Key Transport Developments in January 2022

Automated Vehicles: joint report

A Law Commission and Scottish Law Commission final report makes recommendations for the safe and responsible introduction of self-driving vehicles. Amongst others, recommendations include: introducing a new Automated Vehicles Act; drawing a clear distinction between features which assist drivers, such as adaptive cruise control, and those that are self-driving; and a new system of legal accountability once a vehicle is authorised by a regulatory agency as having self-driving features.

Intelligent street lighting illuminates the way to digital roads for National Highways

National Highways has announced that research has been carried out to examine how street lighting could be used to pave the way for autonomous vehicles in the future. The research examines the use of closed circuit television and wireless technology within the lanterns of street lights alongside the National Highways network that would enable vehicles to communicate. A ‘proof of concept’ trial on this intelligent street lighting has been carried out on the M40 junction 15 Longbridge roundabout near Birmingham.

DfT announces further funding to redesign the UK’s airspace

The Department for Transport (DfT) has announced that a further £3.7 million has been made available to support airports in reducing journey times, pollution and flight delays. The new funding is in addition to the £5.5 million in government investment that was announced last year and will help the reduction in aviation emissions as part of the Government’s commitment to reach net zero.

Government announces airport slot alleviation for summer 2022

The Department for Transport (DfT) has announced that regulation have been laid before Parliament that will extend the airport slots rules alleviation for the upcoming summer season. The adjusted ratio is now set at 70:30 for the summer 2022 season, meaning airlines will need to use their slots 70% of the time in order to keep them, but will also benefit from added flexibility over when they are justified not to use them, for example, where a market is substantively closed.

CAA announces plans to create an Environmental Sustainability Panel

The UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) has announced plans to create an Environmental Sustainability Panel which will assist the organisation by providing technical advice to ensure environmental and sustainability interests are properly considered when the CAA is working to improve aviation’s sustainability. The CAA has launched an open application process to select members for the new panel.

New executive agency Active Travel England launches

The Department for Transport has announced that it is set to create a new executive agency, Active Travel England (ATE) to build on government commitment to boost cycling and walking and deliver a healthy, safe and carbon-neutral transport system.

20% car kilometre reduction route map

A Scottish Government consultation seeks to understand further the public opinion on the commitment to reduce car kilometres by 20% by 2030. This follows publication of the route map of the Securing a Green Recovery on a Path to Net Zero - Climate Change Plan 2018-2032 which sets out a suite of transport and non-transport policies that will be implemented to support car-use reduction. Consultation ends: 6 April 2022.

Electric scooter regulation: should the law be changed?

A House of Lords Library In Focus publication examines the UK law relating to electric scooter regulation as part of government considerations as to whether the law should be changed. The publication examines: the safety concerns of e-scooters; the current regulatory landscape; whether the Government plan to change the law; the rental e-scooter trials; and whether there appetite for changing the law.

Electric Vehicle charging device statistics January 2022

The Government has published the latest quarterly EV charging statistics. As of 1 January 2022 there were 28,375 public electric vehicle charging devices available in the UK and of the total devices available, 5,156 were rapid chargers. They are not evenly distributed throughout the UK: the highest concentrations are in London and Scotland, with Northern Ireland, the North West and Yorkshire and the Humber having the lowest.

Major transport infrastructure projects: Government Response to the Committee's Second Report - Seventh Special Report of Session 2021-22

A House of Commons Transport Committee report details the Government's response to recommendations in its report on major transport infrastructure projects.

Addleshaw Goddard analysis of the Union Connectivity Review Final Report

At the end of November 2021 Sir Peter Hendy published the Final Report of his Union Connectivity Review, examining the key road, rail, sea and air links between the four UK nations, and recommending how to improve them. Addleshaw Goddard were the only law firm to feed into the review, with this article examining the final recommendations including on the: UK strategic transport network; domestic air travel and the risk of carbon contradiction; and the devolution dilemma.

Publication of Scottish Strategic Transport Projects Review 2

The Scottish Cabinet Secretary for Net Zero, Energy and Transport Michael Matheson has announced the publication of the second strategic transport projects review. The report will inform the Scottish Government’s transport investment programme over the next 20 years and help to deliver the vision, priorities and outcomes set out in the national transport strategy, in which we committed to reducing inequalities, taking climate action, delivering inclusive economic growth and improving our health and wellbeing.

Railway interoperability: stakeholder guidance

An overview of the interoperability framework and stakeholder obligations at various stages in the lifecycle of a rail project.

High Speed Rail (Crewe - Manchester) Bill (First Reading)

A Bill to make provision for a railway between a junction with Phase 2a of High Speed 2 south of Crewe in Cheshire and Manchester Piccadilly Station; for a railway between Hoo Green in Cheshire and a junction with the West Coast Main Line at Bamfurlong, south of Wigan; and for connected purposes.

Government response to High Speed Two Phase 2b: Crewe to Manchester western leg design refinement consultation

The Government's response to the HS2 Phase 2b Western Leg design refinement consultation, which ran from 7 October 2020 to 11 December 2020. It states that the Government has decided to confirm the proposed design refinements to the HS2 Phase 2b route between Crewe and Manchester.

Rollout and safety of smart motorways: Government Response to the Committee's Third Report Sixth Special Report of Session 2021-22

A Transport Committee publication sets out the Government's response to its report on the rollout and safety of smart motorways. It notes that the Department for Transport (DfT) has decided that the rollout will be paused until a full five years' worth of safety data is available.

Changes to the Highway Code

A Government publication details the changes to the highway code that came into force on 29 January 2022. The changes are designed to encourage active travel by making the roads safer for pedestrians, cyclists and horse riders. The amended Highway Code was laid before Parliament on 1 December 2021 and applies to England, Scotland and Wales.

National Highways announce new environmental sustainability division as it targets net zero

National Highways has announced the creation of a new division for Environmental Sustainability as part of its to the environment and achieving net zero carbon. The new division will work with National Highways’ executive directors and board to deliver the ambitious plan to cut carbon emissions to net zero across England’s motorways and major A-roads by 2050.