Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, pursuant to the Answer of 24 April 2023 to Question 180901 on Roads: Standards, for what reason he does not challenge National Highways on specific outcomes of individual inspections.

The Department challenges National Highways on its overall performance on litter collection at national level. In addition, as one of the performance indicators in the Road Investment Strategy, it is subject to monitoring by the Office for Rail and Road as independent Highways Monitor. It would not be proportionate for the Department to routinely assess or challenge the outcome of litter inspections by National Highways at individual locations across the country. The Department is, however, happy to take up with National Highways any specific local littering issues relating to the Strategic Road Network that are raised by Honourable members or other members of the public.