Written questions by Davies.

Whether she plans to instal Automated External Defibrillators at (a) stations and (b) key infrastructure points as part of the Transpennine Route Upgrade.

I can confirm that Automated External Defibrillators are being installed at stations along the route. Discussions are also taking place with local stakeholders to assess the suitability of installing defibrillators on infrastructure outside of the station environment.

With reference to RNIB's report entitled In my way: navigating pedestrian journeys with sight loss, published on 4 September 2025, whether she plans to standardise street environment regulations for (a) design, (b) maintenance and (c) enforcement.

The design and maintenance of local roads is the responsibility of local authorities who are bound by the Equality Act 2010 and the Public Sector Equality Duty. It is for them to ensure streets are designed and maintained in a way that takes account of the needs of everyone. Enforcement of matters relating to local streets is for the local authority or the police, depending on the nature of the offence.The Department does not set design standards for local roads but provides a legislative and good practice framework. The Department has produced a range of good practice guidance to help them in this, particularly “Inclusive Mobility: A Guide to Best Practice on Access to Pedestrian and Transport Infrastructure”. This is available atwww.gov.uk/government/publications/inclusive-mobility-making-transport-accessible-for-passengers-and-pedestriansI regularly meet with accessibility stakeholders, including RNIB, to discuss a range of issues and will continue to do so.

If she will meet with RNIB to discuss their report entitled In my way: navigating pedestrian journeys with sight loss, published on 4 September 2025.

The design and maintenance of local roads is the responsibility of local authorities who are bound by the Equality Act 2010 and the Public Sector Equality Duty. It is for them to ensure streets are designed and maintained in a way that takes account of the needs of everyone. Enforcement of matters relating to local streets is for the local authority or the police, depending on the nature of the offence.The Department does not set design standards for local roads but provides a legislative and good practice framework. The Department has produced a range of good practice guidance to help them in this, particularly “Inclusive Mobility: A Guide to Best Practice on Access to Pedestrian and Transport Infrastructure”. This is available atwww.gov.uk/government/publications/inclusive-mobility-making-transport-accessible-for-passengers-and-pedestriansI regularly meet with accessibility stakeholders, including RNIB, to discuss a range of issues and will continue to do so.

If she will make an assessment of the potential merits of bringing forward legislative proposals to enable powered two wheelers to use bus lanes in each region in England.

The Government remains committed to supporting efforts to improve the safety of road users but has no plans to bring forward legislation to allow motorcycles and other powered two wheelers to access bus lanes by default. Decisions on this matter are for local highway authorities to make on a case-by-case basis.

What steps her Department is taking to ensure that the vulnerabilities of powered two wheelers are considered in road (a) design and (b) maintenance practices.

Local authorities are responsible for setting design standards for their roads and for considering the needs of different road users, including vulnerable road users, when making changes to their roads. To support local authorities, my Department has published good practice in various documents including the Manual for Streets, Local Transport Notes and Traffic Advisory Leaflets, and has endorsed the Institute of Highway Engineers’ guidelines on designing for motorcycling. It also recognises vulnerable road users in the 2025 Highway Code. In addition to these publications, just last month, my Department also launched its review of another publication, the Well-Managed Highways Infrastructure Code of Practice, which provides highways management advice and best practice. That review will consider a range of road design and maintenance needs, including for powered two wheelers. We aim to have the entire Code of Practice updated by November 2026 and to release updated sections before then as they become available.

When her Department last reviewed the level of penalties for (a) driving without insurance and (b) keeping a vehicle without insurance.

The Government keeps motoring offences under review, including those for driving uninsured. In respect to how many and what proportion of road traffic offences were committed by uninsured drivers, my Department does not hold this information.

If she will include measures to help tackle uninsured driving in the forthcoming road safety strategy.

The Government keeps motoring offences under review, including those for driving uninsured. In respect to how many and what proportion of road traffic offences were committed by uninsured drivers, my Department does not hold this information.

How many and what proportion of road traffic offences were committed by uninsured drivers in the last two years; and if she will make an assessment of the potential implications for her policies of this data.

The Government keeps motoring offences under review, including those for driving uninsured. In respect to how many and what proportion of road traffic offences were committed by uninsured drivers, my Department does not hold this information.

Whether her Department is taking steps to help reduce the impact of uninsured drivers on car insurance premiums.

The Government takes uninsured driving seriously. Continuous Insurance Enforcement (CIE) has enabled action to be taken against those who keep a vehicle without insurance. The scheme allows uninsured vehicles to be identified from a comparison of the DVLA’s vehicle register and the Motor Insurance Database of insurance policies managed by the Motor Insurers’ Bureau. Under CIE keepers of vehicles which appear to be uninsured are sent reminder letters. Those who take no action receive a fixed penalty of £100, followed by enforcement action including prosecution. CIE supplements enforcement action taken by the police on the road. Since 2005 the police have had the power to seize vehicles that are being driven without insurance. In addition to a £300 fixed penalty and 6 penalty points on their licence for the offence, those whose vehicles have been seized face a cost to recover the vehicle and must provide proof that it has been insured. Seized vehicles that are not claimed within 14 days can be sold or crushed.

If she will take steps to improve public transportation to help people stay connected with communities.

The government knows that a modern public transport network is vital to providing access to services and keeping communities connected. The government introduced the Bus Services (No.2) Bill on 17 December to put the power over local bus services back into the hands of local leaders. In addition, the government has confirmed £955 million for the 2025 to 2026 financial year to support and improve bus services in England outside London. We have also set out plans for the biggest overhaul of our railways in a generation by delivering publicly owned passenger rail within the first term in government. The Passenger Railway Services Act 2024 will allow the government to deliver on this commitment, meaning services can be operated in the interests of passengers, not shareholders. The government will also establish a new arm's length body, Great British Railways, which will deliver a unified system that focuses on reliable, affordable, high-quality, and efficient services; along with ensuring safety and accessibility.The government also launched its plan to develop an Integrated National Transport Strategy which will set the high-level direction for how transport should change over the next 10 years to better serve people and communities.