Written questions by Savage.

What steps his Department is taking to improve road safety for equestrians; and whether he plans to update Highway Code guidance or introduce further statutory protections for horse riders.

The Highway Code was updated in 2022 to improve road safety for people walking, cycling and riding horses including the introduction of a hierarchy of road users. Following these updates the Department ran large-scale THINK! advertising campaigns to raise awareness of the changes. 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 Road Safety Strategy published on 7 January, 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.

What support is available to victims of road traffic collisions involving animals where no human fatality occurs; and whether he plans to review existing support mechanisms for people who are affected.

Where a road traffic offence is criminal, those affected by the offence can expect to receive the services set out in the Victims’ Code. The Victim’s Code is a practical statutory guide for victims of crime, including victims of road traffic offences, to understand what they can expect from the criminal justice system, and outlines the minimum level of service they should receive. The Ministry of Justice is the lead government department for the Victim’s Code and has committed to undertaking a review of it.

What guidance is provided to local authorities on setting reduced speed limits in rural areas; and whether he plans to increase the powers available to local authorities to introduce speed limit zones in rural communities.

Guidance for local authorities on setting reduced speed limits, including in rural areas, is provided through the Department for Transport’s Setting Local Speed Limits guidance. This makes clear that local traffic authorities may introduce speed limits below the national limit where local conditions justify it, based on factors such as road layout, safety considerations and the character of the area. The Road Safety Strategy published on 7 January 2026 committed to update current guidance on local speed limits and speed‑camera use.

What data his Department collects on road traffic collisions involving horses; and whether he plans to improve the recording and publication of statistics on such incidents.

The Department’s published road collision statistics are based on data reported by police forces via the STATS19 data collection system. STATS19 covers collisions on the public highway reported to and recorded by police, and which involve injury to one or more human participants. This includes collisions involving horses. Within the collection, horses are recorded as vehicles, and riders (when injured) as casualties.There are currently no plans to change the recording of incidents involving horses in STATS19. The collection is reviewed periodically by the Standing Committee on Road Injury Collision Statistics (SCRICS). Any proposals to amend the collection will be considered during the next review, though the timing of this has not yet been set.

Whether her Department plans to increase driver accountability for road traffic collisions involving horses and other animals on public roads; and whether she has considered amending the Road Traffic Act 1988.

My Department already recognises that horse riders are vulnerable road users with safety needs. Accordingly, the Highway Code covers horse riders and the need for drivers to exercise special care in relation to them. The Highway Code was updated in 2022 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 advice on safe passing distances in Rule 163, says that motorists should “pass horse riders and horse-drawn vehicles at speeds under 10mph and allow at least 2 metres of space”. The Government does not currently have plans to amend the Road Traffic Act in relation to horse riders.

What recent assessment his Department has made of the adequacy of the national speed limit on rural single carriageway roads; and whether he has considered introducing a default speed limit lower than 60mph on unclassified rural roads.

The Road Safety Strategy published on 7 January 2026, commits the Government updating the best practice guidance Setting Local Speed Limits which outlines how local authorities may introduce lower limits on rural roads where appropriate. The most recent publicly accessible version of this guidance emphasises that Local traffic authorities have the power to introduce speed limits lower than the national limit where local conditions justify this. The Road Safety Strategy also looks at exploring whether the proposed rural roads categories are appropriate at a local level and to assessing their potential for national application. Developing a much clearer and more consistent definition of what constitutes a ‘rural road’ could help target safety interventions more effectively, ensuring resources are spent where they can have the greatest impact.

What assessment she has made of the adequacy of existing legal provisions relating to road traffic collisions involving horses; and whether she has considered introducing legislation to recognise horses and their riders as vulnerable road users for the purposes of criminal liability.

The Department already recognises that horse riders are vulnerable road users with safety needs. Accordingly, the Highway Code covers horse riders and the need for drivers to exercise special care in relation to them. There are a range of offences which create criminal liability for bad driving and the harm that results. Those offences include dangerous or careless driving. The offences apply where a pedestrian or another road user, including horse riders are involved. The independent Sentencing Council provides guidelines to the courts for sentencing driving offences which also list as an aggravating factor, that is a factor meriting an increased sentence, the fact that the “victim was a vulnerable road user, including pedestrians, cyclists, horse riders, motorcyclists etc.”

What guidance is issued to DVLA staff on reasonable adjustments under the Equality Act 2010 for applicants who cannot use standard telephone-based verification processes.

Information on the number of formal complaints relating to accessibility or communication barriers at the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) over the last three years is not readily available. The DVLA offers a variety of reasonable adjustments to customers which can range from simple adjustments such as providing correspondence on coloured paper or in large print, to providing a ‘Video Relay Service’ for British Sign Language users who want to contact the DVLA via telephone. As part of fulfilling its obligations under the Equality Act 2010, the DVLA’s contact centre agents are trained to assist customers who may require reasonable adjustments. Operating instructions and knowledge articles help staff to ensure they follow the correct processes to identify the most suitable form of support for the customer, depending on their individual needs. For customers who do not want or are unable to use the telephone, a webform service is also available to customers 24/7. The DVLA is also planning to launch a WhatsApp service. Although the DVLA continues to develop its digital channels to improve customer service and support offerings, it recognises not all customers want or are able to transact digitally and provides paper application facilities as appropriate.

How many formal complaints relating to accessibility or communication barriers at DVLA have been received in the last three years; and what steps are being taken to help improve accessibility for vulnerable or disabled users.

Information on the number of formal complaints relating to accessibility or communication barriers at the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) over the last three years is not readily available. The DVLA offers a variety of reasonable adjustments to customers which can range from simple adjustments such as providing correspondence on coloured paper or in large print, to providing a ‘Video Relay Service’ for British Sign Language users who want to contact the DVLA via telephone. As part of fulfilling its obligations under the Equality Act 2010, the DVLA’s contact centre agents are trained to assist customers who may require reasonable adjustments. Operating instructions and knowledge articles help staff to ensure they follow the correct processes to identify the most suitable form of support for the customer, depending on their individual needs. For customers who do not want or are unable to use the telephone, a webform service is also available to customers 24/7. The DVLA is also planning to launch a WhatsApp service. Although the DVLA continues to develop its digital channels to improve customer service and support offerings, it recognises not all customers want or are able to transact digitally and provides paper application facilities as appropriate.

What assessment her Department has made of the accessibility of services provided by the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency for disabled people who are unable to communicate by telephone; and whether she will take steps to ensure that alternative communication routes, including written and accessible digital channels, are made available and responded to within reasonable timescales.

Information on the number of formal complaints relating to accessibility or communication barriers at the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) over the last three years is not readily available. The DVLA offers a variety of reasonable adjustments to customers which can range from simple adjustments such as providing correspondence on coloured paper or in large print, to providing a ‘Video Relay Service’ for British Sign Language users who want to contact the DVLA via telephone. As part of fulfilling its obligations under the Equality Act 2010, the DVLA’s contact centre agents are trained to assist customers who may require reasonable adjustments. Operating instructions and knowledge articles help staff to ensure they follow the correct processes to identify the most suitable form of support for the customer, depending on their individual needs. For customers who do not want or are unable to use the telephone, a webform service is also available to customers 24/7. The DVLA is also planning to launch a WhatsApp service. Although the DVLA continues to develop its digital channels to improve customer service and support offerings, it recognises not all customers want or are able to transact digitally and provides paper application facilities as appropriate.

What assessment her Department has made of the potential impact of reducing the drink-drive limit from 80mg to 50mg of alcohol per 100ml of blood on rural pubs and communities; and if she will publish a full impact assessment, including evidence from Scotland, before bringing forward legislative changes.

The Government is consulting on proposed changes to penalties for motoring offences, as part of the recently published Road Safety Strategy. As part of this, the Government is consulting on the general principle of lowering drink drive limit in England and Wales, which has remained unchanged since 1967 and is currently the highest in Europe. Current evidence does not suggest a widespread or sustained adverse impact on the hospitality sector overall. The Government will consider potential impacts on rural pubs and communities as part of its analysis of consultation responses. The Government will conduct an impact assessment following consultation responses and an evidence‑led options analysis, and will publish it in line with usual practice where required. The consultation is seeking views on a range of measures to reduce drink-driving, including options such as alcohol ignition interlocks (“alcolocks”) for offenders and powers to suspend licences for suspected drink or drug drivers.

What assessment has been made of passenger demand and capacity on Great Western Railway services between Kemble and London Paddington, and what steps are being taken to ensure that service provision reflects demand on this route.

Great Western Railway (GWR) is responsible for ensuring sufficient allocation of capacity to meet demand on its rail services. Departmental officials monitor this carefully using available industry data. Officials hold regular discussions with GWR to ensure service levels and capacity provision is optimised to accommodate demand between Kemble and London Paddington. GWR has experienced an increase in short formations on services across its intercity train fleet in recent periods, including on services between Kemble and Paddington, due to issues with the diesel engines. These issues have now stabilised, with a noticeable reduction in recent weeks, and the Department continues to monitor this closely.

Whether her Department has considered introducing an automatic payment option for clean air zone charges nationwide, similar to the system operating in London; and whether she will review the level of penalty charges for late or non-payment to ensure they are proportionate.

Autopay, where a driver could register their vehicle with the service and payment is taken automatically when that vehicle enters a Clean Air Zone, was considered as part of the CAZ digital service user research and design phases. This is not an existing feature of GOV.UK Pay. Autopay was not taken forward at the time because it would have added significant cost and complexity to the service and would have delayed the point at which the service (and therefore the first CAZs) could go live. Penalty Charges for late payment are a matter for local authorities.

Whether the English Devolution Bill will include powers for local councils to tackle pavement parking.

The Department held a consultation in 2020 and is working through the policy options to tackle pavement parking and the appropriate means of delivering them. As soon as the Government is satisfied that an optimal solution to this complex issue has been identified, we will announce the next steps and publish our formal response.

What steps her Department is taking to (a) reduce waiting times for practical driving tests, (b) increase the availability of driving test examiners and (c) expand access to test centres in (i) South Cotswolds constituency and (ii) other rural areas.

The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency’s (DVSA) main priority is upholding road safety standards while it works hard to reduce car practical driving test waiting times.On the 23 April, the Secretary of State for Transport appeared before the Transport Select Committee and announced that DVSA will take further actions to reduce waiting times for all customers across Great Britain, including those in rural areas.Further information on these actions and progress on DVSA’s 7-point plan, which was set out last year, can be found on GOV.UK.DVSA’s 7-point plan included recruiting and training 450 driving examiners (DE). In its recent recruitment campaign, DVSA advertised for three DEs for Swindon, Cheltenham and Gloucester. DVSA’s recent recruitment activity in the area has resulted in:three DEs waiting to begin training; andone DE completing pre-employment checks.Additionally, the agency has one DE transferring into Gloucester from another test centre.Should applicants successfully complete the required training, this will increase the number of DEs working in those test centres to 28, from 20.DVSA is committed to providing its customers, including those in rural areas, with the best service possible. DVSA continually reviews its estate to ensure it represents good value for money and is efficient.

What steps she is taking to improve the (a) availability and (b) accessibility of electric vehicle charge points in (i) rural areas and villages and (ii) the South Cotswolds.

The Government is committed to accelerating the roll-out of affordable and accessible charging infrastructure so that everyone, no matter where they live or work, can make the transition to an electric vehicle (EV).The South Cotswolds constituency will benefit from both Gloucestershire County Council’s £3.7m and Wiltshire Council’s £4.4m capital and resource funding as part of the £381m Local EV Infrastructure (LEVI) Fund, to transform the availability of EV charging for drivers without off-street parking in the area. The LEVI Fund is expected to leverage significant further private investment and support the installation of at least 100,000 local chargepoints across England.LEVI funding allocations factored in the proportion of residents within the local authority that are in rural areas. This means local authorities in rural areas were allocated additional funding compared to urban ones.A range of Government grants are also available to support the installation of charging infrastructure in homes, workplaces and schools: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/electric-vehicle-chargepoint-grants.

What steps her Department is taking to (a) prevent third-party brokers from bulk-booking driving test slots via the DVSA online system and (b) to reduce waiting times for learner drivers in rural areas.

The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency’s (DVSA) main priority is upholding road safety standards while it works hard to reduce car practical driving test waiting times. On the 18 December 2024, DVSA set out further plans to reduce driving test waiting times across the country. These steps include recruiting 450 driving examiners (DEs). Full details of these steps can be found on GOV.UK. DVSA is committed to providing customers with the best service possible and continually reviews its estate, including in rural areas, to ensure it represents good value for money and is efficient. To ensure fairness for everyone wanting to book a practical driving test, DVSA continues to work hard to combat the unscrupulous practice of reselling tests and has announced further measures to review the driving test booking system. On the 18 December 2024, a call for evidence was launched, seeking views on the current rules to book tests. This will lead to consultation on improving processes, with potential future legislative changes. On 6 January 2025, DVSA also introduced tougher terms and conditions for the service driving instructors use to book and manage car driving tests for their pupils.

What steps her Department is taking to tackle trends in the levels of (a) noise pollution and (b) emissions from motorcycles and cars.

The Government takes the impact of noise pollution on health, wellbeing and the natural environment seriously. Strict noise regulations for motorcycles and cars are harmonised at an international level and require vehicles to demonstrate compliance before being placed on the market.Poor air quality poses a significant risk to public health. Delivering greener transport is a priority for the Department for Transport and we are committed to cleaning up our air and protecting the public from the harms of pollution.The Zero Emission Vehicle (ZEV) Mandate sets a clear pathway for the decarbonisation of new cars and vans and is the largest carbon saving measure across government. The Department is committed to decarbonising other vehicle categories and is exploring options for implementation that meet the needs of each segment of the market. Non-ZEV motorcycles and cars are also subject to stringent emissions standards, including strict limits on pollutant emissions such as nitrogen oxides and particulate matter.

When she plans to publish the Road Safety Strategy; and if she will make an assessment of the potential merits of implementing graduated driving licences for young people in that strategy.

Whilst we are not considering Graduated Driving Licences, we absolutely recognise that young people are disproportionately victims of tragic incidents on our roads, and we are exploring options to tackle the root causes of this without unfairly penalising young drivers. My Department is developing our road safety strategy and will set out more details on when it will be published in due course.

What steps her Department is taking to ensure the (a) affordability and (b) transparency of train fares; and whether she plans to regulate dynamic pricing models for commuter routes.

Whilst it is our ambition through public ownership to deliver a more affordable railway, any long-term changes or concessions made to rail fares policy require balancing against the potential impacts on passengers, taxpayers and the railway. We are committed to reforming the overcomplicated fares and ticketing system to deliver simpler, easier and more flexible ways to travel and will expand ticketing innovations such as Pay As You Go in urban areas across the country.