Written questions by Vickers.

What support her Department provides to local authorities preparing bids for rail reopening projects.

The Department is open to requests for support and engages directly with local authorities as they develop business cases. It should be noted that rail enhancements projects are rarely proposed as 'bids' but rather considered on the basis of Business Cases and can be considered at any stage of development for entry into the portfolio in line with the Rail Network Enhancements Pipeline policy and Market Led Proposals guidance. The previous Government established a programme of potential railway reinstatement projects under the banner of ‘Restoring Your Railways’. Most of the projects in the programme were unfunded, which is why the programme was closed in July 2024.

What recent assessment she has made of the adequacy of rail connectivity between Teesside and other major economic centres.

I recognise the important part that reliable rail connections play for a growing economy like Teesside. As well as allocating significant investment to reopen Hartlepool platform 3 in June 2024, which will allow more trains to pass through the station, we are working with train operators to make the best use of the available infrastructure and to improve reliability to deliver the services passengers need. My department has regular discussions with Mayor Houchen and other Northern leaders on their aspirations for a more connected and reliable rail service across Teesside and the whole North East.

What progress she has made on electrification of rail lines serving Teesside.

This government is investing significantly in the North East to improve transport connectivity and grow the economy. Following the recent Spending Review, the Tees Valley mayoral combined authority will receive funding to deliver local transport projects, such as a new platform at Middlesbrough railway station, through various funds, including the City Region Sustainable Transport and Transport for City Regions settlements (CRSTS and TCR). The Mayor is responsible for ensuring delivery of these projects and report regularly into the Department on progress. The Government currently has no plans to electrify rail lines serving Teeside.

With reference to her Department's publication Network North transforming British transport published in October 2023, when she plans to release this funding.

The previous government announced investment for several transport capital schemes which were unfunded, and this government has had to make difficult decisions about priorities for infrastructure and transport investment. This process is still continuing, and further plans for investment in transport infrastructure will be set out at the multi-year spending review next month.

What progress has been made on reducing driving test waiting times.

The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency’s (DVSA) main priority is upholding road safety standards while it works hard to reduce car practical driving test waiting times. On the 18 December, DVSA set out further plans to reduce driving test waiting times across the country. These steps include recruiting 450 driving examiners and improving rules for booking driving tests. Full details of these steps can be found on GOV.UK. As of 10 March 2025, there were 573,352 car practical driving tests booked, and 31,689 driving tests available within the 24-week booking window.

What funding her Department is providing for public transport projects in the North East.

We announced a £200m uplift for City Region Sustainable Transport Settlements in 2025/26, in addition to the £310m and £563m already allocated to Tees Valley and North East Combined Authority respectively. We announced a further £31m for buses in the regi...

Whether she plans to implement her Department’s policy paper entitled Future of Flight Action Plan, published on 18 March 2024.

The future aviation sector is central to delivering on the Government’s missions, including kickstarting economic growth and delivering opportunities for all across the country. My Department and I remain committed to delivering on the five future of flig...

If she will take steps to encourage the use of drone technology.

This government’s strategic vision is to maximise benefits of drone technology – for the economy and for communities – whilst ensuring their emergence is both safe and secure, and respecting the needs of local communities across the country.

Whether it remains Government policy to provide £978 million funding for transport projects in Tees Valley.

Investment in the North’s transport infrastructure is of great importance and City Region Sustainable Transport Settlements (CRSTS) has a key role to play in continuing to transform local transport across the region. The Government recently committed a fu...