Tag: Department for Transport

  • PRESS RELEASE : £219 million to power Britain’s green aviation revolution [June 2026]

    PRESS RELEASE : £219 million to power Britain’s green aviation revolution [June 2026]

    The press release issued by the Department for Transport on 16 June 2026.

    £219 million boost for sustainable aviation fuel to cut emissions and back UK innovation and jobs.

    • £93 million available now for pioneering UK companies to develop and scale up sustainable aviation fuel production to make flying greener
    • part of new £219 million low carbon fuels fund to position the UK as a global hub for low carbon fuels, supporting 15,000 jobs and adding £5 billion to the economy by 2050
    • comes as government is exploring through a call for evidence how to support all parts of industry in meeting the SAF Mandate to ensure delivery of its climate and environmental ambitions

    UK homegrown sustainable aviation fuel production given a boost thanks to a new £219 million low carbon fuels fund (LCFF) which will launch later this summer, powering up economic growth and supporting thousands of jobs across the country.

    Innovative companies from across the UK are invited to bid for a share of £93 million over the next two years to develop low carbon fuel, with applications opening in mid-July. The fund will focus support on the most promising projects meaning those closest to the actual production stage.

    Today’s announcement (16 June 2026) builds on £198 million already invested through the advanced fuels fund (AFF) since 2022 to scale up cleaner aviation technologies. Low carbon fuel production could add up to £5 billion to the economy by 2050 and position the UK as a global hub for sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) production.

    Aviation, Maritime and Decarbonisation Minister, Keir Mather, said:

    This £219 million is the next chapter in Britain’s green aviation revolution. We’re backing brilliant British innovation, creating thousands of high-skilled jobs and making sure the UK leads the world in the fuels that will power the future of flight.

    This kind of investment is exactly how we kickstart economic growth, open up exciting new opportunities for young people and make our holidays greener and cleaner.

    SAF is an alternative to fossil jet fuel which reduces greenhouse gas emissions on average by 70% on a lifecycle basis, making it a key technology that will allow UK aviation to grow capacity while meeting its net zero commitments.

    Growing a thriving domestic SAF industry will give investors the confidence they need to back new production plants in the UK, creating well-paid, skilled jobs in communities the length and breadth of the country.

    Investment in low carbon fuels is investment in the future of aviation. For young people looking to build a career, the UK’s growing SAF industry offers some of the most innovative and exciting opportunities anywhere in the economy, from engineering and science to construction and manufacturing.

    Alongside the new fund, the government is today launching a Call for Evidence on the SAF Mandate which requires an increasing proportion of jet fuel supplied in the UK to be sustainable, starting at 2% in 2025, rising to 10% by 2030 and 22% by 2040. The UK is already seeing encouraging growth in SAF supply.

    The Call for Evidence will explore what current global supply projections for different types of sustainable fuel mean for meeting the SAF Mandate’s targets in the coming years.

    This is part of an ongoing and collaborative approach with industry to ensure the scheme remains responsive to an evolving market. Overall mandate targets are not under consideration for reduction, with proposals focusing on strengthening the scheme for the future.

    Keith Packer, Managing Director of British Sugar, said:

    We are very pleased to see the launch of the DfT’s low carbon fuels fund and the clear commitment to further development of homegrown sustainable aviation fuel in the UK. At British Sugar, following a grant from the advanced fuels fund, the British BioJet project at our Wissington site is exploring the development of a sizeable demonstration plant.

    It will utilise our existing waste feedstocks with ethanol-to-jet technology to produce 1,500 tonnes of SAF – supporting the growth in cleaner, greener jobs and investment. We welcome this next phase of funding to develop SAF, and look forward to making an application so that we can continue supporting the government’s ambition for net-zero aviation.

    Jennifer Holmgren, Chief Executive of LanzaTech, said:

    Today’s investment by the UK government strengthens the UK’s position as a global leader in sustainable aviation fuel production. It will help companies like LanzaTech turn waste into green jet fuel, creating skilled jobs and economic growth for example in Humberside, where we are developing a new SAF facility capable of supplying around 1% of the UK’s jet fuel demand.

    The call for evidence on future SAF targets is also an important step towards giving industry the long-term certainty needed to scale production and accelerate private investment today and beyond 2030.

  • PRESS RELEASE : Cycling and walking boom with £4.5 billion for thousands of new routes and safer crossings [June 2026]

    PRESS RELEASE : Cycling and walking boom with £4.5 billion for thousands of new routes and safer crossings [June 2026]

    The press release issued by the Department for Transport on 12 June 2026.

    Strategy aims to deliver 5,000 new walking, wheeling and cycling routes and 10,000 safer crossings over the next 5 years.

    • more than half (55%) of short journeys in towns and cities to be walked or cycled by 2035 under ambitious new targets 
    • a record £4.5 billion is projected to be invested over next 5 years for thousands of new routes and safer crossings connecting homes with schools, high streets and local services 
    • new routes will save households money, improve public health, cut carbon emissions, reduce congestion and boost local economies

    More than half of short journeys in towns and cities will be walked, wheeled or cycled by 2035 under new national targets announced by the Department for Transport today (12 June 2026). 

    The new cycling and walking investment strategy sets a national target for people to hit the pavement or pedals for 55% of short trips in towns and for 60% of children aged 5 to 16 to travel actively to school by the same year. 
     
    The government is projected to invest over £4.5 billion in active travel over the next 5 years, and will work with Active Travel England and local authorities to deliver:

    • 5,000 new walking, wheeling and cycling routes
    • 10,000 safer crossings, connecting homes with schools, high streets and local services by 2030

    This will also encourage people to walk or bike to public transport hubs, such as train stations, making them more achievable and in line with the way people travel every day.

    Transport Secretary, Heidi Alexander, said: 

    Too many people would like to walk, wheel or cycle more often but don’t feel they have safe and convenient options to do so. 

    Our new cycling and walking investment strategy sets out how we will change that, with ambitious targets, record levels of investment and a clear plan to make active travel a practical choice for millions more journeys. 

    This is about creating healthier communities, helping households keep more money in their pockets and building a transport network that works better for everyone.

    Secretary of State for Health, James Murray, said:

    The benefits of walking and cycling for our physical health, mental wellbeing and our communities are clear, and even small increases in physical activity can make a big difference. This investment will help more people build exercise into their everyday lives, improving public health and supporting our ambition to reduce pressure on the NHS.

    The cycling and walking investment strategy demonstrates how we’re working across government to deliver for our communities and reduce health inequalities, while helping fulfil our commitments as set out in the 10 Year Health Plan.

    Published alongside Active Travel England’s Worth Every Step delivery plan, the strategy sets out how investment in active travel can save households money, improve public health, cut congestion, reduce carbon emissions and support local economies.

    By getting more people adopting healthier lifestyles, it would free up around 1.7 million GP appointments every year and lead to 4.4 million fewer sick days.

    If households give up a second car in favour of active short trips, it could save families around £1,700 per year on average – that’s more than £17,000 over 10 years.

    National Active Travel Commissioner, Chris Boardman said:  

    Every journey made on foot, wheeling or cycling, delivers value – to the person making it, to the community around them and to the economy. It keeps money in our pockets, makes us healthier and happier and boosts our local economy.    

    Yet too many of our streets do not yet make those journeys feel safe, easy or inviting. Our Worth Every Step delivery plan will change that. And it starts with where we’ll get the biggest impact: a more active school run and simple zebra crossings to transform local trips.   

    It’s time to make the cheapest and healthiest way to travel, the easiest way to travel. When streets work for people, everything else follows.

    The strategy marks a new cross-government approach to active travel, bringing together transport, health and investment while giving local leaders a greater role in shaping delivery to meet the needs of their communities. 

    This forms part of the government’s new Pride in Place programme, empowering communities to take greater control over the renewal of their neighbourhoods, including the introduction of 13 new bathing sites in England.

    It also includes plans to develop a coherent transport network designed to make active travel a realistic option for more journeys across England.  

    Chris Whitty, Chief Medical Officer:

    Increasing physical activity plays a key role in improving health. The greatest health gain from physical activity comes from those who do none starting to do some, and those who do some increasing their level of activity. Walking, wheeling and cycling are great ways to incorporate physical activity to everyday life, across the life course – to encourage this we must make routes practical, safe and equitable. Active Travel England’s work is important in delivering this, and it is encouraging to see this set out in Worth Every Step.

    Helen Godwin, Mayor of the West of England, said:

    I am delighted to support the launch of Worth Every Step and the cycling and walking investment strategy. We are working to double the number of School Streets in the West, so I am particularly pleased to see the national focus on greener travel to school.

    The West of England is proud to now be a top-rated regional authority for active travel. Tens of millions of pounds of regional investment will mean almost 100 miles of new and improved routes, empowering more people to be able to walk, wheel, and cycle – which is better for our health and for our planet.

    Active travel is an important part of getting the West moving. Working together, we can connect our schools and homes with jobs and transport hubs while we roll out better buses and more trains and develop our mass transit plans.

    Dame Sarah Storey, Active Travel Commissioner for Greater Manchester said:

    This is a strong national commitment to invest in making walking and cycling safe, accessible and a realistic choice for everyday journeys, and I welcome the particular focus on ensuring safe journeys to school.

    Across Greater Manchester, the focus is on enabling people to have more choice in how they travel – making sure all active modes work as part of a joined-up Bee Network. This integrated approach is already making a difference, with around a third of all journeys made actively and 90% of people walking as part of their public transport journeys.

    Across the region, connected public transport and active travel journeys are now more cost effective and convenient than they’ve ever been and alongside work being done to reduce road danger, Greater Manchester’s ten local authorities and Transport for Greater Manchester are enabling safer streets, including School Streets which help more children and families travel actively to and from school.

    With this continued investment, I know even more can be done to help more people choose walking, wheeling and cycling every day.

    Catherine Woodhead, Chief Executive, Living Streets said:  

    This third strategy is bigger and braver than we’ve seen before. As the charity behind the country’s first-ever zebra crossings, we’re delighted there will be 10,000 more on our streets. Side road zebras and the commitment to deliver 5,000 safer routes to school will make healthier travel choices for families much easier.

    South Yorkshire’s Mayor Oliver Coppard, said:

    My ambition is for South Yorkshire to be the healthiest region in the country – that has to start in our neighbourhoods and around our schools. That’s why I made a commitment to make South Yorkshire the best place in the country for children to walk, wheel and cycle, starting with safer journeys to school.

    We’re already delivering on that ambition, working with more than 170 primary schools this year alone through my Mayor’s Walk and Wheel Challenge. We’ll work with hundreds more in the years ahead to help build lifelong healthy habits.

    I welcome the ambition set out in the government’s Cycling and Walking Investment Strategy because it focuses us on something fundamental: quite simply, every parent should feel confident their child can get to school safely. And in South Yorkshire we’re getting on with making that vision a reality through investing tens of millions in safer crossings, safer routes to schools, school streets and trialling innovative simple zebra crossings.

    Working with other Mayors and Active Travel England, we’re showing how devolution can deliver – creating safer neighbourhoods, healthier journeys, and better connections to jobs, opportunity and each other, so everyone in South Yorkshire can stay near and go far.

    Steve Edgell, Chair of the Cycle to Work Alliance, said:

    The new cycling and walking investment strategy is a major vote of confidence in active travel and recognises the role cycling can play in creating healthier communities, reducing emissions and improving connectivity. The investment in safer routes and crossings is hugely welcome, particularly as we know many people are deterred from cycling because of safety concerns.

    If we want more people choosing active travel, we need both safe infrastructure and affordable access, and this strategy is an important step towards delivering both. The Cycle to Work Scheme has already helped well over 2 million people access a bike, and with 38% of participants new to commuting by bike, it demonstrates that when barriers to cycling are removed, people are keen to make the switch.

    By combining long-term investment in infrastructure with initiatives that make cycling more accessible, the government has an opportunity to drive lasting behaviour change and help more people choose healthier, more sustainable journeys.

  • PRESS RELEASE : New laws set to modernise aviation and better protect passengers [June 2026]

    PRESS RELEASE : New laws set to modernise aviation and better protect passengers [June 2026]

    The press release issued by the Department for Transport on 2 June 2026.

    The Civil Aviation Bill will support airspace modernisation and enhance safety standards for passengers across the UK.

    • new laws will modernise UK aviation – supporting redrawing of flight paths for faster, more efficient flights
    • it means airlines that don’t compensate cancelled flights, support passengers through disruption or look after disabled people could be fined
    • includes measures to fast-track safety rules – keeping pace with new risks, technologies and international developments

    Air passengers will get stronger protection of rights around cancellations, delays and passenger support and will enjoy faster travel, thanks to new government laws.

    The Civil Aviation Bill, now going through second reading and announced in the King’s Speech in May, will support the modernisation of UK airspace, enhance safety standards and give the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) new enforcement powers, including to fine the minority of airlines and airports that fail to deliver for passengers.

    Among the many changes, it means airlines and airports must properly compensate cancelled flights, assist disabled people to travel freely and support flyers through disruption – including with food and accommodation – or face stronger enforcement from the CAA.

    While UK aviation has a world-leading reputation, these transformative new laws go further by supporting the redesign of airspace rules to slash delays and make flights faster for passengers by reducing planes queuing to land.

    Aviation Minister, Keir Mather, said:

    Our new laws will modernise UK aviation, supporting the redesign of our airspace for faster, more efficient flights, while enhancing aviation safety standards and delivering greater passenger protections.

    We’re proud of the strong, reliable experience our sector delivers day-in day-out for passengers and we are clear that no one should be let down when they travel.

    That’s why we are giving the CAA new enforcement powers, including the ability to issue fines on the rare occasion airlines and airports don’t meet passenger rights obligations.

    The aviation industry provides reliable journeys for millions of passengers every year, but the government is clear that when passengers are let down, airlines and airports must be held to account.

    New powers will allow the CAA to take swifter, stronger action when they identify airlines or airports that are not meeting their obligations, such as providing correct information regarding flight disruptions, or providing an accessible service for disabled passengers.

    The recently established UK Airspace Design Service (UK ADS) will be backed by new powers for government to deliver redesigned flight paths alongside industry. These new routes will slash delays for hard-working holidaymakers by creating faster, more efficient routes into airports.

    The Transport Secretary will also be handed new powers to reform rules around aircraft take-off and landing slots, paving the way for a wider review of the current system later this year to ensure it is fit for a modern, growing aviation sector.

    As UK airspace approaches 70 years since its original design, these changes are critical to accommodate growing passenger numbers and reduce avoidable delays.

    Without this reform, passengers could face delays increasing by 200% by 2040, which is why UK ADS has already begun redrawing London routes, with changes planned for the mid-2030s.

    This will mean quicker, more straightforward approaches into airports including Heathrow and Gatwick, driving down average noise emissions per flight and improving air quality for local communities.

    The CAA will also be given new powers to make faster, more efficient aviation safety rules, furthering the UK’s world-leading safety reputation.

    The powers will remove unnecessary red tape, making it easier for industry to react to international developments and emerging risks. These measures all feature in the Civil Aviation Bill, which is now going through second reading in Parliament, following inclusion in the King’s Speech on 13 May 2026.

    Sir Stephen Hillier, Chair of the UK CAA, said:

    We welcome the government’s proposals set out in the Civil Aviation Bill to give the UK Civil Aviation Authority more flexible regulatory powers.

    The ability to make technical safety rules would mean we can more quickly keep the UK aligned with international standards, improve the proportionality of those rules that already exist and better enable the growth of emerging sectors. In turn, this would support safety, growth and innovation in the sector.

    A wider set of consumer rights enforcement powers would also mean we are better able to give consumers confidence in the sector if their rights are systematically not met.

    Alongside the new powers to act, we welcome the new mechanisms to allow Parliament and government to hold us to account for their use. We are already enhancing our processes and governance mechanisms to make sure we can use any new powers as effectively as possible. Deeper sector engagement will be an essential part of this new framework.

    Karen Dee, Chief Executive of AirportsUK, said:

    Aviation is a UK success story and we look forward to working with the government on this bill, particularly the provisions that will deliver faster, more resilient airspace, enabling this success to continue.

    This will allow planes to fly better, more fuel efficient routes and reduce the environmental impacts on local communities that live in and around airports.

    Tim Alderslade, Chief Executive of Airlines UK, said:

    Air traveller satisfaction is at record highs, proof that airline competition and the UK’s dynamic aviation market work. We welcome legislation that helps regulators keep pace with our growing sector — particularly on driving vital airspace modernisation and safety.

    But new rules must strike the right balance and deliver real consumer benefits; unnecessary burdens help no one. We look forward to shaping this legislation with government as it progresses through Parliament.

  • PRESS RELEASE : Passengers one step closer to booking taxi and bus-style self-driving vehicles [May 2026]

    PRESS RELEASE : Passengers one step closer to booking taxi and bus-style self-driving vehicles [May 2026]

    The press release issued by the Department for Transport on 22 May 2026.

    Applications open for operators to join the self-driving vehicles pilot scheme.

    • applications open for operators to run taxi, bus and private hire-style self-driving vehicles, in British first
    • passengers could book journeys through operators later this year
    • services will be held to strict safety requirements, driving confidence in an industry that will unlock significant economic growth and support thousands of jobs

    Passengers could book taxi and bus-style self-driving vehicles later this year, as applications open today (22 May 2026) for operators to run cars across Great Britain.

    The pilot scheme will enable firms – including British self-driving technology company Wayve – to bring cutting-edge technology to British roads, creating thousands of jobs and unlocking billions for the economy by 2035.

    Services could enhance journeys by supporting greater freedom and independence for older and disabled people, as well as expanding travel options across both work and leisure.

    Self-driving technology could transform roads, with human error currently contributing to 88% of collisions on UK roads.

    Safety will be central to the pilot scheme, which will gather real-world evidence on how self-driving vehicles operate on everyday roads, from navigating busy urban streets to interacting with traffic and carrying passengers safely.

    Services will be subject to rigorous approval checks by government, including strict safety assessments to ensure the technology is protected against cyber and security threats.

    Roads and Buses Minister, Simon Lightwood, said:

    Self-driving vehicles represent a transformative opportunity for Britain, opening up independent travel for disabled people and older adults, while driving growth and creating high-skilled jobs across the UK.

    This pilot scheme brings that future closer, giving passengers the opportunity to experience self-driving travel first-hand while ensuring safety always comes first.

    Local transport authorities, such as Transport for London, will also need to provide local consent to ensure services reflect local priorities.

    The government is working closely with safety and accessibility experts as it develops the regulations needed to safely bring self-driving vehicles to British roads.

    Learnings from the pilots will support the development of self-driving vehicle regulations, which are currently being progressed by government, following a call for evidence that closed in March.

    Sarfraz Maredia, Global Head of Autonomous Mobility and Delivery, Uber, said:

    This is an exciting and important step toward launching autonomous vehicles in the UK.

    London has long been a pioneering city for Uber, where we’ve launched some of our biggest innovations and we can’t wait to give people in the capital the chance to experience autonomous rides this year.

    Ben Loewenstein, Waymo Head of Policy and Government Affairs for the UK and Europe, said:

    The UK is leading the way in enabling the safe deployment of pilot autonomous vehicle services. We hope to soon become part of London’s transport network and demonstrate the safety, accessibility and sustainability benefits of battery-electric autonomous vehicles through the government’s pilot scheme.

    We are working closely with the Department for Transport and Transport for London to ensure our operations align with their goals.

    Waymo is serving riders in eleven major metropolitan areas in the US, providing over 500,000 rides each week. We are excited to bring our world-leading, fully autonomous ride-hailing service to the UK and help make transport in London safer and more accessible.

    Sarah Gates, VP, Global Affairs and Assurance at Wayve, said:

    The UK has all the ingredients to become a global leader in the deployment of self-driving vehicles and today’s launch of the automated passenger services scheme marks an important milestone. Wayve has been developing its technology in the UK for nearly a decade and we’re excited to bring our supervised passenger service to market here this year.

    Self-driving vehicles represent a generational opportunity to make road transport safer, more accessible and more convenient for millions of people. Beyond the societal benefits, this sector also has the potential to drive significant economic growth — revitalising the UK’s industrial base, creating high-skilled jobs and strengthening the country’s position as a world-leading technology ecosystem.

    Mike Hawes, SMMT Chief Executive, said:

    Today is a significant milestone in the safe and responsible rollout of automated vehicles on British roads. For the first time, legislation will allow operators to offer passenger-carrying commercial services – such as robotaxis – to the general public.

    Government’s decision to bring forward this legislation has positioned Britain as a leading European market for automated vehicles and a frontrunner in physical AI investment, development and deployment. Automated passenger services represent a market expected to be worth some £3.7 billion annually in Britain by 2040, while having the potential to widen society’s access to mobility and improve road safety.

  • PRESS RELEASE : New mass transit taskforce to reshape the future of transport in towns and cities [May 2026]

    PRESS RELEASE : New mass transit taskforce to reshape the future of transport in towns and cities [May 2026]

    The press release issued by the Department for Transport on 21 May 2026.

    The new taskforce will make recommendations to improve transit systems so they can be delivered more efficiently across the UK.

    • new taskforce will tackle barriers to delivery of mass transit systems across the UK, supporting economic growth, jobs and new homes
    • experts from planning and industry brought together to speed up building of beat blockers to development, unlocking connected trams, buses and railways
    • comes as government is to consult on new devolved powers to help mayors introduce mass transit systems

    New tram, light rail and bus networks in towns and cities have taken a step forward, as the government today (20 May 2026) launches the new Mass Transit Taskforce.

    The group, which includes leading experts from the world of transport, industry, finance and academia, will identify the biggest hurdles facing the introduction of mass transit systems across the UK and how to overcome them.

    Mass transit encompasses networks of trams, light rail and high-frequency buses that move large numbers of people quickly across towns and cities, and has transformed urban life in places like Greater Manchester, Nottingham, the North East and the West Midlands. These systems connect people with jobs, homes, public services and opportunities, while cutting congestion and carbon emissions.

    Working independently, and led by Chair Bridget Rosewell CBE, the taskforce will draw on best practice from across the world to make recommendations on how mass transit systems can be delivered more quickly and efficiently.

    Other members of the taskforce will include:

    • David Milner, Managing Director of Create Streets
    • Richard de Cani, Chief Officer for Global Business and Markets at Arup
    • Jason Prince, Director of the Urban Transport Group

    The Urban Transport Group will also provide the secretariat for the taskforce.

    Currently, factors like planning processes, fragmented funding arrangements and difficulties in acquiring land get in the way of delivering these systems, and the taskforce will seek to overcome these by identifying practical reforms to planning, financing and delivery models, and making targeted recommendations to government.

    To go alongside this, the government is also announcing that it will consult on measures to devolve additional powers to mayors, allowing them to have final say over decisions related to public transport – including mass transit.

    Known as Transport and Works Act orders (TWAOs), the devolution of these powers will ensure local leaders have more tools to deliver local transport, which meets the needs of local people.

    Transport Secretary, Heidi Alexander, said:

    Mass transit has the potential to transform towns and cities across the country. Creating a better, more integrated transport system will not only support economic growth and new jobs but will also deliver desperately needed housing.

    That’s why I am delighted to announce the formation of the Mass Transit Taskforce, which will use its skills and vast knowledge to deliver real and practical recommendations to shape the future of urban transport for years to come.

    Meanwhile, we’re putting power in local hands, empowering mayors to deliver mass transit in their towns and cities so they can make decisions for the communities they know best.

    The work of the Mass Transit Taskforce is already underway, with evidence already being gathered ahead of its first recommendations in 6 months.

    Further details on the taskforce, including its full membership and immediate next steps, will be announced in due course.

    Bridget Rosewell CBE said:

    Integrated mass transit systems can transform how people move around our towns and cities, connecting communities with jobs, homes and opportunity.

    I am pleased to chair this taskforce as it looks closely at the barriers to delivery and provides practical recommendations to government and local leaders on how to turn ambition into reality.

    Today’s announcement builds on a package of measures the government has taken to give local leaders greater control over transport in their areas.

    Spending Review 2025 committed £15.6 billion to Transport for City Regions (TCR) settlements, more than doubling investment in local transport across England’s largest city regions.

    The Bus Services Act, which became law in October 2025, marked a new era for bus travel – making it easier for local authorities to take control of routes, protecting passengers from sudden cuts and lifting the ban on councils running their own bus companies.

    The government’s Better Connected strategy, launched in April 2026, goes further still – setting out more than 40 commitments to make everyday journeys simpler and more affordable. Among its measures, local leaders are being given new tools to introduce tap-and-go contactless travel across buses, trams and trains, replicating the joined-up systems already in place in cities like Liverpool, London and Nottingham.

    Together with record investment in local roads and today’s Mass Transit Taskforce, the government is delivering on its commitment to give local leaders the powers and funding they need to build transport networks that work for their communities.

    Mayor of West Yorkshire, Tracy Brabin, said:

    We have ambitious plans for our region, and a mass transit system is a key part of that – by improving connections and boosting growth.

    But we all know that there are too many blockers to delivering mass transit schemes in this country, so I welcome this taskforce and support any measures that will bring about real change. Local leaders know their areas best – putting more powers in our hands will allow us to deliver on the change we know our communities want and deserve.

    North East Mayor, Kim McGuinness, said:

    I am pushing on with our project to take the North East’s Metro system to Washington, where residents have been campaigning to be part of the network since it opened in 1980.

    That shows how much people value world-class mass transit and I’m proud to be building Metro’s first new extension for 30 years as North East Mayor. Our iconic Metro system was the UK’s first modern mass transit system when it opened in 1980 and has since carried more than 1.7 billion people.

    It is a lifeline for so many people, with over 30 million journeys every year taking people to jobs, education and other opportunities. The government’s taskforce will help support my ambition to take Metro to new places as the heart of the Angel Network, a world-class integrated transport network where buses and mass transit can best meet the needs of local people.

    Helen Godwin, Mayor of the West of England, said:

    Mass transit is a crucial layer of the West of England’s transport system for the future. This is on top of the better buses, more trains and stations, and safer roads and active travel that we’re working to deliver.

    The government’s new Mass Transit Taskforce will bring additional expertise as we look at the best potential routes for mass transit in our region to move people around more quickly – whether that’s trams, light rail, or new buses. Just weeks ago, the historic Devolution Act empowered mayors with more levers to make things happen for our areas. Today, it’s brilliant to see even more powers being moved out of Westminster and into the West of England so that we can do more, faster.

    Liverpool City Region Mayor, Steve Rotheram, said:

    Liverpool was the birthplace of the world’s first intercity passenger railway, so we know better than most how transformative great transport can be – not just for how people get around, but for jobs, investment and opportunity too.

    That’s why I’ve pledged to get a rapid transit system up and running in the Liverpool City Region before Euro 2028, starting with bus rapid transit to better connect our communities and make it quicker and easier for people to get to work, education and the opportunities they deserve.

    For too long, big transport projects outside London have felt harder than they need to be. So it’s really encouraging to see government taking practical steps to help unblock delivery and put more power in the hands of local leaders. That’s how we turn plans on paper into spades in the ground.

  • NEWS STORY : Rail Campaign Launched to Tackle Sexual Harassment on Trains

    NEWS STORY : Rail Campaign Launched to Tackle Sexual Harassment on Trains

    STORY

    The Government and rail industry have launched a new campaign to tackle sexual harassment on trains and at stations. The campaign, part of the wider Enough initiative, will encourage passengers to report abuse to the British Transport Police and challenge behaviours including staring, intrusive questions and unwelcome comments.

    The Department for Transport and British Transport Police are also launching a national Safer Railway Scheme, under which train operators will be assessed on how they prevent harassment, support victims and train staff. Operators will need to meet clear safety standards to receive accreditation.

    Safeguarding minister Natalie Fleet said too many women experience fear and harassment during ordinary journeys. Ministers said the work forms part of the Government’s wider Violence Against Women and Girls Strategy, which aims to halve violence against women and girls within a decade.

  • PRESS RELEASE : Transport Secretary ends ‘era of neglect’ on HS2 with thorough reset [May 2026]

    PRESS RELEASE : Transport Secretary ends ‘era of neglect’ on HS2 with thorough reset [May 2026]

    The press release issued by the Department for Transport on 19 May 2026.

    Transport Secretary sets out new HS2 costs and timelines after a full review, taking control of the project to cut waste, speed up delivery and save billions.

    • Transport Secretary announces new delivery timeframes and costs for HS2 after years of mismanagement
    • new plans could save billions in cost and years in construction time while delivering services at same speed as Japanese bullet trains
    • construction milestones hit ahead of schedule and back office roles slashed under reset, as analysis reveals it could cost as much to cancel the project as to complete it

    The Transport Secretary today (19 May 2026) declared an end to an ‘era of neglect’ on High Speed Two (HS2) as she set out plans to reset the project, delivering the railway as quickly as possible and at the lowest reasonable cost.

    Following years of mismanagement, the Transport Secretary has convened the team that delivered the Elizabeth Line and set out new costs and timeframes for the project, including efforts to cut construction costs and get passengers on trains sooner.

    The government announced today the project is now expected to cost between £87.7 and £102.7 billion, with two thirds of the increase due to works being missed from the scope of the original project plan, underestimation by previous governments, inefficient delivery – and the remaining third due to inflation.

    The government has also confirmed HS2 will run at 320 km/h (200 mph), aligning with speeds across Europe and Japanese Bullet trains. In previous plans, HS2 trains were set to run at 360 km/h (225 mph) but with no existing track to test trains at that speed in Great Britain, adding to spiralling costs and build time.

    The change in speed could deliver savings of up to £2.5 billion and at least a year in delivery time, so communities can start to benefit sooner.

    The first trains are now expected to start between Old Oak Common in west London and Birmingham Curzon Street between 2036 and 2039. An estimate of the full scheme from London Euston to Curzon Street and a connection to the West Coast Main Line, is between 2040 and 2043.

    HS2 Ltd Mark Wild’s ongoing reset has borne fruit – with 6 major construction milestones reached earlier than planned in the last year – as well as eliminating 300 bureaucratic roles, and scrutinising contracts to ensure taxpayers get value for money.

    The government is committed to delivering HS2 in full between Birmingham and London, with a new assessment revealing it could cost as much to cancel the project as it would to complete it, while delivering none of the benefits.

    Transport Secretary, Heidi Alexander, said:

    Taxpayers, passengers and communities along the route have been let down by years of mismanagement on HS2.

    I share their anger about the waste and mess, but I am proud that this government has worked with HS2’s new senior team to get this project off life support and on the road to recovery.

    We will get the job done but we will also take every opportunity to save time and money in the process, getting a grip on delivery, controlling costs, and stripping out the complexity that’s plagued the project in the past.

    We can and must build big infrastructure projects in Britain. But we also need competent people in charge of them. This is the same team that delivered the Elizabeth Line. We have done it before, we will do it again.

    Delivering HS2 will mean more trains on the West Coast Main Line corridor, and more reliable and faster journeys, saving passengers around 30 minutes between London and Birmingham compared with current services, and doubling peak long-distance, fast rail capacity between the capital and West Midlands.

    The new ranges come as the government publishes in full a comprehensive report by Sir Stephen Lovegrove into the Civil Service’s role in HS2’s execution to date. The government will respond to Sir Stephen’s recommendations after thorough consideration of the findings.

    HS2 will deliver houses, jobs and growth. Recent forecasts show it is already contributing £20 billion to the economy over the next decade around its station sites and depot in the West Midlands and west London, plus 63,000 new homes and over 49,000 new jobs in these areas.

    Commercial development at Euston is estimated to add £41 billion to the economy over the next 3 decades and support 34,000 new jobs, with high-tech tunnelling machines now working under Londoners’ feet to make HS2 to Euston a reality. Over 6,100 contracts have been awarded to UK businesses, with more than half of these to small and medium-size enterprises.

    CEO Mark Wild and Chair Mike Brown have started to turn HS2 Ltd around and have delivered 6 major construction milestones ahead of schedule over the last 12 months, including:

    • the sliding of a road bridge for the A46 over the HS2 line of route in April 2025
    • the installation of beams and overbridges near Calvert in Buckinghamshire in August 2025
    • the completion of boring the 3.5-mile Bromford tunnel in Birmingham in October 2025

    Mark Wild, Chief Executive of HS2 Ltd, said:

    I recognise this will be unwelcome news for local communities and taxpayers, and I share in their disappointment that it will take longer and cost more to bring HS2 into service.

    Resetting HS2 was the only way to regain control of the project. We have turned a corner in the last 12 months with significantly improved levels of productivity, helping us to deliver major milestones ahead of schedule. We’re also progressing with plans to bring HS2 into line with other high-speed railways in Europe – further reducing the project’s complexity without compromising on benefits.

    Better journeys, more capacity on the network, and economic growth are all vital to the country’s future prosperity, and that’s exactly what we will deliver. Driven by the hard work of 31,000 people on the ground, HS2 is finally getting back on track.

    The HS2 reset is fully funded within the Department for Transport’s current Spending Review settlement, with no additional borrowing. Funding beyond 2029-30 will be set at future Spending Reviews and will be underpinned by the government’s non-negotiable fiscal rules.

  • PRESS RELEASE : Innovative walking, wheeling and cycling projects win share of £1 million [May 2026]

    PRESS RELEASE : Innovative walking, wheeling and cycling projects win share of £1 million [May 2026]

    The press release issued by the Department for Transport on 12 May 2026.

    The 12 winning projects will provide more people with healthier and sustainable active travel options across England.

    • shared cycle schemes, gamified walking campaigns and accessible wheeling apps among 12 winning projects
    • grants of up to £100,000 awarded to small businesses and community organisations
    • investment supports government plans to back entrepreneurship and boost the economy

    Communities across England will benefit from a diverse range of innovative walking, wheeling and cycling projects, after Active Travel England (ATE) awarded grants through its £1 million Innovation Fund.

    The 12 successful projects, ranging from e-cargo bike share schemes and community behaviour change programmes, to ‘gamified’ walking campaigns and accessible wheeling apps, will each receive grants of up to £100,000, following a competitive bid process.

    The Active Travel Innovation Fund was launched in October last year to enable small and medium‑sized enterprises (SMEs) and non‑governmental organisations (NGOs) to develop new ideas or expand successful initiatives that are already making a difference.

    Funded projects will provide more people with healthier and sustainable active travel options, especially those from under-represented groups, supporting the government’s missions to improve public health, create safer streets and cut carbon emissions.

    Active Travel Commissioner, Chris Boardman, said:

    These projects are about testing fresh ideas in the real world and finding out what works. By backing smaller, innovative organisations across the country, we are tapping into more imaginations, reaching people in the heart of the community and building a strong evidence base that will further improve everyday journeys for people who walk, wheel and cycle now and in the future.

    The lessons we learn will help councils, businesses and communities invest in approaches that are inclusive, practical and deliver tangible benefits. It’s about making it easier for more people to choose active travel for everyday trips, whatever their age, ability or background.

    Local Transport Minister, Lilian Greenwood, said:

    We’re backing bold, community‑led ideas that get more people walking, wheeling and cycling.

    These projects show how innovation and entrepreneurship can deliver healthier journeys, safer streets and real benefits for communities across the country.

    On top of this, the government is investing £626 million for local authorities up to 2030 to deliver vital walking and cycling schemes, which is enough for 500 miles of new walking and cycling routes and 170,000 more active trips per day. This will also help boost local businesses, grow local economies and ease pressure on the NHS.

    The winning projects include Walk Ride Greater Manchester, which will support the set‑up, coordination and scaling of walking and bike buses, helping hundreds of primary school children travel to school in a fun and active way.

    Go Jauntly is an award‑winning UK walking app that will use the funding to run a gamified city‑versus‑city campaign to increase walking and wheeling among women and families in Birmingham and Liverpool.

    PedalUK will set up, deliver and evaluate a 5‑cycle ‘Our Bike’ community‑led e‑cargo bike‑sharing pilot in Brighton and Hove.

    Other funded projects include Mobility Mapper, a Bristol‑based intervention that will develop a digital mapping platform, accessed via an app, aimed at enabling wheelers to travel more safely and confidently.

    General Manager at PedalUK/OurBike, Emma Hughes, said:

    This funding enables OurBike to launch and test our London e-cargo bike share scheme outside the capital in Brighton and Hove. Building on research from the University of Brighton and working with Brighton and Hove City Council and local partners, we are addressing the real barriers to e-cargo bike use by embedding bikes in communities and making everyday cycling more accessible and affordable for families and businesses carrying children, goods or equipment.

    CEO at Go Jauntly, Hana Sutch, said:

    At Go Jauntly, we believe walking and wheeling should feel accessible, safe and joyful for everyone, especially women and families who are often overlooked.

    Thanks to Active Travel England funding, we are expanding our behaviour change programmes to meet people in their own neighbourhoods, making everyday movement fun, easier and more inclusive.

    Director of Walk Ride Greater Manchester, Harry Gray, said:

    We’re delighted to have received funding from Active Travel England’s Innovation Fund to deliver a Walking and Cycling Bus Pilot across Manchester and Trafford.

    This funding enables us to provide a full-time project coordinator to grow and sustain walking and cycling buses at scale. Every child across Greater Manchester should have access to a safe, active travel route to school – walking and cycling buses are where that journey begins.

    Founder of Mobility Mapper, Sonya Ridden, said:

    Active Travel England innovation funding is essential in helping Mobility Mapper begin mapping the routes wheelers can actually use. By creating a wheelable network built from real journeys, we will help people plan ahead with confidence, avoid unsuitable routes, make everyday wheeling easier and safer, and make active travel more inclusive.

  • PRESS RELEASE : Multimillion-pound competition drives cutting-edge innovation in rail industry [May 2026]

    PRESS RELEASE : Multimillion-pound competition drives cutting-edge innovation in rail industry [May 2026]

    The press release issued by the Department for Transport on 11 May 2026.

    Modernising track and train will help improve the passenger experience, while supporting jobs, growth and homes in Britain.

    • rail industry innovation boosted as ninth round of the First-of-a-Kind competition launched with entries aimed at improving passenger experience on the railways
    • government partners with Innovate UK to provide £4.8 million funding to back ambitious new projects in lead up to the creation of Great British Railways
    • previous winners applauded for creating tech-led solutions and utilising AI to improve train performance and on-platform safety

    Railway passengers and staff to benefit as the Department for Transport (DfT) funds the development of pioneering, tech-led projects aimed at improving safety and reliability on Britain’s rail network.

    Opening today (11 May 2026) in partnership with Innovate UK, the First-of-a-Kind (FOAK) competition offers £4.8 million grant funding to new projects so innovators can bring their ideas to life and present them to industry, boosting their chances of being rolled out on the network.

    The competition aims to address persistent issues on the railway, such as safety concerns, service reliability or anti-social behaviour. This year, applicants will put forward ideas to help deliver major projects on time and in budget, improve the passenger service performance and reduce the industry’s impact on the environment.

    Rail Minister, Lord Peter Hendy, said:

    Innovation is central to bringing Britain’s railway into the 21st century and our funding for the First-of-a-Kind competition puts this principle into action, helping turn creative concepts into real-life solutions.

    Supporting new ideas is all part of our plan to modernise track and train under Great British Railways, designing and adopting world-leading technology that improves passenger experience while supporting jobs, growth and homes.

    Now in its ninth round, the FOAK competition has been backed with £62.5 million in government funding to date. Previous winners include Transmission Dynamics Ltd, 1 of 7 project entrants from 2025, who developed intelligent roadside warning and analysis systems designed to prevent disruption following collisions between large goods vehicles and low-clearance bridges or tunnels.

    See the list of FOAK rail competition 2025 winners for more information.

    Trials of the technology are underway, including in Northumberland, where the detection system alerted Network Rail when a bridge was recently struck, enabling the team to quickly assess damage and minimise the likelihood of disruption for passengers travelling on the East Coast Mainline.

    Claire Spooner, Director of the Innovation Service at Innovate UK, said:

    Since 2017, Innovate UK has delivered the Department for Transport-funded First-of-a-Kind competition to accelerate the development, demonstration and adoption of breakthrough technologies into rail innovation.

    FOAK26 marks the next step, introducing more focused, industry-led challenges aligned to DfT priorities and supported by strong sponsorship across the sector. By working closely with industry partners and stakeholders, FOAK26 will maximise the impact of public investment, support the commercialisation of innovation and drive economic growth by helping new solutions reach the rail network faster.

    Another of the FOAK competition winners from 2025 developed an automated monitoring system to track deliveries to an HS2 development site. The cameras worked by integrating AI software, alerting site workers to the delivery of time-critical supplies, helping to keep projects on track.

    Hao Zheng, Co-founder and CEO of Robok Limited, said:

    Innovate UK’s FOAK funding allowed us to develop SiteFlow with EKFB on a live HS2 site, turning existing CCTV into supplier-assurance and safety insight. That foundation is now enabling us to take the product to the wider HS2 community and to scale this practical AI across UK infrastructure.

    Noel Dolphin, GB Managing Director of Furrer+Frey, said:

    The FOAK competition has allowed us to take risks and innovate further and faster than we otherwise would. We’ve taken sound, but commercially risky concepts and used FOAK funding to develop and demonstrate them, working with a broad range of partners, into real-world products.

    Developing Lineform AI in the FOAK 2025 has already delivered cost savings to Network Rail and UK infrastructure.

    These projects will help to deliver better services for passengers, encouraging more people to travel by rail as the government rebuilds a publicly owned railway that the country can rely on and be proud of under Great British Railways (GBR).

    As a single organisation, GBR will deliver lasting change and build a railway fit for Britain’s future, owned by the public, for the public. The full public ownership programme is expected to be completed by the end of 2027, with 8 out of the 14 train operators now publicly owned and operators managing more than 1,100 stations. By bringing track and train under a single directing mind, GBR will drive up standards for passengers and make journeys easier and better value for money.

  • PRESS RELEASE : Cambridge South – new station’s opening date revealed [May 2026]

    PRESS RELEASE : Cambridge South – new station’s opening date revealed [May 2026]

    The press release issued by the Department for Transport on 11 May 2026.

    New Cambridge South rail station opening in June 2026.

    • date revealed for opening of new Cambridge South station next month giving direct rail link to Europe’s largest medical research facility and its 40,000 daily visitors
    • backed by £250 million government funding the station will host up to 9 trains an hour to Cambridge alongside further direct services to London, Stansted and Birmingham Airport – boosting access to jobs, opportunities and housing
    • Cambridge South will be the first new Great British Railways branded station as the rail reform programme ramps up with over 660 million passengers now travelling on publicly owned services annually

    Passengers will soon be able to take trains from the new Cambridge South station after its opening date was revealed today (11 May 2026). Services will begin calling at Cambridge South on Sunday 28 June before the station’s official opening ceremony takes place the following day.

    The first Great British Railways (GBR) branded station in the country, Cambridge South, is expected to welcome 1.8 million passengers annually as the government’s public ownership programme gathers steam.

    The station will benefit from up to 9 trains an hour to the centre of Cambridge as well as a direct link to the city’s Biomedical Campus, with its world-class science, NHS hospitals and business facilities. The Cambridge Biomedical Campus contributes £4.7 billion annually to the UK economy, a figure expected to rise to £18.2 billion by 2050 alongside a doubling of its 20,000 current employees, thanks in part to the boost brought by the new station.

    Passengers will also be able to take trains to London, Birmingham, Stansted Airport and international rail services via St Pancras, with up to 20 services calling at Cambridge South in peak hours. This signals a huge boost to vital links to jobs, housing and businesses.

    Rail Minister, Lord Peter Hendy, said:

    Backed by £250 million government investment, Cambridge South will open up access to jobs, homes and world-class facilities for people across the region, boosting the growth of the Biomedical Campus as one of the most important engines of growth in the country.

    As the first new Great British Railways branded station, the opening is an important milestone for our railways and a sign of the real change public ownership will deliver. Faster connections supporting economic growth, thousands more jobs and homes and a railway that works for the communities it serves.

    The opening comes as the public ownership programme continues apace alongside the creation of GBR, which will coordinate the whole rail network in the UK. The creation of GBR will end the country’s convoluted rail system involving over 17 different organisations, cut through the frustrating bureaucracy and instead run Britain’s railways as a single organisation for the first time in decades.

    As a single organisation, GBR will deliver lasting change and build a railway fit for Britain’s future, owned by the public, for the public. The full public ownership programme is expected to be completed by the end of 2027, with 8 out of the 14 train operators now publicly owned and operators managing more than 1,100 stations.

    Jeremy Westlake, Chief Executive for Network Rail said:

    We’re excited to welcome passengers to this landmark station from next month, providing direct access to the Cambridge Biomedical Campus and better connections across the UK and beyond. Cambridge South station will significantly improve travel and connectivity for campus staff, visitors and the wider community for many years to come.

    Thousands of people have worked tirelessly on this fantastic project to build a modern, accessible and sustainable station that reflects the excellence of the work that is being undertaken in Europe’s largest biomedical facility. It’s been a truly collaborative experience working alongside government, contractors, industry partners and the wider rail network to make this station a reality and we’re really proud of the result and the role it will play in connecting people to jobs, research and opportunity across the region.

    Alongside setting up GBR, the government is focused on getting better value for passengers now and keeping the cost of rail tickets down. Regulated rail fares have been frozen across England until March 2027 so passengers are not paying a penny more on season tickets, peak returns for commuters and off-peak returns between major cities.

    Cambridge South station has been built thanks to more than £250 million of government funding, alongside £5 million contributions from AstraZeneca, Cambridge & Peterborough Combined Authority and the Greater Cambridgeshire Partnership.