Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask His Majesty's Government whether speed limits apply only to mechanically operated vehicles and not to cyclists; and if so, what plans they have to review this.

Answered by Lord Davies of Gower - Shadow Secretary of State for Wales

While speed limits set under the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984 only apply to motor vehicles, cyclists can still be charged with careless or dangerous cycling offences depending on the circumstances.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask His Majesty's Government what plans they have to encourage more freight on to rail for efficiency and environmental reasons; and to improve Ely Junction to facilitate goods travelling by rail from east coast ports and elsewhere in the UK.

Answered by Lord Davies of Gower - Shadow Secretary of State for Wales

The Government is committed to growing rail freight to unlock the economic and environmental benefits it can deliver. We are undertaking a number of initiatives including setting a long-term growth target of increasing freight moved by rail by at least 75% by 2050, which was announced in December 2023, and a review of the Mode Shift Revenue Support scheme. Network Rail also continues to work closely with freight operators to improve performance and efficient use of the network.

The October 2023 Network North announcement confirmed Government’s support for the Ely Area Capacity Enhancement. The next stage of work for the scheme will involve detailed design work, development of a Full Business Case and beginning the process for securing delivery powers (for example, a Transport and Works Act Order).

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask His Majesty's Government what plans they have to decarbonise transport infrastructure further towards the goal of net zero; and what measures they propose to achieve this aim.

Answered by Lord Davies of Gower - Shadow Secretary of State for Wales

The Department for Transport (DfT) formed the Infrastructure Decarbonisation Division in April 2023 to drive action on the decarbonisation of transport infrastructure. DfT requires all transport infrastructure projects that it funds to produce carbon management plans that include a comprehensive whole life carbon assessment, and a plan to reduce carbon across the project lifecycle in line with industry standards (the British Standards Institute’s PAS 2080:2023 and the Royal Institute for Chartered Surveyor’s Whole Life Carbon Assessment guidance).

DfT maintains frequent engagement with its Arm’s Length Bodies to support progress against their own carbon reduction plans.

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