This month includes the call for evidence on the future of automated cars, Freeports, the start of the PR23 periodic rail review, and environmental objectives for the UK's space regulator.

Air Quality

Birmingham launches clean air zone

Birmingham City Council has launched England's first clean air zone (CAZ) outside London to include private cars. From 14 June 2021 drivers of older polluting cars, taxis and vans who travel into the centre of Birmingham will face a daily charge of £8, while buses, coaches and HGVs will be charged £50 a day (unless a valid exemption is in place).

Automated Vehicles

The future of connected and automated mobility in the UK: call for evidence

A Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy and Centre for Connected and Autonomous Vehicles call for evidence to inform strategic policy on connected and automated mobility in the UK. Consultation ends: 16 July 2021.

Aviation

Trends in Transport: Further Regulations for Drones

Our latest Trends in Transport article discusses the latest changes to drone regulations under the Air Traffic Management and Unmanned Aircraft Act 2021 including new police powers and CAA guidance on operational regulations.

Joint US-UK statement on a cooperative framework for Large Civil Aircraft

The United States and the United Kingdom reached an understanding to resolve a long-standing trade dispute relating to large civil aircraft. The framework provides that the U.S. and the UK will work together to overcome any disagreements in the sector and counter non-market practices. The two countries will establish a Working Group on large civil aircraft, to be led by each side’s respective Minister responsible for trade. 

Electric Vehicles

UK government partners with disability charity to set standards for electric vehicle chargepoints

The Transport Minister, Rachel Maclean, has announced that accessibility standards are to be developed for electric vehicle chargepoints across the UK, allowing disabled drivers to easily identify which models are suitable for their needs.

Decarbonisation

Countdown to Carbon Zero interview series

What will it take for the UK to be carbon zero by 2050? How does the transport sector need to contribute? We talk carbon zero with transport industry experts. Over the coming months we will be releasing a series of discussions with industry experts, talking to us about the Transport Sector's biggest and most important challenge since the industrial era. The latest interview in the series is with Kevin Hobbs, Chief Executive of Caledonian Maritime Assets Ltd., and you can access it here.

Government launches first round of £3 million Zero Emission Flight Infrastructure competition

The government has announced the new Zero Emission Flight Infrastructure (ZEFI) competition, supporting development of infrastructure required to aid electric and hydrogen aircraft such as charge points for planes. Businesses and universities around the UK will be awarded up to £50,000 each to pioneer critical research into infrastructure, such as charge points and hydrogen fuelling tanks, that will enable the mass uptake of electric and hydrogen aircraft.

Response to written question on Renewable Transport Fuel Obligation

A response to a written question about when the response to the consultation on amending the Renewable Transport Fuel Obligation will be published. Rachel Maclean MP states that the Department for Transport plans to publish a response in the summer of 2021.

Ports

What's next for the introduction of freeports and what does the creation of these mean for the sector?

Addleshaw Goddard's Pete Mason, Partner in Real Estate, will be participating in a panel discussion at the UK Ports Conference 2021. Pete will be discussing the expected impact of freeports in the UK and the next steps and timelines of freeport projects with CEOs and directors from DP World, Associated British Ports, PD Ports and the UK Major Ports Group.

UK Freeports: Government Response to the Committee's Fourth Report of Session 2019-21

An International Trade Committee special report sets out the Government's response to its UK freeports report. In the response, the Government intends to provide an annual update to keep the Committee informed of the progress of Freeports and agrees to evaluate the impact of the policy within five years.

Rail Network

ORR begins rail infrastructure planning for 2024 - 2029

The Office of Rail and Road (ORR) launched the process for determining the funding needed for Britain’s rail network from 2024 - 2029. The process, known as the 2023 Periodic Review (PR23), sets a five-year settlement that will determine the level of funding the infrastructure owner (Network Rail/Great British Railways) should receive for its operation, maintenance and renewals activities and what it should be required to deliver from this.  

Flexible rail season tickets go on sale

New national flexible rail tickets are now available to commuters across England. The launch of flexible season tickets was the first step in the reform of the railways, as part of the recently launched Williams-Shapps Plan for Rail. The paperless tickets will allow travel on any 8 days in a 28-day period, with passengers able to tap smartcards or scan mobiles at the station with no need to select the days of travel in advance.

ORR publishes Principles of Level Crossing Safety

Following a consultation, the Office of Rail and Road (ORR) has published its Principles for managing level crossing safety which is designed to support the assessment and control of risks at level crossings. The guidance is aimed at those in the railway industry, traffic authorities, local authorities and others associated with the railway.

Road Network

Nationwide information campaign on the introduction of E10 petrol launched

The Government has launched a national advertising campaign ahead of the rollout of greener E10 petrol across all UK petrol stations from September 2021. The introduction of E10 will see renewable ethanol in petrol double from the current petrol blend E5 (which contains no more than 5% ethanol), further reducing carbon dioxide emissions from millions of cars.

Consultation on reforms to street and road works

A Department for Transport consultation on further reforms to legislation covering utility street and highway authority road works including changes to permit schemes and to the data that needs to be provided to Street Manager. Consultation ends: 23 July 2021.

Consultation on Traffic Regulation Orders

A Scottish Government consultation looking at improving Traffic Regulation Order (TRO) procedures for traffic authorities in Scotland. Consultation ends: 30 July 2021.

Shipping

Consultation on the Merchant Shipping (Additional Safety Measures for Bulk Carriers) Regulations 2021

A Maritime and Coastguard Agency consultation seeks responses on proposals for the draft Merchant Shipping (Additional Safety Measures for Bulk Carriers) Regulations 2021. Consultation ends: 10 August 2021.

BIMCO publishes new standalone Refund Guarantee for Shipbuilding Contracts

BIMCO’s Documentary Committee has adopted a clearly worded standalone refund guarantee that will assist parties in their shipbuilding projects. BIMCO's new standard refund guarantee can be used with all widely-used standard forms of shipbuilding contracts such as NEWBUILDCON, the SAJ form and Chinese forms.

BIMCO to develop a global electronic bill of lading standard

As part of an initiative to accelerate digitalisation in the shipping industry, BIMCO will work with the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) to develop an electronic bill of lading (eBL) standard for the dry and liquid bulk sectors.

Space

Commercial spaceflight: environmental objectives for the spaceflight regulator

The Department for Transport has published the outcomes to its consultation on environmental objectives and guidance that it proposes setting for the regulator when exercising its spaceflight functions under the Space Industry Act 2018.