Written questions by Rosindell.

What steps she plans to take to improve transport connectivity between Great Britain and Northern Ireland.

Whilst transport is devolved, the Department for Transport is committed to is enhancing links between Northern Ireland and Great Britain. The Department is providing funding for Transport Scotland’s feasibility study to explore options to bypass the villages of Springholm and Crocketford on the A75 and is supporting the Windsor Framework to streamline transport and customs processes. The Government is also supporting key aviation routes, including the Public Service Obligation between City of Derry Airport and London Heathrow Airport.

What steps she is taking to improve passenger safety on the railway network.

The Department works closely with rail industry and the British Transport Police (BTP) to ensure passenger safety on the rail network. Whilst the most recent Transport Focus survey (10th January) shows that 80% of the public rate their personal security positively when travelling by rail we are not complacent. BTP use a range of policing techniques including overt and covert patrols at hot spot locations, regular high-visibility patrols across the network and use internal and external intelligence to assist in targeting locations. BTP also encourage passengers and rail staff to report crime and suspicious activity via 61016, online or by calling 999 in an emergency. The Office of Rail and Road (ORR), who are responsible for enforcing statutory health and safety legislation on the railways, continue to work closely with duty holders to deliver improvements in overall system safety, so far as is reasonably practicable. More generally, the Government is committed to maintaining a high standard of safety across the rail network.

What steps she is taking to reduce crime on the London Underground Network.

The British Transport Police (BTP) are responsible for policing the London Underground and are committed to tackling crime on the network. As a devolved matter, the force works closely with TfL, the Mayor of London and rail industry partners to ensure passengers and rail staff feel safe.

What steps she is taking to promote the (a) recruitment and (b) retention of officers within the British Transport Police.

The British Transport Police (BTP) are dedicated to building a modern, inclusive, and resilient force that reflects the communities it serves. Their latest headcount figures show the Force is successful at maintaining staff and officer numbers at a consistent level. The Force has focussed on leadership development to foster a culture of empowerment, empathy and support. They have introduced a new well-being programme for the workforce, and they are investing in technology, training and facilities to equip their officers with the necessary tools for the dynamic environment they operate in every day.BTP is also committed to creating a more representative workforce and have an outreach programme to encourage applications from candidates in underrepresented groups. BTP is launching a pilot in London for new recruits to join BTP as part time police constables. This is a commitment from BTP’s Learning and Development Strategy to attract high calibre applicants, from a range of backgrounds, who would otherwise not be able to apply or consider becoming a police officer.

Whether her Department has made an assessment of the potential merits of providing funding for Crossrail 2.

My department has not provided any further funding to develop the Crossrail 2 scheme since it was paused in 2020.

If she will publish a timetable for a decision on the funding of the Lower Thames Crossing.

As with all capital projects, spending decisions on the Lower Thames Crossing scheme will be subject to the upcoming spending review.

What steps she is taking to prevent the unnecessary felling of healthy trees on network rail infrastructure.

The rail estate Network Rail manages is estimated to include over six million trees. Network Rail’s main priority must be the safe and reliable operation of the railway which will mean that in some cases the felling of healthy trees will be necessary and the reconfiguring of woodland canopy a safe distance from the rail line is sensible. Network Rail has committed to achieve no net loss of biodiversity across the network by 2024 and a net-gain of biodiversity across the network by 2035. Network Rail is also working with the Forestry Commission to identify opportunities for tree planting on land neighbouring the rail estate and has committed £1.2m for community tree planting through the Tree Council over the next five years.

What steps her Department is taking to (a) increase the number of practical driving tests available in (i) Greater London and (ii) Essex and (b) help prevent unauthorised vendors selling practical test slots online.

The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) continues to work to attract and recruit more driving examiners in the London and South East area, including Greater London and Essex. As well as new Driving Examiners (DEs) who have now begun testing, DVSA is running training courses for successful candidates from recent campaigns, who, if successful, will join driving test centres (DTCs) in the region. DVSA concluded another recruitment campaign at the end of 2024 and is in the process of making offers to successful candidates. Anotherrecruitment campaign is currently expected to begin in March 2025. To ensure fairness for everyone wanting to book a practical driving test, DVSA continues to work hard to combat the unscrupulous practice of reselling tests and has announced further measures to review the driving test booking system. A call for evidence was launched on 18 December 2024, seeking views on the current rules to book tests. This will lead to consultation on improving processes, with potential future legislative changes.On 6 January 2025, DVSA also introduced tougher terms and conditions for the service driving instructors use to book and manage car driving tests for their pupils.

What steps her Department is taking to help reduce the number of rented electric (a) bikes and (b) scooters illegally parked on pavements.

The Government recognises the widespread concern that this issue causes pedestrians and especially the danger which obstructively parked cycles can cause those with disabilities. Part of our work to regulate on-street micromobility, and as announced in the English Devolution White Paper, includes our ambition to put local government in a stronger position to manage the parking of these vehicles to tackle obstructive parking and hold operators to account where issues persist. For the e-scooter trials, the Department for Transport has published guidance for how trials should run which makes clear that there will need to be sufficient parking provision in trial areas and local authorities should ensure that e-scooters do not become obstructive to others. Local authorities are responsible for parking in their trial areas and any complaints about parking should be directed to the relevant council. Operators additionally employ geofencing, parking incentives and penalties to prevent obstructive parking.

What steps she is taking with relevant authorities to help reduce the number of fatal car crashes in outer London boroughs.

Since the general election, the Department has begun work on a new Road Safety Strategy, the first in over a decade. The Department will share more details in due course. Local government is the main delivery agent of road safety. The responsibility to implement, fund, deliver, promote and enforce local road safety initiatives remains with local authorities under the 1988 Road Traffic Act.

What steps she is taking with relevant authorities to help tackle drink driving in Romford constituency.

The Government takes road safety seriously, and we are committed to reducing the numbers of those killed and injured on our roads. The Department has begun work on a new Road Safety Strategy, the first in over a decade. The Department will share more details in due course. The Government’s THINK! road safety campaign aims to reduce deaths and serious injuries on our roads. THINK! launched a major new drink driving campaign in November, which highlights the risks of drinking even a little before driving. The enforcement of road traffic law and how available resources are deployed within Romford, and London boroughs, is the responsibility of the Commissioner of the Metropolitan Police and the Mayor of London, taking into account the specific local problems and demands with which they are faced.

What steps she is taking with relevant authorities to help tackle dangerous driving in Romford constituency.

The Government takes road safety seriously, and we are committed to reducing the numbers of those killed and injured on our roads. The Department has begun work on a new Road Safety Strategy, the first in over a decade. The Department will share more details in due course. The Government’s THINK! road safety campaign aims to reduce deaths and serious injuries on our roads. THINK! launched a major new drink driving campaign in November, which highlights the risks of drinking even a little before driving. The enforcement of road traffic law and how available resources are deployed within Romford, and London boroughs, is the responsibility of the Commissioner of the Metropolitan Police and the Mayor of London, taking into account the specific local problems and demands with which they are faced.

Whether she plans to make the signing of the seafarers charter by maritime operators compulsory.

The Government is committed to strengthening workers’ rights at sea, and has tabled an amendment to the Employment Rights Bill to give Ministers powers to create a legally-binding Seafarers’ Charter that will protect and improve seafarer working conditions.

What funding her Department is allocating to Havering Council to tackle potholes in the next financial year.

This Government is committed to tackling the poor state of our roads and has pledged to help local authorities to fix our pothole-ridden road networks. As part of this, it will help enable local highway authorities in England to fix up to a million more potholes a year. At Budget 2024, the Chancellor announced an extra £500 million for local highway maintenance for the 2025/26 financial year, an increase of nearly 50% compared to the current financial year. The Government will confirm 2025/26 funding allocations to local highway authorities in due course.

What steps she is taking to help improve (a) recruitment and (b) retention in the British Transport Police.

The British Transport Police (BTP) are dedicated to building a modern, inclusive, and resilient force that reflects the communities it serves. Their latest headcount figures show the Force is successful at maintaining staff and officer numbers at a consistent level. The Force has focussed on leadership development to foster a culture of empowerment, empathy and support. They have introduced a new well-being programme for the workforce, and they are investing in technology, training and facilities to equip their officers with the necessary tools for the dynamic environment they operate in every day. BTP is also committed to creating a more representative workforce and have an outreach programme to encourage applications from candidates in underrepresented groups. BTP is launching a pilot in London for new recruits to join BTP as part time police constables. This is a commitment from BTP’s Learning and Development Strategy to attract high calibre applicants, from a range of backgrounds, who would otherwise not be able to apply or consider becoming a police officer.

What steps she is taking to help prevent (a) violent crime and (b) theft of personal property on railway infrastructure.

Tackling violent crime is a priority for the British Transport Police (BTP) and they are committed to taking action to prevent the theft of personal property. BTP works closely with rail industry partners to ensure that passengers and rail staff feel safe on the network. The BTP tackles violent crime through specialist policing capabilities designed specifically to prevent crime and harm on the railways and strong partnerships with Home Office forces. They utilise a range of policing techniques including overt and covert patrols at hot spot locations, regular high-visibility patrols across the network and use internal and external intelligence to assist in targeting locations. To help prevent theft from passengers BTP officers conduct high-visibility patrols on trains, stations, and platforms, particularly in areas with higher crime rates. These patrols serve as a deterrent and allow officers to spot and address suspicious behaviour early on. BTP frequently runs campaigns to remind passengers to stay vigilant and keep their belongings secure. This includes visible signage, announcements, and social media alerts with tips for safeguarding personal items.

What steps she is taking to help prevent suicide on railway infrastructure.

The Department is committed to working with the rail industry to reduce the number of deaths by suicide. Each rail operator is responsible for delivering a suicide prevention plan and maintaining accreditation to the independently assessed Safeguarding on Rail Scheme. Their plan must include training of public-facing staff in suicide prevention, putting in place mitigation measures at stations and promoting avenues of help for vulnerable people at risk of suicide or self-harm. The British Transport Police works in collaboration with its partners to ensure incidents are managed swiftly and people are treated with dignity. Network Rail has a long-standing relationship with The Samaritans, and funds the ‘Small Talk Saves Lives’ campaign. Since launching in 2017, the campaign has successfully raised awareness within railway stations and other public settings about the need to trust your instincts and start a simple conversation if you think someone might need help.

What steps her Department is taking to help reduce waiting times for practical driving tests in (a) Greater London and (b) Essex.

The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency’s (DVSA) main priority is upholding road safety standards while it works hard to reduce car practical driving test waiting times. Measures in place to reduce waiting times for customers at all driving test centres, include the recruitment of new driving examiners (DE), conducting tests outside regular hours, including at weekends and on public holidays, and buying back annual leave from DEs. DVSA also continues to deploy DEs from areas with lower waiting times into those where waiting times are longer. For recent recruitment campaigns, DVSA has used additional measures when advertising in and around the Greater London area, such as radio advertising, local managers attending and running recruitment events, and improved social media coverage. From recent recruitment DVSA has had 11 new DEs successful on their training course. This includes 10 for London and one for Essex. DVSA is planning training courses to the end of the business year and currently has nine individuals, who will serve the London and Essex areas, confirmed on courses to the end of February. Further applicants are in checks awaiting course dates.

What steps her Department is taking to help repair potholes in Romford constituency.

The Government takes the condition of local roads very seriously and is committed to maintaining and renewing the local highway network. Havering Council is the local highway authority for the Romford constituency, and they are therefore responsible for the condition and maintenance of their local network. This Government has a commitment to enable local highway authorities in England to fix up to a million more potholes a year. At Budget 2024, the Chancellor announced an extra £500 million for local highway maintenance for the 2025/26 financial year, an increase of nearly 50% compared to the current financial year. The Government will confirm funding allocations to English local highway authorities in due course.

If she will make an assessment of the potential merits of requiring cyclists to (a) display number plates and (b) hold valid insurance.

The Government has no intention of requiring all cyclists to display number plates or to have insurance. A national registration scheme for all cycles would be complex and expensive to design and administer. As for insurance, the Government believes that this should remain a matter of personal choice. Some cyclists already have third party insurance via their membership of cycling organisations. Cyclists who are not insured are liable for the consequences of their actions should these result in injury or damages to others.