Written questions by Champion.

What is the current average distance between dedicated emergency refuge areas, excluding slip roads and junctions, on All Lane Running Smart Motorways.

My previous answer on 27 April 2026 set out that the average distance between places to stop in an emergency is now less than a mile (around 0.9 miles). Design standard GD301 sets out the new spacing standard (around 3/4 mile where feasible and 1 mile maximum) and defines what a place of relative safety is. The document can be found at: GD 301 - Smart motorways.

What is the current average distance between emergency refuge areas on All Lane Running Smart Motorways.

National Highways has completed construction of 151 additional emergency areas across the All Lane Running smart motorway network, through the National Emergency Area Retrofit programme. Across every All Lane Running motorway, the average distance between places to stop in an emergency is now less than a mile (around 0.9 miles), compared to around 1.2 miles before the retrofit.

With reference to the Third Report of the Transport Committee of Session 2021–22, Rollout and safety of smart motorways, HC26, what steps her Department is taking to ensure that emergency refuges on All Lane Running Smart Motorways are spaced no more than 1,500m apart, and no more than 1,000m apart where possible.

National Highways has completed construction of 151 additional emergency areas across the all lane running (ALR) smart motorway network through the National Emergency Area Retrofit (NEAR) programme. National Highways is evaluating the effectiveness of these additional emergency areas, including impacts on live-lane stops, safety outcomes and road-user perceptions. Initial findings are expected in 2026, with a full three-year evaluation concluding in 2028.

What the assurance processes are under which the Post Opening Project Evaluation (POPE) of Major Schemes are conducted.

National Highways follows its established “Analytical Assurance Framework” for assuring POPE reports, which includes fourth line independent external expert analytical assurance from DfT. As these are complex reports it is right that my officials take the time to provide summary advice of these reports in the round and undertake wider assurance to advise me on the quality of collective findings.

Whether her Department has received completed Post Opening Project Evaluation (POPE) reports from National Highways since 2021.

National Highways publishes POPE reports once they have completed governance and assurance stages online at:https://nationalhighways.co.uk/our-roads/post-opening-project-evaluation-pope-of-major-schemes/ We will provide an update on the publication of POPE reports the Department has received from National Highways in due course and I will ensure my honourable Friend is made aware when that happens.

What discussions she has had with National Highways on Post Opening Project Evaluation (POPE) reports; and what her planned timetable is for publication of existing unpublished POPE reports.

Post opening project evaluation (POPE) reports are detailed and complex evaluations and it is right that we take the time to fully assure findings. We are committed to transparency and will provide an update on publication in due course.

What assessment she has made of the potential impact of the collision between the Solong and Stena Immaculate on plastic pellet pollution.

Plastic pollution, suspected to be from the original collision of the SOLONG, was discovered on Sunday 16th March. The MCA and local authorities have begun retrieval through deployment of personnel on beaches, vessels and surveillance aircraft. There is a slight risk to marine and bird life from ingesting this pollution. There is no evidence of further pollution from the collision and the area remains under regular surveillance.

Whether his Department has had recent discussions with car manufacturers on the potential impact of digitally connected cars on the safety of domestic abuse survivors.

Responsibility for domestic abuse policy rests with the Home Office. The Government has set out an ambition to halve violence against women and girls within a decade. The Department for Transport has not carried out discussions with car manufacturers on t...

Whether she has had recent discussions with the Civil Aviation Authority on reinstating the airspace for Doncaster Sheffield Airport.

The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) is proactively engaging with relevant parties on how Doncaster Sheffield Airport can secure the airspace it needs. My officials are in regular discussions with the City of Doncaster Council and the CAA to stay up to date...

What plans she has to publish a road safety strategy.

Since the general election, the Department has begun work on a new Road Safety Strategy - the first in over a decade. The Department will share more details on this Road Safety Strategy in due course.

What the average distance between refuges will be across the Smart Motorway network following the conclusion of the retrofitting of new emergency refuges.

National Highways is adding over 150 Emergency Refuge Areas (ERAs) across the All Lane Running (ALR) network, to be completed by the end of March 2025. Some ERAs are still under construction, and sitings may be subject to final change due to topographical challenges. Once the rollout is completed, National Highways will be able to calculate the average spacing of places to stop in an emergency across the whole ALR network. We will share this information as soon as it becomes available.

How many new emergency refuges will be constructed as part of the programme of retrofitting to existing smart motorways.

National Highways is constructing 150 additional Emergency Refuge Areas across the All Lane Running smart motorway network. Construction, which is already well underway, began in 2022. The project is expected to be completed by the end of March 2025.

Whether she plans to extend the £2 cap on bus fares after 31 December 2024.

Delivering reliable and affordable public transport services for passengers is one of my top priorities and I know how important this is for passengers and for local growth. The government is urgently considering the most effective and affordable ways to deliver on these objectives.