Every parliamentary written question tabled by Wendy Chamberlain this session, with the full answer and department. Back to the MP page.
Showing 1–8 of 8 · Department for Transport
Pursuant to the answer of 18 May 2026 to Question 470 on Pedestrian Crossings: Design, what assessment she has made of the potential merits of adopting the Welsh Government's amendments to section 14 of the Traffic Signs Regulations and General Directions 2026.
Awaiting answer.
With reference to the Better Connected Strategy, published on 2 April 2026, what assessment she has made of the potential merits of consistency in zebra crossing design across the UK.
The national transport strategy, Better Connected, was published on 2 April, in which the Department committed to update the Traffic Signs Regulations and General Directions, the legislation for traffic signs and road markings. This will include changes including new, simpler zebra crossings that will make walking and wheeling easier, safer and more accessible. Currently, to ensure consistency of design, zebra crossings are prescribed in the Traffic Signs Regulations and General Directions 2016 (TSRGD). This sets out they must consist of black and white stripes, yellow globes, a give-way line and white zig-zag markings. TSRGD applies to England, Scotland and Wales. Equivalent legislation in Northern Ireland (The Traffic Signs Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1997, as amended) applies the same requirements for zebra crossings there. Implementation of zebra crossings is the responsibility of local traffic authorities. It is for them to ensure designs comply with regulatory requirements. The Department provides detailed good practice advice in Chapter 6 of the Traffic Signs Manual, available at: www.gov.uk/government/publications/traffic-signs-manual. Traffic signing is a devolved matter with the Scottish and Welsh Government being able to bring forward amendments to TSRGD in respect of their road networks. There is a statutory requirement for the Scottish and Welsh governments to consult the Secretary of State when doing so. The Department engages regularly with its counterparts in Scotland and Wales on traffic management matters.
With reference to the Better Connected Strategy published on 2 April 2026, whether she has had discussions with (a) Transport Scotland and (b) the Welsh Government on zebra crossings at the junction between roads.
The national transport strategy, Better Connected, was published on 2 April, in which the Department committed to update the Traffic Signs Regulations and General Directions, the legislation for traffic signs and road markings. This will include changes including new, simpler zebra crossings that will make walking and wheeling easier, safer and more accessible. Currently, to ensure consistency of design, zebra crossings are prescribed in the Traffic Signs Regulations and General Directions 2016 (TSRGD). This sets out they must consist of black and white stripes, yellow globes, a give-way line and white zig-zag markings. TSRGD applies to England, Scotland and Wales. Equivalent legislation in Northern Ireland (The Traffic Signs Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1997, as amended) applies the same requirements for zebra crossings there. Implementation of zebra crossings is the responsibility of local traffic authorities. It is for them to ensure designs comply with regulatory requirements. The Department provides detailed good practice advice in Chapter 6 of the Traffic Signs Manual, available at: www.gov.uk/government/publications/traffic-signs-manual. Traffic signing is a devolved matter with the Scottish and Welsh Government being able to bring forward amendments to TSRGD in respect of their road networks. There is a statutory requirement for the Scottish and Welsh governments to consult the Secretary of State when doing so. The Department engages regularly with its counterparts in Scotland and Wales on traffic management matters.
With reference to her Department's press release entitled Transport Secretary acts to make thousands of extra driving tests available each month, published on 23 April 2025, whether an estimate has been made of the number of number of DVSA staff members who will return to examining roles by region.
On the 23 April, the Secretary of State (SoS) for Transport appeared before the Transport Select Committee and announced that the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) will take further actions to reduce waiting times for all customers across Great Britain. Further information on these actions and progress of DVSA’s plan to reduce driving test waiting times, which was announced in December 2024, can be found on GOV.UK. The measures announced by SoS to make additional driving tests available each month were implemented on 1 June. It is too early to evaluate those measures, or their impact at a national or regional level.
What assessment she has made of the efficiency of the Royal Mail First Class service in delivering letters of notification on driving suspensions from the DVLA.
When a driving licence is revoked, the law requires that the notice of revocation must be served in writing to the licence holder. The letter notifying the individual of the revocation is sent by first class post and the licence is revoked two working days from the date the letter is posted.The Royal Mail aims to deliver over 90 per cent of first-class post by the next working day, including Saturdays. The Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency already makes allowances for Bank Holidays and non-working days.
If she will publish any guidance provided to the DVLA on methods of communicating with license holders.
The Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) uses several methods of communicating with licence holders to ensure they are kept informed.The DVLA sends out important documents, reminders, notifications by traditional mail and encrypted email where a licence holder consents to correspond in this way. The DVLA also provides a suite of online driver services, where customers can renew their driving licence or notify a medical condition.Licence holders can access their information and manage their driving licence, vehicle registration and other services if they have a customer account. Digital tax reminders are already available within the customer account and this is being extended to include digital driving licence reminders. Customers can track the progress of their driving licence application and communicate with the DVLA using this service.The DVLA also provides customer service via telephone, which allows licence holders to ask questions or resolve issues directly. In addition to these services, the DVLA uses social media platforms to share information and updates with the public about its services.The DVLA has a dedicated team responsible for the improvement of its driver licensing services and communications.
How many driving licenses have been revoked in each month since January 2024.
The table below provides the number of drivers who have been revoked in each month since January 2024. VolumesMonthDrivers revoked under the New Drivers Act 1995Group 1(car & motorcycle) drivers revoked on medical groundsGroup 2(bus and lorry) drivers revoked on medical groundsJan-241,1733,226341Feb-241,1213,214322Mar-241,1603,164342Apr-241,1483,094248May-241,2013,099260Jun-241,1252,616294Jul-241,2233,603424Aug-241,0913,298359Sep-241,1063,345342Oct-241,1123,410390Nov-241,1113,109331Dec-241,0482,503301Jan-251,0833,056415Feb-25N/A3,032353Total14,70243,7694,722 Group 1 and 2 revocations should not be added together as there will be an element of double accounting. The medical standards for Group 2 driving are higher than Group1 and Group 2 drivers may lose just their Group 2 entitlement or may lose both Group 1 and 2 entitlement.
What recent assessment she has made of the potential impact of airport expansion on the ability of the UK to meet its net zero targets.
The government is committed to reaching net zero by 2050 and meeting our climate change obligations, as set out in the Climate Change Act. Delivering greener transport to help make Britain a clean energy superpower is a Department for Transport priority. We have been clear that any airport expansion proposals will need to demonstrate they contribute to economic growth and can be delivered in line with the UK’s legally binding climate change commitment. DfT analysis shows that we can achieve aviation net zero 2050 under a range of assumptions about future technology development without the Government needing to intervene directly to limit airport expansion.