Written questions by Bool.

What evidence her Department considered on graduated driving licenses as part of the Road Safety Strategy; and whether she will publish that evidence.

We used published and publicly available evidence in developing young driver policy in the Road Safety Strategy. Whilst we are not considering Graduated Driver Licensing with further restrictions on newly qualified drivers such as carrying passengers or driving at night, we are consulting on a Minimum Learning Period in England, Scotland, and Wales before learner drivers can take their test. We know that introducing a Minimum Learning Period has potential to reduce the number of deaths and serious injuries. This is why we are consulting on the introduction of pre-test measures and combining these with the post-test measures already in place through the New Drivers Act. Additionally, we are considering further post-test measures as part of the motoring offences consultation, where views are being sought on a lower blood alcohol limit for novice drivers in England and Wales. Once the consultations have concluded, we will publish our responses in due course.

What assessment she has made of the potential merits of introducing a graduated driving license.

We have had to strike a balance between protecting young people and not overly impacting their opportunities to access work and education and social activities. Whilst we are not considering Graduated Driver Licensing with further restrictions on newly qualified drivers such as carrying passengers or driving at night, we are consulting on a Minimum Learning Period in England, Scotland, and Wales before learner drivers can take their test. This would allow learners more time to gain essential experience, for example in different weather conditions, before driving independently and so reduce the risk to themselves and other drivers. We know that introducing a Minimum Learning Period has potential to reduce the number of deaths and serious injuries. This is why we are consulting on the introduction of pre-test measures and combining these with the post-test measures already in place through the New Drivers Act. The New Drivers Act has a form of “probationary period” of 2 years for novice drivers of all ages in Great Britain. During this time, instead of the standard 12 points, if 6 or more points are received, including in the learning period, a driver's licence is revoked and they must apply again for a provisional licence, re-entering the learning stage. Additionally, we are considering further post-test measures as part of the motoring offences consultation, where views are being sought on a lower blood alcohol limit for novice drivers in England and Wales.

Pursuant to the Answer of 11 June 2025 to Question 57937 on Roads: Closures, what mechanisms are in place to ensure accountability when coordination between HS2 Ltd and local authorities fails to prevent avoidable road closures or extended disruption.

Highway authorities have a duty to coordinate works on the highway. HS2 Ltd holds regular local traffic liaison meetings with highway authorities to assist with this. Whilst traffic disruption is inevitable on a project of HS2’s scale, HS2 Ltd is committed to ensuring that this is minimised as far as reasonably practicable. This includes ensuring that any plans for road closures or works that may cause extended disruption are scrutinised carefully to ensure that they cannot be avoided and that appropriate mitigations are put in place.

Pursuant to the Answer of 11 June 2025 to Question 57937 on Roads: Closures, what assessment her Department has made of the effectiveness of the Code of Practice for the Co-ordination of Street and Road Works in reducing levels of disruption caused by overlapping works from (a) statutory bodies and (b) HS2 Ltd.

My department provides the statutory code of practice for the co-ordination of street and road works. It is not possible to assess the effectiveness of this code of practice alone in reducing disruption. The code of practice is one tool amongst many others, including other legislation, statutory guidance and guidance that enables highway authorities to coordinate works on their network and reduce disruption caused by overlapping works. HS2 Ltd also use a range of mitigation measures to manage disruption across the route and keep local communities informed. To help coordinate works with other parties in the area, HS2 Ltd uses traffic management plans, and holds regular local traffic liaison meetings with highway authorities along the route.

Pursuant to the Answer of 11 June 2025 to Question 57937 on Roads: Closures, whether her Department has considered introducing a centralised digital platform to improve transparency and real-time coordination between (a) statutory undertakers, (b) HS2 Ltd and (c) local authorities during roadworks planning and implementation.

My department has already introduced Street Manager, our digital service that is used by all highway authorities and statutory undertakers in England. Our online service allows highway authorities to plan and manage street and road works on their road network. HS2 Ltd also uses this service. We stream open data on live and planned works that is made available to the public via apps and websites. Traffic Regulation Orders (TROs) can be used during works to regulate or restrict use of a road. My department has been developing a central publication platform, known as D-TRO (digital TRO service). The service will improve efficiency and provide real time updates on restrictions. It is currently in private beta testing with a selection of authorities.

What assessment his Department has made of the transport infrastructure needs of South Northamptonshire in the context of (a) the Oxford-Cambridge growth corridor and (b) the aims of the UK’s Modern Industrial Strategy, published on 23 June 2025.

The Oxford-Cambridge (OxCam) Growth Corridor has been identified as a key priority for this Government with South Northamptonshire included within this corridor. Lord Vallance, appointed as the OxCam Champion, is exploring options for how best to deliver economic growth across the whole corridor, which includes considering improved transport infrastructure for the area. South Northamptonshire’s strengths in Advanced Manufacturing, particularly around the Silverstone Technology Cluster also means it stands to benefit from measures set out in the UK’s Modern Industrial Strategy.

What steps her Department is taking to help ensure effective coordination between (a) statutory bodies, (b) water companies, (c) HS2 Ltd and (d) local authorities to help reduce disruption when (i) planning and (ii) implementing road closures.

Sections 59 and 60 of the New Roads and Street Works Act 1991 places a duty on local highway authorities and statutory undertakers (including water companies) to co-ordinate works in order minimise inconvenience for road users and for safety. This is supported by the Code of Practice for the Co-ordination of Street and Road Works produced by my Department to ensure that, although there will always be some disruption from road and street works, these are minimised. Where road closures are unavoidable as part of construction of HS2, contractors work closely with relevant local highway authorities to minimise disruption to local communities.

What steps her Department is taking to improve rural bus services in South Northamptonshire.

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 right across England, including in rural areas in South Northamptonshire.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, of which North Northamptonshire Council and West Northamptonshire Council have been allocated £5.2 million and £5.4 million respectively. Local authorities can use this funding to introduce new bus routes, make services more frequent and protect crucial bus routes for local communities.

Whether she plans to provide additional funding to support community transport services in market towns and villages in South Northamptonshire constituency.

The Government recognises the vital role community transport operators play in connecting people with their communities, enabling access to employment, education, and other essential services such as healthcare. The Department makes available up to £3.8 million each year through the Bus Service Operators Grant (BSOG) to community transport operators. An uplift of 60% has been added to BSOG claims for community transport operators until 31 March 2026. This means community transport operators will receive £1.60 for every £1 claimed, reflecting the increased costs faced by the sector.

How many public electric charging vehicle points there are in South Northamptonshire.

As of 1st April 2025, there were 112 public electric vehicle charging devices in the South Northamptonshire constituency.Data on public electric vehicle charging devices in the UK are held by the Department for Transport, and are sourced from the electric vehicle charging platform Zapmap. Charging devices not recorded on Zapmap are not included and the true number of charging devices may be slightly higher than recorded in these figures.

What steps her Department plans to take to improve road safety on the A5 in South Northamptonshire.

The Government takes road safety very seriously and reducing those killed and injured on our roads is a key priority. National Highways is currently progressing a safety study on the A5 in South Northamptonshire. The study covers the stretch of the A5 from A508 Roundabout in Stony Stratford to Fosters Booth Junction. Work is funded for the study and early feasibility design phase within the 2025/26 financial year. Funding for the detailed design and on-site implementation would be considered as part of planning the next Road Investment Period. For the A43, a further three studies are being carried out during the 2025/26 financial year. If a cost-effective improvement that reduces injury collisions is deemed feasible at these sites, funding to deliver the interventions would also be considered as part of setting the next Road Investment Period. The three study locations are as follows:A43 J/W A421 Barleymow RoundaboutA43 Evenley RoundaboutA43 J/W C188 Towcester Road Junction

What steps her Department is taking to improve road safety on the A43 in South Northamptonshire.

The Government takes road safety very seriously and reducing those killed and injured on our roads is a key priority. National Highways is currently progressing a safety study on the A5 in South Northamptonshire. The study covers the stretch of the A5 from A508 Roundabout in Stony Stratford to Fosters Booth Junction. Work is funded for the study and early feasibility design phase within the 2025/26 financial year. Funding for the detailed design and on-site implementation would be considered as part of planning the next Road Investment Period. For the A43, a further three studies are being carried out during the 2025/26 financial year. If a cost-effective improvement that reduces injury collisions is deemed feasible at these sites, funding to deliver the interventions would also be considered as part of setting the next Road Investment Period. The three study locations are as follows:A43 J/W A421 Barleymow RoundaboutA43 Evenley RoundaboutA43 J/W C188 Towcester Road Junction

If she will make an assessment of the potential merits of introducing legislative proposals to recognise development of diabetes (a) care and (b) management for drivers with group 2 licences.

The Secretary of State for Transport’s Honorary Medical Advisory Panel on driving and diabetes mellitus, has recommended that continuous or flash glucose monitoring systems, may be used to monitor glucose for the purpose of driving. Following a consultation with stakeholders in 2018, it was decided that the testing of interstitial fluid can be permitted for driving licensing purposes for people with diabetes and Group 1 licences (cars or motorcycles). The Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency is in the process of assessing the potential merits of introducing legislative proposals to extend the use of this technology to Group 2 licences (bus and lorry drivers) with diabetes. A targeted consultation was launched on 18 November 2024 and will run for a period of four weeks.

Whether she plans that HS2 Limited will offer land subject to a Compulsory Purchase Order that has not been used by the project back to its previous owner under the Crichel Down rules.

Land and property assets that have been acquired for HS2 via Compulsory Purchase Order or Statutory Blight, and that are no longer required, will be sold subject to the Crichel Down Rules. These require Government departments, under certain circumstances, to offer back surplus land to the former owner or the former owner’s successors at the current market value.