Written questions by Onwurah.

What steps she is taking to improve wifi on LNER; and what assessment she has made of the adequacy of that wifi performance over the past three years.

Awaiting answer.

Pursuant to the Answer of 21 July 2025 to Question 68388 on Parking, when she plans to publish a response to the pavement parking consultation; and what assessment she has made of the adequacy of existing powers available to local authorities to (a) restrict and (b) enforce pavement parking.

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. In the meantime, local authorities can make use of existing powers to manage pavement parking, and it is up to them to decide where to restrict pavement parking and what enforcement is appropriate.

What recent progress her Department has made on increasing the availability of real time bus information in Newcastle.

The government is committed to delivering the better bus services that passengers deserve, and as part of this, is working closely with bus operators and local transport authorities to improve the information available to passengers about their bus services.The Bus Services (No.2) Bill’s information about local services provisions aim to enable public access to a new, central database of information, drawn from the existing bus registration process, and linked to the existing Bus Open Data Service (BODS). We hope that bringing these two data streams together will assist operators in complying with BODS obligations, leading to improved real time information about local bus services across the country. Bus operators are obliged to have working systems to provide real-time information for bus services in order to fulfil the requirements of the Public Service Vehicles (Open Data) (England) Regulations.In addition, as part of the Autumn 2024 Budget, the government confirmed investment of over £1 billion in 25/26 to support and improve bus services and to keep fares affordable. This includes £712 million for local authorities to support and improve bus services, of which the North East Combined Authority was allocated £23.7 million. Funding allocated to local authorities to improve services can be used in whichever way they wish to deliver better services for passengers. This could include investing in technology to provide passengers with better real-time information.

What steps she plans to take to help tackle pavement parking in Newcastle upon Tyne.

The Department held a consultation on pavement parking in 2020 and has been considering all the views expressed in response to the 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. In the meantime, Newcastle City Council can make use of existing powers to restrict and enforce pavement parking.

Which technologies will deliver improved wifi access on the East Coast Main Line.

The Department continues to work closely with Network Rail and industry to look at solutions to improve connectivity on trains, which includes rolling out rail 5G on the rail network. Following the spending review, funding has been made available to invest in low earth orbit satellite connectivity, to improve passenger mobile connectivity. We also continue to work closely with the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology to develop further interventions on the railway. The department has been working with Network Rail to deliver improved connectivity on the rail corridor. Project Reach, which will renew fibre optic cables & address signals in mainline tunnels and stations was signed 26 June 2025 between Network Rail, and telecoms companies, Neos Networks and Freshwave .

Whether she has reviewed Heathrow Airport's business continuity plans.

The UK aviation market operates predominantly in the private sector, therefore, it is the responsibility of industry to determine appropriate resilience plans and measures are put in place to minimise potential disruption. The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) is the UK’s independent regulator for the aviation sector. The CAA conducts economic regulation at Heathrow, where they set licence conditions that the airports must abide by. The CAA oversee the development and agreement of these licences, and Heathrow submit resilience plans which form part of the licence conditions. Government officials regularly engage with the sector on assurances of resilience plans, and they will continue to engage with industry to ensure that lessons are learnt.

Pursuant to the Answer of 29 January 2025 to Question 25215 on Driverless Vehicles, which companies are members of the industry working group; and on how many occasions has this group met.

The Centre for Connected and Autonomous Vehicles (CCAV’s) Industry Working Group (IWG) aims to strengthen collaboration between CCAV and the automated vehicle (AV) industry to support the development and implementation of the regulatory framework. The IWG had its inaugural meeting in February 2025 and will have regular meetings throughout the lifetime of the AV Act Implementation Programme. The IWG forms part of CCAV’s stakeholder engagement across industry, academia and the public. The core members of the IWG include trade bodies techUK and The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders Ltd, as well as AV industry representatives from Wayve, Waymo, Oxa, Bosch, Aurrigo, Ocado, and Nissan. The membership of the IWG is kept under review and other government representatives such as delivery agencies or local government may join meetings depending on the agenda.

Pursuant to the Answer of 13 January 2025 to Question 21309 on River Tyne: Bridges, what responsibilities the Port of Tyne has for (a) the navigability of the River Tyne and (b) the Swing Bridge.

The department has not engaged specifically with the Port of Tyne on this issue as it is a matter for the port and/or other local parties. The specific areas of responsibility of the Port of Tyne, and other parties, for navigational purposes and the Swing Bridge will be set out in the relevant local harbours act, or other local agreements. The specifics of these will be best understood and discussed with the Port of Tyne itself.

Pursuant to the Answer of 13 January 2025 to Question 21309 on River Tyne: Bridges, if she will meet the Port of Tyne to discuss the Swing Bridge.

The department engages actively with many UK ports, including the Port of Tyne. However, the department has not engaged specifically with the Port of Tyne on this issue as it is a matter for the port and/or other local parties.

With reference to the AI Opportunities Action Plan, published on 13 January 2025, if she will make an assessment of the adequacy of the alignment between the plan and other Government policies on the deployment of self-driving vehicles.

The Department for Transport supported the development of the AI Opportunities Action Plan, including providing contributions on the policy intentions for the deployment of self-driving vehicles. The Centre for Connected and Autonomous Vehicles, a joint unit between the Department for Transport and Department for Business and Trade, works closely with the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology to help realise the UK’s full potential as an AI superpower.

What her Department's timeline is for making autonomous vehicles commercially available for use on UK roads.

Following Royal Assent of the Automated Vehicles (AV) Act, our world-leading work on the safe implementation of automated vehicles on our road’s presses ahead with a suite of consultations to enable implementation of the AV regulatory framework in 2027. The AV implementation timeline is designed to prioritise the development of a regulatory framework that maximises innovation, public safety and strengthens public confidence. Alongside developing our domestic regulations, we are playing a leading role in work to harmonise international rules on self-driving, which will enable our companies to export globally. This work is anticipated to complete in early 2027. We are considering options as to possible routes to enabling advanced trialling and early commercial pilots to be deployed in advance of full implementation of the AV Act, working with industry to explore what they need and how to deliver this within existing legislation. We've established an industry working group to help facilitate this.

With reference to the AI Opportunities Action Plan, published on 13 January 2025, whether the plan will help support the introduction of regulations on UK-based self-driving vehicle companies.

The 2025 AI Opportunities Action Plan (the Plan) supports the introduction of regulations on UK-based self-driving vehicle companies. The Plan notes the role self-driving vehicles play in contributing to the UK’s position as an AI superpower, including UK AI company Wayve securing over $1 billion investment to develop the next generation of AI-powered self-driving vehicles in 2024. Following Royal Assent of the Automated Vehicles (AV) Act, our world-leading work on the safe implementation of automated vehicles on our roads presses ahead with a suite of consultations to enable implementation of the AV regulatory framework in 2027. The AV implementation timeline is designed to prioritise the development of a regulatory framework that maximises innovation, public safety and strengthens public confidence. Alongside developing our domestic regulations, we are playing a leading role in work to harmonise international rules on self-driving, which will enable our companies to export globally. This work is anticipated to complete in early 2027. We are considering options as to possible routes to enabling advanced trialling and early commercial pilots to be deployed in advance of full implementation of the AV Act, working with industry to explore what they need and how to deliver this within existing legislation. We've established an industry working group to help facilitate this.

What assessment she has made of the adequacy of the availability of skills within the Civil Service to effectively regulate self-driving vehicles.

Responsibility for new self-driving vehicle regulatory processes will be aligned with the Department for Transport’s executive agencies’ existing responsibilities for conventional vehicles, ensuring effective use of their expertise around vehicles regulation. As part of the Department’s preparations for implementing the future automated vehicles (AVs) regulatory framework, we are also examining what new skills will be required for the regulation of AVs. This includes considerations of skills around artificial intelligence, vehicle safety, and data expertise among other areas. The Department for Transport also works with the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology, to understand best practice skills development across other future technology sectors.

What recent discussions her Department has had with the Port of Tyne on it's responsibilities to the Swing Bridge.

The department engages actively with many UK ports, including the Port of Tyne. However, the department has had no recent discussion with the port of Tyne on those specific points.

What assessment her Department has made of the potential (a) economic and (b) cultural impact of the (i) state and (ii) inability to swing of the Newcastle upon Tyne Swing Bridge.

Responsibility for the mechanism and structure of the Swing Bridge lies with the Port of Tyne. Any such assessments are matters for the Port and relevant local authorities for the surrounding area. Whilst the Department engages actively with many UK ports, no recent discussions have been held with the Port of Tyne on this matter. If any specific issue is raised with the Department, then it will discuss with the Port as appropriate.

What recent discussions her Department has had with the Port of Tyne on the navigability of the River Tyne and its performance as a navigation authority.

The department engages actively with many UK ports, including the Port of Tyne. However, the department has had no recent discussion with the port of Tyne on those specific points.

What steps she is taking to help improve the accessibility of information at bus stops for disabled people.

The government wants everyone to have access to public transport and is   committed to improving services so they are more inclusive and enable disabled people to travel safely, confidently and with dignity. On October 1st, the first phase of the Public Service Vehicles (Accessible Information) Regulations 2023 came into force, meaning that newer vehicles providing local services must provide audible and visible information on stops, destinations and diversions. The majority of services will need to comply by October 2026. Local authorities are responsible for the bus stops and shelters in their area, however the government will work with the sector to help drive improvements to real time information at bus stops as part of the government’s wider plans to deliver better bus services for passengers.

What steps she is taking to help improve the provision of real time information at bus stops.

The government knows how important it is that passengers have better access to information about bus services. In 2020, the Public Service Vehicles (Open Data) (England) Regulations were passed which utilised the powers from the Bus Services Act to require bus operators in England outside of London to share high-quality, accurate and up-to-date timetables, fares and location data. To facilitate this, the Bus Open Data Service (BODS) was subsequently launched in 2020. Local authorities are responsible for the bus stops and shelters in their area, however the government will work with the sector to help drive improvements to real time information at bus stops as part of the government’s wider plans to deliver better bus services for passengers.

Pursuant to the Answer of 4 December 2024 to Question 16157 on Railways: Nationalisation, whether her Department plans to maintain regional livery as railway franchises are brought into public ownership.

The Department has not assessed the potential merits of maintaining regional livery as railway franchises are brought back into public ownership.

Pursuant to the Answer of 14 November to Question 13473 and the Answer of 20 November 2024 to Question 14457 and 16158 on London North Eastern Railway: WiFi, what proportion of complaints about facilities on board were about wifi; and what the evidential basis is for the conclusion that wifi is not a significant cause of customer dissatisfaction.

For the period July to September 2024 London North Eastern Railway received 64 complaints relating to Wi-Fi reliability which equates to 0.75 per cent of all complaints received in that period.