Written questions by Paul.

What steps she is taking to help increase the use of hydrogen in the transport system.

Awaiting answer.

What steps she will take to promote increased awareness of the 2022 changes to the Highway Code.

Injuries and fatalities from road collisions caused by driving are unacceptable, and this Government will work hard to prevent these tragedies for all road users. That is why on 7 January 2026, we published our new Road Safety Strategy, setting out our vision for a safer future on our roads for all. Following updates to the Highway Code in 2022, the department ran large-scale THINK! advertising campaigns to raise awareness of the changes. Via the THINK! campaign, we are also running year-round radio filler adverts encouraging compliance with the guidance to improve safety for those walking, cycling and horse riding. We will also continue to promote the changes via THINK! and Department for Transport social media channels, as well as through partner organisations. However, as set out in the strategy, more work is needed to continue embedding these changes and overall awareness of the Highway Code. We are considering options in this area, and further details will be shared in due course. As our road environment and technologies evolve, providing education for all road users throughout their lifetime is vital to improving road safety. As announced in the strategy to support a Lifelong Learning approach in the UK, the government will publish for the first time national guidance on the development and delivery of road safety education, training and publicity. Alongside this, the government will publish a manual to support the implementation of a Lifelong Learning approach for road safety.

What assessment her Department has made of the potential impact of preventing third parties from booking driving test slots on the range and quality of services driving instructors are able to offer pupils.

To ensure fairness for everyone wanting to book a practical driving test, the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) continues to work hard to combat the unscrupulous practice of reselling tests across the country. The measures the Secretary of State for Transport announced on 12 November are designed to 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. The decision follows a call for evidence and a public consultation that sought views from the driver training industry, learner drivers and other interested parties. In reaching this decision, impacts were fully considered. Further detail on the rationale, which will set out the detailed analysis, will be provided in the consultation report which will be published shortly. The changes will come into effect from Spring 2026, and DVSA is working closely with a representative bodies group which includes national trade associations and large driving schools, to develop future communications to support and prepare the industry for the changes.

What steps her Department took to communicate information regarding recent operational changes to the driving test booking system to Approved Driving Instructors ahead of those changes coming into force.

To ensure fairness for everyone wanting to book a practical driving test, the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) continues to work hard to combat the unscrupulous practice of reselling tests across the country. The measures the Secretary of State for Transport announced on 12 November are designed to 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. The decision follows a call for evidence and a public consultation that sought views from the driver training industry, learner drivers and other interested parties. In reaching this decision, impacts were fully considered. Further detail on the rationale, which will set out the detailed analysis, will be provided in the consultation report which will be published shortly. The changes will come into effect from Spring 2026, and DVSA is working closely with a representative bodies group which includes national trade associations and large driving schools, to develop future communications to support and prepare the industry for the changes.

If she will take steps to recruit additional driving examiners through gov.uk.

The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) advertises for driving examiner (DE) vacancies, as well as other roles across the agency, on the Civil Service jobs website, which is part of GOV.UK. DVSA’s latest DE campaign was advertised on its homepage on GOV.UK on 15 July. Further campaigns will also be launched using the same approach in September 2025.

What steps she is taking to ensure that (a) Kingswood and (b) other villages benefit from a local bus service.

The Government introduced the Bus Services (No.2) Bill on 17 December as part of its ambitious plan for bus reform. The Bill puts the power over local bus services back in the hands of local leaders and is intended to ensure bus services reflect the needs of the communities that rely on them, including in Kingswood and villages right across England. 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. This includes £243 million for bus operators and £712 million allocated to local authorities across the country. Surrey County Council has been allocated over £12 million of this funding. Local authorities can use this funding to introduce new bus routes, make services more frequent and protect crucial bus routes for local communities.

When she expects National Highways to decide on whether the lights along the M25 between Junctions 8 and 9 will be switched back on at night.

National Highways expects to be in a position to make a decision on the lighting in this location once the current evaluation is finished and the appraisal is completed, which is expected to be in January 2026.

What recent discussions she has had with National Highways on its programme of (a) turning off and (b) removing lights on motorways.

The Department meets monthly with National Highways to discuss its performance and delivery. This includes discussions on the company’s actions to meet its Key Performance Indicator targets, one of which is Corporate Carbon reduction. Electricity used to light the strategic road network is by far the biggest contributor to National Highways’ overall carbon emissions. To meet the reduction target, National Highways has been trialling turning off some sections of lighting, where it has been assessed safe to do so, alongside its LED replacement programme.The Office of Rail and Road, as the independent highways monitor, also meets the Department monthly to provide advice on National Highways’ plans and ongoing performance, also covering the Company’s actions to reduce its carbon emissions.

When she expects contactless ticketing to be rolled out to Reigate train station.

The Department announced last year that Reigate would be included in the next tranche of pay-as-you-go stations during contactless expansion. Further details on timing are not available at this stage, but Reigate Station will get contactless ticketing before the end of 2025.

What discussions she has had with (a) Network Rail and (b) other stakeholders on creating a 12 car turn-back facility at Reigate train station since July 2024.

The Reigate 12 car scheme was closed by the previous Government following Spending Review 2021. No development work has taken place on the project since this point.Officials in my Department are in regular discussions with Network Rail on opportunities to improve services across the Brighton Main Line, including the Reigate area. In preparing for Spending Review 2025 we are assessing potential transport investments, ensuring every penny spent supports our missions and the plan for growth.

What discussions she has had with (a) Network Rail and (b) other stakeholders on transport improvements in Reigate constituency.

Officials in my Department are in regular discussions with Network Rail on opportunities to improve services across the Brighton Main Line, including in the Reigate area. As part of Network Rail’s Railway Upgrade Plan, £900 million is being invested in renewing the railway across the route between 2024 and 2029. In preparing for Spending Review 2025 we are assessing potential transport investments, ensuring every penny spent supports our missions and the plan for growth.

Following the the 18 month assessment period for light switch off between junctions 8 and 9 of the M25, when she expects the TA 501 road lighting appraisal to be available.

National Highways expect the appraisal to be completed in January 2026 and the TA501 assessment will be made available from National Highways, upon request, after a decision has been made on the future of the lighting in this location.

Whether she plans to improve accessibility at Earlswood train station.

This Government is committed to improving the accessibility of the railway and recognises the social and economic benefits this brings to communities. We are carefully considering the best approach to the Access for All programme and will announce the next steps after completion of the Spending Review.

Pursuant to the Answer of 14 January 2025 to Question 22503 on Roads: Lighting, what information her Department holds on the potential impact of switching off lighting on stretches of (a) motorways and (b) major trunk roads on the frequency of accidents on those roads, listed by each constituency.

The answer could only be provided at a disproportionate cost. The Department does not readily hold this information in the formats requested and it cannot be produced to the deadlines associated with a Parliamentary Question.

Pursuant to the Answer of 14 January 2025 to Question 22502 on Roads: Lighting if she will provide the evidential basis for her Answer.

The Department does not readily hold this information in the formats requested and it cannot be produced to the deadlines associated with a Parliamentary Question.

Pursuant to the Answer of 14 January 2025 to Question 22501 on Roads: Lighting if she will provide the evidential basis for her Answer.

The Department does not readily hold this information in the formats requested and it cannot be produced to the deadlines associated with a Parliamentary Question.

With reference to page 32 of the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency's report entitled Registering historic, classic, rebuilt vehicles and vehicles converted to electric: Response summary report, published in December 2024, what her planned timetable is for publishing new policy proposals.

Following the publication of the summary of responses to the call for evidence, the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency held a very positive meeting with members of the Historic Vehicle User Group to discuss next steps. Following this meeting, members of the Historic Vehicle User Group submitted further feedback which is currently being considered.

How many road lighting schemes on (a) motorways and (b) all-purpose trunk roads were renewed at the end of their service life following completion of the TA 501 appraisal process in each of the last five years.

The answer could only be provided at a disproportionate cost.

How many miles worth of road lighting on (a) motorways and (b) all-purpose trunk roads have been permanently switched off following completion of the TA 501 appraisal process each of the last five years.

The answer could only be provided at a disproportionate cost.

How many road lighting schemes on (a) motorways and (b) all-purpose trunk roads that were switched off following completion of the TA 501 appraisal process were in the final 18 months of their design life in each of the last five years.

The answer could only be provided at a disproportionate cost.