Written questions by Costigan.

What steps she is taking to help improve safety for (a) children and (b) other vulnerable road users.

On 19 November 2024, Active Travel England and the Department for Transport published guidance for local authorities in England on how to set up and manage a School Streets scheme. The guidance can be viewed online at: www.gov.uk/government/publications/school-streets-how-to-set-up-and-manage-a-scheme. The Highway Code was updated in 2022 to improve road safety for cyclists and pedestrians, by strengthening pedestrian priority on pavements and at crossings and introducing the Hierarchy of Road Users, which places those road users most at risk in the event of a collision at the top of the hierarchy. The Highway Code makes it clear that those in charge of vehicles that can cause the greatest harm in the event of a collision bear the greatest responsibility to reduce the danger they pose to others.

If she will hold discussions with the Secretary of State for Justice on the use of courts by train operating companies to pursue private prosecutions for the misapplication of railcards on fares under £12.

We expect operators to ensure their policy on ticketing is clear and fair for passengers at all times and have instructed an urgent review of the cases in question, with a view to resolving them.Ticketing has become far too complicated, which is why we plan to simplify it as part of the biggest overhaul of our railways in a generation.

What assessment her Department has made of the potential environmental benefits of increasing active travel.

The Government recognises the environmental benefits from increasing active travel including improved air quality and reduced transport carbon emissions. The Department has published a range of reports which outline the environmental benefits from investment in active travel schemes and programmes.

What steps she is taking to integrate active travel with public transport networks.

The Government agrees on the importance of a properly integrated transport system, and will be saying more on this in due course in a new Integrated Transport Strategy. The Government agrees on the importance of integrating active travel networks with public transport networks, to make it easier for people to walk and cycle to bus, tram and train stations. Active Travel England works with local authorities to help design and deliver high-quality networks that are properly integrated with other local transport services. The Department has also published guidance for local authorities on both the design of cycle infrastructure (LTN 1/20) and on bus user priority (LTN1/24), with the latter including advice on matters such as mobility hubs and other interchanges.

What steps she is taking to work with local authorities to encourage greater uptake of (a) walking, (b) cycling and (c) other active travel modes in (i) urban and (ii) rural areas.

Active Travel England (ATE) works with all combined authorities and local authorities in England, providing funding and support with the intention being to encourage greater uptake of active travel. ATE is assuring the design quality of around £2 billion of active travel schemes and is working with authorities to boost officer capability to design schemes that improve safety of cyclists and pedestrians. This is being done through the provision of training and the development of specific guidance – including a rural design guide and a best practice guide to community consultation and engagement. In addition to this, local authorities receive support through national training and engagement programmes, including Bikeability cycle training, Walk to School Outreach and Big Bike Revival. As a statutory consultee in the planning system, ATE provides advice to local authorities on all planning applications for new development exceeding 150 dwellings, 7,500sqm of non-residential floorspace or 5 hectares in size. For applications outside of ATE’s remit, the agency has produced toolkits and guidance that can be used by local authorities to deliver improvements in active travel provision as part of new developments.

If she will issue guidance to train operating companies on the use of private prosecutions for contraventions of conditions of carriage.

We expect operators to ensure their policy on ticketing is clear and fair for passengers at all times and have instructed an urgent review of the cases in question, with a view to resolving them.Ticketing has become far too complicated, which is why we plan to simplify it as part of the biggest overhaul of our railways in a generation.

What percentage of people choose cycling as a mode of transport for commuting to work in (a) England, (b) the borough of Ealing and (c) Ealing Southall constituency.

The Department holds information on the proportion of people in employment using a bicycle as their usual mode to commute to work by region of residence. In 2022, 3.6% of people in employment living in England used a bicycle as their usual mode to commute to work. For those in employment who live in one of the Outer London boroughs 3.1% of people used a bicycle as their usual mode to commute to work. The department does not hold equivalent estimates for individual boroughs or constituencies.

If she will provide additional funding to Transport for London for the resurfacing of pavements on the borough principal road network (a) in London and (b) in the London Borough of Ealing.

The Department is working with the Mayor of London on funding for transport in the capital. However, transport in London is devolved to the Mayor and TfL, and it is for the Mayor and TfL to assess the merits of projects and make decisions on investment.

If she will bring forward proposals to regulate the management of dockless rental e-bikes.

As you will appreciate, the new Government is still in its early stages, and I am carefully considering next steps and potential policy solutions for micromobility, including dockless rental e-bikes.

Whether she plans to legalise all e-scooters.

As you will appreciate, the new Government is still in its early stages, and I am carefully considering next steps and potential policy solutions for e-scooters. Until any changes are brought forward and come into effect, private e-scooters remain illegal to use on public roads, cycle lanes and pavements, and rental e-scooters can only be used in national rental e-scooter trial areas.

If she will make an assessment of the potential merits of providing funding to London boroughs to support the management of micromobility services.

Government remains committed to supporting London and the transport network on which it depends. Transport in London is devolved to the Mayor of London and TfL. We are working with the Mayor on funding for transport in the capital, and it is for the Mayor to assess the merits of capital projects and make decisions on investment.

If she will take steps to grant London boroughs legal powers to regulate (a) the use, (b) parking and (c) fleet management of rental (i) e-bikes and (ii) e-scooters.

As you will appreciate, the new Government is still in its early stages, and I am carefully considering next steps for micromobility, including rental e-bikes and e-scooters. The Government remains committed to gathering further evidence to inform future legislation.

What discussions she has had with Transport for London on ensuring maintaining pavements on the borough principal road network.

The Department is working with the Mayor of London on funding for transport in the capital. However, transport in London is devolved to the Mayor and TfL, and it is for the Mayor and TfL to assess the merits of projects and make decisions on investment.