Written questions by McMahon.

How many safety breaches have there been at rail road level crossings in Greater Manchester since 2015.

Great Britain’s level crossings are among the safest in Europe. The number of incidents at rail-road level crossings in Greater Manchester since 2017/18 is set out below. No comparable data is available for previous years. .Fiscal YearIncidents2017/2018382018/2019342019/2020312020/2021152021/2022362022/2023402023/2024582024/2025412025/2026 (to 12 December)38Total331

Whether her Department are considering introducing a requirement for users to (a) licence and (b) insure (1) e bikes and (2) e scooters.

There are no plans to require the licensing or insurance of e-bikes. A previous detailed review of licensing and insurance for all cyclists (including e-bike users) concluded that the cost and complexity of introducing such a system would far outweigh the benefits. Private e-scooters are illegal to use on public roads, cycle lanes and pavements. Rental e-scooters can only be used as part of the Government’s national rental e-scooter trials, in which e-scooters must be covered by a motor vehicle insurance policy, and users must have at least a provisional driving licence. The Government has committed to pursuing legislative reform for micromobility vehicles, which is likely to include e-scooters, when parliamentary time allows. No decisions on future micromobility legislation have yet been made and we will use evidence from the trials to learn how to effectively and safely regulate them.

What steps she is taking to improve platform advance notice, customer experience and waiting hall overcrowding at London Euston station.

Euston station was designed for a different era and we acknowledge that it needs major investment and modernisation. For the majority of the time the station works, however during times of major disruption, there simply isn’t enough room for passengers and we know this can make for an uncomfortable and unpleasant environment. Network Rail is developing plans for a major upgrade to London Euston station. Making the best use of tax-payer money, we will deliver a brand-new station concourse that’s fit for the future, and offers much better facilities to passengers. Network Rail continue to work with partners to ensure the upgraded station integrates with the new HS2 station, provides enhancements to wider local transport facilities and offers new homes, community, office and retail spaces. Ahead of this, the Journey to a Better Euston programme is helping to improve passenger experience, reduce congestion, and enhance the provision of travel information in the short term. Building on improvements delivered over the last 12 months, which included displaying train and customer information on the station's large screen and upgrading the toilets, further plans include:Establishing a Customer Information Hub to provide clearer and more timely updates to passengers.Upgrading the Assisted Travel Lounge and refurbishing mezzanine seating to improve comfort and accessibility.Implementing an enhanced retail strategy and introducing a new multi-faith room to create a more inclusive environment.Improving visibility and clarity of travel information screens, alongside concourse adjustments to maximise space for passengers.Launching the Team Euston Service Academy to strengthen staff capability and collaboration across industry partners.These measures are designed to improve advance notice of services, alleviate overcrowding, and deliver a better overall experience for all users of London Euston station.

What is being done to improve train driver availability and reduce train cancellations and delays that are caused by a lack of trained staff.

All train operating companies have been asked to complete a seven-point traincrew resourcing proposal as part of their annual business plan. These plans cover staffing levels, recruitment, training, overtime and planning efficiency in order to improve reliability.

What steps she is taking to prevent the sale of log-in details for DVSA driving tests.

The Secretary of State for Transport announced on 12 November significant changes to DVSA’s driving test booking system following a public consultation. The changes will allow a learner driver only to book a test and will limit changes that can be made to that test once booked. ADIs and businesses will no longer be able to access the booking system and this will eradicate the practice of re-selling tests. The changes which will be introduced from Spring 2026 will make the practical driving test booking process fairer, providing all learners with equal access to the booking system and ensuring that everyone pays the prescribed fee. While the majority of driving instructors who use DVSA’s booking services do so as intended, DVSA takes action to prevent learner drivers from exploitation and limit opportunities for misuse of the online booking services. DVSA has a zero tolerance for those who exploit learner drivers. In addition, DVSA will investigate any breaches reported to them. In January 2025, DVSA introduced tougher terms and conditions for using the booking service to help prevent anyone from selling tests at profit. Since the introduction of the revised terms and conditions, and as of 17 November 2025, DVSA has removed access for 346 businesses and driving instructors for misuse of the booking service.

Whether she has made an assessment of the potential impact of the levels of brightness of street lighting on community safety; and whether she has had discussions with Cabinet colleagues on this issue since July 2024.

The management of street lighting in England is the responsibility of local highway authorities, who have a duty under Section 41 of the Highways Act 1980 to maintain the public highways in their charge, including street lighting. Authorities do not have a duty to light their networks but, where lighting has been provided, the authority has a duty to maintain it.

What assessment she has made of the take up of cycling proficiency programmes in schools in (a) England (b) Greater Manchester and (c) Oldham.

The Bikeability programme is a key part of the Government’s Cycling and Walking Investment Strategy. The programme delivers a range of cycle training activities aimed at giving children the skills and confidence to cycle on the road, and is mostly delivered through schools. Across England (outside London), Bikeability level 2 cycle training (on road) was delivered to 54% of year 6 children in 2025/6. In Greater Manchester it was 57% and in Oldham 39% (however this is a significant increase on 20% the previous year).

What assessment she has made of the potential impact of Heathrow expansion on regional airports such as Manchester.

Expanding Heathrow has the potential to support connections between the regions and London, and, in turn, between the UK’s regions and the global economy - giving the entire UK more access to Heathrow’s world-leading connectivity. Domestic connectivity is a key part of the Airports National Policy Statement that we are currently reviewing, and we will consult on any revisions by summer 2026.

What assessment she has made of the effectiveness of ghost number plate enforcement in England.

The Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) is working with the National Police Chiefs’ Council and other government departments to improve the identification and enforcement of number plate crime, including the use of cloned and “ghost” number plates. It is already illegal to use a vehicle displaying cloned or “ghost” number plates.The enforcement of road traffic law and how available resources are deployed is the responsibility of individual Chief Officers and Police and Crime Commissioners, taking into account the specific local problems and demands with which they are faced. The Police are operationally independent and they will investigate each case according to its individual merits.This Government takes road safety seriously. We are committed to reducing the numbers of those killed and injured on our roads. We are considering a range of policies under the new Road Safety Strategy; the first for ten years. This includes the case for changing the motoring offences. We are considering concerns raised by campaigns, Parliamentarians and bereaved families that Ministers have met.The Government intends to publish the Road Safety Strategy by the end of the year.

What estimate has been made of the value of fines imposed on utility companies by highway authorities in England for each year from 2015 to date.

The Department for Transport has not made estimates of the value of Fixed Penalty Notices (FPNs) issued to utility companies by highway authorities in England and does not hold data of this nature. While it is a legal requirement to raise FPNs in Street Manager, the Department only records information on the number of FPNs raised, which authority issued them, which utility company received them, and the reason for the FPN. Local highway authorities may hold data on the value of FPNs. The Department for Transport sets FPN amounts to encourage compliance with street works regulations. From 5 January 2026, FPNs will double from their current amount for certain offences, including working without a permit, breaching permit conditions, and failing to provide start and stop notices on time.

What assessment she has made with Cabinet colleagues of the potential implications for Government policies of trends in the level of street clutter on the character of urban areas.

Management of local roads, including placement of fixed street furniture such as signs, benches, bins and cycle racks, is the responsibility of local traffic authorities. Neither good traffic management, nor good streetscape design is helped by over-provision and clutter. The Department’s good practice advice in the Traffic Signs Manual and the Manual for Streets stresses the importance of designing streets in such a way as to reduce clutter. These are available at the following links: www.gov.uk/government/publications/traffic-signs-manual www.gov.uk/government/publications/manual-for-streets.

Whether she has had discussions with Uber on the recognition of local Trade Union branches for its drivers.

The recognition of local trade union branches has not been discussed with Uber.

What assessment she has made of the adequacy of future road and rail freight capacity in the North of England following the cancellation of HS2.

Following the previous government’s cancellation of Phase 2, HS2 is now being delivered between Euston in central London and the West Midlands. The dedicated HS2 infrastructure from London to Birmingham and the West Midlands will release capacity on the West Coast Main Line which can be used to support additional rail freight services. The use of the released capacity is not yet developed, and decisions will be made closer to the opening of HS2 and be subject to consultation. We recognise concerns about rail capacity and connectivity between Birmingham and Manchester and we are reviewing our plans for future connectivity in the Midlands and the North. The government is committed to supporting rail freight growth with the Rail Freight growth target to increase it by 75% by 2050.

What financial support she has provided to areas affected by HS2 cancellation for inherited liabilities and costs incurred.

We are mindful that the previous Government’s decision to cancel Phases 2a and 2b had a significant impact on local communities. The Department has been working with HS2 Ltd to minimise as far as is possible the disruption caused by this decision for local authorities and affected landowners.

What assessment she has made of the adequacy of train services between Manchester and London in 2025; and how much has been spent on delay repay compensation to customers on those services in 2025.

Avanti West Coast is beginning to see consistent and steady performance improvements on the network. However, there is still more to do with punctuality behind the industry average and poor Network Rail infrastructure reliability continuing to be a leading cause of disruption, including on the Manchester route. In 2025, service levels to Manchester increased with two additional weekday services added to the timetable from September. The Government produces annual figures relating to the amount of compensation that is paid out by train operating companies. The data for 2024/25 has been collected and will be published shortly. The data for 2025/26 will be collected at the end of the financial year and subsequently published.

What discussions have taken place with highway authorities in England on the potential impact of yellow box enforcement on congestion and pollution on the road network.

No such discussions have been held with highway authorities. Primary legislation requires local authorities with designated powers to have regard to the Secretary of State's statutory guidance on moving traffic enforcement, which includes box junction markings. This guidance includes measures to reduce congestion, enabling walking and cycling, reduce rat-running, create more pleasant places to live and work in and improve road safety.

What assessment has been made of the potential impact of average speed cameras on the number of accidents and casualties.

A 2016 study conducted by the RAC Foundation in partnership with Road Safety Analysis examined 50 Average Speed Camera (ASC) sites across Great Britain. After adjusting for factors such as regression to the mean and national casualty trends, the analysis found:36.4% reduction in fatal and serious collisions (KSI)16% reduction in all injury collisions The full report is available atAverage_speed_camera_effectiveness_Owen_Ursachi_Allsop_September_2016.pdf

Pursuant to the answer of 5 November 2025 to question 85843, whether she is considering requiring drivers to register with their home local authority validated by checking council tax, electoral roll and credit reference data.

The English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill seeks to introduce powers to set national minimum standards for taxi and private hire vehicle licensing. If passed, national minimum standards would enable government to set robust standards for licensing across England, to keep all members of the public safe, wherever they live or travel. It would also help reduce the variability of licensing standards across the country, which is a significant factor in inducing drivers to licence with an authority other than that in which they intend to work. The Department continues to consider further options for reform, including out-of-area working and enforcement. We need to ensure that taxis and PHVs are able to work in a way that facilitates the journeys passengers want and need to make, in a consistently safe way, whilst achieving the best overall outcomes for passenger safety.

Pursuant to the answer of 25 November 2025 to question 92073, what steps her Department is taking to ensure maximum resale value for commercial assets held by the DVLA.

The Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) has been selling previously unissued vehicle registration numbers since 1989. In that time more than nine million registration numbers have been sold, generating £4.1 billion in revenue.Vehicle registration numbers that have been previously issued and displayed on a vehicle or held on a certificate of entitlement and allowed to expire are not resold. The DVLA is currently developing a strategic plan which is designed to enable and optimise sustainable growth and ensure that annual sales income targets are consistently met or exceeded.

What assessment has taken place of the effectiveness of measures to tackle the resale of dangerous part worn tyres.

The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency’s Market Surveillance Unit works closely with local Trading Standards teams to carry out checks on garages selling part worn tyres, enforcing sanctions where necessary. Any retailer selling part-worn tyres which fail to meet these requirements is breaking the law under the Consumer Protection Act 1987 and could be subject to a substantial fine or prison sentence. Tyres are safety-critical components and are checked as part of the MOT test, ensuring tyres have adequate tread depth and are free from cuts or bulges. Any vehicle with defective tyres will fail an MOT test and is not permitted to be driven on the road.