Asked by: Paul Bristow (Conservative - Peterborough)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps his Department is taking to help tackle the backlog of people waiting for driving tests, in the context of test centre closures.
Answered by Richard Holden - Opposition Whip (Commons)
Since April 2021, the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency has created over one million extra car test appointments by recruiting new examiners, conducting out-of-hours testing, such as on public holidays and weekends, asking all those qualified to conduct tests but who do not do so as part of their current day job, to return to conducting tests, and asking recently retired driving examiners to return. On average, this has created approximately 40,000 extra car test appointments each month.
As of 4 September 2023, there were 560,121 car practical driving tests booked, and 58,382 driving tests available within the 24-week booking window.
The DVSA is committed to providing its customers with the best service possible. The DVSA continually reviews its estate to ensure it represents good value for money and is efficient.
Asked by: Paul Bristow (Conservative - Peterborough)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps his Department is taking to improve road safety for young people in Cambridgeshire.
Answered by Richard Holden - Opposition Whip (Commons)
Responsibility for making decisions about the roads under its care including measures to protect the safety of road users, based on its knowledge of the area and taking into account local needs and considerations, rests with the local Traffic Authority.
The Department for Transport provides guidance to traffic authorities on various traffic management measures.
For young road users the Department’s broad aim is to improve road safety for young people through new technology and research; and particularly for young drivers, developing better learning opportunities and targeted educational messaging.
If there are any specific issues, I would be happy to meet the Hon. Member to discuss further.
Asked by: Paul Bristow (Conservative - Peterborough)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if he will make an assessment of the (a) relevance and (b) applicability of the Ticketing and Settlement Agreement to railway services in 2022.
Answered by Huw Merriman
The Ticketing and Settlement Agreement sets out industry rules and practices relating to fares, ticketing, retail and the carriage of passengers. We are committed to modernising working practices, simplifing and improving passengers’ experience of buying tickets, and to ensure passengers get the support they need from staff when using the railways. Part of this will involve working with industry to consider how these practices should be governed in future.
Asked by: Paul Bristow (Conservative - Peterborough)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether his Department is taking steps to replace the Ticketing and Settlement Agreement.
Answered by Huw Merriman
The Ticketing and Settlement Agreement sets out industry rules and practices relating to fares, ticketing, retail and the carriage of passengers. We are committed to modernising working practices, simplifing and improving passengers’ experience of buying tickets, and to ensure passengers get the support they need from staff when using the railways. Part of this will involve working with industry to consider how these practices should be governed in future.
Asked by: Paul Bristow (Conservative - Peterborough)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps his Department is taking to help ensure that the consolidated online retail solution will (a) retain competition in the digital rail retail and ticketing markets and (b) not lead to a retail monopoly.
Answered by Huw Merriman
Under any rail reform proposals, independent retailers will continue to play an important role and we value their expertise and innovation and engage with them on these issues.
Asked by: Paul Bristow (Conservative - Peterborough)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, when the new Consolidated Online Retail System for new rail retail provision will be procured by the Rail Delivery Group.
Answered by Huw Merriman
We are continuing to work with the sector, including the Rail Delivery Group, to tackle the challenges required by rail reform, including improving online retail for the benefit of passengers. This work will include further engagement with suppliers, and we will provide an update in due course.
Asked by: Paul Bristow (Conservative - Peterborough)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what plans he has to fully dual the A47; and what progress he is making in implementing those plans.
Answered by George Freeman
The second Road Investment Strategy will confirm the Government’s plans for the strategic road network. We expect this to be published before the start of the second Road Period on 1 April 2020. The first Road Investment Strategy has already committed over £300 million of investment in the A47, including three dualling schemes. Highways England has been developing these schemes and they are currently scheduled for a phased start of works, with the first construction starting in 2021.