Written questions by Riddell-Carpenter.

Whether her Department has made an assessment of the potential impact of freight operations associated with Sizewell C on (a) passenger capacity, (b) journey times and (c) service frequency on the East Suffolk Line in the long-term.

The train operator Greater Anglia is aware that freight traffic in relation to the constructions of Sizewell C is likely to increase in the future. Network Rail will continue to work closely with operators to assess how best to accommodate the additional freight services while protecting current passenger train service levels on the route. There has been a specific workstream dedicated to operational readiness including timetabling and capacity and Network Rail identified capacity within the timetable to enable four additional Sizewell freight trains to operate some time ago. Separately, Sizewell has also commissioned Network Rail to do a feasibility study on what would need to be true to improve passenger services on the East Suffolk branch line to support the local area. The Rail Minister recently met with Jenny Riddell-Carpenter on 24 March to discuss this matter. Greater Anglia has recently confirmed that from the May 2026 timetable change, additional later trains will operate from Lowestoft to Beccles and from Beccles to Lowestoft on Mondays to Saturdays.

What estimate she has made of the number of children injured in road traffic incidents within 500 metres of a school in each of the last five years.

The information requested is not available.

What funding is available to local authorities to deliver road safety measures around schools, including crossings, speed management and parking enforcement in 2026-27 in (a) England, (b) the East of England, (c) Suffolk and (d) Suffolk Coastal constituency.

The Government provides a range of funding streams and national guidance to support local authorities in improving road safety around schools, including measures such as pedestrian crossings, traffic‑calming, speed management and School Streets schemes.We have confirmed £7.3 billion of capital funding for local highway maintenance across England between 2026–27 and 2029–30, allocated to local authorities to maintain and improve their road networks. This includes the road infrastructure around schools.The Consolidated Active Travel Fund (CATF) may be used to deliver safety improvements around schools as part of wider walking and cycling programmes. In the latest CATF allocation round, Suffolk County Council received £2,784,685, which can be used for schemes in any part of the county, including within the Suffolk Coastal constituency.Local authorities are responsible for identifying risks around schools and selecting appropriate interventions, drawing on national guidance. This includes:Setting Local Speed Limits, which advises on implementing permanent or time‑limited 20 mph limits outside schools and is being updated as part of the Government’s Road Safety Strategy.Chapter 6 of the Traffic Signs Manual, which provides guidance on the design and use of pedestrian crossings.Local Transport Note 1/07, which sets out advice on traffic‑calming measures.Guidance from the Department for Transport and Active Travel England on establishing and managing School Streets schemes, which restrict vehicle access near schools at peak times. It is for local authorities to determine what measures are appropriate in individual cases as they have the local knowledge and it is right that they focus on the areas of highest risk, which may be where tragic collisions have occurred - but there is nothing to stop them implementing road safety measures elsewhere. The Government expects local authorities to work with local schools, parents, and communities to address concerns about road safety in their local area.

What steps she is taking to ensure local authorities publish the outcome of school gate road safety assessments and the measures implemented at each school where risk is identified.

The Government provides a range of funding streams and national guidance to support local authorities in improving road safety around schools, including measures such as pedestrian crossings, traffic‑calming, speed management and School Streets schemes.We have confirmed £7.3 billion of capital funding for local highway maintenance across England between 2026–27 and 2029–30, allocated to local authorities to maintain and improve their road networks. This includes the road infrastructure around schools.The Consolidated Active Travel Fund (CATF) may be used to deliver safety improvements around schools as part of wider walking and cycling programmes. In the latest CATF allocation round, Suffolk County Council received £2,784,685, which can be used for schemes in any part of the county, including within the Suffolk Coastal constituency.Local authorities are responsible for identifying risks around schools and selecting appropriate interventions, drawing on national guidance. This includes:Setting Local Speed Limits, which advises on implementing permanent or time‑limited 20 mph limits outside schools and is being updated as part of the Government’s Road Safety Strategy.Chapter 6 of the Traffic Signs Manual, which provides guidance on the design and use of pedestrian crossings.Local Transport Note 1/07, which sets out advice on traffic‑calming measures.Guidance from the Department for Transport and Active Travel England on establishing and managing School Streets schemes, which restrict vehicle access near schools at peak times. It is for local authorities to determine what measures are appropriate in individual cases as they have the local knowledge and it is right that they focus on the areas of highest risk, which may be where tragic collisions have occurred - but there is nothing to stop them implementing road safety measures elsewhere. The Government expects local authorities to work with local schools, parents, and communities to address concerns about road safety in their local area.

What guidance her Department provides to local authorities on responding to road safety risks around schools, including time-limited 20 mph restrictions, crossings and school streets.

The Government provides a range of funding streams and national guidance to support local authorities in improving road safety around schools, including measures such as pedestrian crossings, traffic‑calming, speed management and School Streets schemes.We have confirmed £7.3 billion of capital funding for local highway maintenance across England between 2026–27 and 2029–30, allocated to local authorities to maintain and improve their road networks. This includes the road infrastructure around schools.The Consolidated Active Travel Fund (CATF) may be used to deliver safety improvements around schools as part of wider walking and cycling programmes. In the latest CATF allocation round, Suffolk County Council received £2,784,685, which can be used for schemes in any part of the county, including within the Suffolk Coastal constituency.Local authorities are responsible for identifying risks around schools and selecting appropriate interventions, drawing on national guidance. This includes:Setting Local Speed Limits, which advises on implementing permanent or time‑limited 20 mph limits outside schools and is being updated as part of the Government’s Road Safety Strategy.Chapter 6 of the Traffic Signs Manual, which provides guidance on the design and use of pedestrian crossings.Local Transport Note 1/07, which sets out advice on traffic‑calming measures.Guidance from the Department for Transport and Active Travel England on establishing and managing School Streets schemes, which restrict vehicle access near schools at peak times. It is for local authorities to determine what measures are appropriate in individual cases as they have the local knowledge and it is right that they focus on the areas of highest risk, which may be where tragic collisions have occurred - but there is nothing to stop them implementing road safety measures elsewhere. The Government expects local authorities to work with local schools, parents, and communities to address concerns about road safety in their local area.

Whether her Department has made an assessment of the fairness and proportionality of penalty charges issued for non-payment of drop-off fees at UK airports; and whether she plans to review the current 24-hour payment window.

Most airports in the UK are managed and operated as private businesses, and the provision and charging of car parking at airports (including payment windows) is a matter for the airport operator as a commercial business to manage and justify. Any issue relating to car parking charges should be raised with the airport operator directly.However, the Department expects car parking at airports to be managed appropriately and for consumers to be treated fairly, which could include providing information on choices for parking, along with information on how to access them.

Whether she plans to respond to the consultation entitled Pavement parking: options for change, 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 steps her Department is taking to (a) improve support for Blue Badge holders and (b) ensure that applications are processed without delay across local authorities.

Whilst the Department for Transport (DfT) is responsible for the legislation that sets out the Blue Badge scheme framework, it is local authorities who are responsible for the day-to-day administration of the scheme. This includes implementing assessment and enforcement procedures which they believe are in accordance with the governing legislation. The DfT cannot intervene in the case of individual applications or eligibility decisions. The DfT works closely with the organisations responsible for the delivery of the Blue Badge Digital Service (BBDS) and the Blue Badge printing facility to ensure local authorities have the support they need to process applications and ensure swift production of the Blue Badge once the assessment process is complete.

Whether her Department plans to review the range of season and flexible ticket options available to commuters when rail services are brought into public ownership, to better accommodate hybrid working patterns.

We are overhauling the complex fares and ticketing system to make it easier for passengers to trust that they are buying the right ticket and getting the best fare, with the move to Great British Railways (GBR) enabling passengers to receive a more consistent offer across the network. We need to balance affordability for both passengers and taxpayers as we reform fares and deliver GBR, ensuring everyone gets a fair deal. Delivering better quality services, and increased reliability of trains, alongside a clearer fares offer will ensure an enhanced passenger experience.

When she plans to respond to the consultation entitled Pavement parking: options for change, published on 31 August 2020.

We are currently considering the consultation outcome and the options for change. As soon as we have reached conclusions, we will publish a formal response to the consultation, summarising the views received and announcing the Government’s next steps for pavement parking policy.