Written questions by Paul.

Whether she has made a comparative assessment of the relationship between switching off lighting on stretches of (a) motorways and (b) major trunk roads and trends in the level of accidents on these roads.

National Highways assesses the benefits and costs of any potential changes in lighting provision. This is in line with the design and appraisal standards set out in the Design Manual for Roads and Bridges, which ensures that road lighting is provided at a sufficient level to support road safety, whilst also being cost effective, energy efficient and not causing unnecessary light pollution. Where National Highways determines lighting should be removed, the implementation plan includes a full switch-off for an initial period of one year. This enables the collision and casualty rates to be monitored to determine if there is an impact on safety and if mitigating action is required.

Pursuant to the Answer of 8 October 2024 to Question 5795 on M25: Noise, how much Next Generation Concrete Surfacing is expected to reduce noise levels by.

Trials conducted on the M1 suggest that Next Generation Concrete Surfacing (NGCS) could yield a reduction of between 3.4 and 3.7 dB(A) in the noise generated between the vehicle tyre and the concrete road surface.

Pursuant to the Answer of 9 October 2024 to Question 5796 on Parking: Pedestrian Areas, if she will set a target date to respond to the consultation entitled Pavement Parking: options for change, which closed in November 2020.

We are currently considering the views expressed in the consultation responses. Our plan is to publish a formal response to the consultation, summarising the views received and announcing the Government’s next steps for pavement parking policy in due course.

Pursuant to the Answer of 8 October 2024 to Question 5795 on M25: Noise, when Next Generation Concrete Surfacing will take place between Junctions 8 and 9 on the M25.

A section of the M25 between Junction 8 and Junction 9 was treated with Next Generation Concrete Surfacing (NGCS) in September 2024 and wider implementation of NGCS on the M25 is expected to be undertaken from 2026. At present, National Highways is unable to confirm when specific sections of the M25 will be treated, but all concrete sections of the M25 are planned to receive noise mitigation treatment.

If she will make an assessment of the potential impact of the £2 bus fare cap on bus usage in (a) Reigate and Banstead Borough and (b) Surrey since its introduction.

The £2 fare cap was launched by the Department for Transport (DfT) on 1 January 2023 and is set to remain in place until the end of December 2024. The DfT published an interim report in September 2023 setting out emerging trends in key outcomes from the first two months of the scheme. It is available on GOV.UK at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/evaluation-of-the-2-bus-fare-cap/2-bus-fare-cap-evaluation-interim-report-february-2023. Patronage in Surrey appears to be continuing to recover following the COVID-19 pandemic. DfT does not collect patronage data lower than local transport authority level and is unable to make an assessment of bus usage for Reigate and Banstead Borough.

When she plans to respond to the consultation entitled Pavement Parking: options for change, which closed in November 2020.

In 2020, the Department undertook a public consultation on options for changing the way pavement parking is managed outside London. We are considering the views received to inform the Government’s next steps for pavement parking policy. The formal consultation response will be available to view at: www.gov.uk/government/consultations/managing-pavement-parking.

What steps she is taking to (a) repair and (b) replace concrete sections of the M25 generating excessive noise.

Work is being planned to treat the concrete sections of the M25 with a new technique known as Next Generation Concrete Surfacing (NGCS) to reduce noise. The treatment involves repairing the joints between the concrete sections and then retexturing and scoring the concrete road surface itself. The overall effect of repairing the joints and treating the concrete surface will reduce noise. National Highways regularly monitors the condition of the concrete road surface and the joints to carry out repairs as quickly as possible whenever maintenance is required.