Asked by: Alex Brewer (Liberal Democrat - North East Hampshire)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether she plans to review the threshold at which councils have to act upon road safety concerns.
Answered by Lilian Greenwood - Government Whip, Lord Commissioner of HM Treasury
Local government is the main delivery agent of road safety. The responsibility to implement, fund, deliver, promote and enforce local road safety initiatives remains with the Local Authorities under the 1988 Road Traffic Act. They will decide what measures may be appropriate to “take steps both to reduce and prevent accidents” and they are also responsible for the management of local roads, within the rules set by Government, including setting local speed limits where the national limit would not be appropriate.
The Government treats road safety seriously and is committed to reducing the numbers of those killed and injured on our roads. The Road Safety Strategy is under development and will include a broad range of policies. More details will be set out in due course.
Asked by: Alex Brewer (Liberal Democrat - North East Hampshire)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment she has made of the value for money of patching potholes rather than providing a permanent fix.
Answered by Simon Lightwood - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
The department published a review into the value for money of investment in local highways maintenance, which also set out the cost benefits of proactive and preventative maintenance. The review is available online, at: www.gov.uk/government/publications/economic-appraisal-for-investing-in-local-highways-maintenance
This year, the Government made available an additional £500 million for local highway authorities to maintain their highway network, bringing the total to a record investment of £1.6 billion. 25% of the additional funding is contingent upon local highway authorities complying with certain criteria aimed at driving best practice and continual improvement in highways maintenance. This includes local highway authorities having to demonstrate to Government how much they are spending on highways maintenance, incl. the balance of spend between preventative and reactive maintenance. In this context, the department has written to all local highway authorities to emphasise that when determining the balance between preventative and reactive maintenance, authorities should adopt the principle that prevention is better than cure, as also set out in the Code of Practice for well-managed highway infrastructure, available online, at: https://www.ciht.org.uk/ukrlg-home/code-of-practice/.
Asked by: Alex Brewer (Liberal Democrat - North East Hampshire)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps she is taking to (a) support bus services in (i) North East Hampshire constituency and (ii) other rural areas and b) reinstate bus routes that have been cancelled.
Answered by Simon Lightwood - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
The Government knows how important, reliable and affordable bus services are enabling people to access education, work and vital services. The Government is committed to delivering better bus services across the country, including North East Hampshire and rural areas right across England.
The government introduced the Bus Services (No. 2) Bill on 17 December as part of our ambitious plan for bus reform. The Bill will put passenger needs, reliable services and local accountability at the heart of the industry by putting the power over local bus services back in the hands of local leaders.
As part of the Autumn 2024 Budget, the government allocated £955 million to support and improve bus services in 2025/26. This includes £712 million for local authorities that can be used to expand services and improve reliability, which are currently massive obstacles for too many people. Hampshire County Council was allocated £14 million of this funding. Funding allocated to local authorities to deliver better bus services can be used in whichever way they wish to improve services for passengers, including expanding services and improving reliability.
The government reaffirmed its commitment to investing in bus services long-term in this Spending Review. On 11 June, the government confirmed additional £900m funding per year from 2026/27 to maintain and improve bus services, including taking forward franchising pilots and extending the £3 bus fare cap until March 2027.
Asked by: Alex Brewer (Liberal Democrat - North East Hampshire)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of heavy and large goods vehicles on (a) rural roads and (b) the surrounding natural environment.
Answered by Simon Lightwood - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
Local traffic authorities have powers under Sections 1 & 2 of the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984, which allow for the restriction or prohibition of the use of HGVs on any road, for a wide range of safety and environmental reasons. These measures can be implemented by making Traffic Regulation Orders (TROs) without reference to the Department for Transport.
The Traffic Signs Regulations and General Directions 2016 provide various signs for authorities to consider if they choose to do this, including signs informing motorists that certain roads are unsuitable for HGVs or if a weight limit is in place. The restrictions are then enforceable by the police.
Local authorities can also introduce extra controls on emissions if there are air quality problems in their area. If air quality falls below required standards, the council should declare an Air Quality Management Area (AQMA) and make plans for improvements.
Asked by: Alex Brewer (Liberal Democrat - North East Hampshire)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment she has made of the prevalence of speeding in rural areas in Hampshire; and what assessment she made of the potential impact of speeding on pedestrians and cyclists' usage of roads in rural areas in Hampshire.
Answered by Simon Lightwood - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
The Department for Transport recognises that speeding in rural areas, including those in Hampshire, can have a significant impact on road safety and the confidence of vulnerable road users such as pedestrians and cyclists. While the Department has not conducted a specific assessment of prevalence of speeding or its impact on pedestrian and cyclist road usage in rural Hampshire, the latest statistics show there were 686 speed-related collisions in the county in 2023. This represents a slight increase from 660 in 2022. (Note: Rural-specific data isn’t available.)
The DfT issues best practice guidance on setting local speed limits. This is designed to make sure that speed limits are appropriately and consistently set, whilst allowing for flexibility to deal with local needs and circumstances.
The guidance can be viewed at the following link: www.gov.uk/government/publications/setting-local-speed-limits
The Government treats road safety seriously and is committed to reducing the numbers of those killed and injured on our roads. To this end, my Department is developing its Road Safety Strategy and will set out more details in due course.
Asked by: Alex Brewer (Liberal Democrat - North East Hampshire)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment she has made of trends in the level of time taken for driving tests in (a) Farnborough, (b) Basingstoke and (c) Guildford; and what steps she is taking to help reduce the backlog of those tests.
Answered by Lilian Greenwood - Government Whip, Lord Commissioner of HM Treasury
The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency’s (DVSA) main priority is upholding road safety standards while it works hard to reduce car practical driving test waiting times.
DVSA does not employ driving instructors. Whilst DVSA does not have the power to either increase or limit the number of approved driving instructors (ADIs), the number of instructors on DVSA’s ADI register has increased in the last few years.
DVSA is committed to providing its customers with the best service possible. The agency continually reviews its estate to ensure it represents good value for money and is efficient. It currently has no plans for any additional driving test centres.
The table below shows the average waiting time, in weeks, for a car practical driving test in, Basingstoke, Farnborough and Guildford driving test centres for each of the last six months.
| Basingstoke | Farnborough | Guildford | National |
April 2025 | 15.5 | 24 | 10.5 | 22.3 |
March 2025 | 24 | 24 | 24 | 21.7 |
February 2025 | 24 | 24 | 18.5 | 21.3 |
January 2025 | 24 | 24 | 24 | 20.8 |
December 2024 | 19.2 | 24 | 24 | 20.8 |
November 2024 | 22.4 | 24 | 19.3 | 19.7 |
On the 23 April, the Secretary of State for Transport appeared before the Transport Select Committee and announced that DVSA will take further actions to reduce waiting times for all customers across the country.
Further information on these actions, and progress on DVSA’s 7-point plan announced in December 2024, can be found on GOV.UK.
DVSA’s 7-point plan included recruiting 450 driving examiners (DE). In its recent recruitment campaign, DVSA advertised for five DEs for Farnborough and Guildford. DVSA’s recent recruitment activity in the area has resulted in:
two DEs successfully completing their training and are now providing car practical driving tests;
two DEs currently in training;
one DE waiting to begin training; and
two DEs completing pre-employment checks.
DVSA also advertised for three DEs in the Basingstoke and Greenham (Newbury) area.
Asked by: Alex Brewer (Liberal Democrat - North East Hampshire)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment she has made of the potential merits of (a) recruiting new driving instructors and (b) opening new test centres in North East Hampshire constituency.
Answered by Lilian Greenwood - Government Whip, Lord Commissioner of HM Treasury
The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency’s (DVSA) main priority is upholding road safety standards while it works hard to reduce car practical driving test waiting times.
DVSA does not employ driving instructors. Whilst DVSA does not have the power to either increase or limit the number of approved driving instructors (ADIs), the number of instructors on DVSA’s ADI register has increased in the last few years.
DVSA is committed to providing its customers with the best service possible. The agency continually reviews its estate to ensure it represents good value for money and is efficient. It currently has no plans for any additional driving test centres.
The table below shows the average waiting time, in weeks, for a car practical driving test in, Basingstoke, Farnborough and Guildford driving test centres for each of the last six months.
| Basingstoke | Farnborough | Guildford | National |
April 2025 | 15.5 | 24 | 10.5 | 22.3 |
March 2025 | 24 | 24 | 24 | 21.7 |
February 2025 | 24 | 24 | 18.5 | 21.3 |
January 2025 | 24 | 24 | 24 | 20.8 |
December 2024 | 19.2 | 24 | 24 | 20.8 |
November 2024 | 22.4 | 24 | 19.3 | 19.7 |
On the 23 April, the Secretary of State for Transport appeared before the Transport Select Committee and announced that DVSA will take further actions to reduce waiting times for all customers across the country.
Further information on these actions, and progress on DVSA’s 7-point plan announced in December 2024, can be found on GOV.UK.
DVSA’s 7-point plan included recruiting 450 driving examiners (DE). In its recent recruitment campaign, DVSA advertised for five DEs for Farnborough and Guildford. DVSA’s recent recruitment activity in the area has resulted in:
two DEs successfully completing their training and are now providing car practical driving tests;
two DEs currently in training;
one DE waiting to begin training; and
two DEs completing pre-employment checks.
DVSA also advertised for three DEs in the Basingstoke and Greenham (Newbury) area.
Asked by: Alex Brewer (Liberal Democrat - North East Hampshire)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps she is taking to ensure consistency across local authorities over motorcycles using bus lanes.
Answered by Lilian Greenwood - Government Whip, Lord Commissioner of HM Treasury
As set out in the consultation response published on 21 November 2024, the Department for Transport will update TAL 1/24 to include advice that local authorities should work with neighbouring authorities to achieve consistency of provision across boundaries, particularly in urban areas but no publication date has been set.
The Department is also considering how best to work with combined authorities and Transport for London, to encourage a more joined up approach to motorcycle access in these areas.
Asked by: Alex Brewer (Liberal Democrat - North East Hampshire)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment she has made of the adequacy of public transport to hospitals in Hampshire and Surrey.
Answered by Simon Lightwood - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
The Government knows that a modern public transport network is vital to providing access to services and keeping communities connected. The government introduced the Bus Services (No. 2) Bill on 17 December 2024 as part of its ambitious plan for bus reform.
The Bill puts the power over local bus services back in the hands of local leaders and is intended to ensure bus services reflect the needs of the communities that rely on them right across England, including ensuring access to vital local services such as hospitals. The government has committed to increasing accountability by including a measure on socially necessary services so that local authorities and bus operators have to have regard for alternatives to changing or cancelling services.
In addition, the government has confirmed £955 million for the 2025 to 2026 financial year to support and improve bus services in England outside London. This includes £243 million for bus operators and £712 million allocated to local authorities, of which Hampshire County Council has been allocated over £14 million and Surry County Council over £12 million. Local authorities can use this funding to introduce new bus routes, make services more frequent and protect crucial bus routes for local communities.
Asked by: Alex Brewer (Liberal Democrat - North East Hampshire)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps her Department is taking to monitor train service improvements in North East Hampshire constituency.
Answered by Simon Lightwood - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
Department officials are in regular conversation with South Western Railway regarding its service provision in response to demand. When reviewing train services, the Department needs to assess business cases and balance demand with value for the taxpayer in its considerations.