Welcome to our monthly Transport Update, bringing you links to the major developments relevant to the transport industry.

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Accessibility 

Steps towards a fully inclusive transport network 

The Department for Transport has set out its Inclusive Transport Strategy, which will improve accessibility across all types of travel for those with both visible and less visible disabilities. The strategy includes investment in rail accessibility infrastructure, commitments to produce league tables which highlight operators that are delivering the best service for disabled people and funding for Changing Places accessible toilets at motorway service stations.

Department for Communities and Local Government, 25 July 2018 

Aviation 

Lift off for electric planes - new funding for green revolution in UK civil aerospace 

The government has announced that the UK is to be at forefront of next revolution in electric and hybrid planes through a series of industry and government investment.

Department for Transport & BEIS, 16 July 2018 

Independent report: Airline Insolvency Review interim report 

The Department for Transport has published an Interim report and initial conclusions of the Airline Insolvency Review, looking at how airlines can wind down with minimum impact on passengers and taxpayers.

Department for Transport, 12 July 2018 

Aviation cyber security strategy 

The Department for Transport & CAA have published an Aviation cyber security strategy for keeping UK civil aviation sectors secure and resilient against malicious and unintentional cyber issues.

Department for Transport & Civil Aviation Authority, 12 July 2018 

Tougher laser misuse laws come into force 

New penalties for those targeting lasers at vehicle operators have come into force which seek to protect passengers and operators.

Department for Transport,10 July 2018 

The Airports (Noise-related Operating Restrictions) (England and Wales) Regulations 2018 

These Regulations implement, in relation to England and Wales, the requirement to designate competent authorities for the purposes of Regulation (EU) No 598/2014 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 16th April 2014 on the establishment of rules and procedures with regard to the introduction of noise-related operating restrictions at Union airports within a Balanced Approach and repealing Directive 2002/30. The Regulations came into force on the 23rd July.

Legislation.gov.uk, 2 July 2018 

Brexit Tracker 

The Civil Aviation (Insurance) (Amendment) (EU Exit) Regulations 2018 

These draft Regulations make the necessary corrections, arising as a result of the United Kingdom’s exit from the European Union, to Regulation (EC) 785/2004 which prescribes minimum insurance requirements for air carriers and aircraft operators in respect of passengers, baggage, cargo and third parties. These Regulations will be made in accordance with powers in section 8 of the European Union (Withdrawal) Act 2018 to give effect to these changes.

Legislation.gov - Draft New Statutory Instruments, 23 July 2018 

The Civil Aviation Act 1982 (Amendment) (EU Exit) Regulations 2018 

These Regulations will amend the definition of “enactment” in the Civil Aviation Act 1982 so as to include retained direct EU legislation, which is preserved in domestic law by the European Union (Withdrawal) Act 2018. This will ensure that the 1982 Act remains consistent with the Interpretation Act 1978 as amended by the Withdrawal Act.

Department for Transport, 19 July 2018 

The Airports (Groundhandling) (Amendment) (EU Exit) Regulations 2018 

These Regulations will amend the Airports (Groundhandling) Regulations 1997 which relate to access to the groundhandling market at airports in the United Kingdom.

Department for Transport,18 July 2018 

The Airport Charges (Amendment) (EU Exit) Regulations 2018 

This instrument uses powers under the European Union (Withdrawal) Act 2018 to make the necessary changes to the Airport Charges Regulations 2011 which arise as a result of the UK leaving the European Union. It also uses section 2(2) of the European Communities Act 1972 to update references to EU Regulations on Air Traffic Management which have been replaced, and to make a correction to regulation 33(1)(b) of the 2011 Regulations.

Department for Transport, 18 July 2018 

Haulage and Trailers Act bolsters EU exit preparations 

The Haulage Permits and Trailer Registration Act has received Royal Assent and will ensure that the UK has the powers it needs to support British hauliers to continue operating internationally after exiting the EU.

Department for Transport, 19 July 2018    

The Cross-border Railway Services (Working Time) (Amendment) (EU Exit) Order 2018 

This Order is made in order to avoid a deficiency arising from the withdrawal of the United Kingdom from the European Union. Article 3 amends the definition of interoperable cross-border services in the Cross-border Railway Services (Working Time) Regulations 2008 to remove a reference to Directive 2004/49/EC. The Order comes into force on exit day.

Legislation.gov.uk, 23 July 2018 

The Vehicle Drivers (Certificates of Professional Competence) (Amendment) (EU Exit) Regulations 2018 

These Regulations ensure that following the withdrawal of the United Kingdom from the European Union the existing requirements for professional drivers of lorries and buses to obtain a “certificate of professional competence” will continue to operate in the UK.

Department for Transport, 19 July 2018 

The Department for Transport (Fees) (Amendment) (EU Exit) Regulations 2018 

These draft Regulations make amendments to various Fees Orders in the field of road traffic in order to remove or replace EU references which are no longer appropriate.

Legislation.gov - Draft New Statutory Instruments, 19 Jul 2018

The Merchant Shipping (Monitoring, Reporting and Verification of Carbon Dioxide Emissions) (Amendment) (EU Exit) Regulations 2018 

This draft instrument amends Regulation (EU) No. 2015/757 of the European Parliament and of the Council on the monitoring, reporting and verification of carbon dioxide emissions from maritime transport and amending Directive 2009/16/EC and Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2016/1927 of 4 November 2016 on templates for monitoring plans, emissions reports and documents of compliance pursuant to Regulation (EU) 2015/757. The instrument also amends the Merchant Shipping (Monitoring, Reporting and Verification of Carbon Dioxide Emissions) and Port State Control (Amendment) Regulations 2017 which provide an enforcement mechanism for the EU Regulation in the United Kingdom.

Legislation.gov - Draft New Statutory Instruments, 23 Jul 2018 

Future UK-EU transport arrangements: Call for Evidence

A call for evidence has been launched as part of an investigation into the future UK-EU transport relationship, looking particularly at market access, standards and cooperation. Consultation ends: 14 September 2018.

House of Lords EU Internal Market Sub-Committee, 20 July 2018

Buses 

Real time information to transform bus travel in England 

Bus passengers are set to benefit from easier journeys with up-to-the-minute information under new plans announced by the Buses Minister, Nusrat Ghani.

Department for Transport, 4 July 2018

Drones 

Consultation proposing policies for drone use and enforcement

The Department for Transport has published a consultation which contains the following proposed policies:

• The minimum age requirement for operators for small unmanned aircraft.
• Whether the 1km flight restriction around protected aerodromes is sufficient.
• A proposal to mandate and regulate a Flight Information and Notification System (FINS) or just regulate the FINS.
• The powers required by enforcement bodies in order to properly police drone use and penalise incorrect use, including the possible use of fixed penalty notices.
• Counter drone technology system proposals.

The consultation closes on 17 September 2018.

Electric Vehicles 

New powers to launch the rollout of electric chargepoints   

The Automated and Electric Vehicles Act has now passed through Parliament and is a significant step towards improving air quality, cutting congestion, boosting road safety and creating new jobs. The AEV Act will also see an improvement in electric chargepoint availability; giving the government new powers to ensure motorway services are upgraded with plenty of points, and allowing mayors to request installations at large fuel retailers in their areas. 

Department for Transport, Office for Low Emission Vehicles, Centre for Connected and Autonomous Vehicles, 19 July 2018 

HS2 

Up to £1.8 million to maximise benefits of HS2 for East Midlands 

The East Midlands HS2 Partnership will receive funding to support the development of a new HS2 station at Toton.

Department for Transport & HS2 Limited, 11 Jul 2018 

Leeds confirmed as site of HS2 eastern leg rolling stock depot 

The government has confirmed that the new HS2 rolling stock depot will be constructed in Leeds, driving forward local regeneration and creating up to 125 skilled jobs in the area.

Department for Transport, 4 July 2018 

Firms in joint bid to build HS2 trains in UK

Bombardier and Hitachi have announced they will join forces to bid for a £2.75bn contract to build high-speed trains in the UK.

Sky News, 4 July 2018 

Rail Franchises 

Statement to Parliament: Annual update on Crossrail 2018 

The Department for Transport has published an annual report on the progress made with the Crossrail project.

The Department for Transport, 24 July 2018 

Guidance: Cross Country rail franchise 2018: prospectus 

A prospectus published for potential bidders in the Cross Country rail franchise competition.

Department for Transport, 6 July 2018 

Guidance: Cross Country rail franchise competition 2018: expression of interest documentation 

Pre-qualification information for potential bidders in the Cross Country franchise competition.

Department for Transport, 6 July 2018 

Rail Network 

Rail Infrastructure Investment

The House of Commons Transport Committee has published its Report on Rail Infrastructure Investment and the Department for Transport is consulting on amending its WebTAG appraisal guidance. Read our briefing for further detail.

ORR welcomes the European Commission's opening of an in-depth investigation into the proposed merger of Siemens and Alstom 

The Office of Rail and Road has welcomed the European Commission’s decision to open an in-depth investigation into the proposed merger of Siemens and Alstom. 

Office of Rail and Road, 13 July 2018 

Rail passengers in the north to be compensated for disruption

Rail passengers in the north of England affected by the recent rail disruption will benefit from a comprehensive compensation package agreed at a Transport for the North board meeting following a recommendation from the Department for Transport.

Department for Transport, 28 June 2018 

Road Network 

Government launches low carbon fuels consultation 

The Department for Transport has launched a consultation on whether and how it should introduce E10 fuel – which contains more bioethanol than traditional petrol to the UK market. The consultation runs until 16 September 2018.

Department for Transport, 20 July 2018 

Government launches Road to Zero Strategy

The government has confirmed its ambition to see at least half of new cars to be ultra low emission by 2030 as part of plans to make the UK the best place in the world to build and own an electric vehicle.

Department for Communities and Local Government, 9 July 2018

The Motor Vehicles (Driving Licences) (Amendment) Regulations 2018 

These Regulations provide that the holder of a category B licence may drive certain types of alternatively-fuelled vehicles which exceed the maximum authorised mass of a category B vehicle.

Legislation.gov.uk, 2 July 2018 

Space 

Trends in Transport - July 2018

The third update in our series of spotlight articles discussing emerging Trends in Transport focuses on the UK's Spaceport's new site selection, funding from UK Space Agency and regulatory progress & challenges remaining.

Urban Transit 

TfGM signs £72m tram deal 

Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) has signed a £72m contract to bolster its Metrolink network by a further 27 trams. The contract – with Bombardier Transportation UK and Kiepe Electric – will increase capacity by 15 per cent and provide 4,800 extra spaces.

Insider Media, 3 July 2018