Written questions by Dillon.

What consideration his Department has given to reviewing diversion routes for A34 closures to ensure that country lanes are not used.

National Highways (NH) agrees strategic diversion routes with local authorities and the Police for any planned closures on the A34. These routes are selected as the most suitable for the type and volume of traffic expected and are kept under review. Country lanes are rarely suitable, so are unlikely to be used as officially designed and signed diversion routes. As a general principle diversion routes will aim to avoid sending traffic onto any road that cannot safely accommodate it. Clear signage and advance warnings are used to help drivers follow the agreed diversion and avoid unsuitable country lanes, however, NH cannot compel road users to use a specific route, and drivers are entitled to use any part of the public highway.

What steps her Department is taking to improve processing times for driving licence renewals involving medical assessments.

The table below shows the average number of working days taken to process driving licence applications where a medical condition needed to be investigated before a licence could be issued for both group 1 (cars and motorcycles) and group 2 (lorry and bus) licences. Group 1 Group 2Dec 202445.3246.65Jan 202546.146.29Feb 202542.6540.55Mar 202545.4840.64Apr 202541.6443.49May 202542.3441.46Jun 202548.0837.85Jul 202554.4239.06Aug 202549.3341.72Sept 202552.549.04Oct 202578.3655.78Nov 202580.2747.71 Driving licence applications where a medical condition(s) must be investigated before a licence can be issued can take longer as the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) is often reliant on receiving information from third parties, including medical professionals, before a licence can be issued. The DVLA is currently rolling out a new casework system which is expected to deliver significant improvements to the services provided to drivers with medical conditions. When fully implemented, this will provide improved turnaround times, increased capacity and automation, higher levels of digital functionality and digital communication. The DVLA is also planning to launch a new medical services platform which will enable more customers to transact online and will increase the use of email communication. Applicants renewing an existing licence may be able to continue driving while their application is being processed, providing they can meet specific criteria. More information can be found online at: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/inf1886-can-i-drive-while-my-application-is-with-dvla.

What the average processing time was for driving licence renewals involving medical assessments in each of the last 12 months.

The table below shows the average number of working days taken to process driving licence applications where a medical condition needed to be investigated before a licence could be issued for both group 1 (cars and motorcycles) and group 2 (lorry and bus) licences. Group 1 Group 2Dec 202445.3246.65Jan 202546.146.29Feb 202542.6540.55Mar 202545.4840.64Apr 202541.6443.49May 202542.3441.46Jun 202548.0837.85Jul 202554.4239.06Aug 202549.3341.72Sept 202552.549.04Oct 202578.3655.78Nov 202580.2747.71 Driving licence applications where a medical condition(s) must be investigated before a licence can be issued can take longer as the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) is often reliant on receiving information from third parties, including medical professionals, before a licence can be issued. The DVLA is currently rolling out a new casework system which is expected to deliver significant improvements to the services provided to drivers with medical conditions. When fully implemented, this will provide improved turnaround times, increased capacity and automation, higher levels of digital functionality and digital communication. The DVLA is also planning to launch a new medical services platform which will enable more customers to transact online and will increase the use of email communication. Applicants renewing an existing licence may be able to continue driving while their application is being processed, providing they can meet specific criteria. More information can be found online at: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/inf1886-can-i-drive-while-my-application-is-with-dvla.

What steps her Department is taking to improve cycling connectivity between rural towns and villages.

The Spending Review in June 2025 allocated £616 million for Active Travel England to support local authorities to build and maintain walking and cycling infrastructure from over the years 2026/27 to 2029/30. This comes on top of £222.5 million announced in February 2025 for local authorities over 2024/25-25/26, which can be used by authorities to improve cycling connectivity between rural towns and villages. Active Travel England’s Rural Design Guidance (RDG) is currently in its final development stages and is expected to be published by the end of the year. The RDG will support authorities in delivering active travel routes both within rural settlements and between them by providing tailored guidance and support. Active Travel England currently works with local authorities during the design stage of active travel projects to increase design standards and embed guidance.

Whether her Department plans to extend the (a) 38.4 and (b) 44 tonne limits for lower carbon construction vehicles after 2028.

The Department ran a call for evidence from October to December 2023 seeking views on three potential options on weight limits for Volumetric Concrete Mixers (VCMs). The outcome of this review was published on 18 March 2025. VCMs will continue to be permitted on our roads, but as planned, a temporary weight limit exemption for this type of vehicle (via vehicle special orders) will end on 31 March 2028, after which VCMs must operate at the legal weight limits applicable to other heavy good vehicles. This is not a ban or change in policy. There are no plans to extend the 38.4 or 44 tonne weight limits for Volumetric Concrete Mixers beyond 2028.

What steps her Department is taking to support local bus routes in rural areas in (a) Newbury constituency and (b) other areas.

The government is committed to delivering the better, more reliable bus services that passengers deserve throughout the country, including in rural areas. The government introduced the Bus Services (No. 2) Bill on 17 December as part of our ambitious plan for bus reform. The Bill will put passenger needs, reliable services and local accountability at the heart of the industry by putting the power over local bus services back in the hands of local leaders. The Bill includes a measure on socially necessary services so that local authorities and bus operators have to have regard for alternatives to changing or cancelling services. As part of the Autumn 2024 Budget, the government allocated £955 million to support and improve bus services in 2025/26. This includes £712 million for local authorities, this can be used to expand services and improve reliability, which are currently massive obstacles for too many people.  West Berkshire Council was allocated £1.6 million of this funding. Funding allocated to local authorities to deliver better bus services can be used in whichever way they wish to improve services for passengers, including expanding services and improving reliability. The government reaffirmed its commitment to investing in bus services long-term in this Spending Review. On 11 June, the government confirmed additional funding per year from 2026/27 to maintain and improve bus services, including taking forward franchising pilots and extending the £3 bus fare cap until March 2027.

Whether she plans to introduce tougher questions in driving (a) practical and (b) theory tests on equestrian road safety.

The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) regularly reviews the questions at the point of test to ensure they remain clear, relevant and effective in assessing candidates’ knowledge.Questions asked during the practical test are designed to focus on the vehicle itself. This ensures that learners can demonstrate they can safely operate and maintain their vehicle in real-world situations.Broader knowledge of road rules, hazard perception and theory is fully assessed in the theory test, which is taken before the practical. Together, the two parts of the driving test are designed to complement each other, ensuring new drivers have both the theoretical understanding and the practical skills needed to drive safely and responsibly.DVSA has recognised the need to promote the recognition of hazards by drivers when sharing the road with horse riders and horse-drawn vehicles. These are well represented within the hazard perception part of the test, a CGI video test which requires candidates to identify developing hazards on the road in good time.Both the multiple choice and hazard perception parts of the theory test are continually being updated and added to, with one of the focuses being on vulnerable road users such as horse riders.

Whether she has had recent discussions with National Highways on the potential merits of introducing spacing chevrons on the A34.

National Highways has not identified a specific issue with mainline collisions on the A34 that would prompt such an intervention and as such, currently has no plans to install spacing chevrons on the A34.

Whether she has had any discussions with National Highways on banning HGV through traffic from Newbury town centre when the A34 is closed.

Diversion routes which include those through Newbury town centre are not part of the Strategic Road Network therefore are managed by the Local Authority.National Highways diversion routes are longstanding and agreed with the local authorities. Annual reviews are conducted to ensure that they remain fit for purpose and able to accommodate the type and volume of traffic using a given route, for example Heavy Goods Vehicles.

Whether her Department is taking steps with National Highways to install LED cat’s eyes on the A34.

National Highways is responsible for the maintenance and safety of the A34. The A34 has approximately 0.5 million metres of longitudinal road markings, with a legacy of associated road studs of various types. Surface-mounted road studs are typical, although more robust embedded studs are used where necessary, such as at centre lines near junctions. LED flush solar road studs have already been installed at several locations on the A34, including around the West Ilsley, Chilton, Milton, Hinksey Hill, and Botley junctions, to improve nighttime visibility.

Whether her Department is taking steps with National Highways to introduce new (a) signage and (b) road markings to improve visibility on the A34.

National Highways is taking steps to improve visibility on the A34 through planned work on both new signage and road marking. National Highways is currently developing a scheme to renew approximately 51 signage assets along the route, in addition to refreshing road markings on the A34 and its slip roads between the Chieveley Interchange and the junction with the M40. Traffic signs on the A34 are inspected annually, alternating between one year as visual inspections and the second year as drive-through surveys measuring sign reflectivity. National Highways inspectors also patrol the length of the A34 at least twice a week, looking for obstructed signs or deteriorating road markings with any issues identified and raised as defects for attention. This year, National Highways has so far carried out 1,053 soft estate works on the A34, including the clearance of vegetation and obstructions from sightlines at junctions, signage, footpaths, and technology equipment.

What steps her Department is taking to improve the quality of road surfaces on the A34 slip roads.

National Highways is responsible for the maintenance and the quality of the A34 and its slip roads surfaces. National Highways currently has a resurfacing scheme ongoing in the East Ilsley area, which includes the resurfacing of the northbound slip roads. In addition, several A34 slip roads have been resurfaced since December 2023. These include:December 2023: Northbound offslip and onslip at A343 Andover Road InterchangeJanuary 2024: Southbound offslip (120m) and onslip (125m) at A4 Bath Road Junction (Speen)February 2024: Southbound offslip (116m) at A343 Andover Road InterchangeMarch 2024: Southbound offslip (first 280m) at B4640 Tothill InterchangeJuly 2024: Northbound onslip (272m) at B4640 Tothill InterchangeAugust 2024: Northbound offslip (218m) and onslip (135m) at A4 Bath Road Junction (Speen)December 2024: Northbound offslip at B4640 Tothill Interchange National Highways will continue to monitor the condition of the A34 and plan further maintenance as necessary.

Whether her Department is taking steps with National Highways to introduce speed enforcement measures at known accident hotspots on the A34.

National Highways currently has no plans to introduce speed enforcement measures on the A34. National Highways deem the current speed limits on the A34 are appropriate. However, speed limits across the network are kept under review by National Highways.

If she will work with National Highways to ensure that runoff from the M4 does not pollute the chalk streams in Newbury.

National Highways (NH) is well aware of this issue, and in 2024 treated a site along the M4 that was found to be discharging into the River Lambourn chalk stream near Newbury. More generally, the Department is working closely with NH to address the risk of water pollution from the strategic road network and supports the prioritisation approach taken by NH in its efforts to mitigate pollution. This focuses on addressing verified high-risk outfalls as defined in NH’s 2030 water quality plan. The DfT and NH both recognise the importance of protecting chalk streams and NH is undertaking a review of its technical standard for road drainage and the water environment to give greater prominence to chalk streams.

What progress her Department has made on making at least 10,000 extra driving tests available each month.

On the 23 April, the Secretary of State for Transport appeared before the Transport Select Committee and announced that the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) will take further actions to reduce waiting times for all customers across Great Britain. Since announcing these measures, DVSA has: Asked volunteers currently working in other roles, but qualified to examine, to carry out practical driving tests. Reintroduced overtime pay incentives for everyone delivering driving tests. The additional testing allowance (ATA) scheme launched this month (June 2025). DVSA believes the introduction of the ATA will encourage those in other roles to provide tests. The ATA scheme is designed to encourage a high level of take up. It is too early to provide information on how many volunteers might take up the offer nationally and the number of additional tests created. As part of the measures announced 23 April, DVSA also has: Continued to work towards doubling new entrant training capacity. By 31 July 2025, DVSA aims to double its permanent training resource from 13 to 26 trainers. This will ensure newly recruited driving examiners can qualify as quickly as possible. Launched a public consultation on improving the rules for booking car driving tests. Views are being sought from the driver training industry, learner drivers and other interested parties on changes which aim to prevent learner drivers being exploited by those who resell tests at a higher price. The consultation will close at 11:59pm on 23 July 2025. Further information on these actions and progress of DVSA’s plan to reduce driving test waiting times, which was announced in December 2024, can be found on GOV.UK.

What plans her Department has to increase funding for (a) road maintenance and (b) pothole repairs in Newbury.

West Berkshire Council is the local highway authority for Newbury. The Government is providing West Berkshire Council with £8.9 million of highway maintenance funding in 2025/26, an increase of over £2.3 million compared to 2024/25. Funding is not ring-fenced, and it is a matter for local authorities to determine how the money is best spent. Decisions on future funding settlements for local highway authorities, including West Berkshire Council, will be decided as part of the Spending Review.

What steps she is taking to improve road safety for horses and horse riders.

In 2022 The Highway Code was updated to improve the safety of all road users, particularly the most vulnerable. Key changes included the introduction of a Hierarchy of Road Users, which ensures that those who do the greatest harm have the greatest responsibility to reduce the danger or threat that they pose to others, along with the strengthening of guidance on safe passing distances and speeds when overtaking horse riders.The Government's flagship road safety campaign, THINK!, ran campaigns to alert road users of the changes as they came into effect and broader behaviour campaigns to encourage understanding and uptake of the guidance. Results from the last campaign showed that by September 2023, 93% of drivers agreed it was their responsibility to give space to vulnerable road users. We will continue to promote The Highway Code changes on THINK! and DfT social media channels and via our partner organisations.

Whether her Department plans to provide additional funding to National Highways to improve road safety on the A34 around Newbury constituency.

Safety remains the Department and National Highways top priority as we develop the third Road Investment Strategy, which will set out National Highways strategic objectives, deliverables and funding to operate and maintain the strategic road network for the period 2026 – 2031.

What steps her Department is taking to improve road safety on slip roads on the A34 in Newbury.

In 2017, the Department commissioned National Highways to conduct an in-depth safety review of the route to study incident hotspots, which identified and delivered £12.1m of improvements to the route between Newbury and Oxford, including to the slip roads at East Illsley, West Berkshire. National Highways continues to review the safety performance of these sections of the strategic road network and consider the case for further investment where necessary. I have asked National Highways to engage with local MPs on the route regarding this work.

What assessment she has made of the potential impact of slip roads on the A34 in Newbury on passenger safety.

National Highways has undertaken several studies across various sections of the A34 to understand where improvements could be made. In 2017, the Department commissioned National Highways to conduct an in-depth safety review of the route to study incident hotspots. This work identified and delivered £12.1m of improvements to the route between Newbury and Oxford, including to the slip roads at East Illsley, West Berkshire.