Grant Shapps was quizzed during an online session hosted by Parliament’s Transport Select Committee into the impacts of the virus on the sector. But, he added, road travel had declined by only 38%.

The Transport Secretary was asked about crowding on the Underground and whether he could provide reassurances for construction companies about the safety of their workers.

Grant Shapps said he had been concerned by photographs showing crowded services, but pointed out that not everyone travelling was from the construction sector. He added that building work can continue, provided workers can socially distance themselves from others.

He was asked by the Committee’s former chair Lilian Greenwood if there are concerns that motorists may begin increasing their speed with the roads being quieter. Grant Shapps said no concerns had been raised, but would seek further detail from officials.
 
On the issue of cycling, Lilian Greenwood welcomed the Government’s position that people can cycle once a day while practising social distancing, but noted that France had banned recreational cycling. Were there circumstances in which the Government would do the same, she asked.

The Transport Secretary said the current approach was to educate the public and there were no plans to bring forward a recreational cycling ban. The difficulty, he went on, was where people undertaking exercise gathered in groups of more than two.

(Photograph: Department for Transport)