Asked by: David Williams (Labour - Stoke-on-Trent North)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, when the Department plans to publish its response to the consultations launched alongside the Road Safety Strategy published in January 2026.
Answered by Justin Madders - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
The government response to the consultation on mandating vehicle safety technologies in GB type approval was published on 16 July 2026.
Responses to the consultations on motoring offences, introducing a minimum learning period for learner drivers, introducing mandatory eyesight testing for older drivers and improved moped and motorcycle training, testing and licensing are currently being analysed.
Government responses to those consultations will be published once analysis has concluded.
Asked by: David Williams (Labour - Stoke-on-Trent North)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether her Department plans to bring forward legislation to amend section 7A of the Road Traffic Act 1988 so that a specimen of blood taken from a driver incapable of giving consent may be tested without that driver's subsequent consent.
Answered by Justin Madders - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
The Government recently consulted on possible changes to the law and practice governing drink and drug testing. Responses are being analysed and the Government will set out its conclusions and any next steps in its response to the consultation.
Asked by: David Williams (Labour - Stoke-on-Trent North)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether she has made an assessment of the adequacy of the condition of local roads in Staffordshire.
Answered by Simon Lightwood - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
The Department published a new traffic light rating system for all local highway authorities in England on 11 January which rates authorities red, amber or green based on the condition of their roads, how effectively they spend their record Government funding, and whether they do so using best practice. This system allows the Government to identify where authorities need to improve and to provide them with support to ensure road conditions improve nationwide.
Staffordshire County Council received an overall amber rating. Its three scorecards show amber for condition, green for spend, and amber for wider best practice.
The Government recognises that the condition of local roads has been affected by historic underinvestment. To address this, it has committed a record £7.3 billion for local highways maintenance over the next four years, in addition to £1.6 billion provided in the last financial year. This longer-term funding provides authorities with greater certainty to plan ahead and move from short-term repairs to more proactive and preventative maintenance.
Asked by: David Williams (Labour - Stoke-on-Trent North)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether her Department has made an assessment of the potential merits of restoring the hourly electric train service between Crewe and Birmingham.
Answered by Simon Lightwood - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
The previous change in the December 2022 timetable was designed so West Midlands Trains could optimise the connections for passengers travelling to and from Stone and deliver high levels of operational performance. Officials continue to discuss possible ways of restoring such a service with West Midlands Trains.
Asked by: David Williams (Labour - Stoke-on-Trent North)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether her Department plans to grant local authorities powers to (a) improve and (b) regulate private bus services in areas without bus franchising.
Answered by Simon Lightwood - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
Improving local transport services is a key part of this government’s growth mission, and the government has set out plans to deliver better bus services, grow passenger numbers and drive opportunity to under-served regions.
As announced in the King’s Speech on 17 July 2024, the government will introduce a Buses Bill later this parliamentary session. The Bill seeks to deliver new powers for local leaders and will empower them to choose the model that works best in their area, whether that be franchising high quality partnerships with private operators, or public ownership.
In addition, government is undertaking a review into Enhanced Partnerships between local authorities and bus operators with a view to strengthening collaboration and delivery.