Oral Answers to Questions Debate

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Department: Department for Transport

Oral Answers to Questions

Ruth Cadbury Excerpts
Thursday 26th October 2023

(6 months, 2 weeks ago)

Commons Chamber
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Jesse Norman Portrait Jesse Norman
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Of course, I have visited the technology that my hon. Friend is describing and seen it in action. We must balance the safety of patients and vulnerable road users with the potential benefits of this new technology, but I am very pleased to confirm that the Department will be funding research to advance our understanding of the impacts of this technology. The results will be published once the research has concluded.

Ruth Cadbury Portrait Ruth Cadbury (Brentford and Isleworth) (Lab)
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Heavy goods vehicles cause a disproportionate number of cycling deaths. To cut the number of deaths of cyclists by illegal freight operators in other places, will the Department look at the successful London scheme and encourage partnerships between local authorities, the Driving and Vehicle Standards Agency and police forces to address this problem?

Richard Holden Portrait Mr Holden
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I am always happy to look at measures to improve road safety, including the measure the hon. Lady has suggested. I regularly meet the head of the National Police Chiefs’ Council on this, as well as the police and crime commissioners’ lead. We have already updated the highway code to put that priority of road users there, but I am happy to look at any measures we can implement to further this.