Included in this issue: Autumn Statement to keep Britain moving; New logistics report: How soon is now; Khan frustrated as Grayling halts London rail devolution plans and more...

Autumn Statement

Autumn Statement to keep Britain moving

We look at what the Autumn Statement 2016 means for transport.

Bus Services Bill

Transport Select Committee Report

The Transport Select Committee has published a report on the Bus Services Bill, looking at: partnership schemes between local transport authorities and bus operators; bus franchising; and the prohibition on local transport authorities from setting up new bus operators.

Logistics

New logistics report: How soon is now?

Our report, How soon is now? gathers the views of leading investors, developers, occupiers and operators and sets out policy recommendations on how the logistics sector should respond to the current challenges and opportunities.

Modern Transport Bill

Agreement signed in Prestwick spaceport bid

Glasgow Prestwick Airport has signed an agreement with Houston Spaceport as it continues its bid to become the UK's first launch site.

Northern Rail

Northern's Head of New Trains to oversee rolling stock modernisation

Ian Hyde will oversee the construction and roll-out of 281 new carriages due to arrive on the Northern network from late 2018.

Rail reform

Transport Secretary puts passengers at the heart of the railway

Written statement to Parliament and speech by Chris Grayling about how he intends to:

• set up a new competitor to Network Rail, East West Rail, to take responsibility for reopening the Oxford-Cambridge rail route
• bring back together the operation of track and train as recommended 5 years ago by the McNulty Report (new franchises will have integrated operating teams between train services and infrastructure)
• roll out smart ticketing by the end of 2018
• work with the rail unions so that they embrace rather than fight modernisation.

Read the full story on gov.uk.

See also Grayling admits DfT did not evaluate East West Rail privatisation benefits and East West Rail: The first of many privatised rail routes.

Transport for London

Khan frustrated as Grayling halts London rail devolution plans

Surburban rail services may not be devolved to TfL even though the Government signed a prospectus earlier this year stating that suburban services operated by Southern Southeastern and South West Trains could be devolved to TfL when the current franchises end. TfL will still be "closely involved" in developing services.

TfL plans to save £800m as it sheds management layers and cuts jobs to deliver mayor's spending ambitions

TfL has announced its five-year business plan. It will be published on 15 December.

Unlocking Growth in the North

New transport report: Unlocking Growth in the North

Addleshaw Goddard have joined forces with Atkins and Grant Thornton to develop a report which calls for the existing roadmap towards transport devolution to be strengthened and expedited. It follows a series of dinners across the North with over 100 businesses.