Written questions by Obese-Jecty.

What steps her Department is taking to help ensure that (a) civilian and (b) military air traffic control is resilient to cyberattack.

The Department for Transport is responsible for regulating cyber security in the transport sector. For aviation, we work in partnership with the Civil Aviation Authority to introduce relevant standards, guidance, and policy to ensure the cyber resilience of our essential services, including our national air traffic system. Using both policy and regulatory levers, we support effective management of the cyber risk and assist providers of our national air traffic system to secure their networks and systems. This support includes working closely with the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) both with, and on behalf of, our aviation sector to continuously assess and mitigate emerging cyber threats.

If she will update section 35 of the Offences Against the Person Act 1861 to include the dangerous use of illegal e-bicycles.

The government is making our streets safer, by introducing new cycling offences to tackle those rare instances where victims have been killed or seriously injured by irresponsible cyclist behaviour. This will ensure that all road users, whose behaviour results in the death or serious injury of another road user will face the same penalties. The new offences will apply to legal e-bikes. Illegal e-bikes are classed as motor vehicles, and so the existing offences of causing death or serious injury by dangerous or careless driving, as well as section 35 of the Offences Against the Person Act 1861, already apply to them.

What the road categorisation is of e-bicycles that do not require the rider to manually pedal.

If an e-bicycle complies with the Electrically Assisted Pedal Cycles Regulations 1983 (as amended), it can be classed as an Electrically Assisted Pedal Cycle (EAPC). EAPCs can be propelled to the maximum assisted speed of 15.5 mph without the rider manually pedalling but they require approval either to assimilated EU Regulation 168/2013 (for the approval of two- or three-wheel vehicles and quadricycles) or the domestic Motorcycle Single Vehicle Approval (MSVA) scheme. If an e-bicycle does not meet the EAPC regulations it will be treated as a motor vehicle within the meaning of ‘Road Traffic Act 1988’. As a result, it is subject to the requirements for approval, registration, compulsory insurance, vehicle excise duty, and annual roadworthiness testing. The rider will require an appropriate driving licence and will need to comply with the relevant helmet wearing requirements.

Pursuant to the Answer of 28 April 2025 to Question 46122 on Electric Vehicles: Charging Points, how the location of the 100,000 local chargepoints across England will be selected.

Local Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (LEVI) funding has been delivered directly to local authorities across England to support local charging, with a particular focus on supporting those who do not have access to off-street parking. Local authorities are responsible for their local highways and for determining the location of chargepoints which best meet their residents’ needs. Funding has been provided following an application process which includes the local authority approach to site selection.

Pursuant to the Answer of 28 April 2025 to Question 46122 on Electric Vehicles: Charging Points, how much of the Local EV Infrastructure Fund will be allocated to local authorities in Huntingdon constituency.

Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Combined Authority, which includes Huntingdon constituency, has been allocated almost £6m capital and resource funding as part of the £381m Local EV Infrastructure (LEVI) Fund, to transform the availability of electric vehicle (EV) charging for drivers without off-street parking in the area.

What steps her Department is taking to ensure sufficient electric vehicle charging infrastructure for all cars parked on-street.

The Government is committed to accelerating the roll-out of charging infrastructure so that everyone, no matter where they live or work, can make the transition to an electric vehicle (EV). As of 1 April 2025, the Government and industry have supported the installation of 76,507 publicly available charging devices, an increase of 28% compared to this time last year. The £381m Local EV Infrastructure Fund, which is expected to leverage significant further private investment, is expected support the installation of at least 100,000 local chargepoints across England. The Department is also working with local authorities to encourage the use of cross-pavement solutions. This allows EV drivers to access their domestic electricity tariffs by safely connecting a home EV charger to their vehicle parked on-street. Government has published cross-pavement guidance, as well as offering the EV Chargepoint Grant for Households with On Street Parking.

Whether any (a) land and (b) infrastructure used for the new Universal Studios Theme Park in Bedfordshire be acquired via compulsory purchase order.

At this early stage there is no land that is expected to be acquired via compulsory purchase order for the Universal Studios theme park or its associated transport infrastructure.

What steps her Department is taking to ensure sufficient electric vehicle charging infrastructure for all cars parked on-street.

The Government is committed to accelerating the roll-out of charging infrastructure so that everyone, no matter where they live or work, can make the transition to an electric vehicle (EV). As of 1 April 2025, the Government and industry have supported the installation of 76,507 publicly available charging devices, an increase of 28% compared to this time last year. The £381m Local EV Infrastructure Fund, which is expected to leverage significant further private investment, is expected support the installation of at least 100,000 local chargepoints across England. The Department is also working with local authorities to encourage the use of cross-pavement solutions. This allows EV drivers to access their domestic electricity tariffs by safely connecting a home EV charger to their vehicle parked on-street. Government has published cross-pavement guidance, as well as offering the EV Chargepoint Grant for Households with On Street Parking.

What assessment has she made of the potential impact of the adequacy of the availability of electric vehicle charging infrastructure on sales of electric vehicles.

The Government is committed to accelerating the roll-out of affordable charging infrastructure so that everyone, no matter where they live or work, can make the transition to an electric vehicle. 2024 was a record year for the deployment of public charging devices, with nearly 20,000 added to the network. The UK was also the largest EV market in Europe in 2024, and the third in the world, with over 382,000 EVs sold.

Whether she has made an assessment of the potential impact of (a) the completion of (i) Alconbury Weald and (ii) other new housing in Huntingdon, (b) planned commercial development at Brampton Cross and (c) the expansion of RAF (A) Wyton and (B) Molesworth on passenger numbers on the East Coast Main line.

The upcoming East Coast Main Line timetable recast in December 2025 will create additional capacity through the introduction of additional peak services between Letchworth and London King’s Cross helping to alleviate pressure on Thameslink services and the peak Peterborough to King’s Cross service, which should ease passenger numbers at stations such as Hitchin. Any significant increase in rail passenger demand, including from the developments mentioned, and subsequent requirement for potentially increased services would guide the Department’s future infrastructure planning.

What recent assessment Network Rail has made of the need for a new East Coast Mainline station at Alconbury Weald.

The Department are aware of the long-standing local aspirations for an East Coast Main Line station at Alconbury Weald that would align with the new housing being developed in the area. We continue to work closely with the Ministry of Housing, Communities & Local Government to ensure an integrated approach to infrastructure planning.

If she will make an estimate of the potential impact of the new Universal Studios Theme Park in Bedfordshire on passenger numbers on the East Coast mainline.

Rail passenger impact calculations have been considered throughout and there are not expected to be significant impacts on the East Coast Mainline.The Universal Studios Theme Park will be well-served by rail, with a new station at Wixams which is currently under construction on the Midland Main Line. Much of the park’s passenger demand will be in the opposite direction to normal commuter flows, thereby utilising existing capacity.

What new transport infrastructure her Department plans to build to support the new Universal Studios Theme Park in Bedfordshire.

As part of the Plan for Change, the government is working towards delivering a major investment in infrastructure around the site to support the delivery of the project and ensure it is well connected and easily accessible. The details of negotiations between private investors and the Government are currently confidential. Further information on plans for infrastructure investment around the site will be set out in due course.

What steps her Department is taking to ensure sufficient electric vehicle charging infrastructure for all cars parked off-street in privately owned car parks.

All new residential and non-residential buildings with off-street parking are required to install chargepoints. Elsewhere, the Government continues to offer grant funding for the purchase and installation of charging infrastructure. This includes flats, rented accommodation, domestic and commercial landlords, workplaces, charities, schools, and public sector organisations.

What steps her Department is taking to ensure sufficient electric vehicle charging infrastructure for all cars parked off-street in privately owned car parks.

All new residential and non-residential buildings with off-street parking are required to install chargepoints. Elsewhere, the Government continues to offer grant funding for the purchase and installation of charging infrastructure. This includes flats, rented accommodation, domestic and commercial landlords, workplaces, charities, schools, and public sector organisations.

What assessment has she made of the potential merits of upgrading the A1 at Buckden roundabout as part of delivery of the new Universal Studios Theme Park in Bedfordshire.

Whilst the Buckden roundabout on the A1 is out of scope of the Universal support package, National Highways are undertaking traffic modelling to assess peak travel demand in this region to understand how potential mitigation measures, such as junction upgrades on its network, could accommodate future growth. Any proposals would then be considered for possible delivery through the Government’s Road Investment Strategy (RIS) process.

How many (a) phones, (b) laptops and (c) other electronic devices have been lost by their Department since 5 July 2024.

The response below covers the central department (DfTc) and the five Executive Agencies: Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA), Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA), Vehicle Certification Agency (VCA), Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) and Active Travel England (ATE). Please note: DfT(c) handle all IT devices for Active Travel England (ATE) and DfT Ministerial Private Offices, so they are included in the returns for DfT(c). Central department and five executive agenciesNumber of phone(s) reported as lost since 5 July 2024Number of laptop(s) reported as lost since 5 July 2024Number of other electronic device(s) reported as lost since 5 July 2024DfTc includes ATE and DfT Ministerial Private Offices6570DVLA000DVSA1034 bodyworn cameras 1 iPadMCA400VCA010Total79115

What recent assessment Network Rail has made of the potential merits of proceeding with the proposed new East Coast Main Line station at Alconbury Weald.

The Department is aware of long-standing local aspirations for an East Coast Main Line station at Alconbury Weald that would align with the new housing being developed in the area. In December 2024 the Chancellor launched the second stage of the Spending Review. This is a zero-based Spending Review, to ensure every line of spending – including the transport infrastructure portfolio – delivers the Plan for Change and provides good value for taxpayers. This will support the development of a long-term strategy for transport, that delivers a modern and integrated network with people at its heart. It will consider a fundamental reset to how we approach capital projects, to ensure that transport infrastructure can be delivered efficiently and on time, supporting our strategic objectives. We expect the Spending Review to conclude by June 2025, and will therefore be unable to comment on the status of individual scheme proposals until that point.

If she will make an estimate of the potential cost to the public purse of the proposed A141 upgrade north of St Ives.

The proposed A141 upgrade scheme is sponsored by the Cambridgeshire & Peterborough Combined Authority (CPCA) as the Local Transport Authority. However, we understand that the current estimated capital cost of the scheme is between £225 million and £250 million. To date, the CPCA has allocated £6 million for the development of the Outline Business Case, with £2.006 million being spent so far, funded via the Department for Transport’s Transforming Cities Fund. An additional £8.67 million has been allocated to support future business case development.

What estimate she has made of the level of weekly passenger demand at the new Tempsford railway station.

No formal assessment on forecast weekly passenger demand at Tempsford has yet been made – however, early work provided by Network Rail and East-West Rail Company has provisionally classified Tempsford as a Category C station, which could see 500,000 to 2,000,000 passengers annually.