Written questions by Young.

With reference to the Road Safety Strategy, what assessment she has made of the potential merits of launching a public information campaign to raise awareness of recent changes to the Highway Code.

Following updates to the Highway Code in 2022, the department ran large-scale THINK! advertising campaigns to raise awareness of the changes. Via the THINK! campaign, we are also running year-round radio filler adverts encouraging compliance with the guidance to improve safety for those walking, cycling and horse riding. We will also continue to promote the changes via THINK! and Department for Transport social media channels, as well as through partner organisations. However, as set out in the Road Safety Strategy, more work is needed to continue embedding these changes and overall awareness of the Highway Code. We are considering options in this area, and further details will be shared in due course.

What assessment she has made of the potential merits of amending legislation to enable local transport authorities to divert traffic onto national highways where (a) local and (b) network conditions make it (i) necessary and (ii) appropriate.

The Department has made no such assessment. Local authorities are responsible for managing traffic on their networks, and National Highways for managing the Strategic Road Network of motorways and trunk roads. Both are subject to the Network Management Duty under the Traffic Management Act 2004, which requires them to manage their road network with a view to achieving ‘expeditious movement’ of all traffic, and facilitating expeditious movement of traffic on a neighbouring authority’s network. It is for local authorities and National Highways to work together to agree appropriate diversion routes and circumstances under which these may be required.

What assessment she has made of the potential impact of the suggested guideline for issuing authorities of 12 weeks for the renewal of Blue Badges on people with disabilities.

The Department for Transport is responsible for the legislation that governs the Blue Badge scheme and provides guidance for local authorities who are solely responsible for administering the scheme, including issuing/re-issuing badges. There are no timescales set for administering applications/renewals either in legislation or guidance. 12 weeks is mentioned in the gov.uk landing page for those applying for or renewing a badge online using the Department’s Blue Badge Digital Service and reflects how long typically the process takes. But each cases is considered on its merits by the relevant local authority.