Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessments her Department has made of the potential impact of wire rope safety barriers on the safety of motorcyclists; and whether any research has been conducted into this area.

The safety of all road users remains important to the Department, and we work with partners to reduce motorcycle casualties through safer riding, better training and a safer road environment while considering motorcyclists’ needs in improving safety on the Strategic Road Network. The current requirements for road restraint systems are reflected in the updated standards within the Design Manual for Roads and Bridges, published in February 2026:

https://www.standardsforhighways.co.uk/search/ef2e5866-3fb9-4e99-81aa-95a41adff4e7

National Highways has commissioned research from TRL Limited on the safety of motorcyclists and roadside barriers (including wire rope systems), which has been published at: https://www.trl.co.uk/uploads/trl/documents/PPR2051-Motorcyclists-and-Barriers-on-the-SRN.pdf.