Asked by: Alan Brown (Scottish National Party - Kilmarnock and Loudoun)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, how many ships are being held offshore waiting to be able to unload goods at UK ports as at 15 October 2021.
Answered by Robert Courts - Solicitor General (Attorney General's Office)
The specific details of vessel movements to and from our ports, and how they choose to undertake their operations or manage schedules, is a matter for shipping lines, in conjunction with relevant port operators. Waiting at anchor can be part of normal operations, and for many reasons, such as bad weather.
It is the case however, that recent reporting of significant vessel delays at anchor due to supply chain bottlenecks are inaccurate. Very few vessels have been held at anchor and any delays minimal.
Asked by: Alan Brown (Scottish National Party - Kilmarnock and Loudoun)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what structural assessment has been made of the (a) condition and (b) integrity of Low Ashyard Railway viaduct; what work has been undertaken on that viaduct to date; and what future works are required.
Answered by Chris Heaton-Harris - Secretary of State for Northern Ireland
The Low Ashyard Bridge is listed on the National Highways (NH) website as being on hold as it falls within the pause across the Historical Railways Estate. However, National Highways intend to strengthen this structure to maintain access – the route under the bridge is currently used for active travel (the Chris Hoy Cycleway).
In 2010, due to issues with the strength of the bridge, the local highway authority imposed a 7.5 tonne weight limit on the road over the bridge. The bridge is inspected annually by the Historical Railways Estate team.
In December 2019 a detailed examination of the structure found that the timber bearings had failed. As a result, temporary props were installed in 2020 to ensure the routes over and through the bridge remained open and safe to use.
National Highways is in discussions with Ayrshire Roads Alliance about the future of this bridge. The plan is to design a strengthening solution, delivered next financial year, that keeps the cycleway open.
Asked by: Alan Brown (Scottish National Party - Kilmarnock and Loudoun)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what recent discussions has he had with operators of key freight ports on (a) staffing levels and (b) the subsequent impact on the movement of goods; and if he will make a statement.
Answered by Robert Courts - Solicitor General (Attorney General's Office)
The Department is in regular contact with key port operators at Ministerial and official level. Most recently this has been concerned with the wider global international shipping issues arising from increased disruption and demand, as well as the domestic supply chain matters. That engagement has not indicated port staffing to be a factor in those delays.
Asked by: Alan Brown (Scottish National Party - Kilmarnock and Loudoun)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment he has made of the potential merits of extending the expiration dates of theory driving tests in response to the backlog of practical driving test applications, to minimise risks of learners requiring to take a further theory test creating additional backlogs.
Answered by Rachel Maclean
The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) is aware that demand for theory tests in Scotland is currently high and it is doing all it can to offer more tests at centres by increasing opening hours and running tests on extra days where possible. The provision of additional testing is dependent upon the availability of venues and agreements with landlords. The DVSA is working with its theory test provider, Pearson VUE, to explore further ways in which it can further increase theory test capacity.
The DVSA is continuing to work with the Scottish Government but as a result of the 2 metre physical distancing restrictions in Scotland, as required by the Scottish Government, it is unable to increase the number of desks used to take tests. This has reduced capacity at most theory test sites by 50%.
The DVSA and its theory test contract provider, Pearson VUE, have explored the possibility of delivering the theory tests outside of existing sites, but this was found to be not suitable as it is dependent upon a physical infrastructure within the Pearson VUE network.
As of 18 June, the waiting time for a car theory test in Ayrshire and Central Scotland is 11 weeks.
The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) understands the effect that the pandemic has had on all those involved with driver training and testing. It is inevitable the demand for existing and new learners wanting to book practical driving tests will be higher than usual.
The DVSA has put in place a number of measures to increase practical driving tests. These include offering overtime and annual leave buy back to examiners, asking all those qualified to conduct tests, but who do not do so as part of their current day job, to return to conducting tests, and conducting out of hours testing (such as on public holidays). The DVSA is also running a recruitment campaign to increase the overall number of examiners. The aim is to increase testing capacity and reduce the backlog as quickly as possible, whilst maintaining a COVID-secure service for customers and examiners.
As of 18 June, the waiting time for a car practical test in Ayrshire is: 4 weeks at Ayr and 18 weeks at Irvine, and in Central Scotland is: 14 weeks at Livingston and 13 weeks at Stirling.
The maximum duration of two years between passing the theory test and a subsequent practical test is in place to ensure a candidate’s road safety knowledge and ability to identify developing hazards is current. This validity period is set in legislation and the Government has no current plans to lay further legislation to extend it.
It is important road safety knowledge and hazard perception skills are up to date at the critical point a person drives unsupervised for the first time. Those with theory test certificates expiring now will have taken their test in early 2019. Since then, they have been unable to take lessons and practice for long periods of time, and not at all during recent lockdowns. It is difficult to maintain knowledge and understanding of driving theory at the level required during that time without being able to put it into practice. Research suggests that this would be particularly harmful for hazard perception skills, a key factor in road safety.
Ensuring new drivers have current relevant knowledge and skills is a vital part of the preparation of new drivers, who are disproportionality represented in casualty statistics. Learners will therefore need to pass another theory test if their certificate expires.
Asked by: Alan Brown (Scottish National Party - Kilmarnock and Loudoun)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment he has made of the backlog in practical driving test availability in (a) Ayrshire and (b) Central Scotland; and what steps he is taking to clear that backlog.
Answered by Rachel Maclean
The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) is aware that demand for theory tests in Scotland is currently high and it is doing all it can to offer more tests at centres by increasing opening hours and running tests on extra days where possible. The provision of additional testing is dependent upon the availability of venues and agreements with landlords. The DVSA is working with its theory test provider, Pearson VUE, to explore further ways in which it can further increase theory test capacity.
The DVSA is continuing to work with the Scottish Government but as a result of the 2 metre physical distancing restrictions in Scotland, as required by the Scottish Government, it is unable to increase the number of desks used to take tests. This has reduced capacity at most theory test sites by 50%.
The DVSA and its theory test contract provider, Pearson VUE, have explored the possibility of delivering the theory tests outside of existing sites, but this was found to be not suitable as it is dependent upon a physical infrastructure within the Pearson VUE network.
As of 18 June, the waiting time for a car theory test in Ayrshire and Central Scotland is 11 weeks.
The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) understands the effect that the pandemic has had on all those involved with driver training and testing. It is inevitable the demand for existing and new learners wanting to book practical driving tests will be higher than usual.
The DVSA has put in place a number of measures to increase practical driving tests. These include offering overtime and annual leave buy back to examiners, asking all those qualified to conduct tests, but who do not do so as part of their current day job, to return to conducting tests, and conducting out of hours testing (such as on public holidays). The DVSA is also running a recruitment campaign to increase the overall number of examiners. The aim is to increase testing capacity and reduce the backlog as quickly as possible, whilst maintaining a COVID-secure service for customers and examiners.
As of 18 June, the waiting time for a car practical test in Ayrshire is: 4 weeks at Ayr and 18 weeks at Irvine, and in Central Scotland is: 14 weeks at Livingston and 13 weeks at Stirling.
The maximum duration of two years between passing the theory test and a subsequent practical test is in place to ensure a candidate’s road safety knowledge and ability to identify developing hazards is current. This validity period is set in legislation and the Government has no current plans to lay further legislation to extend it.
It is important road safety knowledge and hazard perception skills are up to date at the critical point a person drives unsupervised for the first time. Those with theory test certificates expiring now will have taken their test in early 2019. Since then, they have been unable to take lessons and practice for long periods of time, and not at all during recent lockdowns. It is difficult to maintain knowledge and understanding of driving theory at the level required during that time without being able to put it into practice. Research suggests that this would be particularly harmful for hazard perception skills, a key factor in road safety.
Ensuring new drivers have current relevant knowledge and skills is a vital part of the preparation of new drivers, who are disproportionality represented in casualty statistics. Learners will therefore need to pass another theory test if their certificate expires.