Tag: Department for Transport

The press release issued by the Department for Transport on 4 December 2023.

With a new reform, the airport slot allocation system can have a tailored approach that works best for businesses and passengers across the UK.

For the first time since the 1990s, the UK aviation industry will have a say on its airport slot regime as the Department for Transport launches the airport slot allocation system reform consultation today (4 December 2023) to boost the growing success of the sector.

Like parking spaces for planes, slots are used to manage capacity at the busiest airports across the country. A slot gives permission for an airline to use the full range of airport infrastructure – from runways to terminals – to operate on a specific date and time.

Following its departure from the EU, UK aviation is no longer shackled by an outdated slot regime and can now take a more tailored approach that works best for businesses and passengers across the country.

The reforms being consulted on will include proposals for new ways to manage slot capacity and how they are allocated to airlines.

This includes limiting slot leasing, so instead of larger airlines monopolising slots, they can be allocated to other competitors if not used after a set period – allowing for newer or smaller airlines with possible cheaper prices to receive favourable slots and make the process more dynamic. The reforms also aim to give more powers to respond to crises, making the industry more resilient and efficient in times of uncertainty.

The current system, based on EU regulations, requires the slot allocation process to be consistent across Europe but while the sector has developed and grown in the last 20 years, the rules of the slot system have remained unchanged. Now, with our new freedoms, we can ensure that the system takes the UK’s specific needs into account.

These pivotal reforms, designed to balance the interests of both airlines and airports, have the potential to usher in heightened market competition, enable more innovation and encourage lower prices. For example, increasing opportunities for new airlines to obtain slots in the UK’s busiest airports will encourage greater competition and drive productivity between airlines.

With this could come more affordable flights and seamless journeys as airlines strive to offer better deals and prices than their competitors – benefiting millions of passengers who travel through the UK’s airports.

Airports will also see their slots being used more effectively as airlines will be required to use them instead of store or lease them – increasing the number of flights and making journeys smoother.

Aviation Minister, Anthony Browne, said:

For decades the UK aviation industry was subject to European rules that didn’t have the UK’s interest at heart, but as it goes from strength to strength following the pandemic, it needs a system that will empower it – not constrain it.

This consultation will bring the sector to the forefront of decision-making, helping to end monopolies within the slot regime, drive healthy competition between airlines and make the aviation sector more dynamic for the future while also benefitting millions of passengers.

Karen Dee, Chief Executive of the Airport Operators Association, said:

Slots reform is an opportunity to improve the efficiency of the UK aviation system and this consultation is a welcome step in that direction. We will be working constructively with government to ensure airports’ views are taken on board as these plans develop.

Through collaboration between the government and industry partners, these reforms will ensure airport capacity is used to its fullest to reduce delays and optimise flight schedules, while also delivering the department’s Flightpath to the Future vision for a modern and innovate aviation sector.

This consultation forms part of a government-wide set of pro-competition measures to boost the economy, attract investment and create dynamic industries that work best for the UK’s interests.

The press release issued by the Department for Transport on 30 November 2023.

Funding will help to reduce congestion, improve connectivity and generate more than £72 million in benefits for Greater Manchester and Stockport.

Millions of people in Greater Manchester and Stockport will benefit from reduced congestion and better connectivity thanks to nearly £34 million in government investment to deliver crucial improvements to the A34 between Cheadle and Handforth.

Today (30 November 2023), Roads Minister, Guy Opperman, visited Stockport to lay the first spades in the ground as he confirmed works can start on the A34 corridor improvement scheme.

With the A34 long plagued by traffic bottlenecks, the £33.6 million government investment will tackle congestion and reduce local journey times, particularly to Manchester Airport, and is expected to generate more than £72 million in direct economic benefits for Greater Manchester and Stockport.

The project will also benefit those who choose to walk and cycle by creating a new segregated pedestrian and cycle route running along the A34, providing new opportunities for active and sustainable travel.

The A34 improvements follow £1.2 billion announced earlier in November to repair roads across the North West, part of the unprecedented £8.3 billion boost from Network North to improve journeys for all and resurface over 5,000 miles of roads across England.

Roads Minister, Guy Opperman, said:

We have invested nearly £34 million into improving the A34, easing congestion and improving safety for local drivers while helping to improve connections to grow the economy across Stockport, Greater Manchester and the North West.

It was great to visit Cheadle today and hear first-hand how our funding will help improve one of Stockport’s key roads as we work hard to keep this country moving and back drivers.

On top of the government’s £33.6 million funding boost, Stockport Council and local third-party funders will provide just under £10 million for a total of £43 million joint investment in the scheme.

The improvements will boost access to the Cheadle Royal Business Park and the Stanley Green business area, and include a new pedestrian subway for pupils and staff at Kingsway School, giving parents peace of mind that their kids can walk safely to school.

Councillor Mark Roberts, Deputy Leader of Stockport Council, said:

This latest milestone in the project is a vote of confidence in the borough and fantastic news for Stockport.

This work aims to encourage and support more sustainable forms of transport and more accessible and safer routes while also improving junctions and traffic flow on a road area that has been a challenge for many years.

We believe this new scheme will help to encourage active travel by encouraging and enabling our residents to make healthier choices when they travel around our borough, as well as for those that need to use a car.

Councillor Grace Baynham, Cabinet Member for Highways, Parks and Leisure Services, said:

The A34 is a vital route in the borough, and this investment will bring a host of benefits to not only the A34 corridor, but Stockport as a whole.

Construction will start as soon as possible and will be delivered in phases to minimise disruptions for all road users. The package of improvements is set to be completed by spring 2027.

The improvements to the A34 also come alongside the Plan for Drivers announced in October, which includes £70 million to keep traffic flowing, updating 20 mph zone guidance for England to help prevent inappropriate blanket use, and measures to speed up the rollout of electric vehicle charging.

The press release issued by the Department for Transport on 28 November 2023.

First-ever 100% SAF-fuelled commercial transatlantic flight marks a milestone in decarbonising air travel.

One of Virgin Atlantic’s Boeing 787s took off for a world-first flight from London Heathrow to JFK International Airport, New York today (28 November 2023) powered by 100% sustainable aviation fuel (SAF).

The Transport Secretary travelled on the flight alongside Virgin Atlantic Chief Executive Shai Weiss and Virgin’s founder, Sir Richard Branson, making them the first commercial airline to fly across the pond without the use of any fossil-based jet fuel.

Today’s flight is a major milestone towards making air travel more environmentally friendly as we move towards our goal of net zero by 2050. The historic trip is powered by SAF made from waste fats that cannot enter the food chain. Repurposing waste products into jet fuel to cut emissions provides the most immediate solution to help decarbonise our skies.

Virgin Atlantic and their consortium were awarded up to £1 million of UK government funding in December 2022, following a challenge from the Department for Transport to support the industry in achieving the first transatlantic flight on a commercial aircraft powered by 100% SAF. The funding has played a vital role in supporting the testing of today’s fuel and the flight’s operational delivery to make this a reality. It will also provide an opportunity to generate important data that will accelerate SAF approval and boost our understanding of its efficiency.

SAF has a greenhouse gas emissions reduction of around 70% when compared against standard jet fuel over its life cycle – allowing greener travel and keeping the UK connected to the world.

With the world about to convene in Dubai COP28 this week, today lays down a marker that the UK is already taking action when it comes to tackling the decarbonisation challenges that face the transport sector.

Transport Secretary, Mark Harper, said:

Today’s historic flight, powered by 100% sustainable aviation fuel, shows how we can both decarbonise transport and enable passengers to keep flying when and where they want.

This government has backed today’s flight to take-off and we will continue to support the UK’s emerging SAF industry as it creates jobs, grows the economy and gets us to Jet Zero.

SAF will become an increasing part of the standard jet fuel mix, driven by our upcoming SAF mandate, with at least 10% of jet fuel being from sustainable sources in 2030. This will mean that business or leisure travellers can fly knowing their carbon footprint will be lower than ever before.

Sir Richard Branson, Founder, Virgin Atlantic, said:

The world will always assume something can’t be done, until you do it. The spirit of innovation is getting out there and trying to prove that we can do things better for everyone’s benefit. Virgin Atlantic has been challenging the status quo and pushing the aviation industry to never settle and do better since 1984.

Fast forward nearly 40 years, that pioneering spirit continues to be Virgin Atlantic’s beating heart as it pushes the boundaries from carbon fibre aircraft and fleet upgrades to sustainable fuels. I couldn’t be prouder to be onboard Flight100 today alongside the teams at Virgin Atlantic and our partners, which have been working together to set the flight path for the decarbonisation of long-haul aviation.

Shai Weiss, Chief Executive Officer, Virgin Atlantic, said:

Flight100 proves that sustainable aviation fuel can be used as a safe, drop-in replacement for fossil-derived jet fuel and it’s the only viable solution for decarbonising long-haul aviation. It’s taken radical collaboration to get here and we’re proud to have reached this important milestone, but we need to push further.

There’s simply not enough SAF and it’s clear that in order to reach production at scale, we need to see significantly more investment. This will only happen when regulatory certainty and price support mechanisms are in place. Flight100 proves that if you make it, we’ll fly it.

Today’s flight shows the future of flying, following in the footsteps of John Alcock and Arthur Brown, who flew the first non-stop transatlantic flight in 1919, opening the eyes of the world to the potential of long-haul air travel.

This landmark moment is another step towards cleaner skies after we announced the second round of the Advanced Fuels Fund on 17 November 2023. This saw 9 projects receive £53 million to help scale up the UK SAF production industry, leading the global charge towards making these fuels more readily available. Increasing the supply for operators, making it cheaper and providing reassurance for industry that the UK is the world leader in decarbonising aviation backs our commitment of having 5 SAF commercial plants to be in construction by 2025.

The flight to the US will also provide the Transport Secretary with the opportunity to showcase the UK’s progress in the future of transport. Promoting the UK’s work on SAF, the Transport Secretary will co-chair a SAF Investor Summit in New York to further unlock private investment to build a sustainable aviation sector that creates jobs in the UK and boosts the economy. Investing in SAF is key to helping scale up the industry, similar to the International Airlines Group (IAG), which recently invested in UK SAF production company Nova Pangaea Technologies, something we aim to mimic with US investors.

The Transport Secretary will then travel to San Francisco to meet with US Automated Vehicles operators, seeing how the UK can become a new global hub for developing self-driving cars – fully seizing the opportunities enabled by our recently announced Automated Vehicles Bill. The trip will provide valuable insight into a high-growth industry which, in the UK, could create 38,000 jobs in a market worth £42 billion by 2035.

The press release issued by the Department for Transport on 24 November 2023.

Framework agreed by the international aviation sector to reduce aviation fuel emissions by 5% by 2030.

The world’s aviation community has come together in Dubai this week and agreed a key next step today (24 November 2023) towards the decarbonisation of our skies.

The International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) reached a compromise agreement, at its Third Conference on Aviation Alternative Fuels (CAAF/3) to a framework to reduce emissions from aviation fuel by 5% by 2030. Contributing to the global aviation sector’s aim to reach net zero emissions by 2050, today’s agreement confirms countries’ commitment to scale up the use of sustainable aviation fuels (SAF).

Today’s agreement outlines the support available to those countries at the beginning of their SAF journey and enables them to take part in the global aviation energy transition. It’s only through a shared global ambition that we can scale up and build the industry we need for the future.

The framework includes a new global target to reduce emissions by 5% by 2030 using cleaner fuels. This is underpinned by a comprehensive package of policies and supporting measures to ensure all regions of the world can start producing and using SAF as soon as possible.

The UK played a leading role in the negotiations and, working with our allies, stressed the importance of achieving our collective global aspirations on decarbonisation.

The UK remains committed to further action in this area, with our domestic SAF mandate requiring 10% SAF in the UK fuel mix by 2030, delivering a 7% reduction in carbon emissions. Last week, we announced a further £53 million from our Advanced Fuels Fund to scale up the UK SAF industry and help see 5 commercial SAF plants under construction by 2025. We also launched the UK Clearing House, a national hub to support the testing and approval of new advanced fuels for aviation.

UK Aviation Minister, Anthony Browne, said:

Sustainable aviation is a promise that the global sector wants to make a reality – that’s why today’s agreement is so important – not only giving a renewed commitment to delivering a net zero future, but outlining the next steps in the industry’s flightpath towards it.

While the UK sought to secure greater ambition, this is a significant moment in our path to sustainable flying. The UK remains steadfast in its commitment to decarbonise international aviation.

This deal shows that, when the world comes together and cooperates, we can bring about real change.

Demonstrating the UK’s climate leadership, Aviation Minister Anthony Browne chaired a meeting of the UK-convened International Aviation Climate Ambition Coalition and addressed the conference on the opening day. The coalition has a diverse membership of 62 governments and organisations committed to leading the way to net zero aviation by 2050.

The agreement reached provides clear, short-term direction for both investors and operators who are already transitioning and gives confidence to those looking to invest in cleaner aviation fuels. ICAO will reconvene by 2028 to further bolster and build upon the agreements set out today.

A future of sustainable flying is already becoming a reality as the industry gears up for the first 100% SAF-powered transatlantic flight, with up to £1 million of support from government. The flight, operated by Virgin Atlantic in partnership with technical partners, will fly from London Heathrow to John F. Kennedy International Airport on 28 November 2023.

The press release issued by the Department for Transport on 23 November 2023.

Winners announced for the First of a Kind (FOAK) 2023 competition.

AI technology could soon see live staff announcements across train tickers to ensure passengers hard of hearing do not miss vital updates, thanks to a government funding competition announced today (23 November 2023).

This is just one of the 17 projects – 6 of which are focused on accessibility – being announced today as part of the 2023 First of a Kind (FOAK) competition.

Run in conjunction with Innovate UK, other accessibility projects set to share the £5.3 million of funding offered by the government include:

• strategically placed QR codes around stations that allow train managers to directly input important information on platform changes and service alterations, as well as acting as a database for accessible information, ensuring passengers have all the information they need
• an online journey planner providing up-to-date information on key facilities, such as where accessible toilets are in stations and trains throughout their journey and whether they’re open and in use – giving passengers more confidence when planning journeys
• installing kiosk systems on platforms – similar to pressing a button on a bus to let the driver know to stop – in rural areas where passengers currently have to physically flag down trains, which can cause difficulties for those with mobility needs

This is the seventh round of FOAK funding, which aims to develop new and innovative technology to drive efficiency, modernise our current infrastructure and make using our railways a better experience for passengers. The funding will support the projects through their development phases involving real trials on the railways in the coming months and giving them a better chance of being used across the network long term.

Rail Minister, Huw Merriman, said:

We’re spending more than £5 million on modernising train journeys, improving the experience for some of the most vulnerable passengers and using cutting-edge technology to do so.

The projects announced today have the potential to make a huge difference to passengers, whether that’s being able to read important announcements or locate accessible facilities. I’m proud of the support we’ve been able to show through this competition to drive towards a more innovative, inclusive and better value-for-money rail network.

Other winning projects this year include:

• a sensor to detect when there are leaves on the line – a problem that causes delays across the network
• DreamSuite, a new design for UK sleeper services
• new technology that will allow train timetables to rapidly update during extreme weather events, so people are kept up to date

Over the past 6 years, more than £50 million of funding has been awarded to 150 projects as part of the competition, helping a number of innovative technology reach the market including:

• Seat Frog, which allows passengers to swap train tickets without having to purchase a new one
• a train-mounted camera able to identify and address lineside maintenance issues
• technology from Transreport that enables passengers with disabilities to request assistance more easily

Anthony Smith, Chief Executive of independent watchdog Transport Focus, said:

This new investment in accessibility improvements is a welcome move to help rail passengers with disabilities travel freely and with greater confidence.

It is important that people with disabilities have full access to trains and station facilities. Improving information and new innovative solutions will help staff give all passengers the support they need.

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

The innovations receiving support through this competition are set to foster a more accessible, inclusive railway system within the UK and to develop demonstrators that offer innovations in customer experience, reliable and maintainable assets and optimised train operations.

The objective is to endorse a wider array of innovations that focus on enhancing railway accessibility for all passengers, ensuring a more equitable travel experience while creating easy-to-maintain assets and optimising train operations.

As part of the Network North plan, we have set aside a further £350 million to improve accessibility at up to 100 stations, meaning stations will be able to benefit from refitted lifts, tactile surfaces, ramps and footbridges, new ticket gates and accessible waiting rooms and toilets.

The press release issued by the Department for Transport on 17 November 2023.

Updated best practice guidance puts more emphasis on making taxi and PHV services more accessible to disabled people.

Ministers have urged councils to act on new government guidance to help improve the accessibility of taxis and minicabs in their area.

Taxis and private hire vehicles (PHVs) are regulated by local licensing authorities and the government’s updates to guidance, published today (17 November 2023), underline councils must take action against drivers who discriminate against people with disabilities and guide dog owners, issuing fines and suspending licences where required. PHV operators, meanwhile, are encouraged to identify a passenger’s accessibility needs before they take a booking to ensure an appropriate vehicle is provided.

In addition, councils should incentivise the uptake of wheelchair accessible vehicles and ensure they can be used easily and safely by a range of passengers. Some wheelchair accessible vehicles may not be suitable for other disabled passengers and, when issuing licences, licensing authorities should ensure their area has the right mix of vehicles to suit their community.

Roads Minister, Guy Opperman, said:

Disabled people rely on taxi and private hire vehicles services and it’s unacceptable for people to be unlawfully discriminated against when travelling.

It’s vital these services cater for disabled people’s needs, and local authorities should take action now to ensure drivers and operators understand their duties so everyone can travel with confidence.

Other recommendations include training and assessing drivers with a focus on taking a defensive approach to driving, such as recognising the impact of speeding, or driving while distracted or fatigued, particularly where there have been passenger complaints.

The guidance also seeks to support industry by removing undue burdens. For instance, given the reliability and ease of satnav systems, PHV drivers should not be required to undertake navigational skills tests for pre-booked journeys, while licensing fees should be reviewed regularly to ensure they are appropriate.

Alongside the guidance, the Department for Transport (DfT) also intends to launch a further call for evidence specifically about passengers’ accessibility needs in taxis and PHVs to inform future policy decisions.

A Disabled Persons Transport Advisory Committee (DPTAC) spokesperson said:

DPTAC welcomes this new best practice guidance, particularly the much greater emphasis on making taxi and PHV services more accessible to disabled people.

We hope that this will see licensing authorities addressing the barriers that hinder disabled people using taxis and PHVs, including a rapid reduction in the 38% of authorities that do not make disability awareness training mandatory for drivers.

We have been pleased to work with DfT in the production of this guidance and will continue to press for more steps to make taxis and PHVs more accessible.

The press release issued by the Department for Transport on 16 November 2023.

Plans for a fully integrated public transport system in Merseyside one step closer as Liverpool’s new, government-funded rail station opens.

Passengers in Liverpool could soon benefit from a simpler, more affordable and integrated transport network thanks to an agreement signed by Transport Secretary Mark Harper and Metro Mayor Steve Rotheram today (16 November 2023).

The memorandum of understanding commits to the government working in closer collaboration with the city to deliver plans for a fully integrated public transport system in Merseyside. Signatories included the Transport Secretary, Liverpool City Region Combined Authority, Network Rail and the Great British Railways Transition Team.

The agreement could pave the way for easier, cheaper and more accessible journeys across the city, providing better connectivity to jobs, education and business opportunities in Liverpool. It also supports the government’s commitment to empower local authorities and ensure the needs of local communities are at the heart of decision-making.

It comes alongside £12 billion announced by the government as part of its Network North plan to better connect Manchester and Liverpool. The funding will allow the delivery of Northern Powerhouse Rail as previously planned, including high-speed lines.

The agreement was signed at the official opening of Headbolt Lane station – the country’s newest train station in Kirkby, funded by £80 million of government funding.

Transport Secretary, Mark Harper, said:

Today’s agreement demonstrates this government’s commitment to transforming public transport across the country and empowering elected leaders to make decisions based on the priorities of local people.

This agreement follows over £1 billion of funding committed to the city through our Network North plans and will kickstart transport improvements for people across the city, making journeys affordable and accessible for all.

Headbolt Lane station is the new terminus for Merseyrail and Northern services. Passengers are already benefitting from the station, which offers improved connections to the centre of Liverpool, Wigan and Manchester, as well as better connectivity to the region’s bus services.

It will be served by new state-of-the-art trains equipped with innovative battery technology, which are currently being developed and rolled out across the entire Merseyrail fleet as part of plans to double capacity on the network and deliver greener, more reliable services.

Thanks to government funding, it will soon become the first battery-powered fleet in the UK, opening up the possibility for further expansion of the Merseyrail network.

Mayor of the Liverpool City Region, Steve Rotheram, said:

This deal signifies not only a massive moment for our region – but the start of a new wave of devolution for the country. It puts us on track to open up the right conversations around how we can improve our rail network for the better and run it in the best interests of passengers.

It’s the Liverpool City Region once again blazing a trail in the revolution of our railways – and I’ll be fighting our area’s corner every step of the way to make sure we capitalise on this opportunity.

As part of the government’s Network North plan, the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority also received a further £1 billion from the City Region Sustainable Transport Settlements, plus a further £600 million made possible through the decision on Phase 2 of HS2. This is more than double the city’s previous allocation.

The press release issued by the Department for Transport on 16 November 2023.

UK businesses can apply for up to £500,000 to run pioneering trials that tackle local transport challenges.

A new £2 million competition is launching today (16 November 2023) to encourage businesses and local authorities to work together to develop and trial transport schemes that cut emissions in the long term.

The Transport Decarbonisation Demonstrators programme, funded by the Department for Transport (DfT), will also help to grow local economies by supporting businesses to bring new solutions closer to market.

Any UK business can apply for up to £500,000 to run innovative trials that tackle local transport challenges on the ground. Half of this £2 million fund will be reserved for rural areas, supporting them in unlocking the benefits of technology and innovation to tackle challenges such as access to jobs and reducing loneliness.

The trials will help to develop the green transport systems of the future while improving choice and availability of transport options for passengers.

The competitive grants will be awarded and delivered by Innovate UK – part of UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) – and the UK’s national innovation agency, which helps businesses to grow and develop new technologies. The competition will open on 27 November 2023 and close on 8 January 2024.

Businesses can apply to the Transport Decarbonisation competition online.

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

Taking a place-based approach to decarbonise our transport systems is critical if we are to reach our net zero targets both locally and nationally and prosper from the transition to net zero.

Innovate UK is delighted to be working with DfT to invest £2 million in innovation projects aimed at not only reducing emissions but also building key partnerships between local authorities and businesses, which will ensure maximum impact.

As part of the government’s Transport decarbonisation plan, today’s announcement delivers on driving decarbonisation at the local level and will contribute to making our villages, towns and cities greener.

It builds on the success of last year’s Transport research innovation grants (TRIG) local decarbonisation call, which funded 20 innovators to develop early-stage solutions to local decarbonisation challenges. The latest round of TRIG funding closes for applications on 27 November 2023.

This government is leading the way with green transport having recently set out its world-leading path to reaching zero emission vehicles by 2035, which will require 80% of new cars and 70% of new vans sold in Great Britain to be zero emission by 2030.

The press release issued by the Department for Transport on 14 November 2023.

New station to improve connectivity, benefitting education and business in the UK’s ‘City of Culture’.

Rail passengers in Bradford will be connected to more jobs, education and business opportunities, thanks to the government’s commitment to deliver a new train station in the city.

The plan was first revealed last month as part of the government’s launch of Network North – a £36 billion long-term plan to improve the country’s transport across roads, buses and railways, through unprecedented levels of investment.

Today (14 November 2023), the Department for Transport is building on its promise of building a brand-new railway station in Bradford by providing £400,000 for the local authority to kickstart master planning on the project.

The work will consider how the new station can best support regeneration in the surrounding area and maximise its potential to create new homes, jobs and local economic growth – as well as significantly improving transport links and cutting journey times.

Once complete, the findings will form part of a wider business case for the project which will include details on the proposed location and delivery date for the station.

Rail Minister, Huw Merriman, said:

I have championed the case for a new railway station in Bradford for a long time and the funding announced today will make this commitment one step closer to becoming a reality.

Bradford is soon to become the UK’s ‘City of Culture’ and our scheme to deliver a brand new station and railway line will help attract tourism, unlock access to neighbouring cities and provide the area with the huge regeneration opportunities it deserves to boost connectivity and economic growth.

The station will be delivered as part of the government’s Network North pledge to connect major cities in the North of England with more frequent trains, increased capacity and faster journeys.

On top of the £400,000 announced today for regeneration plans in the city, a total of £2 billion will be invested to build the station and a new line to deliver a significantly faster, 30-minute journey to Manchester via Huddersfield.

Councillor Susan Hinchcliffe, leader of Bradford Council, said:

It is good to see this moving forward, everyone has worked so hard for so long to get this progressed. Improving connectivity for Bradford to the rest of the North is so important to enable greater investment, jobs and opportunities.  There can be no successful North without Bradford being successful.

Today’s announcement comes on top of a further £2.5 billion Network North pledge to support the West Yorkshire mass transit system which will improve connections between Leeds and Bradford, Huddersfield and Halifax. It will mean Leeds is no longer the biggest European city without a mass-transit system, with up to 7 lines potentially created as part of a transformed network.

In addition to this, the government continues to push forward plans to electrify the Calder Valley Line between Bradford and Leeds – backed by £500 million – to cut journey times by around 40% from 20 minutes to as low as 12 minutes.

The press release issued by the Department for Transport on 9 November 2023.

Announcing an inquiry into the events of 24 November 2021, when at least 27 people lost their lives crossing the Channel.

Transport Secretary Mark Harper has announced an inquiry is to be established to look into the events of 24 November 2021, when at least 27 people lost their lives crossing the Channel.

The independent, non-statutory inquiry will be designed to allow a full and independent investigation into the circumstances of the deaths to take place in the absence of a normal coroner’s inquest.

The announcement of the inquiry follows today’s publication of a report by the Marine Accident Investigation Branch (MAIB) outlining the circumstances surrounding the tragedy.

Transport Secretary, Mark Harper, said:

Today our thoughts are with the families of all those involved in the tragic events of 24 November 2021.

I am grateful to the Marine Accident Investigation Branch for their report examining this tragic incident, and the government will carefully consider its findings and recommendations. As the report recognises, the operational picture in the Channel has changed significantly since 24 November 2021, and I know that HM Coastguard continuously seeks to learn lessons and improve.

Every day, hundreds of courageous responders from HM Coastguard and other UK agencies, including volunteers, stand ready to respond around the clock to every search and rescue operation involving small boats in the Channel. This incident reinforces the scale of the task they face.

The inquiry I have announced today will allow a thorough and independent investigation into the circumstances of the deaths to take place, further to the MAIB’s report, to give the families of the victims the clarity they deserve. I know that the Coastguard will engage fully and openly with it.

On the day of the tragedy, 1,227 people attempted to cross the Channel. HM Coastguard search and rescue operations have adapted to the changes in demand presented by small boats in the Channel.

The fundamental role of HM Coastguard is to save lives at sea by responding to any person in distress, and the service works unceasingly to save anyone that needs help.

The inquiry being established will look into who the deceased were, and when, where and in what circumstances they came by their deaths.

It will also consider what further lessons can be learned from the events of 24 November 2021 and, if appropriate, make recommendations to reduce the risk of a similar event occurring.

A chair and full terms of reference for the Inquiry will be announced by the Department for Transport in due course.