Written questions by Snowden.

What proportion of the £448 million public investment announced under the UK SHORE programme will be allocated to (a) Fylde and (b) other coastal constituencies in Lancashire.

The UK SHORE programme in the Department for Transport will primarily allocate funding through open competitions, delivered by Innovate UK. Competition scopes and assessment criteria will be published alongside competition announcements between 2026 and 2030.We are committed to supporting projects across the UK. UK SHORE has previously allocated £240m for clean maritime. This has supported organisations in all UK nations and regions, including around £30m allocated to projects in the North West.

What data her Department holds on the number of animals killed or injured on UK roads in each of the last five years.

This data is not held by the Department.

What criteria her Department is using to decide which coastal ports or dry docks will receive UK SHORE funding.

The UK SHORE programme in the Department for Transport will primarily allocate funding through open competitions, delivered by Innovate UK. Competition scopes and assessment criteria will be published alongside competition announcements between 2026 and 2030.We are committed to supporting projects across the UK. UK SHORE has previously allocated £240m for clean maritime. This has supported organisations in all UK nations and regions, including around £30m allocated to projects in the North West.

What assessment her Department has made of trends in the level of unadopted roads on new housing developments due to developers.

Following the publication of the Competition and Markets Authority’s Housebuilding Market Study in February 2024, the Department has noted a downward trend in road adoption rates across England, particularly in areas with new housing developments. In response, the Department is undertaking research into the road adoption process under the Highways Act 1980 to assess the scale of the issue nationally and identify opportunities to improve the system to reverse the downward trend. Additionally, the Department is working closely with the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) to explore reforms to the planning process that support more effective road adoption outcomes.

What assessment the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency has made of whether there are (a) regional and (b) other geographic trends in the number of suspected cloned number plate reports between 2020 and 2024.

It is an offence to use a vehicle displaying cloned number plates which is punishable by an unlimited fine and/or up to two years in prison. The Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) is working with the National Police Chiefs’ Council and other government departments to improve the identification and enforcement of number plate crime, including the use of cloned number plates. The evidence being gathered will be considered when evaluating potential future action to help address this important issue. It is important to note that not every case of a misidentified registration number will be a case of cloned number plates. While some reports may relate to cloned number plates, others may be the result of administrative errors, for example incorrect entry of registration numbers. Anyone who thinks their number plate may have been cloned should contact the police immediately and return any fines received to the issuing authorities. If there is a possibility that the number plate has been cloned, the DVLA can provide customers with letters that can be used as supporting evidence and can also provide a replacement vehicle registration number. Information on the suspected number of cloned number plates is not available by region or geographic location.

What assessment he has made of the reasons for the trend in the number of reports of suspected number plate (a) cloning and (b) misidentification.

It is an offence to use a vehicle displaying cloned number plates which is punishable by an unlimited fine and/or up to two years in prison. The Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) is working with the National Police Chiefs’ Council and other government departments to improve the identification and enforcement of number plate crime, including the use of cloned number plates. The evidence being gathered will be considered when evaluating potential future action to help address this important issue. It is important to note that not every case of a misidentified registration number will be a case of cloned number plates. While some reports may relate to cloned number plates, others may be the result of administrative errors, for example incorrect entry of registration numbers. Anyone who thinks their number plate may have been cloned should contact the police immediately and return any fines received to the issuing authorities. If there is a possibility that the number plate has been cloned, the DVLA can provide customers with letters that can be used as supporting evidence and can also provide a replacement vehicle registration number. Information on the suspected number of cloned number plates is not available by region or geographic location.

Whether her Department has issued or plans to issue updated guidance to local authorities on the use of road signage in known wildlife crossing areas.

Local authorities are responsible for placing traffic signs including signs warning of hazards due to the presence of animals in the road. All traffic signs used on public roads must comply with the Traffic Signs Regulations and General Directions 2016 which includes a range of such signs for different situations. The Department has issued guidance on the use of these signs, which can be placed in wildlife crossing areas, in Chapter 4 of the Traffic Signs Manual which is available here: www.gov.uk/government/publications/traffic-signs-manual

Whether her Department has issued guidance on ensuring the safety of horses in proximity to road or rail works conducted near grazing land.

The Department for Transport has produced no guidance in relation to the safety of animals on grazing land near to road or rail works. In relation to works carried out on public highways, the Department for Transport publishes statutory guidance in Safety at Street Works and Road Works: A Code of Practice, available at www.gov.uk/government/publications/safety-at-street-works-and-road-works. This includes specific provisions for equestrian routes and horse riders, where the works affect on-highway routes for these users.

How many and what proportion of new housing developments had a Section 38 agreement in place at the start of construction in each of the last five years; and what enforcement measures are in place for developers who do not fulfil the terms of such agreements.

Under Section 38 of the Highways Act 1980, developers may enter into agreements with local highway authorities to enable the adoption of new roads. Each authority applies its own procedures and fees, and there is currently no national system to track these agreements or link them to housing developments. Authorities may refuse adoption if roads are not built to the required standard, ensuring that the cost of remedial work does not fall on the public purse. Many authorities also require financial bonds to safeguard completion if a developer defaults. The Department is aware of a decline in road adoption rates across England and is actively investigating the issue to identify potential improvements.

How many railway stations will receive additional funding to improve CCTV in Fylde constituency.

The Department for Transport recently announced just under £17 million investment to better connect CCTV at train stations, enabling greater real-time access for police to accelerate investigations and help passengers feel safer. We are in the planning phase of the project, with funding not due to be allocated until 2026/27. The project will initially connect the cameras at the stations with the highest footfall, before being expanded to other stations so that 98 per cent of passenger footfall is captured.Northern Trains Limited, who operate trains in Fylde, have also recently updated their CCTV strategy as part of their broader plans to improve accessibility across its network. This strategy covers CCTV maintenance, renewals and enhancements.

Pursuant to the Answer of 15 September 2025 to Question 75718 on Mobile Scooters, what steps she is taking to ensure public awareness of that consultation.

Ensuring everyone has the opportunity to shape the powered mobility device review is a priority for us, to make sure regulations are designed with and for disabled people. The consultation will be published on gov.uk in the usual way and it will comply with our accessibility standards to ensure everyone can access it. We will work with a wide range of stakeholders, including those representing disabled people, once that consultation is published to ensure it reaches everyone who would like to contribute.

What steps her Department is taking to ensure that credit hire providers serving vulnerable road users are represented in ongoing motor insurance policy discussions.

Ministers and officials have discussions with a range of stakeholders concerning motor insurance matters. The government’s Motor Insurance Taskforce, led by the Department for Transport and HM Treasury, is engaging with a range of interested stakeholders, including the Credit Hire Organisation. The Taskforce plans to publish its final report in the autumn.

What discussions she has as part of the motor insurance taskforce with representatives of the credit hire and mobility sector on its role in providing replacement vehicles to motorists post-accident.

Ministers and officials have discussions with a range of stakeholders concerning motor insurance matters. The government’s Motor Insurance Taskforce, led by the Department for Transport and HM Treasury, is engaging with a range of interested stakeholders, including the Credit Hire Organisation. The Taskforce plans to publish its final report in the autumn.

What steps her Department is taking to ensure that representatives of the credit hire and mobility sector are consulted before the Motor Insurance Taskforce concludes its work.

Ministers and officials have discussions with a range of stakeholders concerning motor insurance matters. The government’s Motor Insurance Taskforce, led by the Department for Transport and HM Treasury, is engaging with a range of interested stakeholders, including the Credit Hire Organisation. The Taskforce plans to publish its final report in the autumn.

Whether she has received any recent representations from (a) individual and (b) organisations on the standard of maintenance of (i) tactile cones and (ii) other pedestrian crossing aids for blind and visually sighted people; and what recent discussions she has had with local authorities on the maintenance of (A) tactile cones and (B) other pedestrian crossing aids for blind and visually sighted people.

The Department has not received any such representations. The provision and maintenance of tactile cones and other pedestrian crossing aids are matters for local authorities. Local authorities have a duty under the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984 to provide for the safe movement of road users, including pedestrians. They also have a duty under the Equality Act 2010 to provide accessible services. The Department has endorsed the code of practice ‘Management of Electronic Traffic Equipment’ which provides good practice advice for local authorities on maintaining assets including traffic signals and associated equipment. This is published by the Chartered Institution of Highways and Transportation.

What steps her Department is taking to (a) detect and (b) reduce the use of ghost number plates designed to evade Automatic Number Plate Recognition systems.

The table below shows the number of occasions where members of the public have contacted the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) about correspondence, fines or penalties that they have received from third parties about the use of vehicles which they do not recognise or accept responsibility for. It is important to clarify that these figures do not represent confirmed cases of number plate cloning. While some of these reports may relate to cloned number plates, others may result from administrative errors, such as incorrect entry of registration numbers.Calendar YearNumber of reports20207,37720217,43020227,83720239,848202410,461 The DVLA continues to work closely with the National Police Chiefs’ Council and other government departments to improve the identification and enforcement of number plate crime, including the use of cloned and ghost number plates. Under UK law, suppliers of number plates must be registered with the DVLA and are required to verify that customers are entitled to the registration number. Suppliers must also maintain records of all plates issued. The DVLA supports enforcement efforts by investigating reports of illegal trading and sharing intelligence with police and Trading Standards where appropriate.

How many incidents of vehicle licence plate cloning were reported in each of the last five years.

The table below shows the number of occasions where members of the public have contacted the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) about correspondence, fines or penalties that they have received from third parties about the use of vehicles which they do not recognise or accept responsibility for. It is important to clarify that these figures do not represent confirmed cases of number plate cloning. While some of these reports may relate to cloned number plates, others may result from administrative errors, such as incorrect entry of registration numbers.Calendar YearNumber of reports20207,37720217,43020227,83720239,848202410,461 The DVLA continues to work closely with the National Police Chiefs’ Council and other government departments to improve the identification and enforcement of number plate crime, including the use of cloned and ghost number plates. Under UK law, suppliers of number plates must be registered with the DVLA and are required to verify that customers are entitled to the registration number. Suppliers must also maintain records of all plates issued. The DVLA supports enforcement efforts by investigating reports of illegal trading and sharing intelligence with police and Trading Standards where appropriate.

What assessment she has made of the potential merits of requiring local authorities to install (a) audible and (b) tactile signals on all pedestrian crossings on busy roads for blind and visually impaired people.

The Traffic Signs Regulations and General Directions 2016 permit the use of audible and tactile signals at traffic signal junctions and crossings, but the Department has no plans to make them mandatory. The Department’s good practice advice in Chapter 6 of the Traffic Signs Manual makes clear that tactile signals should be provided at crossing facilities as a default. They can be used at times and in places where audible signals are not suitable, for example where an audible signal is switched off overnight or where the site layout would result in an unclear signal to road users. Chapter 6 is available at www.gov.uk/government/publications/traffic-signs-manual. The provision of audible and tactile signals and consideration of how they should operate are matters for local authorities, bearing in mind their duties to provide safe movement under the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984, and to provide accessible services under the Equality Act 2010.

What guidance his Department provides to transport operators on making toilets (a) accessible and (b) usable for people with a stoma.

The Department places accessible travel for disabled people among its highest priorities, as part of our broader commitment to breaking down barriers to opportunity. We are determined to deliver a transport network that puts passengers at its heart-enabling disabled people to travel easily, confidently and with dignity, including those with bowel conditions which require a stoma. On rail, the Department publishes accessibility standards the industry must comply with whenever they install, replace or renew station toilets. This includes accessible toilets. Where toilets are provided on trains it is a legal requirement for operators to comply with the relevant accessibility standards. Given the importance of toilets to passenger comfort, operators should consider appropriate provision when procuring or refurbishing trains. In aviation, regulation and guidance already exists in relation to the provision of accessible toilets that cater for all kinds of disabilities, for both airports and airlines. In addition, there is a requirement for industry to account for the needs of disabled passengers in the design and refurbishment of airports and aircraft. In local transport, the provision and design of bus and coach stations, including accessible toilets, is a matter for local authorities, who should be mindful of their duties under the Equality Act 2010 when making relevant decisions. Disabled people should be able to make journeys with confidence that transport infrastructure will meet their needs. This is why we are introducing a requirement, through the Bus Services (No. 2) Bill, for local authorities to pay regard to new statutory guidance on the safety and accessibility of bus station and stop design when providing new or upgrading existing facilities.

What role local authorities have in regulating the timing of roadworks in residential areas; and whether they are empowered to enforce restrictions on noise and working hours.

Local highway authorities play a central role in regulating the timing of roadworks in residential areas. When utility companies apply for permits to carry out street works, authorities can attach conditions to those permits, including restrictions on working hours to help minimise disruption to residents. If a utility company breaches these conditions, the authority is empowered to issue fines under the relevant street works regulations. Authorities also have discretion to schedule their own roadworks outside standard hours, particularly when traffic volumes are lower. Section 60 of the Control of Pollution Act 1974 empowers local authorities to restrict noise from street works by setting permitted working hours, which are typically 8am to 6pm on weekdays and 8am to 1pm on Saturdays.