Every parliamentary written question tabled by Tim Roca this session, with the full answer and department. Back to the MP page.
Showing 1–10 of 10 · Department for Transport
What the average waiting time was for a practical car driving test at Macclesfield Test Centre in the most recent month for which data is available.
The average waiting time for a car practical driving test at Macclesfield driving test centre in December 2025, was 16 weeks.
What assessment she has made of the potential impact of financial barriers on people who wish to train as commercial airline pilots.
This government works closely with industry to address financial barriers to pilot training and to support the growth of a diverse aviation workforce, including through the Aviation Industry Skills Board. This area is a priority, not only for my department, but also the Department for Business and Trade, the Department for Work and Pensions and Skills England.
What assessment she has made of the recommendations set out in her Department’s 2023 policy document entitled ‘Options for addressing the cost of pilot training’, including (a) enabling trainee pilots to access a Government-backed loan scheme and (b) addressing any outstanding issues relating to the First Officer Apprenticeship.
The ‘Options for addressing the cost of pilot training’ policy document was published during the time of the previous government. This government is working closely with industry to address the cost of pilot training, including through the Aviation Industry Skills Board. Government also supports the aviation industry through the Generation Aviation programme. The Reach for the Sky Challenge Fund, a part of Generation Aviation and administered by the CAA on behalf of the Department, funds outreach programmes with the aim of improving the accessibility and inclusivity of the sector and attracting the next generation of people into aviation careers, including pilot careers. The First Officer Apprenticeship (FOA) was designed by an industry group as a way of reducing the high cost of pilot training and improving access to the profession. An approved training provider (ATO) is now in place, and regulatory changes made this year have increased training flexibility for employers.
How many meetings were held by her Department with external stakeholders to discuss the weight limits of volumetric concrete mixers prior to the publication of the Call for evidence outcome: Volumetric concrete mixers review on 18 March 2025.
My Department has engaged with hon. Members and the Volumetric Concrete Mixer (VCM) industry through correspondence prior to the announcement. The call for evidence on this topic conducted from October to December 2023 was an opportunity for interested parties to present evidence, but it did not reveal significant new evidence supporting a change in policy.The decision announced reflects the continuation of the existing policy, as set out in 2018, that the temporary weight exemption for VCMs will come to an end in 2028.
If he will make an assessment of the potential merits of making the national driver offender retraining scheme course a standard part of the driving theory test.
The government has no plans to make the national driver offender retraining scheme (NDORS) course a standard part of the driving theory test.NDORS courses are designed for drivers who have committed appropriate road traffic offences; not those learning to drive. NDORS courses cover the most up to date road rules and legal requirements, as set by The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency, and are already assessed in the theory test for learner drivers.NDORS courses are developed using nationally recognised behavioural change techniques by industry experts and academics. Courses focus on changing minds and behaviour to prevent future re-offending relating to appropriate road traffic offences.
If she will take steps with Cheshire East Council to help improve (a) buses and (b) other public transport in Macclesfield.
Improving local transport services is a key part of this government’s growth mission, and the government has set out plans to deliver better bus services, grow passenger numbers and drive opportunity to under-served regions.As announced in the King’s Speech on 17 July 2024, the government will introduce a Buses Bill later this session. This will put the power over local bus services back in the hands of local leaders right across England, including in Cheshire, to ensure networks meet the needs of the communities who rely on them. The Bill will seek to increase the powers available to local leaders to choose the model that works best in their area, whether that be franchising, high-quality partnerships with private operators or local authority ownership. The government will continue working closely with local transport authorities including Cheshire East Council, to deliver better bus and public transport services throughout England.
Whether she plans to take steps to ensure that Cheshire East Council has the power to hold bus companies to account.
Improving local transport services is a key part of this government’s growth mission, and the government has set out plans to deliver better bus services, grow passenger numbers and drive opportunity to under-served regions. As announced in the King’s Speech on 17 July 2024, the government will introduce a Buses Bill later this session. This will put the power over local bus services back in the hands of local leaders right across England, including in Cheshire East, to ensure networks meet the needs of the communities who rely on them. The Bill will seek to increase the powers available to local leaders to choose the model that works best in their area, whether that be franchising, high-quality partnerships with private operators or local authority ownership. The government will continue working closely with local leaders and bus operators to deliver on its ambitions.
What steps she plans to take to support Cheshire East council improve local transport across Macclesfield constituency.
Improving local transport services is a key part of this government’s growth mission, and the government has set out plans to deliver better bus services, grow passenger numbers and drive opportunity to under-served regions. As announced in the King’s Speech on 17 July 2024, the government will introduce a Buses Bill later this session. This will put the power over local bus services back in the hands of local leaders right across England, including in Cheshire East, to ensure networks meet the needs of the communities who rely on them. The Bill will increase powers available to local leaders to choose the model that works best in their area, whether that be franchising, high-quality partnerships with private operators or local authority ownership. Government will continue working closely with local leaders and bus operators to deliver on the government’s ambitions.
What steps she plans to take to help Cheshire East Council scrutinise the performance of local bus companies.
Improving local transport services is a key part of this government’s growth mission, and the government has set out plans to deliver better bus services, grow passenger numbers and drive opportunity to under-served regions. As announced in the King’s Speech on 17 July 2024, the government will introduce a Buses Bill later this session. This will put the power over local bus services back in the hands of local leaders right across England, including in Cheshire East, to ensure networks meet the needs of the communities who rely on them. The Bill will increase powers available to local leaders to choose the model that works best in their area, whether that be franchising, high-quality partnerships with private operators or local authority ownership. Government will continue working closely with local leaders and bus operators to deliver on the government’s ambitions.
Whether she plans to make an assessment of the effectiveness of the use of prosecutions for low level offenses by rail operators.
I am aware of the recent coverage of a number of prosecutions undertaken by one rail operator. It would be inappropriate to comment on the details of individual cases, but we expect operators to ensure their policy on ticketing is clear and fair for passengers at all times and have instructed the operator to review the details of these cases urgently. Ticketing has become far too complicated which is why we plan to simplify it as part of the biggest overhaul of our railways in a generation.