Welcome to our latest monthly update, with the latest developments in the Transport sector this May.

Coronavirus

Government announces further funding to protect and increase transport services after COVID-19

Further funding of £283 million to protect and increase transport services, level up infrastructure and regenerate local economies after COVID-19 has been announced by the Transport Secretary Grant Shapps. The funding, amounting to £254 million for buses and £29 million for trams and light rail, will help protect and increase services, while helping ensure there is enough space for passengers to observe social distancing guidelines while travelling. 

Multi-billion pound road and railway investment to put nation on path to recovery

Drivers and cyclists beginning to return to England's streets following the coronavirus lockdown will benefit from a £1.7 billion Transport Infrastructure Investment Fund to improve roads, repair bridges and fill in potholes. Fast-tracked construction works will ensure networks get vital repairs while fewer passengers are using transport system.

Working safely during coronavirus: Safer transport

The government has produced guidance to help operators in the transport sector across all modes of transport to understand how to provide safer workplaces and services for both workers and passengers, and discusses issues such as risk assessment, social distancing measures and workforce planning. The guidance encourages actions co-ordinated with other transport providers. 

Coronavirus: implications for transport

A Transport Committee call for evidence seeks views from transport workers, stakeholders and members of the public on the transport issues they have faced during coronavirus. Call for evidence ends: 29 June 2020.

Impact of coronavirus on transport services and the rural economy to be investigated by MSPs

The Scottish Parliament’s Rural Economy and Connectivity Committee has issued a call for evidence on the Scottish Government’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Views are sought on the impact of the emergency on the implications for public transport of easing the lockdown over the coming weeks and months.

Tourism and transport: European Commission guidance

The European Commission has issued guidelines and recommendations to help member states lift travel restrictions and support the gradual re-establishment of transport and tourism businesses while ensuring the safety of passengers and personnel by respecting health precautions. 

Aerospace/Aviation 

Government announces roadmap taskforces to rebuild economy

Five new ministerial-led taskforces have been set up to develop plans for how and when closed sectors can reopen safely, following publication of the government’s roadmap to rebuild Britain after the COVID-19 pandemic. The Department of Transport has announced that it will be working with the taskforce for international aviation and will be addressing the unique challenges this sector is facing.

Government to safeguard vital Great Britain-Northern Ireland air links

Air passenger services between Great Britain and Northern Ireland will be safeguarded through a £5.7 million Government investment, announced by Transport Secretary Grant Shapps. The package is being funded by the UK government and the Northern Ireland Executive and will temporarily support airlines and airports that are currently operating, allowing them to continue running air passenger services along 2 routes from Belfast City, and City of Derry, to London during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Future Relationship with the EU: The UK's Approach to Negotiations

In addition to a command paper, "The Future Relationship with the EU: The UK's Approach to Negotiations" (CP 211), setting out the Government's approach to negotiating the UK's future relationship with the EU, the Prime Minister's Office has set out further documents relating to an Air Transport Agreement and a Civil Aviation Safety Agreement, among other things.

Innovate UK launches Future Flight Challenge

Innovate UK, part of UK Research and Innovation, has launched the Future Flight Challenge. Organisations can apply for a share of up to £30 million to develop ways to support safe operations of novel modes of air transportation, minimising the environmental footprint and improving connectivity. Projects should aim to develop and demonstrate integrated aviation systems that allow drones, urban aircraft or electric regional aircraft to fly in and out of airports, airspace, and rural and urban environments.

Bus

Transport Focus publishes guidance on communicating changes to local bus services

Transport Focus, at the request of the UK Government, has published guidance for bus operators and transport authorities on how to communicate bus service changes to passengers during the COVID-19 outbreak. This guidance forms part of the Government’s support package for bus operators through the COVID-19 Bus Operators Support Grant.

Cycling and Walking 

£2 billion investment package to develop cycling and walking infrastructure in England

The Department for Transport has launched an extensive plan to boost greener, active transport following unprecedented levels of walking and cycling during the COVID-19 pandemic. This will involve the creation of pop-up bike lanes with protected space for cycling, wider pavements, safer junctions, and cycle and bus-only corridors in England as part of a £250 million emergency active travel fund, which is the first phase of the £2 billion investment. E-scooter trials in England will also be brought forward from 2021 to June 2020. An updated Cycling and Walking Investment Strategy will be launched by the Prime Minister in the summer, with further measures to deliver the government’s aim to double cycling and increase walking by 2025.

Electric Vehicle 

Government outlines vision for the rapid chargepoint network in England

A Department for Transport policy paper sets out targets for high-powered chargepoints across England's motorway and A-road network, supported by the Rapid Charging Fund which was announced in the March 2020 Budget as part of a £500 million commitment for EV charging infrastructure.

Consultation on legalising rental e-scooter trials

The Department for Transport has launched a consultation on proposed regulatory changes to allow e-scooter trials to begin in order to assess whether e-scooters should be legalised in the UK. Consultation ends: 2 June 2020. This consultation is part of the Future of Transport Regulatory Review which we reported on in this article.

Environment

Regulations: alternative fuel labelling

The Office for Product Safety & Standards has issued guidance for infrastructure operators and motor vehicle manufacturers and dealers in respect of the Alternative Fuel Labelling and Greenhouse Gas Emissions (Miscellaneous Amendments) Regulations 2019. The regulations set out certain labelling requirements for refuelling points with petrol-type, diesel-type and gaseous-type fuel dispensers, and motor vehicles as defined in section 185(1) of the Road Traffic Act 1988(a), the manufacture of which is completed on or after 1 April 2020.

Committee on Climate Change outlines principles for building a resilient recovery 

In letters to the Prime Minister and First Ministers in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, the Committee on Climate Change (CCC) has set out six key principles for rebuilding the nation following the COVID-19 pandemic whilst delivering a stronger, cleaner and more resilient economy. These include strengthening the energy networks to accommodate the electrification of transport.

General Transport 

Wales Transport Strategy: scoping report

The Welsh Government has launched a consultation seeking views on the scoping report for the draft Integrated Sustainability Appraisal (ISA) of the Wales Transport Strategy. The Strategy will provide a long-term vision for Welsh transport and help create a greener transport system. Consultation ends: 31 July 2020.

Public Transport 

Regulation (EC) No 1370/2007 (Public Service Obligations in Transport) (Amendment) (EU Exit) Regulations 2020 (SI 2020/504)

This instrument specifically ensures that the legislative framework for the award of Public Service Obligations (PSO) in transport (rail franchises and bus services concessions) will remain legally operable at the end of the EU exit transitional period.

In force: IP completion day (31 December 2020 unless extended)

Explanatory Memorandum

Government grants Transport for London funding package

The government has agreed a £1.6 billion funding and financing package for Transport for London to protect key services, helping people to stay safe during the pandemic and supporting the capital’s gradual recovery from COVID-19.

Rail Network 

The West Midlands Rail Freight Interchange Order 2020 (SI 2020/511)

This Order grants development consent for and authorises Four Ashes Limited to construct, operate and maintain the new West Midlands Rail Freight Interchange, together with associated development.

In force: 25 May 2020

Explanatory Note

Rail Accident Investigation Branch report: Class investigation into human performance in signalling operations

The Rail Accident Investigation Branch (RAIB) has published the results of its class investigation into factors affecting safety-critical human performance in signalling operations on the national network. RAIB has made six recommendations to Network Rail as well as observations on learning from incident investigations. There is also a learning point for incident investigators relating to the identification of systemic causal factors.

Road Network 

The Traffic Orders Procedure (Coronavirus) (Amendment) (England) Regulations 2020 (SI 2020/536)

This Instrument temporarily amends legislation relating to Traffic Orders which are required to make and enforce changes to a road’s use or its design. The amendments are intended to speed up and simplify making Traffic Orders to put in place measures to deal with the effects of coronavirus, the need to social distance as a response and to support the Government’s aims for a restart and recovery that helps to enable active travel, for example, cycling and walking. 

In force: 23 May 2020

Explanatory Memorandum

Route announced for £1 billion Trans-Pennine dualling transformation

Major upgrades to a northern Trans-Pennine route are a step closer with the official preferred route announced for the £1 billion A66 upgrade. The proposals announced by Highways England include five new bypasses, key junction improvements and an underpass at the congested Kemplay Bank roundabout near Penrith.

Statutory guidance issued on Traffic Management Act 2004 in response to COVID-19

This statutory guidance from the Department for Transport sets out advice to local authorities on reallocating road space to encourage cycling and walking, and allow social distancing in response to issues arising from the COVID-19 pandemic.

Specification for the Reinstatement of Openings in Highways: Fourth edition

The Department for Transport has published a new fourth edition version of "Specification for the reinstatement of openings in highways" following consultation. The fourth edition officially replaces the third edition on 10 May 2021.

Automated Vehicles: Analysis of Responses to Consultation Paper 2

The Law Commission of England & Wales and the Scottish Law Commission's analysis of responses to their second consultation on automated vehicles found the following key policies attracted support: adopting national licensing for operators of Highly Automated Road Passenger Services (HARPS), covering cars as well as larger vehicles such as buses, and all types of fare structures under the same system; flexible regulation that encourages innovation; and regulating accessibility of HARPS to ensure they meet the needs of disabled and older persons.

Shipping 

MIN 616 Amendment 1: COVID 19 - Minimising risk to ships' crews and other maritime sector workers

A Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) amendment to Maritime Information Note 616 puts in place protection measures for seafarers in the context of the ISM code and health and safety legislation during the COVID-19 pandemic. It is to be read in conjunction with the Merchant Shipping and Fishing Vessels (Health and Safety at Work) Regulations 1997, as amended, and expires on 24 September 2020.

MIN 618: COVID 19 Guidance on the reporting of occupational diseases

A Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) maritime information note gives guidance on the reporting of diagnosed coronavirus cases among seafarers on board ships, where there is reasonable evidence that it was caused by exposure at work. This MIN expires on 30 September 2020.

IMO issues COVID-19 guidance for personal protective equipment and for interactions between ship and shore-based personnel

The International Maritime Organization (IMO) has circulated World Health Organization (WHO) guidance on the safe and effective use of personal protective equipment (PPE), to support decisions on the use of PPE to minimize the risks of COVID-19 infection for seafarers, marine personnel, fishing vessel personnel, passengers and others on board ships. This guidance also applies to shore personnel intending to go on board and when any of these people interact.

IMO publishes a framework of protocols for safe crew changes

The International Maritime Organization (IMO) has published recommendations for ensuring safe ship crew changes and travel during the COVID-19 pandemic to all IMO member states, the UN and other stakeholders including shipowners, shipping companies, customs, maritime administrations, health authorities, and airport authorities. The document sets out protocols on how crews can join a ship, starting at their residence, and how a crew member can disembark and reach their home. 

Consultation outcome: Draft Merchant Shipping (Prevention of Pollution by Sewage from Ships) Regulations 2020

In response to the consultation on the draft Merchant Shipping (Prevention of Pollution by Sewage from Ships) Regulations, the Government has stated that it will finalise the Regulations with a view to bringing them into force in summer 2020.