Asked by: Hywel Williams (Plaid Cymru - Arfon)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, with reference to the Electrically Assisted Pedal Cycles Regulations 1983, what assessment he has made of the impact of the requirement that the electric motors of such cycles must have a maximum power output of 250 watts on the ability of (a) cargo bikes and (b) adaptive disability bikes to operate safely and effectively on (i) hilly and (ii) other terrain.
Answered by Jesse Norman
The Department is aware that there may be benefits in increasing the continuous rated motor power for Electrically Assisted Pedal Cycles (EAPC) particularly for e-cargo bikes and bikes adapted for people with disabilities. Any amendments would need to take account of how changes could affect the safety of the rider and other road users, including pedestrians.
The Department most recently reviewed the case for amending the current power restrictions as part of the Future of Transport Regulatory Review Call for Evidence published in 2020. The summary of the Call for Evidence is available online, at: www.gov.uk/government/consultations/future-of-transport-regulatory-review-call-for-evidence-on-micromobility-vehicles-flexible-bus-services-and-mobility-as-a-service. The matter was also considered as part of a call for evidence on last mile deliveries in 2018. The Government’s response to this consultation is available online, at: https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/the-last-mile-a-call-for-evidence.
The Department will continue to keep the policy under review.
Asked by: Hywel Williams (Plaid Cymru - Arfon)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if he will make an assessment of the potential merits of increasing the maximum power output for electrically assisted pedal cycles used as (a) cargo bikes and (b) adaptive disability bikes while maintaining existing speed limits.
Answered by Jesse Norman
The Department is aware that there may be benefits in increasing the continuous rated motor power for Electrically Assisted Pedal Cycles (EAPC) particularly for e-cargo bikes and bikes adapted for people with disabilities. Any amendments would need to take account of how changes could affect the safety of the rider and other road users, including pedestrians.
The Department most recently reviewed the case for amending the current power restrictions as part of the Future of Transport Regulatory Review Call for Evidence published in 2020. The summary of the Call for Evidence is available online, at: www.gov.uk/government/consultations/future-of-transport-regulatory-review-call-for-evidence-on-micromobility-vehicles-flexible-bus-services-and-mobility-as-a-service. The matter was also considered as part of a call for evidence on last mile deliveries in 2018. The Government’s response to this consultation is available online, at: https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/the-last-mile-a-call-for-evidence.
The Department will continue to keep the policy under review.
Asked by: Hywel Williams (Plaid Cymru - Arfon)
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 encouraging the use of electrically assisted pedal cycles in he final stages of deliveries on the Government’s ability to meet its climate targets.
Answered by Jesse Norman
Electrically Assisted Pedal Cycles are an important part of the Government’s ambition for active travel, including in relation to the support of last mile deliveries.
The Department has previously provided grant funding for organisations and local authorities to purchase e-cargo cycles. A report on the impact of this funding will be published in due course.
Asked by: Hywel Williams (Plaid Cymru - Arfon)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, with reference to the Railways high level output specification 2022 and Railways statement of funds available 2022 published on 1 December 2022, how much of the funding for Network Rail expenditure he plans to allocate to Wales.
Answered by Huw Merriman - Minister of State (Department for Transport)
The Secretary of State's High-level Output Specification and Statement of Funds Available for Control Period 7 were published in December 2022. These documents set Network Rail’s high-level operations, maintenance and renewals objectives and funding envelope in England and Wales. Enhancements are excluded as these are planned and funded separately. The precise allocation of funding between Network Rail's different regions, including Wales, is decided by Network Rail's business planning process and is subject to the determinations of the independent regulator, the Office of Rail and Road.
Asked by: Hywel Williams (Plaid Cymru - Arfon)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, how many driving instructors there were in Wales in each of the last five years; and how many of these instructors were able to conduct tests in Welsh.
Answered by Richard Holden - Minister without Portfolio (Cabinet Office)
| Number of driving examiners in Wales | Number of driving examiners able to conduct tests in Welsh |
2022 | 98 | 8 |
2021 | 90 | 13 |
2020 | 88 | 13 |
2019 | 89 | 13 |
2018 | 95 | No historic data held |
We have recently recruited 403 driving examiners, of which 25 are in Welsh test centres.
Waiting times in Wales for car practical driving tests have reduced from 18.3 weeks as of 21 June 2021 to 12.5 weeks as of 16 January 2023.
On 13 January 2023, the DVSA launched its latest campaign to recruit another 183 DE posts.
Asked by: Hywel Williams (Plaid Cymru - Arfon)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what the average waiting time for practical car driving tests is in North Wales.
Answered by Richard Holden - Minister without Portfolio (Cabinet Office)
| Number of driving examiners in Wales | Number of driving examiners able to conduct tests in Welsh |
2022 | 98 | 8 |
2021 | 90 | 13 |
2020 | 88 | 13 |
2019 | 89 | 13 |
2018 | 95 | No historic data held |
We have recently recruited 403 driving examiners, of which 25 are in Welsh test centres.
Waiting times in Wales for car practical driving tests have reduced from 18.3 weeks as of 21 June 2021 to 12.5 weeks as of 16 January 2023.
On 13 January 2023, the DVSA launched its latest campaign to recruit another 183 DE posts.
Asked by: Hywel Williams (Plaid Cymru - Arfon)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, how many and what proportion of the 436 additional driving instructors announced have been recruited; how many have been recruited in North Wales as of 19 January 2023; and of those recruited in North Wales how many are able to conduct tests in Welsh
Answered by Richard Holden - Minister without Portfolio (Cabinet Office)
| Number of driving examiners in Wales | Number of driving examiners able to conduct tests in Welsh |
2022 | 98 | 8 |
2021 | 90 | 13 |
2020 | 88 | 13 |
2019 | 89 | 13 |
2018 | 95 | No historic data held |
We have recently recruited 403 driving examiners, of which 25 are in Welsh test centres.
Waiting times in Wales for car practical driving tests have reduced from 18.3 weeks as of 21 June 2021 to 12.5 weeks as of 16 January 2023.
On 13 January 2023, the DVSA launched its latest campaign to recruit another 183 DE posts.
Asked by: Hywel Williams (Plaid Cymru - Arfon)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if he will make an assessment of the impact of the reduction in Avanti West Coast's service since summer 2022 on the economy of North Wales.
Answered by Huw Merriman - Minister of State (Department for Transport)
No assessment has been made of the specific impact but the Department recognises the importance of a high performing railway in contributing to growth and local economies. Avanti West Coast temporarily reduced its overall timetable to ensure a more stable and reliable service for passengers. It has now restored services to North Wales with five direct services between London and Holyhead per day, more than before the August timetable step-down. Crucially, this uplift in services is not dependent on driver rest day working.
Asked by: Hywel Williams (Plaid Cymru - Arfon)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, how many and what proportion of the 436 additional driving instructors announced have been recruited; and how many have been recruited in (a) Wales and (b) North Wales as of 25 November 2022.
Answered by Richard Holden - Minister without Portfolio (Cabinet Office)
The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) is working hard to provide as many practical driving test appointments as it can, including recruiting more than 300 driving examiners across Great Britain. The first recovery recruitment campaign was launched on 10 February 2021. Since then, 383 driving examiners have entered testing, of which 24 were in Welsh test centres.
On 20 September 2022, the DVSA launched its latest campaign to recruit another 134 driving examiner posts.
Since the commencement of the recovery recruitment campaigns, waiting times in Wales for car practical driving tests have reduced from 18.3 weeks as of 21 June 2021 to 5.8 weeks as of 31 October 2022, with a year to date average waiting time of 6.7 weeks.
Asked by: Hywel Williams (Plaid Cymru - Arfon)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what recent assessment has he made of the impact of the requirement for doctors issuing Seafarer medical certificates to be approved by the Maritime Coastguard Agency on the ability of seafarers to obtain those certificates.
Answered by Robert Courts - Solicitor General (Attorney General's Office)
The impact of requiring doctors to be approved by the Maritime and Coastguard Agency has not been assessed as this is necessary to comply with the relevant international Conventions.