Every parliamentary written question tabled by Marie Goldman this session, with the full answer and department. See how every department answers, or back to the MP page.
Showing 1–11 of 11 · Department for Transport
Pursuant to her Written Statement on 8 January 2026, by which date her Department will introduce secondary legislation to enable local authorities to conduct civil enforcement of unnecessary pavement obstructio
It is not possible to specify the date the Statutory Instrument will be laid before Parliament. It is our intention to lay before Parliament by the end of the year.
With reference to the Government’s response of 8 January 2026 to the Pavement parking: options for change consultation, whether the research commissioned by her Department will include (a) measurement of physical damage to footways attributable to pavement parking and (b) an estimate of the annual cost to local authorities of repairing such damage.
The research announced on 8 January 2026 focuses on measuring the current prevalence and impacts of pavement parking, providing a baseline against which the effects of future legislation can be measured.This study will include a measure of public satisfaction with pavement condition, but not a direct measure of physical damage attributable specifically to pavement parking. We are also working with a sample of local authorities to collect data on the financial impacts to local authorities, including the annual costs of pavement maintenance arising from pavement parking.
What steps she is taking to improve transport accessibility in the East of England.
The government is committed to improving passenger transport services, so they are more inclusive and enable disabled people to travel safely, confidently and with dignity, including in the East of England.Our Bus Services Act 2025 includes a comprehensive package of measures to improve the accessibility and inclusivity of local transport. Through the Act, we are helping authorities to provide safer and more accessible bus stations and stops; mandating more streamlined disability training for bus drivers and frontline staff and requiring local authorities to regularly review the accessibility of their bus networks through the development and publishing of a Bus Network Accessibility Plan.We are committed to improving the experience for disabled passengers on rail services and that is why we published the Department’s roadmap to an accessible railway. It sets out what we are doing now to improve the day-to-day travelling experience for disabled passengers in the lead up to Great British Railways being established. The Railways Bill will also establish a Passenger Watchdog to protect the rights of disabled passengers by monitoring service delivery, investigating persistent issues, setting minimum standards and advocating for improvements. We are also continuing to install accessible routes at stations through our Access for All programme.We are also committed to developing an Accessible Travel Charter. The Charter is a commitment to a shared vision for accessible travel. It will set out what disabled travellers can expect from their journeys, share best practice across organisations and create consistency in end-to-end journeys for disabled travellers.
What assessment she has made of the adequacy of electric vehicle charge-point accessibility for disabled people.
The Government is committed to ensuring that public charging infrastructure is accessible for all. In November 2025, the British Standards Institution published the results of a review, commissioned by the Government and Motability Foundation, on changes needed to improve uptake of the Publicly Available Specification (PAS) 1899:2022 standards for charge point accessibility. The recommendations from this review are now being used to inform revisions to the relevant charge point accessibility standards. We will continue to monitor the adoption of the standards and their impact on accessibility to assess the need for further measures.
If she will make an assessment of the potential merits of removing the requirement for landlords to apply for at least five parking spaces to qualify for the electric vehicle infrastructure grant.
The requirement for landlords to apply for at least five parking spaces applies to the Staff and Fleets and Residential Landlords infrastructure grants within the Electric Vehicle Chargepoint Grant (EVCG). The requirement is in place to encourage landlords to consider future needs when installing charging infrastructure in commercial and residential car parks. The Office for Zero Emission Vehicles continually monitors and reviews grants to optimise delivery and value for money.
If she will ensure that claimants in receipt of an indefinite award for the mobility part of PIP can receive a Blue Badge for the same period.
Blue Badge holders generally must reapply for a Blue Badge every three years; this gives local authorities the opportunity to ensure that they continue to meet the criteria which make them eligible for a badge. It also helps ensure that the details local authorities hold about the badge holder remain correct and that the details displayed on the badge itself remain legible. Depending on the circumstances an authority may choose not to reassess. In cases where a person's disability or condition is unlikely to change, local authorities will generally process applications as quickly and efficiently as possible. Once a person’s data is captured on the system it should become easier and less time-consuming for them to reapply for a new badge ahead of their current one expiring.
What steps she is taking to ensure that reform of rural transport planning is considered alongside reform of housing planning application processes.
I recognise the importance of aligning rural transport with housing and wider spatial planning ambitions. I am working closely with my counterparts in the Ministry for Housing, Communities on Local Government on this important issue. As part of our commitment to deliver 1.5 million homes, and under the revised National Planning Policy Framework, local planning authorities must take a vision-led approach and consider transport issues, particularly public and active transport, at the earliest stages of plan-making. The review of the role of statutory consultee system is a further opportunity to focus on swifter provision of expert advice to inform development, including in rural areas.
Whether she plans to ensure that local councils who operate bus services will be eligible for additional grant funding without having to make continual applications.
The government has committed to reforming bus funding and moving away from competitive allocations processes. Every Local Transport Authority in England outside of London, will receive an allocation from the Local Authority Bus Grant without having to apply to the Department. Local leaders will decide how to use this funding to improve bus services and ensure services meet the needs of local communities. The allocation system used in 2025/26 marks the first step towards a reformed allocation process.
Whether she has made an assessment of the potential impact of airfields evicting gliding clubs on the extra-curricular opportunities for young people.
The aviation sector, including Gliding, offers many unique opportunities and experiences for young people, supporting their development and helping to provide pathways to exciting new careers. We continue to work with industry, associations and other partners to encourage young people to explore what the sector has to offer.
Whether she plans to review the (a) Ebbsfleet and (b) Ashford services of the Eurostar line.
Whilst it is a commercial decision for Eurostar to make on the reinstatement of these services, I recognise the continued disappointment felt by local communities and businesses and I too am keen to see the reinstatement of these services. Officials regularly engage with Kent stakeholders, including MPs, councillors and representatives to discuss this and are committed to continue explore potential solutions.
Whether she has made an assessment of the potential merits of requiring senior people to retake their driving test upon reaching a certain age.
The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) believes that most people want to be safe, law-abiding drivers and any post-test intervention needs to be focused where it will achieve most benefit and, where appropriate, should be targeted against irrespon...