Written questions by Snowden.

What recent assessment she has made of the effectiveness of fiscal incentives for the uptake of electric vehicles.

Plug-in Vehicle Grants have been a key driver of zero emission vehicle (ZEV) uptake since they were introduced in 2011. Grants remain available for vans, trucks and wheelchair accessible vehicles. Favourable tax rates, including the lowest first year rates of Vehicle Excise Duty and preferential Benefit in Kind rates, have likewise been a key driver of ZEV adoption. The recently announced Electric Car Grant will further encourage purchases of low cost zero emission cars by providing discounts of up to £3,750.

What recent steps she has taken with relevant authorities to help increase the safety of bus drivers in (a) Fylde and (b) Lancashire.

The Government have introduced the Bus Services (No.2) Bill which focuses on delivering safe, more reliable bus networks. The Bill sets requirements for mandatory training on how to recognise and respond appropriately to incidents of criminal and anti-social behaviour, on buses for staff, including drivers and those who deal directly with the travelling public or with issues related to the travelling public. Provisions in the Bus Services (No.2) Bill would also give all local transport authorities (LTAs) the power to make bus byelaws, which can be enforced by local authority officers on vehicles and at bus stations and stops. This, combined with targeted enforcement should lead to safer networks. Transport Safety Officers or Transport Safety and Enforcement Officers are also already operating in some areas. All LTAs in England are required to publish Bus Service Improvement Plans (BSIPs) with information on how they intend to improve services in their area. LTAs have been informed that BSIPs should include plans on how LTAs and local bus operators will work together to ensure that bus services are safe and perceived to be safe by all. This may include measures such as appropriate passenger safety training for bus drivers to deal with emergency situations on or off the bus and encouraging bus operators to liaise with local police and other stakeholders to address safety concerns.

What steps she is taking to help improve the safety of train drivers in (a) Fylde constituency and (b) Lancashire.

Ensuring the continued safety of train drivers across the national rail network remains a priority for my department. Train operators are subject to strict legal duties, which are enforced by the Office of Rail and Road (ORR), to ensure that the train drivers they employ can work in safety. My department works closely with the ORR, the Rail Safety and Standards Board and the wider rail industry to keep these measures under review and to identify areas for improvement. This has included supporting research to improve the industry’s understanding of issues such as fatigue management and access to welfare facilities, and the development of improved standards and guidance to codify best practice.

What steps his Department is taking to increase safety measures at beaches during (a) summer months and (b) other periods of increased activity.

The provision of lifeguards, beach patrols and safety information is part of the risk assessment undertaken by the local authority or beach owner. In conjunction with other services HM Coastguard provides safety advice and guidance about the coastal environment with the aim to reduce incident numbers, this guidance includes how to call for help in an emergency.

Pursuant to the Answer of 3 July 2025 to Question 63159 on South Fylde Line, what interim measures she is considering to improve capacity on the Lytham to Preston line before 2030.

Through the Rail North Partnership (RNP), my Department and Transport for the North widely engage stakeholders across the region. I have asked RNP to contact the Hon. Member about his local line. Operators must align services with demand, ensuring sustainability and value for money. I urge the Member to work with Lancashire County Council as they carry out consultation of their Local Transport Plan, and whether to prioritise schemes targeting this line for further consideration.

Pursuant to the Answer of 3 July 2025 to Question 63159 on South Fylde Line, what discussions she has had with local (a) communities and (b) stakeholders on future service improvements on the Lytham to Preston line.

Through the Rail North Partnership (RNP), my Department and Transport for the North widely engage stakeholders across the region. I have asked RNP to contact the Hon. Member about his local line. Operators must align services with demand, ensuring sustainability and value for money. I urge the Member to work with Lancashire County Council as they carry out consultation of their Local Transport Plan, and whether to prioritise schemes targeting this line for further consideration.

What steps she is taking to help increase the capacity of passenger rail services on the Lytham to Preston rail line.

The department expects operators to match capacity and frequency of their services to demand, which can mean increased service frequency where that is the right response - although these must also be operationally sustainable and deliver value for taxpayers. Northern is currently in discussions with train manufacturers over its plans to procure up to 450 new trains to replace the oldest trains in its current fleet. Approximately two thirds of the existing fleet is targeted to be replaced in the next 10 years. The new trains, the first of which are scheduled to enter service in 2030, will be cleaner and greener and will also deliver additional capacity on busy lines like Lytham-Preston.

What assessment her Department has made of the potential impact of delivery drivers using e-bikes on other road users.

Only e-bikes that are fully compliant with the Electrically Assisted Pedal Cycle Regulations 1983 are legal to use on the roads. I have previously written to the Chief Executives of food delivery companies, making clear that riders should be fully aware of the relevant legal requirements and that they should only be using safe and road legal e-bikes. This is in addition to guidance on safe use of e-bikes that has been published by the Government, most recently by the Department and Business Trade in their “Buy Safe, Be Safe” campaign. Furthermore, the Government has tabled amendments to the Crime and Policing Bill to introduce new cycling offences. These new offices will tackle instances where victims have been killed or seriously injured by irresponsible cycle behaviour. These new offences will also ensure parity across the “motoring” offences framework. This is so that all road users, whether they are drivers or cyclists, whose behaviour results in the death or serious injury of another road user, will face the same penalties.

If she will make an assessment of the adequacy of available bus routes for residents accessing hospital appointments in (a) Fylde constituency and (b) Lancashire.

The government recognises the importance of accessible, frequent and affordable bus services in keeping communities connected and ensuring access to vital services, including hospital appointments. Buses in England outside London were deregulated by the Transport Act 1985 and at present are largely run on a commercial basis where the operator decides on routes and provision. The government introduced the Bus Services (No.2) Bill on 17 December as part of its ambitious plan for bus reform. The Bill puts the power over local bus services back in the hands of local leaders and is intended to ensure bus services reflect the needs of the communities that rely on them, including in Fylde, Lancashire and right across England. In addition, the government has confirmed £955 million for the 2025 to 2026 financial year to support and improve bus services in England outside London. This includes £243 million for bus operators and £712 million allocated to local authorities across the country, of which Lancashire Council has been allocated £27 million. Local authorities can use this funding to introduce new bus routes, make services more frequent and protect crucial bus routes for local communities. The government has reaffirmed its commitment to bus services in this Spending Review by confirming continued funding each year from 2026/27 to maintain and improve vital bus services, including taking forward bus franchising pilots in areas including York and North Yorkshire, and extending the £3 bus fare cap until March 2027.

What steps she is taking to help reduce fatalities involving young drivers in (a) Fylde constituency and (b) Lancashire.

We absolutely recognise that young people are disproportionately victims of tragic incidents on our roads, and we are exploring options to tackle the root causes of this. THINK!, the Government’s flagship road safety campaign aims to change attitudes and behaviours among those at risk of injury on our roads. The primary audience for THINK! is young men aged 17-24. The campaign runs nationally across England and Wales targeting priority issues such as drink driving and speeding, as well as communicating key policy interventions. Government treats road safety with the utmost seriousness, and we are committed to reducing the numbers of those killed and injured on our roads. My Department is developing its Road Safety Strategy and will set out more details in due course.

What steps her Department is taking to modernise public transport technology for buses in Fylde constituency.

The government is committed to delivering better bus services for passengers and has confirmed investment of £955 million for the 2025 to 2026 financial year to support and improve bus services in England outside London. This includes £712 million allocated to local authorities which can be used in whichever way they wish to improve services for passengers, including modernising the technology used to support bus services. Lancashire County Council has been allocated over £27 million of this funding. The government reaffirmed its commitment to investing in buses at the Spending Review by confirming continued funding each year to maintain and improve vital bus services, including taking forward franchising pilots and extending the £3 bus fare cap until March 2027. The Spending Review also confirmed £2.3 billion through the Local Transport Grant over the Spending Review period for local transport improvements in places outside areas receiving Transport for City Regions settlements, which could include supporting improvements to bus technology and infrastructure. Lancashire County Council have been allocated £215 million of this funding over the financial years 2026-2030.

Whether she has considered the potential merits of reducing the price of a veterans’ railcard to that of an armed forces railcard.

There are no current plans to reduce the price of the Veterans’ Railcard. Any long-term changes or concessions made to rail fares policy will require balancing against the potential impacts on passengers, taxpayers and the railway.

What assessment she has made of the potential impact of increasing service frequency and electrification on the Lytham to Preston line on the local (a) economy and (b) environment.

Fylde Council’s business case found there was some potential to increase frequency. Economic benefits were assessed as part of the study, which also recommended further development of infrastructure options including electrification. It is now for the Local Transport Authority to decide if this project should go forward.

Pursuant to the Answer of 5 June 2025 to Question 55229 on Electric Bicycles: Sales, if she will take steps with Cabinet colleagues to implement a cross-Government strategy on tackling illegally modified electric bikes.

The Department believes a cross-Government strategy on illegally modified e-cycles is not needed. E-cycles, including those that have been modified, can only be legally used on the roads where they comply in full with the Electrically Assisted Pedal Cycle Regulations 1983. The Driver and Vehicle Standards Unit has a market surveillance unit and has the powers to act against retailers selling non-complaint e-cycles. Where such e-cycles are used on the roads, the police have powers to seize them. The powers for the police to act are being strengthened in the Crime and Policing Bill, with the police no longer required to provide a warning before seizing any vehicle, including an e-cycle, where it is being used anti-socially.

How many people are eligible for free travel under the English National Concessionary Travel Scheme due to disability in Fylde constituency.

The Department for Transport does not hold data on the number of people eligible for free travel under the English National Concessionary Travel Scheme due to disability at any geographic level.

Pursuant to the Answer of 5 June 2025 to Question 55226 on Electric Bicycles: Road Traffic Offences, what data her Department has collected on the prevalence of illegally modified e-bikes on public highways.

The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) has a market surveillance unit which inspects vehicles and equipment to ensure they meet safety and environmental standards. In 2024 the DVSA identified 39 suppliers of e-cycles and 21 of these were found to be selling e-cycles that were compliant with regulations. Subsequent “mystery shopper” exercises, carried out by the DVSA and involving 18 suppliers, found 2 suppliers to be selling non-compliant e-cycles for use on the roads. One of these suppliers has since brought their selling practices into compliance, while the other is being investigated further. In addition, over 400 listings of non-compliant e-cycles have been removed from online marketplaces following intervention by the DVSA. The police also have the powers to seize non-complaint e-cycles being used on the public roads. Some police forces have published statistics in relation to this, but this information is not collated centrally by the Government.

Pursuant to the Answer of 5 June 2025 to Question 55226 on Electric Bicycles: Road Traffic Offences, whether her Department has considered the use of (a) technology and (b) certification systems to help identify (i) compliant and (ii) illegally modified e-bikes.

While the Department has not considered the detail of the technology required, any such system for certifying or registering e-cycles would likely be both costly and complex to administer and enforce. There is also the possibility that some people may be put off cycling, thereby reducing the health and environmental benefits which we know cycling can bring. The Government therefore has no plans to introduce such a system at present.

Pursuant to the Answer of 5 June 2025 to Question 55226 on Electric Bicycles: Road Traffic Offences, whether her Department plans to amend the Electrically Assisted Pedal Cycle Regulations 1983 to reflect (a) modern technologies and (b) usage patterns.

The Department consulted on potential changes to regulations on e-cycles in 2024. The Government’s response to that consultation was published in January 2025 and can be viewed here: www.gov.uk/government/consultations/smarter-regulation-proposed-changes-to-legislation-for-electrically-assisted-pedal-cycles/smarter-regulation-proposed-changes-to-legislation-for-electrically-assisted-pedal-cycles In summary, the Government concluded that there was not sufficient evidence to take forward any changes to regulations at this stage, but we may consider this again in the future and, for example, as part of any broader review on micromobility.

Pursuant to the Answer of 5 June 2025 to Question 55226 on Electric Bicycles: Road Traffic Offences, whether her Department is taking steps with (a) the Home Office and (b) other agencies on implementing a consistent approach to (i) enforcement and (ii) public safety.

While enforcement of road traffic offences concerning e-cycles is a matter for the police, the Department is working with the Home Office on new offences intended to tackle those rare instances where a cyclist’s behaviour is dangerous or careless, and results in the death or serious injury of another road user.This is in addition to the new powers for the police to seize any vehicle, including e-cycles, being used in an anti-social manner and without first being required to give a warning.

Pursuant to the Answer of 3 June 2025 to Question 54084 on Roads: Fylde, if she will make an assessment of the potential implications for her policies of the road maintenance backlog in (a) Fylde constituency and (b) Lancashire.

The Government takes the condition of the country’s roads very seriously and is committed to supporting local highway authorities across the country in maintaining and renewing the local highway network. The highway maintenance backlog in Lancashire and elsewhere is the result of a decade of underinvestment by the previous government, and is one of the reasons why this Government has announced nearly £1.6 billion in capital funding for local highways maintenance in England for the financial year 2025/26. This includes £500 million of additional funding when compared to the previous financial year. Funding allocations for individual local authorities can be found on gov.uk. Local highway authorities are required to provide data regularly on the condition of their local roads. In addition, in March 2025, the department wrote to all local highway authorities to request further data on the condition of their network and their maintenance plans and practices, with first returns being due by the end of June. This information will help the government and local people understand the activities of local highways authorities better, as well as understanding the state of local roads and the scale of the challenges each authority faces. Authorities that fail to publish these reports may have a portion of their funding uplift withheld. A copy of the letter can be accessed on gov.uk.