The Government is committed to tackling the poor state of our roads and has pledged to support local authorities.

Recognising the need for additional funding, the Government increased local highway maintenance funding by £500 million this financial year compared to 2024/25, bringing the total to nearly £1.6 billion. 25% of this additional funding is contingent on local authorities adhering to reporting requirements and demonstrating that they are following best practice in highways maintenance.

In 2025/26, Slough will be eligible to receive up to £1.8 million of highway maintenance funding, and West Berkshire will be eligible to receive up to £8.9 million, subject to complying with reporting requirements.

In addition, at the Autumn Budget, the Chancellor announced that by 2029-30, the Government will commit over £2 billion annually for local authorities to repair and renew their roads and fix potholes – doubling funding since coming into office. Allocations for local highway authorities will be announced in due course.

The Department is also increasing penalties for street works offences and extending overrun charges to weekends and bank holidays to help councils keep works on schedule. We are also continuing to use the Street Manager digital service to provide real-time information that supports better coordination and timely repairs.

E-bikes may only be legally used on public roads where they comply, in full, with the Electrically Assisted Pedal Cycle Regulations 1983. This includes where they have been converted from a conventional pedal bike.

E-bikes that do not comply with these Regulations are classed as an e-moped or motorbike in law. Such vehicles can only legally be used on public roads where they have been registered, taxed and insured. The rider must also wear a safety helmet and hold the appropriate driving licence.

While enforcement is a matter for the police, the Department's broader approach to road safety is in development and more details will be set out in due course.

All types of road vehicle headlamps, are designed, tested and approved to internationally recognised standards to help prevent undue glare on a broad range of roads and environments.

Police recorded collision statistics in Great Britain do not show any discernible trend over time that would suggest an underlying road safety issue linked to advances in lighting technology.

However, Government recognises increased public concern around headlamp glare and has commissioned independent research. This is measuring light levels experienced by drivers during real driving on UK roads and considers factors like vehicle characteristics, weather conditions and ambient lighting. It also includes a programme of stakeholder engagement to build a comprehensive understanding of the issues. Careful consideration will be given to that work when it reports later this year to determine what future actions may be appropriate to ensure the safety of all road users.

National Highways can confirm that it is not aware of any formal litigation pertaining to trespass issued against National Highways in the last 5 years.

The Department has no current plans to reintroduce national road safety targets.

There is no robust academic evidence to indicate that the setting of any targets in the UK would contribute to progress in road casualty reduction. In fact there has been a stalling of progress in road casualty reductions across many economically advanced countries, including in countries with targets (e.g. Sweden and the Netherlands).

The 2015 Road Safety statement sets out the Department for Transport’s overall principles and priorities in relation to British road safety. Local authorities, the police and other bodies are free to set their own road safety targets if they wish.

The Department is currently taking forward a number of road safety measures in accordance with its publicly stated road safety priorities, through the Road Safety Statement.

In June last year, the Department issued a written statement to Parliament which included a progress report on the actions from that statement. Full details are available on the www.gov.uk website.

(https://www.gov.uk/government/speeches/road-safety-recent-progress-and-future-work)

The Department intends to publish a refreshed road safety statement and a two-year road safety action plan later this year.