Written questions by Dodds.

What steps have been taken towards Option 2 from Pavement parking options for change: government response.

On 8 January 2026, I announced the publication of the government’s formal response to the 2020 public consultation 'Pavement parking: options for change' which sets out the legislative measures to tackle pavement parking.In the first instance we will give local authorities powers this year to issue Penalty Charge Notices for vehicles parked in a way that unnecessarily obstructs the pavement. My officials have begun work on secondary legislation and guidance for this option, and associated stakeholder engagement.

What steps she is taking to regulate the sale and purchase of private escooters.

Under existing legislation, businesses are responsible for ensuring the products they place on the UK market, including e-scooters, are safe. When selling e-scooters, retailers must be clear that they can only be used on private land with the landowner’s permission. The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency Market Surveillance Unit carries out surveillance of e-scooter retailers to ensure they are being sold lawfully and that retailers are making legal restrictions on e-scooter use sufficiently clear. The Product Regulation and Metrology Act, which secured Royal Assent this July, has created powers that will allow government to set specific product regulations and labelling requirements, and hold online marketplaces to account to prevent the illegal sale of e-scooters.

When she intends to publish the Government's formal response to the consultation on pavement parking published on 31 August 2020.

The Department has been considering all the views expressed in response to the 2020 pavement parking consultation and is currently working through the policy options and the appropriate means of delivering them. We will announce the next steps and publish our formal response as soon as possible.

What assessment she has made of the impact of the ongoing issues with Kennington Bridge on local, regional and national (a) connectivity and (b) economic development, and on the delivery of other major infrastructure including the Oxford Flood Alleviation Scheme.

I am aware of the continuing funding issues with Kennington Bridge and the importance of this key structure both to local, regional and national connectivity. The bridge is a local scheme and therefore any assessment to connectivity, economic development or for the delivery of other major infrastructure is for Oxfordshire County Council to undertake.

With reference to the Office for Zero Emission Vehicles publication T0194 – Covered car parks - fire safety guidance for electric vehicles, published in July 2023, what recent steps has her Department taken to mitigate fire risks from electric vehicles in underground car parks.

The safety of electric vehicles (EVs) is very important to Government and is reviewed regularly. The Department continues to engage with international research relating to EV fire safety. Data suggests that EV fires are no more likely to occur than fires in combustion vehicles. The ‘Covered car parks - fire safety guidance for electric vehicles’ provides car park operators with practical mitigations to prevent the occurrence and spread of EV fires.

What discussions she has had with Highways England on the potential impact of abuse of roadworkers on levels of retention of roadworkers.

The Department is concerned about the increasing reports of abuse and intimidation faced by roadworkers and recognises the potential impact this has on both recruitment and retention in the sector. National Highways also takes this issue seriously and works closely with its delivery partners to ensure all incidents of abuse on the Strategic Road Network are reported. It also supports the Stamp it Out campaign, which aims to eliminate abuse across transport networks, and contributed to the development of Stamp it Out’s recent guidance on road network crimes and the types of evidence required to prosecute them. The Department will continue to support work to address this unacceptable behaviour and ensure roadworkers feel safe and supported in their roles.

What information her Department holds on the number of roadworkers who have been spat at from passing drivers in the last five years.

While the Department for Transport does not hold specific data on the types, trends and impacts of roadworker abuse, we work closely with the Highways Authorities and Utilities Committee (HAUC) UK, the representative body for the industry, who provide a mechanism for reporting roadworker abuse through the HAUC App. Abuse to roadworkers can also be reported to the local Highway Authority or in more serious cases where there is an immediate danger or a crime is taking place, the police. In 2023, GeoPlace worked with HAUC UK to gather data and publish the “Road Worker Abuse Report” on the prevalence, nature and impact of road worker abuse across the England, Scotland and Wales. The report highlighted some of the abuse that roadworkers had been subjected to, such as spitting, projectiles being thrown and punching. The Government strongly condemns any abuse directed at roadworkers, who play a vital role in installing and maintaining the infrastructure we rely on daily. We remain committed to working with HAUC UK, local authorities, the police, and campaign groups to tackle this issue and ensure roadworkers can carry out their duties safely and with respect.

What assessment she has made of the potential impact of abuse at work on the mental health of roadworkers.

The physical and verbal abuse of roadworkers at work by members of the public is not acceptable. The Department takes this issue seriously and recognises the potential impact such abuse has on the mental health of roadworkers. The Department supports the work Stamp it Out, National Highways and others in the sector are doing to tackle this important issue. We are committed to ensuring that roadworkers feel safe and supported as they carry out their essential work.

How many roadworkers have been hit by projectiles thrown by passing drivers or their passengers in each of the last five years.

While the Department for Transport does not hold specific data on the types, trends and impacts of roadworker abuse, we work closely with the Highways Authorities and Utilities Committee (HAUC) UK, the representative body for the industry, who provide a mechanism for reporting roadworker abuse through the HAUC App. Abuse to roadworkers can also be reported to the local Highway Authority or in more serious cases where there is an immediate danger or a crime is taking place, the police. In 2023, GeoPlace worked with HAUC UK to gather data and publish the “Road Worker Abuse Report” on the prevalence, nature and impact of road worker abuse across the England, Scotland and Wales. The report highlighted some of the abuse that roadworkers had been subjected to, such as spitting, projectiles being thrown and punching. The Government strongly condemns any abuse directed at roadworkers, who play a vital role in installing and maintaining the infrastructure we rely on daily. We remain committed to working with HAUC UK, local authorities, the police, and campaign groups to tackle this issue and ensure roadworkers can carry out their duties safely and with respect.

What discussions she has had with the Secretary of State for the Home Department on (a) abuse of roadworkers and (b) steps to help tackle this.

While the Department for Transport does not hold specific data on the types, trends and impacts of roadworker abuse, we work closely with the Highways Authorities and Utilities Committee (HAUC) UK, the representative body for the industry, who provide a mechanism for reporting roadworker abuse through the HAUC App. Abuse to roadworkers can also be reported to the local Highway Authority or in more serious cases where there is an immediate danger or a crime is taking place, the police. In 2023, GeoPlace worked with HAUC UK to gather data and publish the “Road Worker Abuse Report” on the prevalence, nature and impact of road worker abuse across the England, Scotland and Wales. The report highlighted some of the abuse that roadworkers had been subjected to, such as spitting, projectiles being thrown and punching. The Government strongly condemns any abuse directed at roadworkers, who play a vital role in installing and maintaining the infrastructure we rely on daily. We remain committed to working with HAUC UK, local authorities, the police, and campaign groups to tackle this issue and ensure roadworkers can carry out their duties safely and with respect.

What assessment she has made of trends in the level of abuse of roadworkers in different local authority areas.

While the Department for Transport does not hold specific data on the types, trends and impacts of roadworker abuse, we work closely with the Highways Authorities and Utilities Committee (HAUC) UK, the representative body for the industry, who provide a mechanism for reporting roadworker abuse through the HAUC App. Abuse to roadworkers can also be reported to the local Highway Authority or in more serious cases where there is an immediate danger or a crime is taking place, the police. In 2023, GeoPlace worked with HAUC UK to gather data and publish the “Road Worker Abuse Report” on the prevalence, nature and impact of road worker abuse across the England, Scotland and Wales. The report highlighted some of the abuse that roadworkers had been subjected to, such as spitting, projectiles being thrown and punching. The Government strongly condemns any abuse directed at roadworkers, who play a vital role in installing and maintaining the infrastructure we rely on daily. We remain committed to working with HAUC UK, local authorities, the police, and campaign groups to tackle this issue and ensure roadworkers can carry out their duties safely and with respect.

What discussions her Department has had with Police Forces on (a) abuse of roadworkers and (b) steps to help tackle this.

While the Department for Transport does not hold specific data on the types, trends and impacts of roadworker abuse, we work closely with the Highways Authorities and Utilities Committee (HAUC) UK, the representative body for the industry, who provide a mechanism for reporting roadworker abuse through the HAUC App. Abuse to roadworkers can also be reported to the local Highway Authority or in more serious cases where there is an immediate danger or a crime is taking place, the police. In 2023, GeoPlace worked with HAUC UK to gather data and publish the “Road Worker Abuse Report” on the prevalence, nature and impact of road worker abuse across the England, Scotland and Wales. The report highlighted some of the abuse that roadworkers had been subjected to, such as spitting, projectiles being thrown and punching. The Government strongly condemns any abuse directed at roadworkers, who play a vital role in installing and maintaining the infrastructure we rely on daily. We remain committed to working with HAUC UK, local authorities, the police, and campaign groups to tackle this issue and ensure roadworkers can carry out their duties safely and with respect.

How many roadworkers have been hit by vehicles breaching cones or road signs indicating live work zones in each of the last five years.

While the Department for Transport does not hold specific data on the types, trends and impacts of roadworker abuse, we work closely with the Highways Authorities and Utilities Committee (HAUC) UK, the representative body for the industry, who provide a mechanism for reporting roadworker abuse through the HAUC App. Abuse to roadworkers can also be reported to the local Highway Authority or in more serious cases where there is an immediate danger or a crime is taking place, the police. In 2023, GeoPlace worked with HAUC UK to gather data and publish the “Road Worker Abuse Report” on the prevalence, nature and impact of road worker abuse across the England, Scotland and Wales. The report highlighted some of the abuse that roadworkers had been subjected to, such as spitting, projectiles being thrown and punching. The Government strongly condemns any abuse directed at roadworkers, who play a vital role in installing and maintaining the infrastructure we rely on daily. We remain committed to working with HAUC UK, local authorities, the police, and campaign groups to tackle this issue and ensure roadworkers can carry out their duties safely and with respect.

What progress Active Travel England has made on creating a disabled people's panel to help inform its work.

Active Travel England (ATE) does not have any current plans to create a disabled people’s panel and does not set policy. ATE routinely works with the Disabled Persons Transport Advisory Committee and disabled representative organisations to improve its output, such as guidance products. ATE is setting up a technical advisory group to help improve its products and processes so they better address the barriers people face to active travel, particularly those from underrepresented groups.

What assessment she has made of the effectiveness of the powers of councils to improve street accessibility.

Local authorities are bound by the Public Sector Equality Duty and it is for them to ensure any schemes they take forward are delivered in a way that allows them to comply with this duty. The Department provides guidance in Inclusive Mobility on designing accessible public realm, and the need for streets to be accessible to all is highlighted in other guidance documents as a matter of course. In 2018 local authorities were asked to pause any new shared space schemes that incorporated a level surface and were at the design stage. Existing schemes or ones that were contractually committed or under construction were not in scope to avoid incurring financial penalties. This is still the position, and it is for local authorities to determine what changes may be required to existing schemes, taking into account their obligations under equalities legislation.

Whether her Department has provided guidance to local authorities on (a) legacy shared space schemes and (b) how streets covered by those schemes can be altered to be made more accessible for blind and partially sighted people.

Local authorities are bound by the Public Sector Equality Duty and it is for them to ensure any schemes they take forward are delivered in a way that allows them to comply with this duty. The Department provides guidance in Inclusive Mobility on designing accessible public realm, and the need for streets to be accessible to all is highlighted in other guidance documents as a matter of course. In 2018 local authorities were asked to pause any new shared space schemes that incorporated a level surface and were at the design stage. Existing schemes or ones that were contractually committed or under construction were not in scope to avoid incurring financial penalties. This is still the position, and it is for local authorities to determine what changes may be required to existing schemes, taking into account their obligations under equalities legislation.

What (a) support and (b) funding is available from her Department for cycle training schemes that (i) are specifically tailored for girls and (ii) have a minimum threshold for the number of girls participating.

Active Travel England provides funding to The Bikeability Trust to deliver Bikeability cycle training to children in England (outside London). In addition, active travel revenue funding can be used by local authorities to deliver cycle training and engagement programmes outside of Bikeability. It is for local authorities to decide on targeted engagement programmes for underrepresented groups, such as women and girls.

What steps her Department is taking to work with (a) schools, (b) employers and (c) community groups to encourage cycling by women and girls.

The Department and Active Travel England (ATE) work with local authorities and other delivery partners to support active travel outreach programmes for underrepresented groups, including women and girls.Design guidance for new infrastructure, such as that funded through the Active Travel Fund, requires that new schemes are accessible to all users, including women. ATE is working with local authorities to provide high-quality cycling infrastructure including as part of multi-modal schemes. This includes providing lighting for walking and cycling schemes, improving social safety and delivering road safety improvements to existing schemes.The Department has not made a specific assessment of the impact of cycling on women’s safety. Annual reported road casualty statistics published by the Department provide a breakdown of reported casualties by sex.

What steps her Department is taking to improve reporting mechanisms for women cyclists who experience (a) abuse and (b) intimidation.

Everyone should have the right to travel in safety, and abuse or intimidation of any kind is entirely unacceptable. In respect of women, including those who cycle, the Department for Transport is working with the Home Office on their plans for a cross-government strategy to reduce violence against women and girls. This is due to be published later this year.

What steps her Department is taking to ensure safe and accessible cycling routes to (a) schools, (b) workplaces and (c) local services for (i) women and girls and (ii) people who trip-chain during peak travel times.

The Department and Active Travel England (ATE) work with local authorities and other delivery partners to support active travel outreach programmes for underrepresented groups, including women and girls.Design guidance for new infrastructure, such as that funded through the Active Travel Fund, requires that new schemes are accessible to all users, including women. ATE is working with local authorities to provide high-quality cycling infrastructure including as part of multi-modal schemes. This includes providing lighting for walking and cycling schemes, improving social safety and delivering road safety improvements to existing schemes.The Department has not made a specific assessment of the impact of cycling on women’s safety. Annual reported road casualty statistics published by the Department provide a breakdown of reported casualties by sex.