Every parliamentary written question tabled by Caroline Dinenage this session, with the full answer and department. Back to the MP page.
Showing 1–20 of 24 · Department for Transport
What assessment her Department has made of the potential impact of increases in fuel costs, including those linked to developments in Iran, alongside the expansion of the UK Emissions Trading Scheme to maritime, on the financial sustainability of lifeline ferry services.
Awaiting answer.
What steps her Department is taking to ensure that regional domestic ferry operators affected by a lack of grid capacity and grid connections are supported to meet the goals of the Maritime Decarbonisation Strategy.
Awaiting answer.
What recent discussions her Department has had with the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero and Ofgem on improving grid capacity at UK ports to enable ferry electrification.
Awaiting answer.
For what reason ferries serving Scottish islands are exempted from the UK ETS scheme.
Exemptions will apply to ferry services to Scotland’s islands and certain peninsular communities. These are based on the unique and pressing challenges faced by these communities due to exceptional reliance on ferries for essential goods, healthcare, education, and employment, as well as additional legal duties under the Islands (Scotland) Act 2018.This exemption will be reviewed in 2028.
What assessment she has made of the potential impact of the introduction of the UK ETS to maritime operators on ticket prices on ferries travelling between Portsmouth and the Isle of Wight.
The scheme will apply to the operator of the ship, not the passengers, and operators decide how they manage any costs.If operators choose to pass on the costs, any impact on the price is expected to be minimal given the length of the route between Portsmouth and the Isle of Wight and any impacts of the scheme on these services will be considered in a review of the UK ETS Maritime regime in 2028.
What steps she is taking with Cabinet colleagues tp help reduce the prevalence of phone use whilst driving.
The Government takes road safety seriously and is committed to reducing the numbers of those killed and injured on our roads. The use of mobile phones while driving is unacceptable, and there are already tough penalties for those committing an offence. We published our Road Safety Strategy on 07 January setting out our plans to improve the safety of our roads. As part of this we are reviewing the motoring offences and published a consultation, exploring areas of particular concern including drink and drug driving.
What assessment she has made of the adequacy of her Department’s guidance on following distances.
Rule 126 of The Highway Code includes guidance on stopping distances and states that drivers and riders ‘should leave enough space between you and the vehicle in front so that you can pull up safely if it suddenly slows down or stops’ and ‘…never to get closer than the overall stopping distances’ set out on pages 52 and 53 of the code. Tailgating can be considered careless driving, which is a fixed penalty offence. All road users are required to comply with road traffic law. If road users do not adopt a responsible attitude or if their use of the highway creates an unsafe environment, or causes nuisance, they may be committing a number of offences that can make them liable for prosecution.Enforcement of the law is a matter for the police who will decide on the evidence of each individual case, whether an offence has been committed and the appropriate action to take.In addition to the Highway Code, National Highways uses Variable Message Signs on motorways to encourage appropriate lane discipline. The Government’s THINK! road safety campaign also provides information to road users to encourage safer behaviour. Enforcement of road traffic law is a matter for the police. In June 2025, National Highways ran a communications campaign on this issue, using media, digital and social media. The aim was to align the uncomfortable feeling of being followed too closely in everyday life with the similar feelings this evokes when being tailgated on a high-speed road, namely discomfort and anxiety. Following the success of that campaign, and the genuine media interest in this topic, National Highways is planning a new communications campaign to launch next month. This low / no cost campaign moment will educate drivers on the dangers of tailgating and aim to change behaviour by looking at driving etiquette and evoking England’s love for manners and respect. The campaign will launch w/c 23rd February across owned and earned media channels. It will involve:Press activity which demonstrates the scale of the issue and brings its regional elements to life. This will be pitched to national broadcast channels and print/ online outletsCreative social media content addressing the campaign themes, activated across channels including Facebook, Instagram, Threads and ShortsInteractive digital activity illustrating the regional trendsStakeholder engagement and sharing of key campaign messaging National Highways adheres to the Government Communication Service evaluation framework and will be measuring the success of this campaign wave through a series of measures, including social listening tools and Media Equivalent Value.
What assessment she has made of the potential merits of a waterbourne taxi passenger service across the Solent.
The Department has made no assessment. We recognise the benefits of cross Solent services, such as the Gosport Ferry, particularly in relation to accessing jobs and recreational opportunities. However, these services operate in a commercial environment without any intervention from the Government.
What guidance she provides to local transport authorities on creating Local Transport Plans.
The Government is aware that Local Transport Plan Guidance hasn’t been updated in over a decade. We are currently developing new guidance for Local Transport Authorities in line with our wider priorities. The Government intends to publish updated Local Transport Plan guidance in due course.
What assessment her Department has made of the adequacy of the availability of driving tests within (a) half an hour, (b) an hour and (c) two hours travel of the Gosport peninsula.
The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency’s (DVSA’s) main priority is to reduce car practical driving test waiting times, whilst upholding road safety standards.As of 1 September 2025, there were 640,907 car practical driving tests booked, and 30,339 driving tests available within the 24-week booking window.The table below shows the current average waiting time and number of tests available at the driving test centres within up to two hours traveling distance from the Gosport peninsula.Driving test centre (DTC)Travelling distance from the Gosport peninsulaAverage car practical driving test waiting time (August 24)Booked tests (As of 01/09/2025)Tests available in 24 week booking window (As of 01/09/2025)Lee On SolentWithin half an hour24202992PortsmouthWithin half an hour244801202ChichesterWithin an hour24155660Southampton (Maybush)Within an hour243327205WinchesterWithin an hour24127051BasingstokeWithin two hours11.51764152Burgess HillWithin two hours243641183CrawleyWithin two hours243905211DorchesterWithin two hours24110383FarnboroughWithin two hours243188163GreenhamWithin two hours2480730GuildfordWithin two hours15.377728Newport (Isle of Wight)Within two hours241346109Oxford (Cowley)Within two hours24132466PooleWithin two hours243380234ReadingWithin two hours24191849SalisburyWithin two hours241882114SwindonWithin two hours244247248TrowbridgeWithin two hours5.3 (Outstation)54315WorthingWithin two hours24159882
What assessment she has made of trends in the number of casualties involving mobility scooters.
The table below shows the number of casualties, split by casualty severity, that resulted from road injury collisions involving at least one mobility scooter in Great Britain, for the most recent ten-year period that data is available for. It should be noted that these figures include all casualties from collisions involving at least one mobility scooter. The casualties may be the mobility scooter users themselves, other road users, or pedestrians. There may also be other vehicles involved in the collision. YearKilledSeriously InjuredSlightly Injured201496014920158601592016146818520175591822018137417220191258192202025513920218842192022910123920231794229
What plans she has to include mobility scooters within the scope of dangerous (a) driving and (b) cycling legislation.
While we keep the scope of the dangerous driving and cycling legislation under review, we do not currently have any plans to extend this to mobility scooters.
How many people were injured in collisions with mobility scooters in 2024.
Figures on the number of collisions involving mobility scooters for 2024 are not yet available as these statistics have not yet been published. These figures will be available following the publication of “Reported road casualties Great Britain, annual report: 2024” in September 2025.
What guidance her Department provides to mobility scooter users who use public roads.
The Department has developed a comprehensive guide for users of mobility scooters and powered wheelchairs, including legal requirements and relevant Highway Code information. This is available online at www.gov.uk/government/publications/mobility-scooters-and-powered-wheelchairs-on-the-road-some-guidance-for-usersFurther information about the classes of mobility scooters and the requirements to use them can be found online at www.gov.uk/mobility-scooters-and-powered-wheelchairs-rules/classes.
If she will respond to the recommendations of the Safer Streets for All report by Living Streets and the Bikeability Trust, published on 19 May 2025.
The Department welcomes the findings of this report and will consider its recommendations carefully as we develop our future plans for active travel and road safety.
Whether she plans to consider the recommendations of the Safer Streets for All report by Living Streets and the Bikeability Trust, published on 19 May 2025, in the Road Safety Strategy.
The Department welcomes the findings of this report and will consider its recommendations carefully as we develop our future plans for active travel and road safety.
Whether she has made an assessment of the potential implications for her policies of the recommendations of the Safer Streets for All report by Living Streets and the Bikeability Trust, published on 19 May 2025.
The Department welcomes the findings of this report and will consider its recommendations carefully as we develop our future plans for active travel and road safety.
What steps she is taking to increase the availability of practical driving tests in Gosport constituency.
The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency’s (DVSA’s) main priority is to reduce car practical driving test waiting times, whilst upholding road safety standards. Measures in place to reduce waiting times for customers at all driving test centres (DTC), 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. As part of recent recruitment at DTCs that serve the Gosport constituency, DVSA has had two new examiners successfully complete training, with another potential new examiner currently in training. A further seven potential applicants are in the application process and if successful, will be offered training courses in the new year.
What assessment she has made of the potential impact of changes to the level of the bus fare cap on rates of bus travel in Gosport constituency.
In the Budget on 30 October, the government confirmed it will invest over £150 million to introduce a new £3 cap on single bus fares in England outside London from 1 January until 31 December 2025. Under the plans of the previous administration, the current £2 cap on bus fares had been due to expire on 31 December 2024, and prior to the Budget, there was no further funding available to maintain the cap beyond this point. Considering all its impacts, the fare cap is not financially sustainable for taxpayers and bus operators at £2. Capping fares at £3 will keep bus travel affordable while ensuring the cap is fair to taxpayers, helping millions of people access better opportunities, travel for less and protect vital bus routes, including in Gosport.
What assessment her Department has made of the adequacy of the availability of driving tests within (a) half an hour, (b) an hour and (c) two hours travel of the Gosport peninsula.
The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency’s (DVSA’s) main priority is to reduce car practical driving test waiting times, whilst upholding road safety standards.DVSA continues to take measures to increase test availability. These include the recruitment of driving examiners, conducting tests outside regular hours, including at weekends and on public holidays and buying back annual leave from driving examiners.As of 21 October 2024, there were 567,344 car practical driving tests booked, and 84,092 driving tests available within the 24-week booking window.The table below shows the current average waiting time and number of tests available at the driving test centres within up to two hours traveling distance from the Gosport peninsula.Driving test centre (DTC)Travelling distance from the Gosport peninsulaAverage car practical driving test waiting time (Sept 24) Booked tests (As of 21/10/2024)Tests available in 24 week booking windowLee On SolentWithin half an hour244,123203PortsmouthWithin half an hour244,143231ChichesterWithin an hour244,14644Southampton (Maybush)Within an hour24300632WinchesterWithin an hour24108224BasingstokeWithin two hours24151131Burgess HillWithin two hours242,479116CrawleyWithin two hours242,502119DorchesterWithin two hours24162234FarnboroughWithin two hours182,774129GreenhamWithin two hours765022GuildfordWithin two hours15.883650Newport (Isle of Wight)Within two hours24152765Oxford (Cowley)Within two hours8145415PooleWithin two hours24397710ReadingWithin two hours241,36447SalisburyWithin two hours24191545SwindonWithin two hours24287828TrowbridgeWithin two hours2468010WorthingWithin two hours19.21,82194