Tag: Department for Transport

The press release issued by the Department for Transport on 28 October 2025.

The Bus Services Act will make it easier for local leaders to take control of their buses and put passengers first.

• thousands of bus passengers to benefit from more reliable and dependable journeys, thanks to new law
• passengers will be protected from sudden cuts to crucial routes, and training will be provided to drivers on how to handle anti-social behaviour, improving safety for women and girls
• power will also be put in the hands of local authorities to decide what works best for their communities, breaking down barriers to opportunity and boosting growth as part of the government’s Plan for Change

Better buses are on their way for thousands of passengers across the country after the government’s Bus Services Bill became law yesterday evening (27 October 2025), marking a new dawn for bus travel in the UK.

Buses remain the most used form of public transport across England, but around 300 million fewer miles were driven by bus services in England in 2024 compared to 2010, with passengers suffering from sudden route cuts and a lack of accountability. 

This landmark move will end the risk of routes being scrapped at short notice by tightening the requirements for cancelling vital routes, an issue which has left passengers, particularly those who are elderly, disabled or living in rural areas, cut off and isolated from their communities.

The government will now empower councils to identify services which they deem as socially necessary, meaning strict requirements must be followed if operators wish to cancel or change them.

Not only will the new laws ensure services are protected but it will also lift the ban on local authorities setting up their own bus companies, allowing them to run their own services to ensure that passengers, not profit, come first.

The Bus Services Act also includes plans to mandate staff, including drivers and those based at bus stations,  to undertake training to recognise and handle incidents of anti-social behaviour and crime, including violence against women and girls.

The government will back bus services with further funding for local authorities, which will be agreed in the coming weeks.

Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander said:

For too long catching the bus has felt like an ordeal, with unreliable services and cuts to key routes meaning many communities, particularly those in rural areas, have been left isolated.

The passing of our vital Bus Services Act will finally change this.  By making it easier for local leaders to take control of their buses we are putting passengers first, improving access to jobs, education and tourism opportunities which are all vital to growing the economy – a fundamental part of our Plan for Change.

As well as plans to allow councils to start their own bus services, the Bus Services Act will also cut the red tape holding back bus franchising, where local authorities allow companies to operate in their areas while retaining control over key aspects such as routes and fares, ensuring this model can be delivered faster.

The government is already backing local authorities York and North Yorkshire, Cornwall, Cumbria, Hertfordshire, Cheshire West and Chester as part of the Bus Franchising Pilots, which aims to explore how local authorities could take control of its bus network and transform rural services to work for everyone.

Corinne Pluchino, Chief Executive of Action with Communities in Rural England (ACRE), said: 

The lack of reliable, affordable public transport in rural areas is a widespread problem which impacts on those in greatest need and holds back economic growth.  We welcome the new measures to require the identification and listing of socially necessary local services, and new requirements if bus operators want to cancel or change them. This is an important first step to achieving better rural bus services, and ACRE looks forward to working with government to ensure the Act delivers positive change for rural communities.

Paul Nowak, General Secretary, TUC said: 

This landmark Bus Bill is great news for the hundreds of thousands of workers across the country who rely on our bus networks to get to and from work each day. The government is turning the page on the failed era of bus privatisation – and returning to a system that puts ordinary people above profits and shareholder returns. We’ve already seen the real difference that effective franchising can make in places like Manchester. It’s now vital that local leaders work in partnership with the bus workforce to make the most of the opportunities offered by the Bill.

Jason Prince, Director of the Urban Transport Group, said:

The Bus Services Act represents a watershed moment for the future of the bus. We now have legislation that provides all local leaders with greater powers and the ability to choose the right tools to improve their local bus networks and passengers’ experiences – ensuring these services are accessible, safe and attractive. We warmly welcome the Act and its recognition of the critical role that local areas play on the road to better buses.

The press release issued by the Department for Transport on 27 October 2025.

New station will unlock thousands of new houses and create over 2,000 jobs in the East of England.

• brand-new Beaulieu Park rail station opens to passengers ahead of schedule, backed by £141 million government investment and marks first new station on the Great Eastern Mainline in more than 100 years
• landmark development will support 2,500 new jobs, connect hundreds of thousands of people across the East and deliver thousands of new homes, supporting government’s pledge to build 1.5 million new homes over the next 5 years   
• new station to be operated by newest publicly-owned operator Greater Anglia, one of the UK’s best performing operators, helping deliver a railway that is more accountable, efficient and reliable for passengers

Hundreds of thousands of people across the east of England now have access to faster, more reliable services as Beaulieu Park Station opens to the public ahead of schedule (27 October 2025).

It is the first new station on the Great Eastern Mainline in more than 100 years and is set to generate a £250 million economic boost for the region.

Funded by £141 million from the government’s Housing Infrastructure Fund, this milestone marks a significant step in its commitment to unify track and train under Great British Railways, ensuring that new infrastructure delivers maximum benefit for passengers and communities.

It offers passengers up to 4 trains per hour during peak times and 2 trains per hour during off-peak periods, as well as direct rail access to London Liverpool Street in just 40 minutes and Colchester in 25 minutes, cutting car journeys and reducing pollution for local communities. It is also set to generate a £250 million economic boost for the region.

The station will be operated by Greater Anglia, opening just 2 weeks after Greater Anglia became a publicly-owned operator, marking a major step towards a simpler, unified railway under Great British Railways.

Rail Minister, Lord Peter Hendy, said:

With over £140 million of government investment, the opening of Beaulieu Park station marks a major milestone for economic growth in the East of England, unlocking thousands of new houses, creating over 2000 jobs and driving prosperity across the region.

Under the trusted services of publicly-owned Greater Anglia, we’re delivering on our Plan for Change by building a simpler, more modern rail network that supports communities and powers the UK’s economy.

With half of all rail operators now publicly owned, the government is delivering a network that prioritises accountability, efficiency and reliability, putting passengers at its heart.

Greater Anglia, consistently rated among the UK’s best-performing operators, will continue to thrive under public ownership – engaging with local communities, sharing best practice and driving improvements across the network.

The new station is also a cornerstone of the Chelmsford Garden Community project, which will deliver 10,000 new homes alongside vital infrastructure such as shops, healthcare facilities and schools.

Backed by government investment, the station supports its pledge to build 1.5 million new homes over the next 5 years, helping to create thriving communities and better connectivity for generations to come.

Martin Beable, Managing Director, Greater Anglia, said:

Beaulieu Park station will benefit from a regular and reliable service, making rail travel simple and convenient for passengers. Services will be operated by our fleet of new, comfortable, air-conditioned class 720 trains, which also offer plug/USB points and free wifi and have helped us deliver annual punctuality of over 95% on the Great Eastern Main Line in Essex over the last 3 years.

The new station will be staffed from the first train to the last train, 7 days a week. Staff will be on hand at all times to answer questions, help passengers buy tickets and support customers requiring assistance. Located right next to the Beaulieu housing development and the A12, we expect the new station to be a very attractive and popular option for travellers from that part of Essex.

This opening was the latest in a wider range of transport improvements in the area, with thousands of motorists set to benefit from faster, smoother and safer journeys following an upgrade to a key junction of the M25.

The government-funded scheme to improve Junction 28 between London and Essex saw the opening of a new section of road connecting the M25 to the A12 eastbound.

It will help ease congestion in Brentwood, Chelmsford and the surrounding areas, as well as reducing the chances of collisions, improving connectivity and helping to boost economic growth.

Councillor Louise McKinlay, Deputy Leader at Essex County Council, said:

Beaulieu Park station will both unlock economic development in the surrounding areas and transform travel in and around Chelmsford. As well as our own investment, at Essex County Council, we worked with partners to secure the additional funding needed to make the project a reality.

In Essex, we are leading the way by making sure new developments are built in the right way, by providing the infrastructure that residents, visitors and businesses need. We are being bold and ambitious to future-proof the county and put investment where it’s most needed.

It is fantastic to see Beaulieu Park station open and I thank everyone involved for their hard work in helping deliver it ahead of schedule.

The press release issued by the Department for Transport on 17 October 2025.

Today, 17 October 2025, RAIB marks 20 years of independently investigating accidents and incidents on the UK railway.

Railway and tramway passengers and workers have benefited from safer journeys and working environments following two decades of independent safety investigations by the Rail Accident Investigation Branch (RAIB). 

Since becoming operational on 17th October 2005, RAIB has deployed investigators 777 times across Britain’s railway network. The organisation’s 427 published reports have generated 1,891 safety recommendations and 447 learning points that have directly contributed to improved safety standards across the industry. 

The organisation has issued 52 urgent safety advice notifications when immediate action was needed to protect lives. Its 138 safety bulletins and digests have highlighted 278 critical safety messages to the industry. 

Andrew Hall, Chief Inspector of Rail Accidents said:

Learning from accidents is a fundamental way of improving safety and the railway has a long history of doing so, going back to the 19th century. Today our anniversary feels poignant, as it is also 25 years since the tragic accident at Hatfield, which took the lives of four people and injured 70 more.   

Thankfully over the last 20 years, the railway has become statistically safer. Technological advancements, organisational change and a better understanding of risk have all contributed. Such improvements are no small part due to the structural changes brought about by the Cullen Inquiry and the consequent establishment of the tripartite railway safety structure: RAIB; ORR; and the railway industry, including RSSB.  

RAIB’s role today is the same as it was on day one, to independently investigate accidents to improve railway and tramway safety and inform the industry and the public. After a significant accident or incident, the travelling public must be assured that a thorough and independent investigation will be conducted and that the causes will be published so that everyone can understand what happened and learn the lessons.

The press release issued by the Department for Transport on 6 October 2025.

Organisations and businesses can bid for a share of £1 million funding to help them deliver initiatives that enable more people to walk, wheel or cycle.

• Active Travel Innovation Fund to award grants of up to £100,000 for successful bids
• fund will help start or scale engagement projects that will have a positive impact on walking, wheeling and cycling
• fund comes as part of government’s Plan for Change by backing bold ideas to boost the economy

Organisations and businesses can bid for a share of £1 million in funding to help them deliver bold and innovative initiatives that enable more people to walk, wheel or cycle, Active Travel England (ATE) has announced today (6 October 2025).

The Active Travel Innovation Fund is inviting applications from small to medium-sized businesses and non-governmental organisations (NGOs), with grants of up to £100,000 available for each successful project.

The funding is designed to help develop new ideas or to expand on successful initiatives that are already making a difference. Examples could include community projects that help under-represented groups make more active travel choices, partnerships between councils and local communities or businesses to promote sustainable travel, or digital tools that improve safety and accessibility.

This funding will support the government’s Plan for Change by backing entrepreneurs and creative and ambitious projects to kickstart economic growth.

Chris Boardman, National Active Travel Commissioner, said:   

The Active Travel Innovation Fund will help turn great ideas into real improvements for people who walk, wheel, or cycle. Enabling more people get about under their own steam is one of the most important interventions we can make to improve the nation’s health, so it’s crucial that we support bold projects that will help us do this.

We’re excited to see the creativity and ambition of applicants and look forward to working closely with the selected organisations to deliver positive and lasting change to the way people travel.

The Minister for Local Transport, Lilian Greenwood, said:

Walking, wheeling, and cycling bring huge physical and mental health benefits. We are determined to make them easy and safe choices for people across the country.

The government is providing £1 million to back bold projects from small businesses and community groups to encourage more people to choose these healthier, more active, options for short journeys. We’re building a healthy, sustainable and joined-up network, a key part of our Plan for Change to boost local businesses, grow local economies and ease pressure on the NHS.

In addition to funding, successful applicants will receive practical support from ATE and the Government Grant Managed Service (GGMS). This could include help with building partnerships, connecting with new stakeholders, or setting up ways to measure and track the success of their projects.

The funding period of projects will run for 12 months, followed by an evaluation process, with each organisation asked to share a case study and final report into how the funds have made an impact.  

Through the funding, ATE aims to create a wide network of partners to share ideas and collaboratively develop skills, while providing valuable feedback to ATE as they continue to champion and accelerate active travel in England.

Today’s funding comes after the government announced a £300 million funding package in February to help local authorities build new walking and cycling infrastructure, provide cycle training for children, and support community initiatives.

These improvements are expected to boost public health by cutting 43,000 sick days each year, easing pressure on the NHS, reducing congestion, and strengthening local economies.

The Active Travel Innovation Fund will help small to medium sized businesses and non-governmental organisations (NGOs) to go even further by developing creative active travel solutions that meet the needs of their communities.

The press release issued by the Department for Transport on 2 September 2025.

Winning projects focus on improving safety on rail platforms and enhancing passenger safety across the UK.

Twenty-six cutting-edge projects aimed at improving passenger experience on the railway have launched, supported by a multi-million pound funding package by the Department for Transport (DfT).

In partnership with Innovate UK, working closely with Network Rail and train operators, the First-of-a-Kind (FOAK) competition offers grant funding for innovative projects to be tested on the railway, to give them a better chance at being bought by train operators, freight companies and Network Rail.

Given the Transport Secretary’s clear direction to put passengers at the heart of every journey, this year’s winning projects focus on improving safety at the platforms, passenger safety and reducing incidents of vehicles hitting railway bridges. Through working closely with Network Rail and train operators, these innovations will help to improve rail services and infrastructure where it’s needed most.

Among the winning projects is IntelliPan Network, which will reduce delays for passengers by using AI to detect faults on overhead lines, eliminating dangerous, service-disrupting dewirements.

Another successful project, SafeRide 5G, will empower passengers to report incidents using their own devices safely and privately via onboard wifi, boosting response times and removing key barriers to reporting, improving passenger safety.

Twenty-six successful projects will be supported with £5 million in funding from DfT, demonstrating the government’s commitment to trialling innovative technology to modernise our railway and boost the passenger experience. These projects will help to deliver better services for passengers, encouraging more people to take the train and supporting growth as part of the government’s Plan for Change.

Rail Minister, Lord Peter Hendy, said:

The winners of this competition are taking cutting-edge technology to address some of the biggest challenges facing the rail industry, making a railway that works better for the people and goods using it.

These innovations are putting safety, reliability and passenger experience first, like IntelliPan Network using AI to detect faults on overhead lines, reducing disruption caused by dangerous dewirements.

Through this funding, we are building a platform on which innovation can thrive, giving new technologies a chance to succeed and driving economic growth as part of the Plan for Change.

Previous competition winners are already being used widely across the railways, like the Portable Track Geometry Measurement System, which provides immediate track information to engineers to speed up the lifting of speed restrictions or line closures, getting passengers to their destinations quicker.

Mike Biddle, Executive Director for Net Zero at Innovate UK, said:

The innovations receiving support through this competition will contribute to a more accessible, safer, and efficient railway system throughout the UK. The competition highlights the importance of collaboration with industry partners and focuses on delivering high-maturity demonstrations, ensuring seamless integration into the existing railway infrastructure.

Delivered by Innovate UK, the UK’s innovation agency, on behalf of the Department for Transport, the FOAK rail programme seeks to identify and support outstanding, innovative solutions. Funded organisations will showcase the creativity and impact of their ideas through live demonstrations.

The 26 successful projects have today (2 September 2025) started work on the new technologies, with testing to take place over the coming months. See the full list of winners.

The press release issued by the Department for Transport on 2 September 2025.

Investment will help councils improve transport for local people, from cleaner buses to safer cycling routes for communities across England.

Millions of people across the country will have greater access to jobs, education and public services thanks to a £104 million government funding boost, which will be shared with communities outside England’s major cities.

Thanks to the additional resource funding, local authorities can now decide how to improve public transport and drive forward schemes that boost growth and matter most to their communities. This could include new zero emission buses, improving accessibility, reducing congestion and making streets safer with improved lighting and crossings for pedestrians and cyclists.

The government has now confirmed how much funding each local authority across the country will be receiving under the Local Transport Grant (LTG). The funding boost will see significant uplifts for the North West, Yorkshire and Humber, East Midlands and West Midlands and will enable councils to develop detailed plans for local schemes that have the greatest impact in their areas.

Funding will also ensure councils can manage the delivery of projects that improve journeys to work, shops and essential services across towns and rural areas, helping grow local economies to deliver the Plan for Change.

Transport Secretary, Heidi Alexander, said:

Good transport connections are the foundation of thriving communities, which is why we’re backing local authorities to transform journeys for millions of people across England.

This investment will help councils to improve transport for local people – from cleaner buses to safer cycling routes – connecting communities with jobs, education and essential services.

By putting resources directly into the hands of local leaders, we’re ensuring every part of the country benefits from better transport links that support economic growth and provide opportunity – all part of our Plan for Change.

Jane Gratton, Deputy Director of Public Policy, British Chambers of Commerce, said:

This is much needed funding to help people access jobs and services across England. It will also better connect businesses, customers, and suppliers. High-quality, reliable transport options, which reduce congestion, are key to boosting local economic growth.

Ben Plowden, Chief Executive, Campaign for Better Transport, said:

With 70% of trips under 5 miles, properly resourced local authorities are central to the task of improving sustainable travel choices. Confirmation of this investment to help them plan and deliver schemes will be very welcome in towns and rural areas, where difficult journeys can cut people off from jobs, services and connections with others.

Better transport makes a huge difference to people’s lives, unlocking opportunities and revitalising communities.

David Skaith, the Mayor of York and North Yorkshire, said:

An accessible, affordable and reliable transport network is critical to growth in our region – connecting people to jobs, education and vital services.

After decades of neglect, we won’t be able to realise our transport aspirations overnight. However, this funding is a welcome boost that will ensure we can continue laying the groundwork and bringing together the skills and expertise we need to deliver the transport improvements across York and North Yorkshire that our communities want and need to see.

The investment provides unprecedented support for local transport improvements that support the government’s Plan for Change, driving growth and access to opportunity.

Today’s £104 million resource allocation boost for local authorities follows the government’s commitment of £2.2 billion, providing them with multi-year funding certainty to improve transport in their communities.

The press release issued by the Department for Transport on 1 September 2025.

Passengers can sign up for digital rail ticket trials on East Midlands Rail and Northern trains.

Passengers across the East Midlands can now benefit from simpler and more flexible tickets, with the launch of new digital trials.

From today (1 September 2025), rail passengers travelling between Leicester, Derby and Nottingham will be able to take part in these trials, with more taking place in conjunction with Northern Trains in Yorkshire from the end of September.

The digital ticketing trials will allow passengers to check in and check out seamlessly on rail journeys, using a location-identifying app on their phone. The app will track journeys using GPS (Global Positioning System) technology and then automatically charge passengers the best fare at the end of the day. For ticket inspections and to go through ticket barriers, a unique bar code will pop up in the app to be scanned.

This technology replaces the need for paper tickets or more commonly used mobile tickets using QR codes bought online or in-app ahead of your journey. Doing away with the need to plan and book journeys in advance, the app tracks your journey and determines which trains you took, detecting when you’ve left the rail network.

Up to 4,000 passengers can take part in these trials by simply signing up via the relevant train operator’s website, taking advantage of simpler and more flexible train travel, and a guarantee of the best value fare on the day.

This technology has already been tested widely in Switzerland, Denmark and Scotland, however, this marks the first time these trials are being brought to England’s rail network.

This demonstrates the government’s commitment to boosting passenger experience and trialling innovative technology to encourage more people to choose rail. By saving both time and money on thousands of journeys, digital ticketing will help improve living standards and make working people better off – delivering on the government’s Plan for Change.

Rail Minister, Lord Peter Hendy, said:

The railway ticketing system is far too complicated and long overdue an upgrade to bring it into the 21st century. Through these trials, we’re doing just that and making buying tickets more convenient, more accessible and more flexible. By putting passenger experience at the heart of our decision making, we’re modernising fares and ticketing and making it simpler and easier for people to choose rail.

Through our Plan for Change, we’re delivering growth in every corner of the country and passengers across the Midlands and North will see real change in buying their train travel from today.

Oli Cox, Head of Commercial Strategy and Business Planning at East Midlands Railway, said:

We’re delighted to announce the launch of our digital pay-as-you-go trial. We’ve had a fantastic response from customers keen to take part – with more than 500 people registering their interest so far.

We know that complex fares can be a real barrier to travel, but this trial removes that uncertainty, making it easy to simply tap in and out on your phone, safe in the knowledge you’re always getting the best-value fare on the day.

It is exciting to be one of the first train operating companies to trial this new technology, and we’re looking forward to hearing from customers as they start using the app to travel between Derby, Nottingham and Leicester in the months ahead. There is still time for customers to sign up and try it for themselves and anyone interested should visit our website for more details.

Claire Ward, Mayor of the East Midlands, said:

Since I first stood to be Mayor, it’s been my ambition to introduce integrated, tap on and off ticketing technology across the region. I’m, therefore, very pleased to see this first step towards simpler and more flexible train tickets being trialled by East Midlands Rail.

It’s important to me that residents have automatic access to the best value for money when travelling. I urge anyone who uses this line regularly to register their interest and give it a go.

With full public transport responsibilities being devolved to me in 2026, I look forward to hearing the feedback from East Midlands Rail and working together in the future to make easier journeys possible for everyone in the East Midlands.

From the end of September, thousands more passengers will be able to take advantage of the simplified ticketing, with trials running on Northern services to Harrogate, Leeds, Sheffield, Doncaster and Barnsley.

Northern passengers are already moving to modern ticketing, with January figures showing Northern hit a monthly average of almost 78% usage of mobile tickets and reached a single-day high of 89%. In June last year, Northern reported the growing preference for mobile tickets amongst its passengers had led to a reduction of 2.3 million orange ‘magstripe’ tickets across the previous 12 months.

Alex Hornby, Commercial and Customer Director, Northern, said:

These trials mark an important step forward in simplifying rail travel and making the experience as frictionless as possible for our customers.

By trialling digital pay-as-you-go technology on some of our routes, we’re helping to shape a future where hopping on a train is as easy as tapping in and out. We thank the customers who have registered to participate in the trials on our routes later this year and we hope more will come forward to play their part in modernising how people travel by rail in the North.

Backed by nearly £1 million of government funding, the trials are part of plans to modernise our transport system, putting passenger experience at the heart of every journey and encouraging more people to take the train – building on the government’s mission to deliver growth.

The government is delivering the biggest overhaul of the railways in a generation through the creation of Great British Railways, which will help to deliver better and more reliable services for passengers.

The press release issued by the Department for Transport on 23 August 2025.

Families can continue to travel to dozens of popular destinations for no more than £3 for a single fare.

Families across the country can enjoy cheaper days out this summer, thanks to the government’s continued support for affordable travel through the £3 bus fare cap – making it easier than ever to reach top attractions without breaking the bank.

From seaside escapes to countryside adventures, the capped fare means families can travel to dozens of popular destinations for no more than £3 for a single fare on thousands of routes, opening up access to opportunities, boosting local economies and driving regional growth in towns, cities and rural communities.

Whether it’s exploring museums, getting out into nature, or enjoying coastal days out, the extended cap – backed by continued investment in the recent Spending Review – ensures that great days out remain affordable for all and puts money back in people’s pockets as part of the government’s Plan for Change.

Some of the destinations families can reach for no more than £3 per each single fare include Alton Towers, Blackpool Pleasure Beach, Warwick Castle, West Midlands Safari Park and the National Space Centre.

Minister for Local Transport, Simon Lightwood, said:

Whether it’s a trip to the seaside, a day out at a museum, or just visiting friends, we want people to get out and enjoy everything their area has to offer – without worrying about the cost.

That’s why we’ve kept the £3 fare cap in place and why we’re investing in better, more reliable buses across the country. It’s about making travel simpler, cheaper and better for everyone, driving growth and access to opportunity as part of our Plan for Change.

The fare cap is just one part of the government’s commitment to fixing buses. The incoming Bus Services Bill will reform the sector – putting buses back at the heart of local communities by giving local leaders the powers to overhaul how services operate and prevent vital routes from being scrapped.

Better buses are central to the government’s Plan for Change – connecting communities, strengthening the local economy and boosting access to jobs. The Bus Services Bill comes alongside the government providing over £1 billion this financial year to improve the reliability and frequency of bus services across the country, and confirming multi-year funding to maintain and improve buses long-term.

Sabrina de Carvalho, managing director of Merlin’s UK operations, added:

We see an increasing number of guests travelling to Merlin’s UK attractions by public transport and we always encourage them to leave the car at home – where they can – and make use of sustainable travel options when having memorable days out.

With bus fares continuing to be capped at £3, I have no doubt that more and more visitors will reach our entertainment destinations using this affordable mode of transport. Information about public transport options, including bus routes, is made available on our attraction websites.

Alison Edwards, director of policy and external relations at the Confederation of Passenger Transport, said:

Bus operators are ready for one of their busiest weekends of the year up and down the country this August Bank Holiday. With warm and dry weather forecast across most of the country, as many as 20 million journeys are likely to be taken by bus over the long weekend as people take the opportunity for an affordable day out.

Bus travel is enjoying a revival nationwide with journeys up steadily year-on-year, which is great news for communities, for tourist destinations and for the economy.

VisitEngland CEO, Patricia Yates, said:

England’s first-class attractions, from our world-renowned museums, art galleries and historic houses to our parks and gardens, remain vitally important to our tourism offer to both international and domestic visitors. By reducing the cost of public transport to these destinations, we’re removing barriers whilst supporting greener travel choices.

Our research shows people will be out exploring this weekend. I encourage you to get out and discover England’s fine attractions. Not only will you be giving our great attractions a much-needed boost, I know you will enjoy a fantastic day out with family and friends creating memories of a lifetime.

The press release issued by the Department for Transport on 20 August 2025.

DVLA announces new policies for registering repaired, restored and modified vehicles that will come into effect from Tuesday 26 August.

DVLA has today (20 August) unveiled a major update to some of its vehicle registration policies, making it significantly easier for enthusiasts to register repaired, restored and modified vehicles.

The new guidance reflects modern restoration methods and simplifies the registration process, helping classic car owners keep their vehicles on the road while ensuring safety and accurate records.

These changes follow an extensive call for evidence, which received more than 1,350 responses from classic car owners, motoring clubs and the historic vehicle sector. In response, DVLA is replacing its existing policies on rebuilt and radically altered vehicles with 2 new sets of guidance that will apply to all vehicles, regardless of age.

Key changes include:

• like-for-like repairs and restorations will no longer require notification to DVLA, providing the vehicle’s appearance is the same as when it was originally manufactured and there are no changes to the log book (V5C)
• vehicles that have been subject to significant structural modifications will be able to keep their original Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) and registration number, but the registered keeper must notify DVLA of the changes
• vehicles that have been converted to electric will also be able to retain their original identity, but the registered keeper must notify DVLA of the changes

Minister for the Future of Roads, Lilian Greenwood, said:

We know how much love, time and effort goes into keeping classic cars – and we’re right behind the community.

These changes are about cutting red tape and making life easier for enthusiasts, whether you’re restoring a vintage gem or converting it to electric. It’s all about celebrating the UK’s amazing motoring heritage and helping the industry thrive well into the future.

DVLA Chief Executive, Tim Moss, said:

We recognise the time, passion and care that keepers of classic vehicles invest in keeping their cars on the road. That’s why we’ve worked closely with the community to shape these changes.

These updated policies support historic vehicle keepers, and the wider industry, with clearer registration processes that reflect modern restoration and modification practices, helping safeguard the UK’s rich and wonderful automotive history. These changes will allow enthusiasts to focus on what they love most: preserving and enjoying these remarkable vehicles.

The press release issued by the Department for Transport on 18 August 2025.

Plug-in van and truck grant extended to at least 2027.

Thousands of drivers and businesses across the country are set to benefit from lower prices as the government has today (18 August 2025) confirmed vital funding to support the uptake of electric vans and trucks.

The plug-in van and truck grant currently offers discounts up to £2,500 for small vans, £5,000 for large vans, £16,000 for small trucks, and £25,000 for large trucks, and the Future of Roads Minister Lilian Greenwood has confirmed the grant will continue through to at least 2027. Grant levels for the 2026 to 2027 financial year will be confirmed in due course.

By switching to electric, businesses could save more than £2,800 annually on fuel alone according to industry figures. This support is helping companies cut costs, expand sustainable operations, and build stronger supply chains, helping to drive growth as part of the government’s Plan for Change.

The UK logistics sector – which employs 1.2 million people and generates over £79 billion annually for the economy – will benefit from this smoother transition, creating jobs and business opportunities whilst helping keep the UK on track to becoming a clean energy superpower.

Individual drivers can also benefit from the grant, making it cheaper to buy an electric van and putting money back into their pockets.

Future of Roads Minister Lilian Greenwood said:

Extending these grants is another decisive step to power Britain’s transition to cleaner transport while backing the industries that keep our economy moving, driving new investment in EVs and helping businesses cut costs and expand.

Every EV on our roads means healthier communities and new economic opportunities across the country, which is why grants like these are crucial to both accelerating that transition and building a resilient, competitive economy.

Commercial transport is responsible for more than a third of CO2 emissions on UK roads meaning it is crucial businesses are supported in make the transition to electric, building a cleaner future for businesses communities across the UK.

The grant extension gives fleet operators, ranging from major logistics firms to smaller independent businesses, the certainty they need to confidently plan their electric vehicle purchases. This builds on the government’s ongoing commitment to help businesses save money and get the charging infrastructure they need to make the switch to electric, after £30 million investment was announced in July to install over 3,000 new chargepoints at depots across the UK.

With over 1.4 million EVs already on UK roads, more than 83,800 public charging points available and over 100,000 more on the way through the £381 million Local EV Infrastructure fund alone – as well as the new Electric Car Grant offering record discounts of up to £3,750 off the price of new EVs – the government is backing British businesses and families to go electric by reducing costs and in turn helping to boost economic growth.

John Boumphrey, UK Country Manager at Amazon, said:

We welcome the government’s continued commitment to supporting the electrification of commercial fleets. Decarbonising the transportation network is a critical step to enable us to achieve our goal to reach net-zero carbon emissions across our operations by 2040.

Checkatrade CEO Jambu Palaniappan:

This news is a big boost for tradespeople across the UK. Lower running costs, freedom from charges like ULEZ, and the ability to plan ahead with confidence – it all adds up to real, practical support. For many Checkatrade members, with help to switch to electric vans, they can keep moving, win more work, and build a future that’s both cost-effective and sustainable.