Asked by: Juliet Campbell (Labour - Broxtowe)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, how the Government plans to curb dangerous driving on the A52 in Broxtowe.
Answered by Lilian Greenwood - Government Whip, Lord Commissioner of HM Treasury
The Government is committed to reducing the numbers of those killed and injured on our roads.
We are considering a range of policies under the new Road Safety Strategy; the first for ten years. Details on this will be published shortly.
Asked by: Juliet Campbell (Labour - Broxtowe)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of the newly designated flight paths to East Midlands Airport on people living in Broxtowe constituency; and whether she has made an assessment of the potential merits of providing statutory compensation for affected residents, in the context of potential changes to levels of noise pollution and property values.
Answered by Keir Mather - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
East Midlands Airport is developing plans to modernise its airspace, in line with the Civil Aviation Authority’s (CAA) Airspace Change process (CAP1616). This process includes a requirement for the airspace change sponsor to engage with relevant stakeholders at different stages of the process, from the initial design principles to detailed options appraisal, before any final plans are submitted to the CAA. The airport has completed Stage 2 of this process, and the next stage will include consultation on its plans with communities who might be affected. Following this consultation, and any changes required as a result, the airport is expected to submit its proposals to the CAA.
The Government’s policy on aviation noise places the responsibility with airports to offer noise insulation assistance to households exposed to high noise levels and take other steps to support communities. Many airports exceed the minimum threshold set by Government and also offer other forms of support such as community funds.
Asked by: Juliet Campbell (Labour - Broxtowe)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether she plans to instruct National Highways and Nottinghamshire County Council to take a preventative stance on dangerous driving.
Answered by Simon Lightwood - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
The Government recognises the importance of preventing dangerous driving and ensuring the safety of all road users. Enforcement of driving offences is a matter for the police; however, National Highways works closely with police forces across the Midlands to maintain safety on the Strategic Road Network. It engages regularly with local authorities and police to deliver targeted safety improvements. It also takes a proactive stance on prevention by promoting safe driving through its road safety website, national campaigns such as “Go Left” and “T.R.I.P.” and electronic message signs.
Asked by: Juliet Campbell (Labour - Broxtowe)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether the Department holds records on the number of privately owned e-scooters currently in use by the general public that are not covered by appropriate motor vehicle insurance policies; and whether any specific enforcement measures are either in-place, or being considered to ensure compliance with relevant insurance requirements.
Answered by Simon Lightwood - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
The Department for Transport does not hold the information requested.
Enforcement of illegal e-scooter use is a matter for the police and a range of motoring offences and penalties already apply.
Asked by: Juliet Campbell (Labour - Broxtowe)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps her Department is taking to increase the number of driving tests in Broxtowe.
Answered by Simon Lightwood - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
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. The agency is intensifying its efforts to reduce waiting times and improve access to driving tests that will break down barriers to opportunity as part of the government’s Plan for Change.
On the 12 November, the Secretary of State for Transport, updated the Transport Select Committee on the government’s ongoing response to high driving test waiting times.
In the coming months, DVSA will:
DVSA is also continuing with recruitment campaigns across the country to provide as many tests as possible. Since July last year, DVSA has recruited and trained 344 driving examiners (DE) who are now in post and delivering driving tests. A full-time DE can be expected to add approximately 1,200 tests per year to the booking system.
Nottingham Chilwell test centre serves candidates from Broxtowe. Since June 2024, DVSA has recruited six new entrant driving examiners who are now conducting tests at Chilwell.
DVSA has also advertised for this test centre in its recent recruitment campaign and applicants are working their way through the interview process. DVSA will be advertising again for this test centre in its next recruitment campaign.
Asked by: Juliet Campbell (Labour - Broxtowe)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what progress her Department has made on the full electrification of the Midland Main Line; and whether her Department has a planned timetable for its completion.
Answered by Simon Lightwood - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
Electrification of the Midland Main Line (MML) between Kettering and Wigston is now complete and enhancements south of Bedford, are due to complete in August. Following the Spending Review, we will now be working to confirm our wider portfolio of rail enhancements, including the MML, which will be published as part of the government’s commitment to set out its overall infrastructure pipeline in the coming weeks.
Asked by: Juliet Campbell (Labour - Broxtowe)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if she will make an assessment of the potential merits of extending the length of time a driving theory test is valid for to tackle the backlog for practical tests.
Answered by Lilian Greenwood - Government Whip, Lord Commissioner of HM Treasury
The maximum duration of two years between passing the theory test and a subsequent practical test is in place to ensure a customer’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.
Asked by: Juliet Campbell (Labour - Broxtowe)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment her Department has made of the adequacy of transport infrastructure in the rural parts of the Broxtowe constituency.
Answered by Simon Lightwood - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
This Government is committed to restoring pride and trust in a transport system that works – day in, day out – for the people who rely on it.
That is why we have allocated very substantial funding to the East Midlands Combined County Authority, to enable it to make the best decisions about how to maintain and improve its local transport network, including in Broxtowe.
This funding includes over £2 billion until 2031/32 from the Transport for City Regions settlements, as well as £75 million in 2025/26 for local highway maintenance and £40 million in 2025/26 in Local Authority Bus Grant.
Asked by: Juliet Campbell (Labour - Broxtowe)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what plans the Government has to tackle the illegal use of e-bikes.
Answered by Simon Lightwood - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
Only e-bikes that comply in full with the requirements of the Electrically Assisted Pedal Cycle Regulations 1983 can be legally used on public roads. This is the case regardless of whether the e-bike has been modified.
Where an e-bike does not comply with these Regulations, it counts as an e-moped or motorbike and must therefore be registered, taxed and insured. The rider must wear a safety helmet and hold the appropriate driving licence. Enforcement is a matter for the police.
Asked by: Juliet Campbell (Labour - Broxtowe)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what plans she has to prevent the use of illegally modified e-bikes.
Answered by Simon Lightwood - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
Only e-bikes that comply in full with the requirements of the Electrically Assisted Pedal Cycle Regulations 1983 can be legally used on public roads. This is the case regardless of whether the e-bike has been modified.
Where an e-bike does not comply with these Regulations, it counts as an e-moped or motorbike and must therefore be registered, taxed and insured. The rider must wear a safety helmet and hold the appropriate driving licence. Enforcement is a matter for the police.