Tag: Department for Transport

The press release issued by the Department for Transport on 8 June 2023.

Network Rail Chair will continue to play a prominent role in bringing about rail reform.

Peter, Lord Hendy of Richmond Hill, has been reappointed as the Chair of Network Rail to serve a further 2 years, the Transport Secretary announced today (8 June 2023).

As Chair of the Board, Peter, Lord Hendy of Richmond Hill, will continue to oversee Network Rail’s multi-billion-pound budget to efficiently run 20,000 miles of railway track and provide reliable services for passengers and freight customers across England, Scotland and Wales.

His role will be vital in steering Network Rail’s 5-year plan, backed by £44 billion government funding, to tackle climate change, improve performance, invest in infrastructure and make the railways even greener.

Peter, Lord Hendy of Richmond Hill’s continued service will ensure continuity and a smooth transition to Great British Railways (GBR) that will put customers at the heart of the railways and drive modernisation. Having held a place on Network Rail’s board since 2015, he will use his existing knowledge and experience to oversee a vital period of transformation that will bring track and train together.

Transport Secretary Mark Harper said:

I am delighted to reappoint Peter, Lord Hendy of Richmond Hill, as Chair of Network Rail, and with his vast experience in the industry, I have no doubt he will help oversee a seamless transition to Great British Railways, delivering our shared goals of a rail network that drives modernisation and economic growth while enhancing the role of the private sector.

Once delivered, GBR will take control of the industry’s finances to deliver efficiency and make the industry financially sustainable by working with the private sector to create a railway that puts passengers first. Alongside this, high-skilled jobs will also be created at GBR headquarters in Derby – Europe’s largest rail hub – which is already brimming with the best talent in the industry.

Peter, Lord Hendy of Richmond Hill, previously served as Commissioner of Transport for London for 9 years and led the successful operation of London’s transport for the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

He also provided valuable support to the government throughout the pandemic and led the Union Connectivity Review in 2021, which explored ways in which transport could better connect the UK. In November 2022, Peter, Lord Hendy of Richmond Hill, received a life peerage, sitting as a crossbench peer, and was knighted in the 2013 New Year’s Honours list, having been made CBE in 2006 for services to public transport.

Peter, Lord Hendy of Richmond Hill, said:

I am looking forward to supporting Andrew Haines, Chief Executive, and his team, in maintaining and improving Network Rail’s delivery now and into the next 5-year funding period. I will also do everything I can to move the reform agenda and the creation of Great British Railways forward as soon as possible.

Passengers and freight customers deserve a better, more cost-effective railway that only reform and an integrated railway can deliver. I look forward to continuing to support Network Rail’s transition to Great British Railways.

The press release issued by the Department for Transport on 6 June 2023.

Innovative start-ups awarded government funding to develop projects that will provide greener transport systems that are accessible to everyone.

Personalised navigation apps for disabled passengers and robots for freight at ports are among 67 transport technology projects being developed and tested through new government funding.

Technology Minister Jesse Norman has announced today (6 June 2023) 67 innovative projects developing transport technology, which are receiving a share of £1.96 million in funding as part of the government’s Transport Research and Innovation Grant (TRIG) Programme. A record number of this year’s winning projects are based outside London, with almost 4 in 5 based outside the capital.

The projects receiving funding include:

• an app that uses augmented reality (AR) to help visually impaired passengers get around rail stations
• remote-controlled robots for deliveries
• kite-powered tug boats to reduce emissions
• drones to deliver packages in hard-to-reach areas

The TRIG programme looks to encourage engineers, academics and innovators to develop ‘blue-skies’ research into real-world solutions to address some of transport’s most pressing issues, such as decarbonisation. This can be a useful way for researchers to take their first steps in creating a new company, helping to grow the economy and create jobs across the UK.

Transport and Decarbonisation Minister Jesse Norman said:

From making travelling easier for visually impaired passengers to improving rural connectivity, these winning projects have the potential to transform the future of transport.

The government wants the UK to be a world leader in the future of transport and, through the TRIG programme, the Department for Transport is supporting innovators and businesses to decarbonise and improve transport while growing the economy and supporting jobs across the UK.

Some of this year’s winning projects include:

• Makesense Technology to create an app that uses augmented reality to create bespoke walking routes to help visually impaired travellers get around railway stations
• Bluewater Engineering Ltd to develop its unique SKYTUG system that uses large kites to tow ships at the same speed as a traditionally-powered craft, which could help reduce the use of polluting engines and decarbonise shipping
• IONA Logistics Ltd to explore how autonomous drones based out of small delivery hubs can be used to deliver small packages faster and cheaper to hard-to-reach rural areas
• Transreport Limited to create an app that allows disabled and older passengers to book the support they need on planes in advance to improve the experience. This app is already in use on trains
• Port of Tyne to explore the viability of using remotely-controlled, and in some instances automated, electric heavy-duty robots to replace HGVs to provide a cleaner and faster alternative, reducing delays in the delivery process
• CC Informatics to explore the use of drones to create 3D digital models of structures, such as bridges and rail tracks, to identify cracks and defects in the structures that would otherwise be invisible, meaning repairs can be made quicker and before more serious issues could develop
• Imperial College London to research the use of Kiacrete – a new type of paving made from recycled materials – instead of concrete, as a more permeable solution to see how it can be used on highways to drain away surface water and reduce flooding

Through the TRIG programme, funded projects could have a transformative impact on transport. This year’s winners bring the total amount invested through the TRIG programme to over £12 million since it launched in 2014, having funded nearly 300 projects.

The programme is designed to focus on a range of transport-related areas, including:

• maritime decarbonisation
• the future of freight
• local transport decarbonisation
• improving the rail passenger experience
• transport resilience to severe weather and flooding

The TRIG programme, delivered in partnership with Connected Places Catapult, brings together talented innovators – mainly start-ups and universities – and policymakers at the earliest stage of innovation to help enhance the UK’s transport system.

Nicola Yates OBE, Connected Places Catapult, Chief Executive Officer, said:

By getting funding into innovative start-ups, we are creating jobs of the future and growing vital areas of the economy.

Transport Research and Innovation Grants support high-potential innovators to develop their ideas into new products and services.

In addition to an injection of funding, companies that join the TRIG cohort benefit from access to experts from Connected Places Catapult to help them on their journey to commercialisation.

The press release issued by the Department for Transport on 5 June 2023.

East West Rail offers a huge opportunity to unlock productivity in the Oxford-Cambridge region, boosting economic growth both locally and nationally through improved connectivity and access to jobs, education and training, housing and leisure.

In particular, the region plays host to research and development hubs across a variety of highly skilled and highly productive sectors such as life sciences research at the Cambridge Biomedical Campus. East West Rail will allow us to connect these vital sites with a much greater talent pool and allow the region to retain and grow its reputation globally. The first stage of the railway is currently in delivery and services will begin to run from 2025.

The Autumn Statement in November 2022 recommitted to government’s transformative growth plans for our railways, including the intention to deliver the remainder of the East West Rail project between Bletchley and Cambridge.

The Budget delivered by this government in March 2023 further underlined the government’s commitment to the project, setting out plans for a route update announcement and the next steps for the project in May 2023.

This announcement has been made and confirms the proposals which will be taken forward for further development. These include:

• confirming a preferred route alignment between Bedford and Cambridge, including new stations which would serve Tempsford and Cambourne, and a southern approach to Cambridge
• revised service frequencies along the line of route to best meet demand
• six-tracking of the Midland Mainline at Bedford to boost capacity and improve resilience
• relocation of Bedford St. John’s station to better serve Bedford Hospital
• potential level crossing changes and closures which account for increased EWR traffic but preserve public access
• the launch of a ‘need to sell’ property support scheme to help affected homeowners

The East West Rail Company will consult further on its proposals as part of a statutory consultation ahead of an application for a development consent order. This consultation is due to take place in 2024.

Taking forward these next steps for the East West Rail scheme exemplifies this government’s commitment to long-term economic growth supported by improved connectivity and the access to the skills, education and jobs needed to deliver national growth and individual prosperity.

The press release issued by the Department for Transport on 5 June 2023.

New train station to boost jobs and homes in the area and bring together world-leading academics at the Cambridge Biomedical Campus.

Rail passengers are set to benefit from a new station in Cambridge, offering quick, easy and accessible links to its world-leading biomedical campus, thanks to government support announced by Rail Minister Huw Merriman today (5 June 2023).

Spades are in the ground to deliver a new, 4-platform, fully accessible station at Cambridge Biomedical Campus in the south of the city by 2025, offering easier access to Europe’s largest centre of medical research and health science.

With around £200 million government funding earmarked for the build, the new station will bring together world-leading academics and back the government’s ambition for the UK to become a science superpower by 2030. It will also support rapid growth in the area, which is expected to welcome 27,000 jobs and 4,000 new homes by 2031.

Rail Minister Huw Merriman said:

This brand-new station will not only benefit local passengers but deliver a major boost to the entire city, improving connectivity to a world-leading academic hub while unlocking local business and growth opportunities across the region.

This is just another step in our efforts to create a thriving, well-connected, passenger-focused rail network to support communities for generations to come.

During construction, 300 new jobs will be created in the local area, and once delivered, the station will act as a key transport link between the biomedical campus and international gateways, such as Stanstead Airport and the Eurostar, boosting the travel network right across the region.

Expecting to welcome 1.8 million passengers a year, the station also forms part of the proposed route of the future East-West Rail line, which would connect Oxford and Cambridge and unlock up to £103 billion of economic growth.

Katie Frost, Network Rail’s route director for Anglia, said:

It’s an exciting time for the railway in Cambridgeshire with a green light to deliver a new station that will serve the vitally important and growing biomedical campus.

Rail continues to be an environmentally sustainable form of transport and I know the minister’s announcement will be welcomed by the customers and communities we serve across Cambridgeshire and beyond.

Kristin-Anne Rutter, Executive Director at Cambridge Biomedical Campus Limited, said:

We are delighted that the Cambridge Biomedical Campus is to get its own railway station in less than 2 years’ time. Better public transport links will be critical in fulfilling our vision of a more sustainable campus.

Currently, there are around 5 times as many visits to the site as there are car parking spaces. We have to find ways of making it easier for the thousands of staff, NHS patients and visitors arriving daily to get here without needing to use a car.

This is a campus dedicated to improving human health, so anything that has the potential to cut air pollution and take pressure off our local roads is also very welcome. Coupled with the recent approval of the East-West Rail route directly linking Oxford with the Cambridge Biomedical Campus, we believe we can create a successful yet sustainable health and life sciences cluster that can both grow the economy and save lives.

Sir Mene Pangalos, EVP BioPharmaceuticals R&D at AstraZeneca, said:

We very much welcome the ‘ground breaking’ for the Cambridge South Train Station, which will provide sustainable travel directly to the Cambridge Biomedical Campus.

This will help support the ongoing growth and vibrancy of the site, enabling further collaboration and partnership across academia, biotech and industry, which is key to advancing scientific innovation to transform healthcare and improve outcomes for patients.

The press release issued by the Department for Transport on 25 May 2023.

Transport Secretary highlights devastating impact war has had on Ukraine transport infrastructure and calls for changes to ITF rules to adapt to unprecedented global events.

Transport Secretary Mark Harper has reiterated the UK’s condemnation of Russia’s war on Ukraine – highlighting the devastating impact it’s had on the country’s transport infrastructure – during a 2-day summit of transport ministers from across the world in Leipzig, Germany.

The UK has held the presidency of the International Transport Forum (ITF) for the past year, and today (25 May 2023) issued a statement – in conjunction with vice-presidencies Lithuania and Chile – highlighting the work the ITF has done to support Ukraine in rebuilding its transport systems and infrastructure.

As part of our ongoing support to Ukraine and its people, the UK rail industry has made several donations of critical rail infrastructure and humanitarian aid, recently delivering £10 million in materials to repair rail infrastructure and to facilitate the movement of grain out of Ukraine. Bolstering the country’s skillset, Ukrainian engineers were trained in the UK on how to use the bridge repair materials, too.

In a speech during the forum, the Transport Secretary Mark Harper said:

As the UK hands over the ITF presidency, we do so not just with pride at what ITF has achieved over the past 12 months, but also a commitment to continue championing the values and aims of this vital organisation.

But sadly, those values and aims aren’t shared by all. We continue to see parts of Ukraine laid waste by Putin’s illegal war.

Today’s joint presidencies statement, from the UK, Lithuania and Chile, shows Ukraine doesn’t stand alone.

The statement came as the UK handed over its year-long presidency of the ITF to Lithuania during the 2-day annual summit.

The UK also called for amendments to the general rules of the ITF to make sure the organisation can be more flexible in responding and adapting to future unprecedented events as seen with coronavirus (COVID-19) and the invasion of Ukraine.

The ITF is a world-leading intergovernmental organisation for transport policy bringing together over 60 countries, hosted by the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD).

Last year, former Transport Secretary Grant Shapps assumed the presidency by outlining 5 priorities for the UK’s tenure: leading global transport transformation by making transport more connected, greener, inclusive, safe and resilient, and innovative.

Also during the summit, Mark Harper chaired meetings of the inter-governmental Zero Emissions Vehicles Transition Council (ZEVTC), which he used to discuss efforts to transition to zero emission heavy goods vehicles (HGVs) – essential to decarbonising our roads and meeting global climate targets.

He also held bilateral meetings with his counterparts from Chile, Brazil, South Korea and Switzerland, discussing how to increase collaboration between the UK and its international partners around the world to tackle shared transport priorities.

Following the ITF summit, the Transport Secretary will travel to Berlin to meet his counterpart Dr Volker Wissing, Federal Minister for Digital and Transport, and Richard Lutz, CEO of Deutsche Bahn.

Next month, the UK will host the Ukraine Recovery Conference – a continuation of the series of annual events dedicated to Ukraine’s transformation. The first took place in London in 2017 as the Ukraine Reform Conference.

This year’s conference will focus on the mobilisation of international and private sector support for the economic and social stabilisation of Ukraine.

The press release issued by the Department for Transport on 25 May 2023.

This package will improve the passenger experience by having more reliable trains and fewer delays.

Passengers across the north are set to benefit from fewer delays and more reliable trains after the government announced a £72 million package in Manchester today (25 May 2023).

At Manchester Victoria Station, Rail Minister Huw Merriman revealed the latest of 4 infrastructure upgrades to improve day-to-day journeys for passengers across the region while supporting productivity and economic growth.

The funding will deliver a third platform at Salford Crescent station and track improvement work across north Manchester to help reduce delays, bottlenecks and station overcrowding, meaning passengers will enjoy more comfortable and reliable journeys.

Manchester Victoria Station will also benefit from extra entry and exit points to platforms, making it easier for passengers to travel through the station during busier periods.

Transport Secretary Mark Harper said:

This investment supports our commitment to transforming journeys across the north by achieving much needed infrastructure improvements in Manchester.

Today’s funding, alongside major projects like HS2, the TransPennine route upgrade and Northern Powerhouse Rail, demonstrates our pledge to improving opportunities for passengers across the region and leaving a positive impact for generations to come.

The funding announced today follows closely on the heels of a new timetable launch in December 2022, which was supported by £84 million of government investment to deliver a better performing timetable and extended platforms for longer electric trains with more seats to better serve passengers.

As a result, delays across central Manchester have already decreased by 40% compared to 2019/20 levels, which exceeds initial expectations.

Rail Minister Huw Merriman said:

This new investment will help make train services more reliable for the people of Manchester and beyond, marking another milestone in a decade’s worth of rail improvements across the region.

An efficient railway is key to levelling up and the improvements achieved through this package will help boost local economies and connect people to opportunities, as well as friends and family.

Today’s announcement is the latest step in transforming services over the next decade through the Manchester Task Force – a cross industry body, including representatives of:

• Network Rail
• Transport for Greater Manchester
• Transport for the North
• local train operators

In order to deliver for passengers quickly while providing value for money for taxpayers, Network Rail has today withdrawn a previous planning application for rail infrastructure work in the city.

We have asked the task force to consider alternative options to better serve passengers and support the £26 million already injected to improve services at Manchester Piccadilly, Airport and Oxford Road stations.

Combined with ongoing electrification projects and the TransPennine route upgrade already underway, the latest measures will pave the way for an enhanced timetable from the middle of the decade and the introduction of future HS2 services into the city.

Network Rail’s Tim Shoveller said:

Today’s announcement is really positive, allowing us to get on with fixing the infrastructure around central Manchester so we can run trains more reliably.

The rail industry has come together to work on these proposals, building into a long-term vision that will get the best for our passengers and freight users alike.

We also have ambitious plans for the future of Manchester Oxford Road. We’re removing our previous planning application so we can move forward with a new approach, something we’ll be consulting residents and businesses on later in the year.

This isn’t the only way the government is investing in Manchester. The recent trailblazer devolution deal committed to supporting reforming local rail in the region, including pilots of pay-as-you-go ticketing and integrated London-style transport on the Bee network.

Mayor of Greater Manchester Andy Burnham said:

There is a massive opportunity to change rail journeys for people and businesses in Greater Manchester and the North for the better, and this infrastructure investment is a welcome next step to help make that happen.

Through the task force and our trailblazer deal, we will continue working with government and the industry to help shape the comprehensive package of improvements needed to transform rail travel and support our growing economy, so that we can create more jobs and homes.

The press release issued by the Department for Transport on 19 May 2023.

Funding will ease congestion across cities, transform the school run and provide a boost to high street businesses.

Millions of people across the country are set to benefit from £200 million of government funding for cycling and walking schemes, helping to promote healthy travel, reduce emissions and grow the economy.

The latest round of funding, will provide a boost to high streets and local businesses, and transform the school run for tens of thousands of children, generating up to 16 million extra walking and cycling trips a year.

Alongside the environmental benefits, the plans will help ease congestion across cities, with people choosing more active choices that can benefit their mental and physical health and wellbeing and relieve pressure on the NHS.

Following extensive consultation with local authorities, communities across England will benefit from new funding, with over 265 schemes in 60 areas – including Yorkshire, Manchester, Devon and Leicester – receiving a share of the latest round of funding.

The investment, announced in February of this year, will deliver a range of schemes across the country, including 121 miles of new cycle track, 77 miles of new paths and greenways and initiatives to make streets safer around 130 schools.

Active travel is also estimated to bring a £36.5 billion boost to the economy in a year through increased high street spending and better access to jobs, delivering on our priority to grow the economy.

Transport Secretary Mark Harper said:

We want to make sure everyone across the country can choose cheaper, greener and healthier travel while we continue to support our local businesses and grow the economy.

This £200 million investment will improve road safety, ease congestion and ultimately improve the health and wellbeing of the millions of people choosing active travel.

National Active Travel Commissioner Chris Boardman added:

By giving millions of people the freedom of choice to walk, wheel or cycle for everyday trips, this funding will help us improve public health, tackle climate change and give hundreds of thousands of children the independence to travel safely under their own steam.

Now our focus is working with councils to get these schemes built swiftly. We’ll be working together to ensure the projects are well-designed and effective, so that they bring maximum benefits to communities and help improve lives nationwide.

The winning projects have demonstrated they provide people with attractive choices to use cycling and walking for local journeys, and do not include any low traffic neighbourhood schemes. Local authorities have worked closely with local people to ensure the schemes benefit the community as a whole.

Successful authorities have detailed the benefits of successful schemes, including Tamworth in Staffordshire, which will use the funding to enable active and safe modes of travel to schools, while Barnstaple and Ilfracombe in Devon will see an unused railway track converted into a walking and cycling route to connect rural communities.

Safety and accessibility will be at the heart of improvements and creation of walking and cycling routes, meaning safety for women and children walking to school will be improved, and people in wheelchairs and mobility scooters will see street designs become even more inclusive.

Government funding has meant cycling across England has continued to thrive and is up 11% on pre-pandemic levels, increasing by more than 20% in the past 10 years.

Allocated funding

Local authority	Capability level	Allocated funding
Bedford Unitary Authority	1	£263,130
Blackburn with Darwen Unitary Authority	1	£157,270
Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Unitary Authority	2	£3,780,000
Bracknell Forest Unitary Authority	1	£30,000
Brighton and Hove Unitary Authority	2	£3,000,000
Buckinghamshire Unitary Authority	2	£477,199
Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Combined Authority	2	£3,896,590
Central Bedfordshire Unitary Authority	1	£252,605
Cheshire East Unitary Authority	1	£1,297,882
Cheshire West and Chester Unitary Authority	1	£274,100
Cornwall Unitary Authority	1	£500,000
Cumbria County Council	2	£1,602,359
Derby Unitary Authority	1	£140,000
Derbyshire County Council	1	£3,005,000
Devon County Council	2	£1,825,000
Dorset Unitary Authority	1	£1,978,000
East Riding of Yorkshire Unitary Authority	2	£855,200
East Sussex County Council	1	£1,223,826
Essex County Council	2	£5,270,000
Gloucestershire County Council	2	£5,365,000
Greater Manchester Combined Authority	3	£23,719,500
Hampshire County Council	2	£2,477,515
Herefordshire Unitary Authority	1	£306,000
Hertfordshire County Council	2	£4,620,803
Isle of Wight Unitary Authority	1	£700,000
Isles of Scilly	1	£11,000
Kent County Council	1	£1,569,000
Kingston upon Hull Unitary Authority	1	£362,000
Lancashire County Council	2	£5,529,992
Leicester Unitary Authority	3	£1,800,000
Liverpool City Region Combined Authority	2	£14,400,000
Medway Unitary Authority	1	£486,418
Milton Keynes Unitary Authority	1	£1,182,516
Norfolk County Council	2	£2,240,000
North East Joint Transport Committee	2	£7,203,211
North Somerset Unitary Authority	1	£417,640
Nottingham Unitary Authority	3	£1,762,288
Nottinghamshire County Council	2	£1,081,761
Plymouth Unitary Authority	2	£2,480,000
Portsmouth Unitary Authority	1	£653,580
Reading Unitary Authority	2	£75,000
Shropshire Unitary Authority	1	£612,800
Slough Unitary Authority	1	£413,000
Somerset County Council	2	£1,583,322
Southampton Unitary Authority	2	£814,464
South Yorkshire Combined Authority	2	£2,430,943
Staffordshire County Council	1	£669,087
Stoke-on-Trent Unitary Authority	1	£509,320
Suffolk County Council	2	£7,933,216
Surrey County Council	2	£997,843
Swindon Unitary Authority	1	£381,500
Tees Valley Combined Authority	2	£441,269
Telford and Wrekin Unitary Authority	2	£1,895,772
Thurrock Unitary Authority	1	£305,000
Torbay Unitary Authority	1	£237,366
Warrington Unitary Authority	2	£727,950
Warwickshire County Council	2	£4,761,000
West Berkshire Unitary Authority	1	£275,000
West Midlands Combined Authority	3	£12,608,201
West Northamptonshire Unitary Authority	1	£673,314
West of England Combined Authority	2	£3,641,803
West Yorkshire Combined Authority	3	£17,430,668
Wiltshire Unitary Authority	1	£978,000
Windsor and Maidenhead Unitary Authority	1	£262,100
Wokingham Unitary Authority	2	£606,215
York Unitary Authority	1	£1,103,095

The press release issued by the Department for Transport on 15 May 2023.

UK and US to work together to reduce aviation emissions and accelerate development of sustainable aviation fuel.

Transport Secretary Mark Harper is set to meet his counterparts from the USA, Canada and Singapore today (Monday 15 May) as they work to decarbonise flight and usher in a new era of sustainable travel.

Meeting with US Secretary of Transportation, Pete Buttigieg on a visit to the USA, the pair will discuss how to work together on reducing aviation emissions and share knowledge to accelerate the development of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) – tackling climate change and harnessing the potential of the SAF industry to grow the economy.

UK Transport Secretary Mark Harper said:

While an ocean separates us, we’ve never been more aligned with the USA on the future of aviation and what that entails – whether it’s boosting jobs, opening new trade opportunities or delivering guilt-free air travel.

This trip is a crucial part of our work to reduce emissions from aviation alongside the USA, Canada and Singapore, and I look forward to meeting my counterparts and industry representatives.

During his visit, the UK Transport Secretary will co-chair the SAF Investor Summit in Detroit with his US and Canadian counterparts.

Representatives from major companies like Boeing, the International Air Transport Association (IATA), JP Morgan Chase, United Airlines, World Energy and the American Petroleum Institute will also be in attendance, underlining the importance of unlocking private investment to help grow the sustainable aviation sector, create more UK jobs and grow the economy.

The summit will act as a springboard for discussions on how to overcome future barriers the international sector may face, such as the widespread sourcing of materials to produce next-generation fuels, as well as the investment needed to help deliver that vision.

With airlines spending billions on fuel every year, ensuring SAF is at the forefront of future investment decisions is key to piloting the sector to a cleaner future. The summit is an opportunity for the UK to work with other governments and industry leaders to progress the UK’s commitment to at least 10% of jet fuel being from sustainable sources by 2030.

The UK government’s Jet Zero Strategy sets out how to achieve net zero emissions from UK aviation by 2050, importantly without directly limiting demand for aviation. The £165 million Advanced Fuel Fund is also kickstarting production, with 5 projects already chosen to receive funding.

With both the USA and UK leading the way as global advocates for SAF, the UK Transport Secretary and US Secretary of Transportation will look to work even more closely – an opportunity for the two nations to share their experience and work towards growing the SAF industry in both countries.

Working together, both governments will examine how to get SAF plants working at scale and promote the fuel as a solution to tackling climate change and creating jobs and skills for future generations. With independent forecasts suggesting that there is the potential to create as many as 60,000 jobs and a £10 billion boost to the economy, a new collaborative approach will best unlock this.

At the end of last year, the UK government announced that Virgin Atlantic has won the race to make the first net zero transatlantic flight next year – powered by SAF. This year one of Virgin Atlantic’s flagship Boeing 787s, powered by Rolls-Royce Trent 1000 engines, will take off from London Heathrow and make the journey to New York’s John F Kennedy Airport – a journey made by thousands of people for business, family and leisure every week.

Made from waste materials or by-products, such as household waste, industrial gases or used cooking oil, SAF can achieve greenhouse gas emissions savings of more than 70% compared to conventional fossil jet fuel.

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

Additional funding will help passengers save money on fares and support vulnerable bus routes.

Millions of passengers across England will continue to ‘Get Around for £2’ and access vital bus services thanks to £500 million in government funding, supporting people with the cost of living and ensuring long-term stability in the sector.

The Transport Secretary Mark Harper today (17 May 2023) confirmed £300 million to protect vital routes and improve services until 2025 that people rely on for work, education, medical appointments and shopping.

To help people with cost of living pressures and save on everyday travel costs, the government will also provide up to £200 million to continue capping single bus fares at £2 outside London until the end of October 2023 and then at £2.50 until 30 November 2024 – when the government will review their effectiveness and future bus fares.

The Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR) estimates that inflation will be halved by the end of this year, and capping fares at £2.50 until November 2024 will create longer-term certainty for bus users over the next year. The fare cap will be reviewed ahead of November 2024.

The move is an essential part of the government’s Help for Households initiative to support everyone through the increased cost of living, and will particularly benefit those on lower incomes who take nearly 3 times as many bus trips than those on higher incomes.

During the pandemic, bus usage dropped as low as 10% of pre-pandemic levels and, while passenger levels have recovered to around 85 to 90%, the fare cap aims to encourage people back on the bus, which can help reduce congestion and emissions.

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said:

By extending the £2 fare cap, we’re making sure bus travel remains accessible and affordable for everyone while helping to ease cost of living pressures.

Buses connect our communities and play a vital role in growing the economy; they transport people to work, take our kids to school and make sure patients can get to doctors’ appointments.

That’s why we’re determined to protect local routes and encourage more people onto the bus, ensuring people can get around easily and in an affordable way.

Transport Secretary Mark Harper said:

Taking the bus is the most popular form of public transport and millions of people rely on these vital services every day.

That’s why we’re investing half a billion pounds to help people save money amid cost of living pressures and continue to level up transport in all parts of the country, doing our bit to help halve inflation and grow the economy.

Graham Vidler, CEO of the Confederation of Passenger Transport, said:

We welcome this 2-year funding settlement. It shows a recognition of the value of buses to the economy and to local communities. It will enable bus operators and local authorities to plan, promote and grow services with greater confidence.

However, the combination of the funding settlement and the £2 fare cap extension will not save every service in every part of the country. Operators and local authorities will now work together to study the detail of the government’s proposals and ensure that the funding is used to safeguard the best possible network for local passengers.

Some of the biggest savings on the longest routes up and down the country thanks to the fare cap include:

Journey	Normal fare	Amount saved	% saving
Lancaster to Kendal	£14.50	£12.50	86%
Plymouth to Exeter	£11.20	£9.20	82%
Newcastle to Middlesbrough	£8.00	£6.00	75%
Hull to York	£8.50	£6.50	76%
Leeds to Scarborough	£15.00	£13.00	87%

While initially introduced only as a temporary measure, we are extending the £2 fare cap for the second time to continue helping people save money on travel. Since it started on 1 January this year, the £2 fare has encouraged more people to use the bus.

Operators such as Go-Ahead have carried more than 16 million passengers at £2 since 1 January 2023, helping them save on average a third off fares. Bus operators that are continuing the £2 fare cap scheme will be confirmed in due course.

The additional funding announced today will be shared between local transport authorities and bus operators to protect and improve routes across England and demonstrates our commitment to returning bus sector to a long-term sustainable financial footing. The new funding models will protect vulnerable routes while allowing local authorities and operators to determine the routes that work for local areas.

This builds on over 3 years’ worth of government support totalling over £2 billion to help the sector recover from the pandemic, and more than £1 billion to support local authorities deliver their long-term local plans to improve services.

As part of the £300 million to support services until 2025, £160 million will be provided to local transport authorities to improve fares, services and infrastructure while £140 million will go directly to operators to help protect essential services across England.

While it is the responsibility of bus operators and local transport authorities to ensure an adequate provision of bus routes, the government continues to work closely with the sector to support local areas in dealing with changing travel patterns while managing pressures on the taxpayer.

This latest funding is part of a multi-billion holistic programme of government support for the bus sector. In 2021, the government published the National Bus Strategy and asked all English local transport authorities outside London to set out their bus service improvement plans (BSIPs) explaining their local visions for the step-change in bus services that are needed to put passengers back at the heart of the network.

Since then, over £1 billion has been awarded to 34 counties, city regions and unitary authorities to deliver service improvements, bus priority measures and ambitious fares initiatives, including local fare caps in Greater Manchester, West Yorkshire and Liverpool City Region.

In addition, £5.7 billion investment has been provided to 8 mayoral combined authorities in England to support integrated, cross-modal transport networks over the next 5 years through the City Region Sustainable Transport Settlement (CRSTS), including supporting bus infrastructure.

As part of the National Bus Strategy, the government committed to achieving a zero-emission bus (ZEB) fleet. Since February 2020, we have supported an estimated 3,400 ZEBs across the UK, including a near £300 million investment for up to 1,400 ZEBs in England outside London, taking the vision of a net zero transport network closer to reality.

The press release issued by the Department for Transport on 11 May 2023.

Transport Secretary has announced he will not renew or extend Transpennine Express’s contract.

The Transport Secretary has today (11 May 2023) announced he will not renew or extend Transpennine Express’s (TPE) contract at the end of the month. This will bring the company into operator of last resort (OLR) from 28 May 2023.

The decision follows months of significant disruption and regular cancellations across Transpennine Express’s network, which has resulted in a considerable decline in confidence for passengers who rely on the trains to get to work, visit family and friends and go about their daily lives.

Alongside the train operating company, the Department for Transport (DfT) has taken steps to improve services, putting the operator on a recovery plan in February and meeting with local mayors to discuss a way forward.

While some improvements have been made over the past few months, it has been decided that to achieve the performance levels passengers deserve, and that the northern economy needs, both the contract and the underlying relationships must be reset.

While making the decision to bring Transpennine Express into operator of last resort, the department recognises that a significant number of problems facing TPE stem from matters out of its control. These include a backlog of recruitment and training drivers, reforming how the workforce operates and most notably, ASLEF’s decision to withdraw rest day working – preventing drivers from taking on overtime shifts and filling in gaps on services.

The decision to bring Transpennine Express into the control of the operator of last resort is temporary and it is the government’s full intention that it will return to the private sector.

In light of this, today’s decision will not instantaneously resolve the challenges being faced on the lines, but will provide an opportunity to reset relationships between the operator, staff, trade unions and passengers.

As part of this and in response to stakeholders’ calls for action, the Transport Secretary has asked the Department for Transport to review services in the north to help drive efficiency and find better ways to deliver for passengers across the region. He also asks all interested parties including the northern mayors and Transport for the North to engage with the government on this work.

The government continues to urge the union to call off upcoming strikes and the rest day working ban.

Transport Secretary, Mark Harper said:

In my time as Transport Secretary, I have been clear that passenger experience must always come first. After months of commuters and Northern businesses bearing the brunt of continuous cancellations, I’ve made the decision to bring Transpennine Express into operator of last resort.

This is not a silver bullet and will not instantaneously fix a number of challenges being faced, including ASLEF’s actions which are preventing Transpennine Express from being able to run a full service – once again highlighting why it’s so important that the railways move to a 7-day working week.

We have played our part, but ASLEF now need to play theirs by calling off strikes and the rest day working ban, putting the very fair and reasonable pay offer to a democratic vote of their members.

Under operator of last resort, services will run as normal with no changes to tickets, timetables or planned services with the department committed to ensuring a seamless transition for passengers.

The decision on TPE comes as LNER today announced, after a successful trial, single leg pricing will be extended across most of their network from 11 June 2023, with tickets going on sale this Sunday.

From mid-June 2023, LNER passengers will benefit from simpler, more flexible, and better value ticketing as part of government’s plans to improve services for passengers and bring the railways into the 21st century.

Single-leg-pricing – which consists of removing return tickets in favour of single-leg tickets priced at around half the cost of the old return ticket – will simplify outdated and complicated ticketing practices.

This means people will no longer have to choose between buying a return ticket – which may not suit their plans – or taking the risk of buying 2 singles which could individually cost just £1 less than a return ticket.

For example, a person wanting to buy an off-peak single from Peterborough to Newcastle on the day of travel will now pay £63.70 as opposed to £121.50 which saves almost £60.

This follows on from the Secretary of State setting out his ambition for the rail sector at the George Bradshaw address earlier this year, reiterating his commitment to modernising the railways to ensure their commercial and financial sustainability for years to come.