall).

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Petitions with most signatures
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4,865 Signatures
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1,388 Signatures
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1,331 Signatures
(9 in the last 7 days)
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741 Signatures
(13 in the last 7 days)
Department for Transport has not participated in any petition debates
View All Department for Transport Petitions

Departmental Select Committee

Transport Committee

Commons Select Committees are a formally established cross-party group of backbench MPs tasked with holding a Government department to account.

At any time there will be number of ongoing investigations into the work of the Department, or issues which fall within the oversight of the Department. Witnesses can be summoned from within the Government and outside to assist in these inquiries.

Select Committee findings are reported to the Commons, printed, and published on the Parliament website. The government then usually has 60 days to reply to the committee's recommendations.


11 Members of the Transport Committee
Ruth Cadbury Portrait
Ruth Cadbury (Labour - Brentford and Isleworth)
Transport Committee Member since 11th September 2024
Rebecca Smith Portrait
Rebecca Smith (Conservative - South West Devon)
Transport Committee Member since 21st October 2024
Katie Lam Portrait
Katie Lam (Conservative - Weald of Kent)
Transport Committee Member since 21st October 2024
Laurence Turner Portrait
Laurence Turner (Labour - Birmingham Northfield)
Transport Committee Member since 28th October 2024
Baggy Shanker Portrait
Baggy Shanker (Labour (Co-op) - Derby South)
Transport Committee Member since 28th October 2024
Alex Mayer Portrait
Alex Mayer (Labour - Dunstable and Leighton Buzzard)
Transport Committee Member since 28th October 2024
Olly Glover Portrait
Olly Glover (Liberal Democrat - Didcot and Wantage)
Transport Committee Member since 28th October 2024
Elsie Blundell Portrait
Elsie Blundell (Labour - Heywood and Middleton North)
Transport Committee Member since 28th October 2024
Catherine Atkinson Portrait
Catherine Atkinson (Labour - Derby North)
Transport Committee Member since 28th October 2024
Scott Arthur Portrait
Scott Arthur (Labour - Edinburgh South West)
Transport Committee Member since 28th October 2024
Steff Aquarone Portrait
Steff Aquarone (Liberal Democrat - North Norfolk)
Transport Committee Member since 28th October 2024
Transport Committee: Upcoming Events
Transport Committee - Private Meeting
29 Jan 2025, 9:15 a.m.
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Transport Committee - Oral evidence
Work of Active Travel England
29 Jan 2025, 9:15 a.m.
At 9:15am: Oral evidence
Chris Boardman MBE - National Active Travel Commissioner at Active Travel England
Graham Grant - Deputy Chief Executive at Active Travel England

View calendar - Save to Calendar
Transport Committee - Private Meeting
4 Feb 2025, 4 p.m.
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Transport Committee: Previous Inquiries
Young and novice drivers Coronavirus: implications for transport e-scooters HS2: update NATS: failure in air traffic management systems Railway network disruption over Christmas Work of the Department for Transport 2010-15 The work of the Maritime and Coastguard Agency Volkswagen Group emissions violations Operation Stack inquiry Vehicle type approval inquiry All lane running inquiry Surface transport to airports inquiry Road traffic law enforcement inquiry Road haulage sector: Skills and workforce planning inquiry Maritime Policy and Coastguard Modernisation inquiry The Department for Transport and rail policy Investing in the railway NATS inquiry Network Rail: update Strategic river crossings Motoring of the future Smaller airports Government motoring agencies - the user perspective Transport's winter resilience: Christmas 2013 Transport's winter resilience: rail flooding Security on the railway The cost of motor insurance: whiplash Airports Commission: Interim Report Draft National Policy Statement on National Networks Cycling safety: follow up High Speed Rail: follow up Offshore helicopter safety Access to ports Transport and the Olympics The work of the Vehicle and Operator Services Agency (VOSA) Local authority parking enforcement Cost of motor insurance: whiplash Aviation Strategy Competition in the local bus market Access to transport for people with disabilities Low Carbon Vehicles Marine Pilotage Land Transport Security Road Freight Road Safety Rail 2020 Rail franchising Transport's winter resilience The Work of Network Rail Local decision making on transport spending Better roads Maritime strategy Safety at level crossings Drink & drug driving law Transport and the economy Cost of motor insurance Bus services after the Spending Review Licensing of taxis and private hire vehicles Effective road and traffic management Impact on transport of adverse weather conditions Sulphur emissions by ships Cable theft on the railway Work of the DVLA and DSA Draft Civil Aviation Bill Flight time limitations Air Travel Organisers' Licensing (ATOL) reform Coastguard Service Regional breakdown of public transport expenditure Cancellation of the InterCity West Coast franchise competition Passenger transport in isolated communities Cancelled Rail electrification schemes inquiry Intercity East Coast rail franchise inquiry Traffic Commissioners inquiry Active travel inquiry Local roads funding and governance Pre-appointment hearing on ORR inquiry Rail timetable changes inquiry BMW vehicle recall inquiry Freight and Brexit inquiry Health of the bus market inquiry Network Rail priorities inquiry Taxi and private hire reform in England inquiry HS2: update with Allan Cook inquiry Pavement parking inquiry Road Safety inquiry Trains fit for the future? inquiry The work of Highways England inquiry Williams Rail Review inquiry Priorities of the new Secretary of State for Transport inquiry Departmental policy and performance: Update with the Secretary of State inquiry Railways: Update with the Rail Minister inquiry Road safety: young and novice drivers inquiry Road safety: mobile phones inquiry Community Transport inquiry Airports National Policy Statement (NPS) inquiry Policy priorities for the Department for Transport inquiry Aviation and Brexit inquiry Mobility as a Service inquiry Rail infrastructure investment inquiry National Drowning Prevention Strategy one-off session Transocean Winner incident and emergency towing vessels one-off session Maritime Growth Study inquiry Airspace management and modernisation inquiry Vauxhall vehicle fires one-off session Airports National Policy Statement inquiry Volkswagen emissions follow-up session Drones inquiry HS2: CH2M contract one-off session Rail compensation one-off session Rail franchising inquiry Rail technology: signalling and traffic management inquiry Improving the rail passenger experience inquiry Airport expansion in the South East inquiry Bus Services Bill inquiry Urban congestion inquiry Departmental priorities and annual report and accounts one-off session High Speed Two one-off session Rail safety inquiry Vauxhall Zafira B fires one-off session Trains fit for the future? Self-driving vehicles Accessible transport: legal obligations National Networks National Policy Statement Strategic road investment Our future transport Minimum service levels for rail Future of transport data Strategic transport objectives Buses connecting communities Managing the impact of street works Rail investment pipelines: ending boom and bust Active travel Departmental policy and performance: Update with the Secretary of State Health of the bus market Local roads funding and governance Pavement parking Priorities of the new Secretary of State for Transport Railways: Update with the Rail Minister Road Safety Road safety: mobile phones Road safety: young and novice drivers Trains fit for the future? Williams Rail Review The work of Highways England

50 most recent Written Questions

(View all written questions)
Written Questions can be tabled by MPs and Lords to request specific information information on the work, policy and activities of a Government Department

21st Jan 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps she is taking to help tackle drink driving in rural areas.

The Government takes road safety seriously, and we are committed to reducing the numbers of those killed and injured on our roads. Since the general election, the Department has begun work on a new Road Safety Strategy, the first in over a decade. The Department will share more details in due course.

The Government’s THINK! road safety campaign, aims to reduce deaths and serious injuries on our roads. THINK! launched a major new drink driving campaign in November, highlighting the risks of drinking even a little before driving. The campaign targeted men aged 17-24, who are four times more likely to be killed or seriously injured on the road than drivers aged 25 and over, and who are over-represented in drink drive casualties. Paid advertising ran across social media, online video and gaming sites, radio and podcasts. The campaign also featured roadside advertising near to pubs and bars and posters and beermats in venues across England and Wales.

THINK! also joined forces with industry to launch THINK! 0%, encouraging drivers to always opt for alcohol-free options when getting behind the wheel via timely reminders at the point of purchase, and worked with police forces to support national drink and drug driving enforcement activity in the lead up to Christmas.

The enforcement of road traffic law and how available resources are deployed in South Holland and The Deepings constituency, and other rural areas, is the responsibility of individual Chief Officers and Police and Crime Commissioners, taking into account the specific local problems and demands with which they are faced.

Lilian Greenwood
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
21st Jan 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps she is taking with relevant authorities to help tackle dangerous driving in (a) South Holland and The Deepings constituency and (b) other rural areas.

The Government takes road safety seriously, and we are committed to reducing the numbers of those killed and injured on our roads. Since the general election, the Department has begun work on a new Road Safety Strategy, the first in over a decade. The Department will share more details in due course.

The Government’s THINK! road safety campaign, aims to reduce deaths and serious injuries on our roads. THINK! launched a major new drink driving campaign in November, highlighting the risks of drinking even a little before driving. The campaign targeted men aged 17-24, who are four times more likely to be killed or seriously injured on the road than drivers aged 25 and over, and who are over-represented in drink drive casualties. Paid advertising ran across social media, online video and gaming sites, radio and podcasts. The campaign also featured roadside advertising near to pubs and bars and posters and beermats in venues across England and Wales.

THINK! also joined forces with industry to launch THINK! 0%, encouraging drivers to always opt for alcohol-free options when getting behind the wheel via timely reminders at the point of purchase, and worked with police forces to support national drink and drug driving enforcement activity in the lead up to Christmas.

The enforcement of road traffic law and how available resources are deployed in South Holland and The Deepings constituency, and other rural areas, is the responsibility of individual Chief Officers and Police and Crime Commissioners, taking into account the specific local problems and demands with which they are faced.

Lilian Greenwood
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
21st Jan 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether her Department offers paternity leave to its staff from their first working day.

The Department for Transport follows the legislation on Statutory Ordinary Paternity/Partner Support Leave, which requires employees to have at least 26 weeks’ qualifying service to be entitled to such leave. The Department exceeds statutory requirements by providing full pay for such leave.

As with any changes to employment legislation, internal policies and processes will be updated as appropriate in preparation for when the Employment Rights Bill 2024 comes into effect.

Mike Kane
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
21st Jan 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what her Department's timeline is for making autonomous vehicles commercially available for use on UK roads.

Following Royal Assent of the Automated Vehicles (AV) Act, our world-leading work on the safe implementation of automated vehicles on our road’s presses ahead with a suite of consultations to enable implementation of the AV regulatory framework in 2027. The AV implementation timeline is designed to prioritise the development of a regulatory framework that maximises innovation, public safety and strengthens public confidence. Alongside developing our domestic regulations, we are playing a leading role in work to harmonise international rules on self-driving, which will enable our companies to export globally. This work is anticipated to complete in early 2027.

We are considering options as to possible routes to enabling advanced trialling and early commercial pilots to be deployed in advance of full implementation of the AV Act, working with industry to explore what they need and how to deliver this within existing legislation. We've established an industry working group to help facilitate this.

Lilian Greenwood
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
23rd Jan 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether she plans to bring forward legislative proposals to increase the maximum sentence for (a) failing to stop at and (b) report a road accident, known as hit and run accidents, from six months to ten years.

This Government takes road safety seriously, and we are committed to reducing the numbers of those killed and injured on our roads. We are currently considering policy options, including possible changes to motoring offences.

Lilian Greenwood
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
21st Jan 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps her Department is taking to increase the availability of practical driving tests in rural areas.

As acknowledged in the statement made on 18 December 2024 about car practical driving test waiting times, the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) understands the potential impact high waiting times have on learner drivers, including younger drivers.

In the same statement, DVSA set out further plans to reduce driving test waiting times across the country. These steps include recruiting 450 driving examiners and improving rules for booking driving tests.

For practical driving test candidates, DVSA is still offering the Mobile Emergency Worker (MEW) process for those in critical roles. The process, which was implemented during the coronavirus pandemic, is only for candidates who are a critical worker in England or Wales and work for one of the following:

  • the NHS - in health or social care
  • the emergency services
  • a local council

They must also:

  • need to drive as part of their job (commuting not included)
  • respond to ‘threats to life’ as part of their job

DVSA has shared the MEW application process with all applicable emergency organisations. Candidates who meet this eligibility criteria and want a test, should talk to their employer, who will need to apply on their employee’s behalf.

DVSA is committed to providing customers with the best service possible and continually reviews its estate, including in rural areas, to ensure it represents good value for money and is efficient.

Lilian Greenwood
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
21st Jan 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what recent assessment she has made of the potential impact of driving test waiting times on young people’s ability to access employment and education opportunities.

As acknowledged in the statement made on 18 December 2024 about car practical driving test waiting times, the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) understands the potential impact high waiting times have on learner drivers, including younger drivers.

In the same statement, DVSA set out further plans to reduce driving test waiting times across the country. These steps include recruiting 450 driving examiners and improving rules for booking driving tests.

For practical driving test candidates, DVSA is still offering the Mobile Emergency Worker (MEW) process for those in critical roles. The process, which was implemented during the coronavirus pandemic, is only for candidates who are a critical worker in England or Wales and work for one of the following:

  • the NHS - in health or social care
  • the emergency services
  • a local council

They must also:

  • need to drive as part of their job (commuting not included)
  • respond to ‘threats to life’ as part of their job

DVSA has shared the MEW application process with all applicable emergency organisations. Candidates who meet this eligibility criteria and want a test, should talk to their employer, who will need to apply on their employee’s behalf.

DVSA is committed to providing customers with the best service possible and continually reviews its estate, including in rural areas, to ensure it represents good value for money and is efficient.

Lilian Greenwood
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
21st Jan 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether their Department offers its staff shared parental leave from their first working day.

The Department for Transport follows the legislation on Shared Parental Leave, which requires employees to have at least 26 weeks’ qualifying service to be entitled to such leave. The Department exceeds statutory requirements by providing enhanced pay for such leave.

As with any changes to employment legislation, internal policies and processes will be updated as appropriate in preparation for when the Employment Rights Bill 2024 comes into effect.

Mike Kane
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
21st Jan 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether her Department offers protection to staff from unfair dismissal from their first working day.

The Department for Transport employs robust policies to ensure that the dismissal of any employee, including new employees serving a period of probation, is fair and legally compliant.

Mike Kane
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
21st Jan 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether her Department has plans to mandate a standard platform height for train stations.

Ensuring accessibility for all passengers is at the heart of the Government’s passenger-focused approach and we will work to deliver a more reliable and consistent customer experience for everyone with accessibility needs.

Level boarding is an important factor, and the procurement of new trains will need to take account of allowing passengers to board and alight with ease.

At present, new, renewed or upgraded platforms at train stations in Great Britain are required to meet a nominal height of 915mm, as mandated by the National Technical Specification Notices and National Technical Rules for the interoperability of the GB railway.

There is no current plan to change these mandatory platform heights requirements for stations on the conventional mainline railway, but the Department keeps all rail interoperability requirements under review.

Simon Lightwood
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
22nd Jan 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether she has received a response from the DVLA to the Fatal Accident Inquiry into the death of Xander Irvine.

The Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency has responded to the Determination following the Fatal Accident Inquiry into the death of Xander Irvine. This response can be viewed in full at www.scotcourts.gov.uk/fatal-accident-inquiries/fatal-accident-inquiries-and-determinations/fai-alexander-irvine-response/.

Lilian Greenwood
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
23rd Jan 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, how many road lighting schemes on (a) motorways and (b) all-purpose trunk roads were renewed at the end of their service life following completion of the TA 501 appraisal process in each of the last five years.

The answer could only be provided at a disproportionate cost.

Lilian Greenwood
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
27th Jan 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether she has made an assessment of the potential implications for her policies of the report entitled The cycling opportunity by Sustrans, published in September 2024.

The Department welcomes the findings of this research and will consider its recommendations carefully as we develop our future plans for active travel.

Simon Lightwood
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
24th Jan 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether she has received representations from Macquarie Group on increasing the number of flights (a) to and (b) from UK airports.

The Secretary of State for Transport has not received representations from Macquarie Group relating to increasing the number of flights to and from UK airports.

Mike Kane
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
21st Jan 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment she has made of the potential merits of introducing a direct train link between Stoke-on-Trent Railway Station and Manchester Airport.

No assessment has been made. However, the Manchester Taskforce has identified a number of infrastructure constraints impacting on the operational deliverability of additional direct services to Manchester Airport, including services that previously operated.

Whilst longer term plans are being developed, work continues on improving the passenger experience for those having to change trains.

Simon Lightwood
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
21st Jan 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps her Department is taking to ensure the (a) affordability and (b) transparency of train fares; and whether she plans to regulate dynamic pricing models for commuter routes.

Whilst it is our ambition through public ownership to deliver a more affordable railway, any long-term changes or concessions made to rail fares policy require balancing against the potential impacts on passengers, taxpayers and the railway.

We are committed to reforming the overcomplicated fares and ticketing system to deliver simpler, easier and more flexible ways to travel and will expand ticketing innovations such as Pay As You Go in urban areas across the country.

Simon Lightwood
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
21st Jan 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether her Department plans to review the air traffic movement cap at Heathrow.

Any proposal for change to the existing planning cap on air traffic movements at Heathrow airport would need to form part of a relevant planning application.

There is currently no live Development Consent Order application from Heathrow Airport.

Mike Kane
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
21st Jan 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether she plans to review the policy paper entitled Airports National Policy Statement, published on 5 June 2018.

As required by the Planning Act 2008, the Secretary of State will review the Airports National Policy Statement when she considers it appropriate to do so.

Mike Kane
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
21st Jan 2025
To ask His Majesty's Government what plans they have to change or restrict open access operations on the railway network.

The Secretary of State recently wrote to the Chair of the ORR to set out her expectations for the future of Open Access. She was clear on the benefits that Open Access can bring, but equally that balance must be struck between passenger benefits and impacts upon taxpayers and network performance. This does not represent a ‘restriction’ on Open Access, but rather that it is important to ensure that this balance is applied when ORR undertakes its statutory duties in relation to each application. We remain committed to a role for Open Access where it provides benefits for both passengers and taxpayers.

Lord Hendy of Richmond Hill
Minister of State (Department for Transport)
20th Jan 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, how many and what proportion of direct trains from London Euston to Leighton Buzzard have been cancelled in the last six months, listed by (a) day of the week and (b) time of day.

The percentage of trains cancelled on the London Euston - Leighton Buzzard route over the last six months was approximately four per cent. Cancellations were higher on Mondays at six per cent, 235 trains cancelled out of 3653, and lower on Tuesdays and Thursdays at two per cent of direct trains on this route.

Based on the time of the day, most cancellations happened between 12:00-15:00. Proportionally, the highest percentage of cancellations happened after midnight, with three of trains cancelled.

If an operator delivers consistently poor performance, the Department can intervene to act in passengers’ best interests. We will continue to press West Midlands Trains to run the most reliable service possible.

Simon Lightwood
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
20th Jan 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if she will publish the CrossCountry performance remedial agreement with XC Trains Ltd made (a) in August 2024 and (b) at any subsequent date.

A copy of the Remedial Agreement letter between the Secretary of State and XC Trains Limited, dated 9 August 2024, has been published on the GOV.UK website. The Remedial Agreement between the Secretary of State and XC Trains Limited runs from August 2024 to March 2025.

Simon Lightwood
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
21st Jan 2025
To ask His Majesty's Government what plans are in place to protect rail customers and staff following reports that dozens of British Transport Police stations are facing possible closure.

The safety of passengers and rail staff on the network is a priority for the Department and the rail industry, including the British Transport Police (BTP).

We will continue to work with BTP and the rail industry to consider how best to deploy their available budget in the coming financial year to ensure the safety of those on the rail network. It is important to stress that no final decisions have yet been made.

Lord Hendy of Richmond Hill
Minister of State (Department for Transport)
21st Jan 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, how many meetings of the Motor Insurance Taskforce have taken place; and when the next meeting will take place.

The cross-Government Motor Insurance Taskforce met for the first time on 16 October 2024. The Government will provide updates on the Taskforce’s work in due course.

Lilian Greenwood
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
23rd Jan 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps her Department is taking to help support local authorities to fix (a) poor quality and (b) unsafe pavements.

The Government is committed to enabling local highway authorities to maintain and renew their local highway networks, including the footways that make up such an essential part of them. The Chancellor announced an extra £500 million for local highway maintenance at Budget 2024 for the 2025/26 financial year, which, for most authorities including East Sussex County Council, will mean an increase of nearly 40% compared to the current financial year. The funding is for all parts of the highway network, including footways, and it is up to each authority to determine how the funding is spent. The Government encourages local highway authorities to consider the needs of all road users, including pedestrians, when planning their highway maintenance programmes.

As well as the big uplift in maintenance funding, the Government has also announced an extra £100 million investment in active travel infrastructure next year, which will allow local authorities to improve footways in their areas. Further details of how this funding will be allocated will be announced shortly.

Simon Lightwood
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
20th Jan 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, pursuant to the Answer of 8 January 2024 to Question 21874 on Motor Vehicles: Lighting, when the independent research started; which organisation is undertaking the work; and if she will publish the terms of reference for the research.

The research started in October last year and is being carried out by the Transport Research Laboratory (TRL). There are no plans to publish the Terms of Reference for the research, but further details can be found on the TRL website.

https://www.trl.co.uk/news/trl-works-with-dft-to-understand-more-about-the-causes-of-glare

Lilian Greenwood
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
20th Jan 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if she will make an estimate of the potential cost to the public purse of utility companies completing street works late in each local authority in the last 12 months for which data is available.

My department does not have the data available to make a detailed assessment of the costs of congestion from overrunning works. If works do overrun, local authorities are able to impose charges of up to £10,000 per day to cover the costs of congestion. We have recently announced that these charges will also be applied to overruns at weekends and on bank holidays to reduce congestion and disruption during these times.

Lilian Greenwood
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
21st Jan 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what recent assessment her Department has made of the potential impact of expanding Heathrow Airport on the economy.

There is currently no live Development Consent Order application from Heathrow Airport.

The Government would carefully consider any planning application in line with the relevant planning processes.

Mike Kane
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
21st Jan 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment she has made of the adequacy of the availability of skills within the Civil Service to effectively regulate self-driving vehicles.

Responsibility for new self-driving vehicle regulatory processes will be aligned with the Department for Transport’s executive agencies’ existing responsibilities for conventional vehicles, ensuring effective use of their expertise around vehicles regulation.

As part of the Department’s preparations for implementing the future automated vehicles (AVs) regulatory framework, we are also examining what new skills will be required for the regulation of AVs. This includes considerations of skills around artificial intelligence, vehicle safety, and data expertise among other areas.

The Department for Transport also works with the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology, to understand best practice skills development across other future technology sectors.

Lilian Greenwood
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
21st Jan 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether she plans to provide additional funding to improve public transport networks to Heathrow Airport.

DfT expects airports, including Heathrow, to work closely with local stakeholders and Government to develop and update their masterplans and surface access strategies every five years.

Improvements to surface access to airports are generally funded by the airports themselves.

Mike Kane
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
21st Jan 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what recent estimate she has made of the number of people impacted by increased noise pollution from proposed expansion at Heathrow.

There is currently no live Development Consent Order from Heathrow Airport.

The Government would carefully consider any application for expansion at Heathrow Airport in line with the relevant planning processes.

Mike Kane
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
21st Jan 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, with reference to the AI Opportunities Action Plan, published on 13 January 2025, if she will make an assessment of the adequacy of the alignment between the plan and other Government policies on the deployment of self-driving vehicles.

The Department for Transport supported the development of the AI Opportunities Action Plan, including providing contributions on the policy intentions for the deployment of self-driving vehicles. The Centre for Connected and Autonomous Vehicles, a joint unit between the Department for Transport and Department for Business and Trade, works closely with the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology to help realise the UK’s full potential as an AI superpower.

Lilian Greenwood
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
22nd Jan 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether her Department's Roads Investment Committee has considered funding alterations to the London South Circular in the last year.

Over the last year the Department’s Roads and Local Investment Committee has considered a Strategic Outline Case (SOC) for Transport for London’s (TfL) Catford Town Centre road scheme, which would include the realignment of part of the A205 South Circular. The scheme is being progressed by TfL for possible funding as part of the Department’s Major Road Network/ Large Local Majors programme. The Department’s decision on whether to approve the SOC will be issued in due course.

Simon Lightwood
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
17th Jan 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if she will make an assessment of the potential merits of providing temporary blue badges to people recovering from operations.

The Blue Badge scheme is primarily about helping people with a long-term disability, that affects their capacity to access the goods and services they need to use. Anyone may be entitled to a badge if they meet the eligibility criteria.

The Department has issued local authorities with advice on how they could use existing powers to provide locally determined parking concessions within their areas. For example, some local authorities grant parking concessions to assist their elderly residents. The same powers could be used to help those with temporary disabilities.

Lilian Greenwood
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
22nd Jan 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what estimate she has made of the cost of consultancy to (a) negotiate and (b) implement new cross-border transport arrangements with the EU since January 2020 by (i) consultancy firm, (ii) contract value and (iii) month of contract award; and what scrutiny mechanisms exist for those consultants.

No estimate has been made of the cost of consultancy by my department used during negotiation and implementation of new cross-border transport arrangements with the EU since January 2020.

Since the UK-EU Withdrawal Agreement came into effect on 31st January 2020, and subsequent application of the EU-UK Trade and Cooperation Agreement from 1 January 2021, there has been an extensive programme of work across numerous government departments to facilitate implementation of our new relationship with the EU and ensure the continued flow of people and goods.

Most cross-border impacts of EU Exit for transport relate to border checks such as immigration controls, checks on goods and security arrangements on which other departments lead. The National Audit Office has produced a number of reports on EU Exit preparations including one on borders last year: The UK border: Implementing an effective trade border - NAO report.

Mike Kane
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
21st Jan 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, pursuant to the Answer of 13 January 2025 to Question 21309 on River Tyne: Bridges, if she will meet the Port of Tyne to discuss the Swing Bridge.

The department engages actively with many UK ports, including the Port of Tyne. However, the department has not engaged specifically with the Port of Tyne on this issue as it is a matter for the port and/or other local parties.

Mike Kane
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
23rd Jan 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether she has made a recent assessment of the potential merits of requiring electric bike users to (a) have a number plate and (b) be insured.

The Government has no intention of requiring cyclists, including those who ride Electrically Assisted Pedal Cycles, to display number plates or to have insurance. This would require a national registration scheme for all cycles which would be complex and expensive to design and administer. It would also be likely to lead to a significant reduction in the number of people cycling, which would have negative health and environmental consequences. The Government believes that insurance for cycling should remain a matter of personal choice. Cyclists who are not insured are liable for the consequences of their actions should these result in injury or damages to others.

Simon Lightwood
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
21st Jan 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether she has made a comparative assessment of the potential impact of (a) E5 and (b) E10 fuel on (i) fuel consumption and (ii) emissions.

The legislation which introduced E10 across Britain in September 2021 is the Motor Fuel (Composition and Content) and the Biofuel (Labelling) (Amendment) (No. 2) Regulations 2021.

The impact assessment accompanying these regulations estimates that moving from E5 to E10 will reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 1 .8%, saving around 750,000 tonnes of CO2 per year from petrol vehicles. Ethanol contains less energy than fossil petrol and so increasing the ethanol content of petrol increases fuel consumption. The impact assessment estimates E10 will decrease the energy content of petrol by 1.7% compared to E5 and assumes fuel consumption will increase by that amount.

Lilian Greenwood
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
13th Jan 2025
To ask His Majesty's Government when they will publish their response to the Creating a UK Airspace Design Service (UKADS) consultation, which ran from 22 October 2024 to 17 December 2024.

The consultation on the proposed UK Airspace Design Service has now closed. The Department for Transport and the Civil Aviation Authority are carefully considering the responses received to help inform the next stages of this project. The Government will set out its plans and the next steps later in 2025.

Lord Hendy of Richmond Hill
Minister of State (Department for Transport)
13th Jan 2025
To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of airspace modernisation in the UK.

The Airspace Modernisation Strategy sets out the overarching approach through nine elements that will modernise aircraft-based navigation and airspace management. The Strategy aligns with International Civil Aviation Organisation’s (ICAO) Global Air Navigation Plan to ensure interoperability with neighbouring countries.

Parts 1 and 2 of the refreshed Strategy were published in January 2023 and set out strategic objectives and delivery elements. Part 3, which focuses on the deployment of the design elements, was published in July 2024 and outlines the delivery plans over the next 2 plus 5 years, and a new iteration will be published annually in line with the CAA’s Annual Report.

Lord Hendy of Richmond Hill
Minister of State (Department for Transport)
22nd Jan 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, pursuant to the Answer of 17 January 2025 to Question 24054 on Colne-Skipton Railway Line, if she will publish the completed feasibility work.

The findings of this work have been presented to all the Local Transport Authorities along the proposed route, Transport for the North, and the Skipton-East Lancashire Rail Action Partnership (SELRAP) campaign group.

Simon Lightwood
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
21st Jan 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps her Department is taking to increase the availability of theory driving tests in rural areas.

The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) network of theory test centres is designed to ensure that candidates across Great Britain are within 40 mins (urban) or 40 miles (rural) of a theory test centre.

In 2021 the new theory test service increased the number of Great Britain test centres from 180 to 203. As a result, 100% of the population, are now within 40 mins (urban) or 40 miles (rural) of a test centre, compared to 97% previously. This means DVSA has equitable service provision across Great Britain and has made significant improvements to that provision in remote areas.

DVSA carefully monitors test availability with its suppliers to continually review demand and increase capacity where possible and necessary.

Lilian Greenwood
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
16th Jan 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether the Jet Zero Taskforce has made an assessment of the potential merits of transitioning Grangemouth into a sustainable aviation fuel facility.

I refer the hon. Member to the Answer given to PQ [UIN 23039] on 17 January 2025.

Mike Kane
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
16th Jan 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether the jet zero taskforce plenary group have met.

The Inaugural Jet Zero Taskforce Plenary took place on 4 December 2024 chaired by the Secretary of State for Transport. Members discussed the Taskforce Terms of Reference and priorities for 2025. Meeting minutes will be published in due course.

Mike Kane
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
17th Jan 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps her Department is taking to help reduce fatality rates of cyclists on rural roads.

The Highway Code was updated in 2022 to improve road safety for cyclists and pedestrians, by strengthening pedestrian priority on pavements and at crossings and introducing the Hierarchy of Road Users, which places those road users most at risk in the event of a collision, at the top of the hierarchy. The Highway Code makes it clear that those in charge of vehicles that can cause the greatest harm in the event of a collision bear the greatest responsibility to reduce the danger they pose to others, and highlights the need to take care and be particularly aware of young cyclists and pedestrians.

The Department has awarded local authorities £185.8 million of funding between 2017 and 2024 through the Safer Roads Fund to improve the safety of England's most high risk 'A' roads. To date, it has funded 445.3 miles of rural roads which make up 62.4% of all funded routes.

Additionally, Active Travel England works with rural authorities to provide funding and to support the delivery of high-quality walking and cycling schemes, including segregated cycle lanes and junction improvements. This includes training for local authority staff, as well as design workshops and design assurance reviews of schemes under development.

Lilian Greenwood
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
20th Jan 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, with reference to her Department's consultation entitled Ending the sale of new, non-zero emission buses, coaches and minibuses, what the end sale date is for diesel coaches.

In spring 2022 the Department held a call for evidence about the decarbonisation of coaches, alongside a consultation on ending the sale of new, non-zero emission buses. An end of sale date has not been set for coaches.

Simon Lightwood
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
21st Jan 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what the membership is of the motor insurance taskforce announced on 16 October 2024; and what progress the taskforce has made.

The cross-government Motor Insurance Taskforce is comprised of ministers from relevant government departments and the Financial Conduct Authority and Competition and Markets Authority. The taskforce is supported by a separate stakeholder panel of industry experts representing the insurance, motor, and consumer sector. The Government is committed to tackling high costs as part of our Plan for Change to raise living standards across Britain and we will provide updates on the taskforce’s work in due course.

Lilian Greenwood
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
21st Jan 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps her Department is taking to support the maintenance of highways in Essex.

The Government takes the condition of our country’s roads very seriously and is committed to maintaining and renewing the local highway network. Essex County Council, as a local highway authority, is responsible for the condition and maintenance of its local road network.

The Government has a manifesto commitment to enable local highway authorities to fix up to a million extra potholes a year. As announced on 20 December 2024, the Government has allocated Essex County Council £45.8 million during 2025/26 to help them carry out their local highway maintenance responsibilities. This is an increase of around 36% over the current financial year and includes a share of the additional £500 million announced in Budget 2024. It is Essex County Council’s responsibility to decide how that funding is used, based on local needs and priorities.

Lilian Greenwood
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
21st Jan 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, pursuant to the Answer of 13 January 2025 to Question 21309 on River Tyne: Bridges, what responsibilities the Port of Tyne has for (a) the navigability of the River Tyne and (b) the Swing Bridge.

The department has not engaged specifically with the Port of Tyne on this issue as it is a matter for the port and/or other local parties. The specific areas of responsibility of the Port of Tyne, and other parties, for navigational purposes and the Swing Bridge will be set out in the relevant local harbours act, or other local agreements. The specifics of these will be best understood and discussed with the Port of Tyne itself.

Mike Kane
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
21st Jan 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, pursuant to the Answer of 3 December 2024 to Question 16707 on Electric Vehicles, what assessment she has made of whether there will be sufficient charging points for the number of electric vehicles that are estimated to be on the road by 2027.

As of 1 January, there are over 73,000 public charging devices installed throughout the UK. In the past year, nearly 20,000 charging devices were added, making it a record-breaking year. This progress was recognised in a report published by the National Audit Office on 13th December 2024 which outlined that chargepoint roll out in the UK is on track to meet forecast demand out to 2030.

The fast pace of rollout is set to continue, with the Government’s £381m Local Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (LEVI) Fund alone delivering over 100,000 public chargepoints across England over the next few years.

Lilian Greenwood
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)