Rules on the safe use of automated vehicles: summary of responses and government response

The Department for Transport (DfT) has published a summary of responses received for its consultation on proposals to amend The Highway Code to create rules on the safe use of automated vehicles, as well as an outline of the government’s response to the consultation. The government has also subsequently published: Automated vehicles: testing proposed wording used in The Highway Code and Self-driving vehicles listed for use in Great Britain; a covering letter to Parliament; an explanatory memorandum about The Highway Code amendment on self-driving vehicles; and The Road Vehicles (Construction and Use) (Automated Vehicles) Order 2022.

Planes running on batteries and hydrogen to become a reality under new group of aviation experts

The Department for Transport (DfT) and the Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy (BEIS) have jointly announced the launch of the Zero Emission Flight Delivery Group, made up of aviation experts across industry and government. The Group will focus on catapulting latest innovations in aviation decarbonisation technology and builds on the UK’s ambition to be world-leaders on aerospace R&D.

Green aerospace tech to receive record government funding

The Government has confirmed that the UK's aerospace technology research programme, the Aerospace Technology Institute (ATI), is to receive a record £685 million of government funding the over the next three years, an increase of more than 50%, taking the total to more than £1 billion. The funding will be used to support the development of zero-carbon and ultra-low-emission aircraft technology, key to the Green Industrial Revolution.

UK aviation: reform for take-off: Fifth Report of Session 2021-22

A House of Commons Transport Committee report details positive actions the Government can take to shape the recovery and development of the UK aviation sector after the pandemic. In particular, it examines: international travel restrictions; consumer rights; domestic air connectivity; the transition to sustainable aviation; and market recovery. The Government has two months to respond to this report.

One network, one timetable, one ticket: planning buses as a public service for Wales

A Welsh Government White Paper sets out proposals for public transport bus services to better plan and grow the bus network. The vision detailed in the proposals is designed to achieve the following over-arching aims: a bus system that is purposely designed to maximise the public good; a bus system that efficiently uses public investment to strategically address public priorities for bus improvements, thereby justifying greater public investment; and a bus system, which forms part of an integrated transport network that provides an excellent travel option, wherever people need it, whenever people need it, throughout Wales.

Zebra: Crossing From Red To Green (Buses)

An Addleshaw Goddard article examines the Zero Emission Buses Regional Area (ZEBRA) scheme, which allows Local Transport Authorities (LTAs) in England to bid for funding to purchase up to 500 zero emission buses. The article follows the launch of a public consultation seeking views on setting a specific date between 2025 and 2032 for ending the sale of new non-zero emission (at the tailpipe) buses and examines: the impact on operators; the impact on Government; the environmental and societal impacts; the impact on transport users; the impact on bus manufacturers; and the impact on the National Grid.

Government invests in innovation with £30 million for cutting-edge highway decarbonisation projects

The Department for Transport (DfT) has announced a £30 million Live Labs 2 competition to bring ideas for net zero highways to life. The project aims to support methods of decarbonising local highways infrastructure in regions across the UK, with a particular focus on making the construction, maintenance and running of the UK’s roads more sustainable.

CO2 emissions regulatory framework for all newly sold road vehicles in the UK - Consultation outcome

The Department for Transport (DfT) has published the outcomes and government response to the green paper on a New Road Vehicle CO2 Emissions Regulatory Framework for the UK. The response includes, but is not limited to, a commitment to adopt a zero emission vehicle (ZEV) mandate, requiring a percentage of manufacturers’ new car and van sales to be zero emission each year from 2024, and an acknowledgement that a ZEV mandate with a CO2 regulation for non-ZEVs could, over time, be applied to other road vehicles.

Technical consultation on zero emission vehicle mandate policy design

Following the announcement of the UK adopting a zero emission vehicle (ZEV) mandate in the Net Zero Strategy in October 2021, the Department for Transport (DfT) is consulting on some of the design features that could be included in a car and van regulation. The consultation specifically focuses on: the level of ZEV uptake (trajectories); how certificates could be allocated and used; the banking, borrowing and transfer of ZEV certificates; the possibility of derogations and exemptions within the ZEV mandate; and how to regulate the non-ZEV portion of the fleet. Consultation ends: 10 June 2022.

Better process for passengers to claim delay compensation from today

The Office of Rail and Road (ORR) has announced that from 1 April 2022, passengers whose rail journeys are delayed will have an improved process for claiming compensation. The new regulations require train operators to provide further information to passengers on their rights to claim delay compensation as well simplifying the claims process and ensuring that, in the case of a delay, passengers are informed via in-train or on-platform announcements and electronic notifications of their rights to claim.

New powers to protect maritime workers

The Department for Transport (DfT) has published letters from the Secretary of State for Transport to UK ports and the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) seek support for the Government's new measures to protect maritime workers. Measures announced include ensuring that all UK ferry operators pay the national minimum wage and ferries are fit for purpose.