Asked by: Lord Lipsey (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask Her Majesty's Government what consideration they are giving to mandatory number plates for cyclists.
Answered by Baroness Vere of Norbiton - Parliamentary Secretary (HM Treasury)
The Government currently has no plans to introduce number plates for cyclists. The absence of a number plate does not prevent a cyclist from being liable for their actions. For those who do not adopt a responsible attitude, or if their use of the highway creates an unsafe environment, there are laws in place that can make them liable for prosecution. Enforcement of cycling offences is a matter for the police.
Asked by: Lord Lipsey (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask Her Majesty's Government why those who receive a new driving licence from the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) are required to cut in half and return their previous driving licence to the DVLA; and what estimate they have made of the annual cost to their customers of this requirement.
Answered by Baroness Vere of Norbiton - Parliamentary Secretary (HM Treasury)
It is a long-standing requirement to return the previous driving licence to the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) when a new licence has been issued. This helps to reduce the number of previous driving licences in circulation and to ensure that drivers only have one licence at any time. This requirement is currently under consideration.
No specific estimate has been made of the annual cost to customers to return their previous driving licence.
Asked by: Lord Lipsey (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask Her Majesty's Government what calculations, if any, they have made of the savings that would result if the speed limit in roadworks on the M4 was increased from 50 to 60 miles per hour.
Answered by Baroness Vere of Norbiton - Parliamentary Secretary (HM Treasury)
Highways England has not assessed the specific savings of using a 60mph speed limit in the roadworks on the M4 between junctions 3 and 12. However, Highways England and its supply chain are currently assessing whether there are opportunities for this higher speed limit to be introduced on the M4. In all cases, careful consideration has to be given to the safety implications of increasing speed limits in roadworks, and not all roadworks will be suitable for a higher speed limit.
Asked by: Lord Lipsey (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Baroness Sugg on 4 April (HL14781), what discount rate they applied to the forecasted benefits.
Answered by Baroness Vere of Norbiton - Parliamentary Secretary (HM Treasury)
The benefits of the scheme were calculated over a 60-year period. The discount rate applied to the forecasted benefits was 3.5% each year for the first 30 years and 3% each year for the next 30 years, as stipulated in the HM Treasury’s “The Green Book: Central Government Guidance on Appraisal and Evaluation
Asked by: Lord Lipsey (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask Her Majesty's Government what is the estimated value of motorists' time lost due to the 50mph speed limit in place as part of the works to create a digital M6 motorway.
Answered by Baroness Vere of Norbiton - Parliamentary Secretary (HM Treasury)
The impact of delays during construction of the current M6 Junctions 2 to 4 and Junctions 13 to 15 smart motorway schemes was assessed as part of the economic appraisal undertaken prior to the start of construction. This took into account various factors including the impact of the construction programme in full, lane availability and also the effect of limiting traffic speed to 50mph. This assessment gave an estimated value of £80 million for motorist’s journey time lost during construction.
The economic appraisal also forecast that the completed schemes would give a journey time gain of £802 million to motorists.
In July 2018, Highways England announced its intention to test whether 60mph speed limits in roadworks could be used more often. That work is ongoing, and it is anticipated that the benefits will include improved journey times for motorists.
Asked by: Lord Lipsey (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask Her Majesty's Government what is the estimated value of motorists' time lost due to the 50mph limit in place as part of the works to create a digital M4.
Answered by Baroness Sugg
The impact of delays during construction of the M4 junction 3 to 12 smart motorway scheme was assessed as part of the economic appraisal undertaken prior to the start of construction. This took into account various factors including the impact of the construction programme in full, lane availability and also the effect of limiting traffic speed to 50mph. This assessment gave an estimated value of £123m for user delay costs during construction. The economic appraisal also forecasts that the scheme could deliver £2 of benefits for every £1 of cost.
Asked by: Lord Lipsey (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask Her Majesty's Government what information they hold on the number of failed attempts by people over 70 to renew their driving licences online.
Answered by Baroness Sugg
Over the last year, 77.6% of online applications to renew a driving licence made by customers over the age of 70 were completed successfully.
General information is not available on why applications were not completed. However, some applications (2.8%) could not be completed online as further information (usually medical or identity information) was required.
Asked by: Lord Lipsey (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask Her Majesty's Government how the online application system for people over 70 to renew their driving licences was piloted.
Answered by Baroness Sugg
The online service enabling motorists to renew their driving licence when they reach the age of 70 has been in place since June 2007. Unlike newer digital services, this system was not piloted with users before it was introduced.
As part of the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA)’s plans to transform its IT estate, the majority of its existing online driver licensing services will be replaced over time. The DVLA will use service standard assessments and its user experience testing laboratory to help ensure that its online services meet the needs of users. This testing will be nationwide and include all demographics in line with research standards.
Asked by: Lord Lipsey (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask Her Majesty's Government what is the average time taken by customers to fill out the online application for people over 70 to renew their driving licence.
Answered by Baroness Sugg
The average time taken to complete a fully completed online application to renew a driving licence at the age of 70 and above is 17 minutes and 47 seconds. Some customers may be unable to complete the application in full online because further information (usually medical or identity information) may be needed.