Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether his Department is taking steps to (a) expand the National Highways tree-planting scheme and (b) replace dead trees planted under the scheme.

As part of its Net Zero Plan National Highways has committed to planting at least an additional 3 million trees by 2030. This commitment is being delivered now and will continue through RIS2 and beyond.

The early establishment years are particularly challenging for tree success and the early survival rate is very dependent on prevailing climatic conditions. National Highway’s Chief Highway Engineer is overseeing a rewrite of specifications for highways, including landscape and ecology planting and maintenance.