Asked by: Andrew Rosindell (Conservative - Romford)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether his Department plans to regulate the use of e-bicycles by commercial delivery drivers.
Answered by Guy Opperman - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
E-bikes are already regulated in accordance with the Electrically Assisted Pedal Cycle Regulations 1983, as amended.
Asked by: Andrew Rosindell (Conservative - Romford)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether he has met with his Swiss counterparts regarding the proposed train link between London St. Pancras and Basel.
Answered by Huw Merriman - Minister of State (Department for Transport)
The Government fully supports the growth of international rail services and regularly engages with European partners to discuss the potential for new routes. In May 2023 the Secretary of State met his Swiss counterpart and discussed the potential for a future direct rail connection between the UK and Switzerland. My officials have subsequently met with and continue to work with Swiss counterparts to explore this further.
The potential for any new international services is subject to commercial appetite. My officials stand ready to engage with any prospective new operators where there are credible commercial proposals for new services.
Asked by: Andrew Rosindell (Conservative - Romford)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if his Department will take steps to provide funding for the (a) development and (b) implementation of driverless (i) underground trains, (ii) overground trains, (iii) metro systems and (iv) other public transport.
Answered by Huw Merriman - Minister of State (Department for Transport)
Whilst there are a number of automated light railway systems in the UK, such as the Docklands Light Railway in London, the implementation of such systems have not been deployed on the main line network due to their complexity.
The Department has no plans to provide specific funding for the development or implementation of driverless technology on existing light rail.
Asked by: Andrew Rosindell (Conservative - Romford)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if he will require MOT tests to use decibel meters to ensure that exhaust noise levels are legally compliant.
Answered by Guy Opperman - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
MOT testers are required to check if exhausts comply with the Construction and Use regulations that prohibit alterations which create excessive noise. Testers are generally capable of identifying these instances without a decibel meter, and those that are not can be identified by the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency. The MOT is an important safeguard, but excessive motor vehicle noise is also a result of nuisance driver behaviour that is regulated by local authorities.
Asked by: Andrew Rosindell (Conservative - Romford)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment he has made of the effectiveness of acoustic cameras; and whether he plans to increase the usage of such cameras.
Answered by Guy Opperman - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
As set out in the Government’s Plan for Drivers, the Department intends to publish the findings of the trial shortly. Subsequently, it will issue guidance to local authorities setting out minimum requirements and best practice for the use of noise cameras. This will support Local Authorities to make greater use of the technology.
Asked by: Andrew Rosindell (Conservative - Romford)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, with reference to the Answer of 23 October to Question 201077 on Electric Scooters, if he will make an assessment of the potential impact of mandatory e-step scooter training on the (a) experience of e-step scooter users and (b) number of injuries caused by e-step scooters.
Answered by Anthony Browne - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
The Department will consult in due course on options for e-scooter regulations, including the requirement for training before an e-scooter can be ridden on public roads. The evidence gathered will inform an assessment of the benefit of introducing a mandatory training requirement, as is the case currently for motor vehicles, rather than a recommendation of training, as is currently the case for pedal and e-cycles.
Separately, the Department is committed to using the trials extension to May 2026 to continue evaluating the usage and safety impacts of e-scooters.
Asked by: Andrew Rosindell (Conservative - Romford)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if he will make an assessment of the potential impact of bringing e-step scooters into L-Category regulation on (a) vehicle standards, (b) the skill levels of e-step scooter users and (c) the number of e-step scooter accidents.
Answered by Anthony Browne - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
Currently, e-scooters are considered motor vehicles in law. This means private e-scooters can only be used on public land if they comply with the legal requirements for motor vehicles and motorcycles, including the relevant type approval, Construction and Use and user requirements such as training, licensing and helmet wearing.
The Government is currently considering options for future e-scooter regulations, including such things as the requirement for users to hold a driving licence or to register and insure the vehicle, and various technical specifications for vehicles including maximum speed limits. No decisions have been made, and we will consult on any new regulations before they come into force so that all interested parties have a chance to shape the new regime.
The e-scooter trials, recently extended by a further two years to May 2026, also continue to have significant value as a source of evidence as we move toward a new regime.
The Department will conduct an impact assessment before regulations, including on training, are brought into force.
Asked by: Andrew Rosindell (Conservative - Romford)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if he will make an assessment of the potential impact of bringing e-step scooters into L-Category regulation on the (a) quality and (b) safety of e-step scooter vehicle design.
Answered by Anthony Browne - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
Currently, e-scooters are considered motor vehicles in law. This means private e-scooters can only be used on public land if they comply with the legal requirements for motor vehicles and motorcycles, including the relevant type approval, Construction and Use and user requirements such as training, licensing and helmet wearing.
The Government is currently considering options for future e-scooter regulations, including such things as the requirement for users to hold a driving licence or to register and insure the vehicle, and various technical specifications for vehicles including maximum speed limits. No decisions have been made, and we will consult on any new regulations before they come into force so that all interested parties have a chance to shape the new regime.
The e-scooter trials, recently extended by a further two years to May 2026, also continue to have significant value as a source of evidence as we move toward a new regime.
The Department will conduct an impact assessment before regulations, including on training, are brought into force.
Asked by: Andrew Rosindell (Conservative - Romford)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps he has taken with Cabinet colleagues to tackle antisocial behaviour in train stations (a) nationally and (b) in Romford constituency.
Answered by Huw Merriman - Minister of State (Department for Transport)
a) The Government published its ASB Action Plan in March 2023, which included a pilot to extend Transport Safety Officers to outside the West Midlands. In addition, the British Transport Police’s Integrated Security and Policing pilot ran from April 2022-23 focussing on harnessing the collective energy of policing and non-policing partners in tackling crime and disorder, vulnerability, and disruption on the network.
b) We have contacted the British Transport Police for information specific to Romford and will reply once this has been received.
Asked by: Andrew Rosindell (Conservative - Romford)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether his Department is taking steps to tackle the number of road accidents involving cats.
Answered by Guy Opperman - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
A focus for this Government is to make roads safer for all users, which will in turn reduce the risk to all animals.
Rule 286 of The Highway Code advises drivers to report any collisions involving an animal to the police, and if possible, they should make enquiries to ascertain the owner of domestic animals and advise them of the situation.