Tag: Department for Transport

The press release issued by the Department for Transport on 3 August 2023.

Improvements to A38 Bromsgrove will reduce journey times and boost connectivity for residents in the West Midlands.

Residents in the West Midlands will benefit from reduced road congestion and a boost to the local economy and jobs, with work soon starting on crucial upgrades to the A38 Bromsgrove corridor.

Today (3 August 2023), the Department of Transport (DfT) has confirmed that construction on the upgrades will start in the coming weeks to radically improve the A38 Bromsgrove, reducing journey times, creating new opportunities for cycling and walking and boosting connections to Birmingham, Bristol and Gloucester.

The scheme – backed by £43 million in government funding – will deliver major upgrades on a 4 mile stretch of the A38 between M42 Junction 1 to the north and the junction of A38 with B4094 Worcester Road in the south. These upgrades will focus on improvements at key junctions to prevent bottleneck and improve traffic flow to reduce journey times.

The upgrades are expected to support over 1,100 new local jobs and 5,500 new homes, generating over £93 million in economic benefits for Worcestershire and the West Midlands.

Roads Minister Richard Holden said:

Thanks to our £43 million investment, these crucial upgrades will help reduce severe traffic congestion and poor connectivity for residents in Bromsgrove and Worcestershire, while making it easier to cycle and walk in Worcestershire.

With work set to begin in the coming weeks, these improvements will bolster the local economy through new jobs and homes, while making journeys quicker and smoother for people to get around the area.

The junction improvements will reduce journey times for local buses, making bus services more reliable and punctual. Real-time passenger information will be installed at bus stops along the route to provide passengers with live updates and help them plan their journey, as the government continues to encourage bus use with over £3.5 billion invested since 2020 to protect routes, improve services and reduce the price of bus tickets.

Local residents will also benefit from improved walking and cycling facilities thanks to a new cycle and pedestrian corridor running parallel to the A38. New crossings will make it easier to access the wider local cycle network, improve safety for cyclists and pedestrians, provide more options for active travel and support the drive to net zero.

The total cost of the scheme is £49.8 million, with DfT committing to provide just over £43 million and Worcestershire County Council providing the rest of the funding.

The upgrades are vital to tackle congestion across the A38 and grow the economy in the region by boosting local connectivity. The A38 has been affected by slow traffic flow at key junctions and severe congestion during the weekday rush hour, affecting local residents’ ability to get around.

Councillor Marc Bayliss, Cabinet Member with Responsibility for Economy, Infrastructure and Skills at the County Council, said:

I am delighted that our A38 project has received the funding boost from government that it hugely deserves.

With over £43 million awarded by DfT, we’ll be able to help improve everyday journeys around Bromsgrove and ease traffic for people, as well as boosting the local economy.

Following this announcement, I am pleased to say that contactors will be appointed shortly and work will begin on the improvements later this year.

The project is the latest in a series of government investments to boost local transport infrastructure, including £5.7 billion for future local transport projects across England, as part of the Prime Minister’s plan to grow the economy.

The press release issued by the Department for Transport on 2 August 2023.

Hydrogen-fueled airport vehicles and supermarket delivery trucks could provide greener and more efficient journeys.

Airports and supermarket deliveries could become greener and more efficient thanks to a £8 million government competition to support hydrogen-powered transport in the North East, grow the economy and create jobs.

The Transport Secretary has today (2 August 2023) announced 2 winning projects of the second phase of the competition, encouraging more businesses and innovators to develop new technology that uses hydrogen fuel to accelerate transport decarbonisation.

One project led by ULEMCo, receiving a share of the £8 million funding, will develop hydrogen-powered airport ground-based support vehicles, such as tow trucks for aeroplanes and sweepers to clean runways. This will be based at Teesside international airport, which will help the airport reach its goal of being net zero by 2030.

Another of the winning projects led by Element 2 aims to create new hydrogen refuelling stations, helping to provide the infrastructure needed to scale up the use of hydrogen as a fuel. This funding will create 4 new publicly accessible hydrogen refuelling stations, increasing the number of refuelling stations in the UK by 50%. These will be used to fuel a range of vehicles, from airside vehicles to heavy goods vehicles (HGVs), including supermarket delivery trucks.

Today’s announcement also confirms £300,000 delivered directly to colleges in the area to support upskilling the local workforce and foster a specialised skills base and pipeline of talent, further cementing the Tees Valley’s status as the home of hydrogen.

Transport Secretary Mark Harper said:

Hydrogen technology has great potential to decarbonise transport and help grow the economy.

Today’s winners illustrate the expertise the Tees Valley has as a pioneer in developing hydrogen tech. This investment will provide a further boost to the economy, creating skilled jobs and apprenticeships across the North East.

This funding brings the UK closer to decarbonising some of the heavier and more complex vehicles, such as airside operations, which will be essential in reaching net zero. Already used in buses across the country, hydrogen fuel cells create no harmful exhaust emissions. Greater use of hydrogen could help grow the UK economy with a transport system that is resilient to global energy prices, environmentally friendly and could see the creation of thousands of skilled jobs.

Today’s funding also marks the continued growth of the UK’s only hydrogen transport hub, attracting even more innovation, investment and jobs to the Tees Valley. The competition invited ideas on how to overcome some of the challenges of scaling-up hydrogen technology, such as refuelling on a large scale and making the region’s supply chain greener with hydrogen-fuelled vans and HGVs.

Phil Forster, Managing Director of Teesside International Airport, said:

We’re working hard to make Teesside an airport people can be proud of – and that doesn’t just mean flying to the destinations people love. It’s about acting responsibly, for the good of our local people and businesses and the future of our planet.

This hydrogen refuelling station does just that, by proving this new technology is safe and reliable, and can be used across all sorts of applications. This makes it clear Teesside is helping to pioneer both the aviation industry and the clean energy sector.

This is the second round of government competition funding for the Tees Valley hydrogen transport hub following the first round, which focused on developing hydrogen-powered vehicles.

The first competition saw over £2.6 million awarded to various winners to deploy 21 hydrogen-powered vehicles. One of the winners was Toyota, which provided hydrogen vehicles for local police forces, and Hydrogen Vehicle Systems, which developed a hydrogen-powered van for large supermarkets to deliver largescale groceries.

Tees Valley Mayor Ben Houchen said:

We were one of the first areas to trial hydrogen fuels and this is continuing to pay off as we’ve been successful in securing this permanent refuelling station.

Our airport and, indeed, our whole region continues to be at the forefront of the UK’s net zero ambitions and this hydrogen station is another step forward to supporting the cleaner, healthier and safer industries of tomorrow. It backs up everything we’re doing in our low-carbon journey, including supporting the production and adoption of sustainable aviation fuel – one of the biggest issues facing the industry right now.

The aim to have Teesside airport operationally net zero by 2030 is only the beginning. We’re still pioneering offshore, carbon capture and renewable technologies over at Teesworks, to truly cement Teesside, Darlington and Hartlepool as the place to do business in innovative and clean technologies.

Since the Hub was launched in 2020, the Tees Valley region has benefited from millions in government funding and private investment. Recent forecasts have estimated that by 2030, the hydrogen sector could support over 12,000 jobs nationally and unlock over £9 billion in private investment.

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

Today’s announcement of these new projects in the Tees Valley further adds to our significant partnership with DfT to accelerate new technologies to decarbonise transport. This includes nearly £300 million of investment from DfT via Innovate UK in transport decarbonisation across maritime, heavy goods vehicles and hydrogen.

Place-based innovation like this is vital to invigorate local economies like the Tees Valley. These projects are an important investment to decarbonise transport and a boost for local innovation, investment, skills and business growth.

The press release issued by the Department for Transport on 31 July 2023.

Multi-million-pound Portway Park and Ride station will provide easier access to jobs and businesses in Bristol and the South West.

Passengers in Bristol will benefit from easier access to jobs and businesses as Transport Secretary Mark Harper officially opens a new railway station near Avonmouth today (31 July 2023).

The multi-million-pound Portway Park and Ride station, backed by both government and local authority funding, will be the first station to open in Bristol in almost a century.

As of tomorrow, regular services will run from the accessible, single-platform station 7 days a week along the Severn Beach railway line, taking passengers into the city centre of Bristol in just 24 minutes.

Transport Secretary Mark Harper said:

Today’s opening of Portway Park and Ride Station is the latest example of this government’s plan to invest in infrastructure and grow the economy.

It will provide a boost to Bristol and its surrounding area by improving local transport links while connecting passengers to business hubs and thousands of high-skilled job opportunities.

Managed by Great Western Railway (GWR), the new station will ease congestion on local roads and provide an additional transport option for the 9,000 people who work in the surrounding area.

It will also support local growth by improving access to the Avonmouth and Temple Quarter Enterprise Zones, which are expected to create 31,000 new jobs by 2050.

Marvin Rees Mayor of Bristol said:

I am incredibly proud and delighted to open Bristol’s first railway station in 96 years. Portway Park and Ride station will offer local people and commuters an efficient and sustainable travel option. Having boosted the number of free parking spaces at our park and ride site, it offers commuters more options to park up and catch a train or the bus.

Completion of the railway station highlights our commitment to developing modern and accessible travel solutions. As we look toward a future of improved connectivity through a mass transit system, Portway Park and Ride is a key step on our journey towards a better connected Bristol and South West.

We are grateful for the support and collaboration of our project partners and eagerly anticipate the positive impact this station will have on our city.

Portway Park and Ride Station marks Britain’s 2,577th railway station and follows closely on the heels of the opening of Marsh Barton station in the South West earlier this month, also opened by the Transport Secretary. The opening forms the latest in the government’s drive to invest in infrastructure to grow the economy and boost connectivity across the UK.

Marcus Jones, Network Rail Western Route Director, said:

This announcement marks an important milestone in our efforts to transform rail travel for our passengers in and around Bristol and the wider West of England area.

I’d like to thank our partners in the project – Bristol City Council, the West of England Combined Authority and GWR – for their hard work and dedication in bringing this new station to the city. We hope that passengers from Bristol and beyond will experience the benefits that this new station will bring for years to come.

Metro Mayor Dan Norris said:

Passengers are pleased that the new Portway Park and Ride Railway Station is opening – the first new station built in this incredible city since the Roaring 20s.

Delivering for local people is what our multi-million-pound Reverse Beeching programme is all about.

This is undoubtedly a good day for Bristolians and the West of England region, and I’m proud it’s been made possible by a substantial £3 million-plus investment from my West of England Mayoral Combined Authority.

But this is just the beginning. We need to press ahead with work to give even more residents access to new stations as we strive to meet our ambitious West of England net-zero-by-2030 targets.

Joe Graham, Business Assurance and Strategy Director at Great Western Railway, said:

We are delighted that services will be operating from the new Portway Park and Ride station. It will offer customers regular trains to and from Bristol Temple Meads twice an hour with a journey time of 25 minutes.

Situated alongside the M5, this new station will provide a great alternative for those travelling into Bristol city centre or wanting to connect with the wider rail network.

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

Independent review will ensure that DVLA can continue to provide a licensing service to motorists and the public.

The government has today (25 July 2023) launched an independent review of the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) so that it can continue to provide excellent customer-focused digital services to keep drivers and vehicles on the road simply, safely and efficiently.

With over 50 million driver records and more than 40 million vehicle records, the DVLA maintains the correct registration and licensing of millions of drivers while protecting data and tackling vehicle tax evasion.

DVLA also collects £7 billion in vehicle excise duty (VED) annually on behalf of HM Treasury and is a net contributor to government finances, raising more than £260 million in 2022-23 for HM Treasury and the Department for Transport (DfT) through the sale and processing of personalised registrations and transfers.

The review will assess DVLA based on the 4 pillars set by the Cabinet Office of efficiency, efficacy, accountability and governance. Further detail on areas the review will cover can be found in the terms of reference.

Janette Beinart, non-executive director of the Cabinet Office and National Highways and previously Vice President and Global Chief Information Officer at Shell International, has been appointed to lead the review with support from DfT officials. The review is expected to conclude this winter.

Roads Minister Richard Holden said:

DVLA plays a crucial role in making sure drivers and vehicles can get around legally, safely and with confidence, giving drivers peace of mind by storing their records safely and tackling vehicle tax evasion.

With over 80% of all transactions now being carried out online, this review will help us understand how the DVLA can continue to grow from strength to strength and how we can support it to become more digital to efficiently serve the increasingly digitally savvy driver.

The review will also assess how DVLA works with its wide range of stakeholders within and outside of government to help keep Britain’s roads safe.

DVLA Non-Executive Chair, Lesley Cowley OBE, said:

Our customers remain at the heart of everything we do at DVLA and we welcome this review as an opportunity to highlight our commitment to delivering world-class services, our role in keeping Britain’s roads safe, and the continued hard work and dedication of our over 6,000 staff.

It comes at an important time for DVLA, as we continue to launch new digital services and set ambitious targets for the future, as a forward thinking, dynamic organisation.

We look forward to working closely with the government in support of this review over the coming weeks and months.

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

UK and French governments agree to join forces to improve conditions for seafarers with the new Seafarers’ Charter.

Thousands of seafarers will be guaranteed fair wages, proper rest periods and suitable training thanks to a new Seafarers’ Charter launched by the UK government today (24 July 2023).

Building on government action already taken, the charter – backed by DFDS Ferries, Condor Ferries, Brittany Ferries and Stena – is part of the government’s wider Nine-point plan to protect seafarers and boost employment protections, ensuring they’re paid and treated fairly – irrespective of flag or nationality.

This is at the heart of the UK’s response to P&O Ferries’ appalling decision to fire nearly 800 of its staff without consultation or notice last year.

The UK government’s charter will be launched alongside a similar initiative by the French government during a visit by Maritime Minister Baroness Vere to Paris today to meet her counterpart Minister Berville.

Maritime Minister Baroness Vere said:

Fair pay and protection against unlawful discrimination are the basic rights of any employee. Our seafarers deserve nothing less.

I therefore expect companies across the maritime sector to sign up to this Charter, letting their staff know they’re serious about protecting their rights and welfare.

Today, in Paris, alongside Minister Berville, we strengthen our commitment to protect those working in the Channel and we’ll continue collaborating with our international partners on this vital issue.

During the UK-France summit in Paris earlier this year, Transport Secretary Mark Harper met his French counterpart Clément Beaune, with both nations agreeing to continue working together to improve conditions for those working in the Channel.

The government has already delivered the Seafarers’ Wages Act, a key safeguard to protecting domestic seafarers in the UK. The law will make it illegal to not pay the thousands of seafarers regularly entering the UK at least the equivalent of the UK National Minimum Wage.

The Seafarers’ Charter requires employers to:

• pay seafarers for overtime at a rate of a least 1.25 times the basic hourly rate
• ensure adequate training and development is provided
• provide employees with a full, indefinite contract
• allow seafarers to receive social security benefits, including sickness benefits, family benefits, and medical care
• adopt roster patterns considering fatigue, mental health and safety
• provide adequate rest periods between shifts and rosters
• carry out regular drug and alcohol testing

As well as the Seafarers’ Wages Act and the Charter, strong action has been taken against rogue employers using controversial practices which was revealed in the plans to create a statutory code of practice​.

The code will make it explicitly clear to employers that they must not use threats of dismissal to pressurise employees into accepting new terms, and they should have honest and open discussions with their employees and representatives.

John Napton, CEO, Condor Ferries, said:

Condor Ferries is a proud and responsible employer, dedicated to building a diverse, inclusive and authentic workplace for all staff and crew across our network. We therefore fully support the Seafarers’ Charter being launched by the UK government today.

Christophe Mathieu, Brittany Ferries CEO, said:

When it comes to seafarers’ wages and working conditions, we believe that all ferry companies should aim for the highest bar and not participate in a race to the bottom.

That’s why this charter is such an important step forward for us. We never forget the importance of seafarers and are proud to be part of the fight to protect their rights, on both sides of the Channel. We also intend to shout about this from the rooftops, urging freight and passenger customers to make the right decision when choosing a carrier.

Gemma Griffin MBE, Vice President and Head of Global Crewing, DFDS, said:

DFDS welcomes the Seafarers’ Charter and any related legislation that protects the employment rights of seafarers and ensures that there is a level playing field for all operators.  We have been cooperating with the French and UK authorities on the practical application of the charter and the new laws, and are very pleased to see the actions taken by both authorities, so far.

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

Study will assess potential options to run HS2 trains into Leeds city centre and reassess evidence to improve connectivity in Bradford.

The government has today (17 July 2023) launched a study to look at options for running HS2 trains to Leeds and committed to reassessing evidence to improve rail connections in Bradford.

The Leeds Study delivers on a commitment made in the government’s £96 billion Integrated Rail Plan and will consider a number of potential options to run HS2 trains into the city centre.

It will consider capacity at Leeds Station and take into account local views, as well as factors such as disruption, economic development, value for money, affordability, deliverability and timescales.

As set out in the Integrated Rail Plan, the government remains committed to upgrading and electrifying the existing line between Bradford Interchange and Leeds, which could deliver a 12-minute journey time and help decarbonise the railway within the next decade. Government will also reassess evidence to improve connectivity in Bradford, including examining the case for a new station.

Meanwhile, £40 million is being provided to West Yorkshire Combined Authority to support its development of the mass transit system, which will deliver integrated public transport options and offer a greener, quicker and more reliable option of travel.

Today’s announcement comes as the government formally responds to the Transport Select Committee’s report on the Integrated Rail Plan. As part of this, the Department for Transport outlined to the committee that it expects to complete the Leeds Study in 2025.

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

CAA still held in the highest regard but needs to improve communication on decision-making process and foster tighter working relationships within the sector.

The UK’s aviation regulator has today (17 July 2023) been reconfirmed as a highly effective regulator following an independent review that considered its performance, accountability and leadership.

As part of a government-wide review into public bodies, an independent review led by Jeremy Newman, Chair of the Workforce Development Trust, looked at how the UK’s Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) operates across 4 key areas. As part of its findings, it noted an overwhelming response across the sector that the regulator’s impact was positively highlighted, both in the UK and internationally, as it continued to be held by its international contemporaries in the highest regard.

The review considered how accountable the CAA is to the industry it regulates, its governance and relationship with the Department for Transport (DfT), the efficiency of its services and how effective it is in regulating airlines and airports.

Aviation Minister Baroness Vere of Norbiton said:

The CAA is an effective and well-respected regulator for the UK aviation industry, balancing the interests of industry and consumers.

I am pleased that this independent review recognises the CAA’s status as a world-leading regulator and it is only right that it strives to be even better to deliver for all its users in the future.

Today’s review proposes greater clarity to the CAA’s roles, responsibilities, strategic priorities and relationship with DfT. These changes will enable the CAA to better meet the challenges of the future, including helping the aviation and aerospace sector to introduce new technology safely and quickly.

When governing an ever-changing industry as important as the UK aviation sector, the CAA must be transparent and accountable to those it governs. That’s why today’s review highlights a renewed need to communicate its decision-making process and foster a tighter working relationship with industry partners and the general aviation community.

Jeremy Newman, current Chair of The Workforce Development Trust, said:

It was a privilege to lead the review of the CAA. It is clear that the CAA is held in high regard by other aviation regulators and the wider aviation sector.  The aviation and aerospace sector has new opportunities from technology as well as environmental challenges and it will benefit from having a regulator that is able to adapt to these opportunities and challenges.

I am confident that the CAA is well-placed to continue its world-leading role and I hope that implementing the recommendations in this review will make a positive contribution to ensuring this is the case.

Sir Stephen Hillier, Chair of the UK Civil Aviation Authority, said:

The review has been a welcome opportunity to analyse the Civil Aviation Authority’s responsibilities and capabilities. I very much welcome the review’s confirmation that we are a highly capable and internationally well-regarded aviation safety regulator.

The review has helpfully also identified areas where we can improve.  We welcome those recommendations: we are a learning organisation and always looking continuously to improve.

We have already initiated improvements in some of these areas and I am confident that the implementation of all the recommendations will help ensure that we are an ever-more forward-looking, efficient, effective and well-governed organisation constantly looking after aviation consumers’ interests and constantly improving the service we provide to our regulated customers.

The review also sets out proposals for the CAA to find savings that can be reinvested into core services delivering the best possible value for money and services for those organisations that it regulates.

Finally, the review recognises the CAA’s important role in protecting the rights of the consumer and critical work as an industry regulator. It is important that passengers feel confident that their rights will be protected and that those who don’t deliver an acceptable standard of service can be held accountable. Today’s announcement makes clear that the CAA’s work must continue to protect the rights of passengers.

Last month the government announced its response to last year’s aviation consumer policy reform consultation, which included strengthening the CAA’s powers to further protect both consumers’ and airlines’ interests.

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

The new Curzon Street Station will bring high-speed rail services to help connect cities and towns across the West Midlands and beyond.

Transport Secretary Mark Harper is today (17 July 2023) visiting the West Midlands with his Australian counterpart Catherine King to see the construction of High Speed Two (HS2)’s iconic new Curzon Street Station taking shape.

In the next decade, the new station will welcome high-speed services into the heart of Birmingham city centre. This will increase the capacity of our rail network and connect cities and towns across the West Midlands and beyond – creating new job, business and educational opportunities whilst boosting growth in the regional economy.

Even now, the project is already delivering huge benefits across the Midlands and the North. The construction of Curzon Street Station alone will create over 1,000 jobs, including 100 new apprenticeships and a restart scheme to support unemployed people. Even more jobs will be supported and created as work will continue to ramp up across the region in the years to come, with the HS2 Interchange Station set to be built in Solihull.

The Secretary of State and Minister King will take an exclusive first walk on top of the grand, 300-metre-long HS2 viaduct to see first-hand the view passengers will witness when travelling into the city on HS2 trains.

The walk will mark a key construction milestone, celebrating the half-way point of the viaduct’s completion, which now has 15 of its 30 v-shaped piers in place.

The meeting will also promote a global Britain, demonstrating how the UK is leading the way on major infrastructure projects to help grow the economy, ensuring the work and learning of HS2 is extended overseas.

Transport Secretary Mark Harper said:

The fantastic city of Birmingham is a hive of construction, with HS2 supporting thousands of high-skilled jobs and apprenticeships, as we gear up to bring its services into the city centre over the next decade.

As Europe’s largest infrastructure project, HS2 is being recognised globally and, alongside the Australian Transport Minister today, I take great pride in seeing this once-in-a-generation opportunity come to life, which will better connect our regions and grow the economy for years to come.

Andy Street, Mayor of the West Midlands, said:

I am pleased to join Secretary of State for Transport Mark Harper – and Australia’s Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development, Catherine King – to showcase the progress underway at the Curzon Street Station site.

HS2 is already delivering tangible benefits for our region – creating jobs, drawing in investment and helping to drive up the number of cranes dotting the skyline.

So as we continue to work closely with government, I’m sure that we will go on attracting global investment – including from our friends in Australia – to seize the HS2 related opportunities to the full, support our region’s economy and advance prosperity for local people in the months and years ahead.

Once built, HS2’s Curzon Street Station will be one of the most environmentally friendly stations in the world and eventually welcome 9 high-speed services per hour into the city centre. With 7 terminal platforms, it will form part of HS2’s opening phase, with the first services expected to run from West London into the station by 2033, serving around 25,000 passengers a day.

Today’s visit comes as HS2 Ltd prepares to carry out the UK’s heaviest bridge drive to install a box structure beneath the West Coast Main Line near Lichfield. The 6,200 tonne structure, which has been built over the last 6 months, will allow the high-speed railway to pass beneath the main line. It will be slowly moved into place on the back of a transporter vehicle.

Supporting one of the government’s 5 priorities to grow the economy, the construction of HS2 will bring transformational benefits to passengers and communities for generations to come. Currently supporting over 28,500 jobs and having created more than 1,200 apprenticeships, the project will level up communities and connect Britain’s largest cities, delivering fresh education, job and business opportunities across the regions.

The line will also provide much needed capacity for passenger and freight services on our railways, offering faster and more reliable journeys right across the UK. A greener way of travelling will also be unlocked, with every trip being powered by zero carbon energy.

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

Take the Bus campaign encourages older people to make the most of free bus travel.

Older and eligible disabled people are being urged to make the most of free bus travel to meet friends, connect with nature and visit new places this summer, through a new government campaign launched today (15 July 2023).

The new ‘Take the Bus’ campaign is targeting people aged 66 and above, and disabled people who are eligible for a concessionary pass, to encourage them to use the free bus travel available.

The move comes as statistics show concessionary journeys are down by more than a third since before the COVID-19 pandemic.

The campaign reminds passholders of the benefits of using bus travel, including staying active, visiting new places, taking up hobbies and seeing friends and family – while saving money on travel. The new adverts encourage pass holders to ‘Take the Bus’, with posters and social media assets made available for local authorities, bus companies and others to customise, co-brand and use in their area.

Along with the government’s £2 bus fare cap scheme, the campaign aims to get more people using the bus to help reduce congestion and emissions while supporting the bus industry and helping grow the economy.

Thanks to the free bus fare scheme, concessionary pass holders around the country can access great days out for free. People can leave the car at home and grab one of Stagecoach’s frequent ‘triangle’ routes to Canterbury, Whitstable and Herne Bay, or hop on the Coastliner 840 from Leeds to Whitby, voted England’s most scenic bus route for its incredible views across the North York Moors National Park.

Transport Secretary Mark Harper said:

We want those eligible to embrace all the benefits their concessionary pass can bring, with free bus travel allowing them to enjoy great trips out – all they need to do is ‘take the bus’.

Around £1 billion a year of central and local government funding goes towards concessionary passes to help older and disabled people get out and about while saving them money and helping grow the economy.

Cora Woodhouse, Arriva Marketing and Customer Service Director, said:

We’re pleased to be working with the Department for Transport (DfT) to support and encourage concessionary travel across our network. We are keen to remind the communities we proudly serve every day that we are here to connect them to the places they want to get to and the people they love and for no cost with a concessionary pass.

There are many places you can use our services to visit and enjoy days out and, of course, taking the bus offers an environmental and social benefit, too. Here at Arriva, we will be extending the reach of the DfT campaign, pushing the campaign via our website, email, social channels and app. We will also be investing in a paid-for media campaign alongside local community events, firstly in Yorkshire and the East Midlands with the view to then roll it out across our full network.

David Sidebottom, Director at the independent watchdog Transport Focus, said:

Passengers tell us that buses are a vital lifeline to help them see family and friends, visit high streets, get to essential appointments and connect them to the places and things they love. This campaign is great news for bus pass holders and, hopefully, they will take full advantage to get out and about and travel to places old and new.

In Transport Focus’s forthcoming research, 91% of free pass holders told us they knew a fair amount about their local bus service, so now is a great time to give it a go and take the bus.

As part of the Help for Households campaign, the Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) is promoting free and low-cost events happening across England for those looking for affordable activities over the summer. People can find out what’s happening near them using this new interactive map – from discounted cinema tickets to free museum exhibitions, accessible via the concessionary bus passes available.

Simon Pearson, Chief Commercial Officer of First Bus, said:

The bus is an ideal way for older people to get out and about and enjoy life in their local area and beyond. Bus travel adds the experience of the day, whatever you have planned. At First Bus, we’re excited to welcome more customers on board to discover where a concessionary pass can take them.

VisitEngland Director Andrew Stokes said:

With summer upon us, it’s a great time for concessionary pass holders to be planning a trip out with family and friends, making the most of free bus travel to explore the outstanding attractions and destinations across England and in a relaxing and environmentally friendly way.

There is always so much going on in England during the summer, whether enjoying a trip to our stunning coastline, beautiful countryside or our vibrant city attractions. I know our tourism and hospitality businesses will be very pleased to see you.

Alongside the campaign, councils spend around £1 billion on concessionary travel, provided through government funding from the Department for Levelling up, Housing and Communities (DLUHC) to enable local authorities to provide free travel via local bus operators to elderly and disabled concessionary pass holders.

This is in addition to the recently announced long-term bus funding to support and improve bus services, including £200 million to continue capping single fares outside of London at £2 until 31 October 2023 and then £2.50 until 30 November  2024, as well as £300 million to protect bus services across the country.

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

The bus is a great way to access the best of what our city regions have to offer, whether that be world-class cultural experiences, great green spaces or brilliant places to socialise and shop.

Local transport authorities play an important part in connecting our local communities and we encourage older people and those with disabilities who are eligible for a free concessionary pass to take the bus and explore their local areas.

Sylvia Barrett, Director of Policy and Research at Better Transport, said:

Taking the bus is a wellbeing boost. Buses keep us connected to friends and family, transport us on days out and help us to stay active. We hope to see more bus pass holders to embrace the benefits of free bus travel to get out and about and enjoy the summer.

The press release issued by the Department for Transport on 7 July 2023.

Funding for the maritime sector to develop sustainable technologies that help connect people, goods and services in a cleaner, greener way.

The maritime sector given greater support to deliver innovative solutions and new technology in the race to decarbonise the industry and grow the economy, as government commits £34 million of funding, part of the Clean Maritime Demonstration Competition (CMDC) today (7 July 2023).

With the fourth round of funding, this brings the total invested through the CMDC to £129 million. The competition looks to foster and promote the continued progress towards reaching our net zero goals through the development of novel and sustainable technologies that will help connect people, goods and services in a cleaner, greener way.

Maritime Minister Baroness Charlotte Vere said:

Pushing the boundaries of possibility is integral to the UK’s global ambition of a greener maritime sector. That’s why today’s new round of funding continues to set that course, not only keeping our climate goals on track but also boosting opportunities for private investment, new jobs and growing the economy.

The UK’s maritime sector is one of the most competitive and innovative in the world and today’s latest clean maritime demonstration competition funding is testament to that.

Today’s funding will open for applications on 2 August until 27 September. The competition scope and eligibility criteria are available to read on the competition web page now.

Prospective bids will be assessed against a range of criteria to see how likely they will deliver on real world demonstrations of clean maritime technology. This can include everything from creating alternative fuel sources for freight ships to pushing the limits of battery powered vessels.

A total of 105 projects across the UK have been awarded more than £95 million in the first 3 rounds of the CMDC to support the design and development of clean maritime solutions towards commercialisation.

One example of this is MJR Controls, which has been developing a charging system that can be installed on offshore wind turbines. This will power electric crew transfer boats and maintenance vessels operating in offshore wind farms, reducing carbon emissions.

Elsewhere, Collins River Enterprises has been awarded £6 million of funding to demonstrate a zero-emission electric river ferry from Canary Wharf to Rotherhithe in London. The ferry will provide a sustainable alternative to a polluting drive or busy tube and create a blueprint for sustainable ferry crossings across the UK and around the world.

UK Chamber of Shipping Chief Executive Sarah Treseder said:

Instilling confidence in the UK shipping industry to invest in new technologies and fuels is central to reaching net zero. This funding, with a focus on real world demonstrations, will help to do that and unlock investment from across the shipping community to deliver the technologies that will reduce emissions while ensuring shipping remains at the heart of the UK’s economy.

Through the development of both business and consumer focused tech, this competition is ensuring that UK maintains its status as a world leader across all facets of the maritime sector and builds on our Clean maritime plan and Maritime 2050 ambitions. This ongoing focus to foster green maritime technology will not only showcase the UK as a base for private investment but help boost the possibility of future jobs in the maritime sector, grow the economy and highlight how the UK sector is at the cutting edge.

The CMDC is funded by the UK Shipping Office for Reducing Emissions (UK SHORE) and delivered by Innovate UK. UK SHORE is a programme within the DfT focused on accelerating the technology necessary to decarbonise the domestic maritime sector and is delivering a suite of interventions aimed at addressing different barriers to maritime decarbonisation.