Tag: Department for Transport

The press release issued by the Department for Transport on 10 February 2025.

Ukrainian licence holders will be able to drive on Great Britain’s roads for up to 4.5 years from when they arrive in the UK.

Ukrainian nationals who have fled Russia’s illegal invasion will continue being able to drive, as the government extends rules to support them.

The Future of Roads Minister, Lilian Greenwood, has announced an 18-month extension for Ukrainian licence holders, allowing them to drive mopeds, motorcycles and cars – meaning these motorists will be able to drive on Great Britain’s roads for up to 4.5 years from arriving here in the UK.

In addition, certain Ukrainians on visa schemes will be exempt for a further 18 months from registering their vehicles or paying vehicle excise duty (VED) for their Ukrainian-registered vehicles in the UK. This reduces financial pressure and avoids unnecessary costs and complications.

Future of Roads Minister, Lilian Greenwood, said:

The government stands firmly with the people of Ukraine, and it’s important those in the UK who’ve fled Putin’s illegal invasion are able to get about with ease for work or education.

This may seem like a small thing, but I’m pleased our country is taking action to help make day-to-day life that little bit easier for those who have endured unimaginable hardship for 3 years now.

The UK and Ukraine have an unbreakable bond reflected through the recently announced 100 Year Partnership, which ensures closer communities are supported for generations to come.

These exemptions align with the launch of the Ukraine Permission Extension scheme, which enables certain Ukrainians to stay in the UK for a further 18 months from the end of their current permission. These measures will help avoid obstacles that may make it harder for Ukrainians to return home after the war to support reconstruction efforts.

The UK is steadfast in its commitment to supporting Ukraine, with £12.8 billion in humanitarian, economic and military support since the invasion started in February 2022. The Prime Minister committed £3 billion a year of military support for Ukraine for as long as it takes.

The press release issued by the Department for Transport on 7 February 2025.

Government is investing in vital schemes to improve journey times in Wiltshire, Leeds, Essex and Buckinghamshire.

Drivers across Wiltshire, Leeds, Essex and Buckinghamshire will see faster journeys thanks to £90 million of government funding to upgrade 4 major road schemes in England.

The schemes approved today are:

• A350 Chippenham Bypass phases 4 and 5 in Wiltshire
• A647 Dawsons Corner and Stanningley Bypass in Leeds
• South East Aylesbury Link Road (SEALR) in Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire
• A127/A130 Fairglen Interchange in Essex

Schemes are expected to significantly speed up journeys, boosting the local economy, as well as improving links between the east and the west. They will also save businesses and road users hundreds of hours off journeys every week and deliver the government’s Plan for Change to improve living standards across the country.

The A350 Chippenham Bypass, one of the most important routes connecting the South West with the Midlands and South East, is expected to see journey times reduced by up to a quarter, with 2 sections of the road to be dualled and improvements made to the roundabout.

Local residents will benefit from reduced traffic on more local routes as well as better road safety and better access to jobs in the area. Businesses are expected to save time and money, as goods can travel more freely with improved access to a key part of the UK’s road freight network.

A total of £90 million for the 4 schemes is being contributed by the government, expected to generate millions more to the UK economy. This is part of the government’s Plan for Change to renew infrastructure and raise living standards across the UK.

The government is determined to speed up the delivery of infrastructure across the UK, which includes improving the UK’s road network for economic growth. As well as faster journeys, drivers are also set to benefit from improved road surfaces, thanks to a recently announced record £1.6 billion investment to fill the equivalent of 7 million potholes and repair roads.

The Future of Roads Minister, Lilian Greenwood, said:

The UK’s roads are the backbone of a growing economy, which is why we’re giving these vital schemes the go ahead, helping deliver our Plan for Change.

Economic growth has been stunted for too long, so we’re giving the green light and investing in vital schemes to help people get from A to B more easily however they choose to travel.

The area around the A647 Dawsons Corner and Stanningley Bypass in Leeds has seen high traffic levels worsen over the years, impacting bus services in particular. The replacement of the roundabout and structural renewal of the bypass is expected to increase the number of bus passengers, speeding up traffic for all modes of road transport.

Upgrades to the SEALR scheme will reduce air pollution in the town centre, link up new developments in the area and create more walking and cycling options, with a new 1.2 kilometre 2-lane dual carriageway link road. This scheme is also essential in enabling further housing development, which could see up to 1,000 homes added to the local area.

Drivers in Essex will also see faster journeys, as well as improved safety on the A127/A130 Fairglen Interchange. The scheme will see enhancements to the interchange and surrounding roundabouts, serving thousands of drivers every day. Basildon and Southend town centres are expected to see growth and the scheme will also improve capacity for the route serving London Southend Airport.

A significant milestone for drivers in Essex, the Future of Roads Minister, Lilian Greenwood has visited the Fairglen Interchange in Essex to mark the approval of the scheme and learn how it will benefit the local economy.

Michelle Gardner, Deputy Director – Policy, Logistics UK, said:

80% of UK freight travels on roads at some point on its journey to the end user and an efficient road network is critical to enable business to drive growth across the whole economy.

Congestion makes journey planning highly unpredictable which increases business costs through factors such as missed deliveries, unnecessary overtime, increased fuel consumption and inefficient fleet utilisation.

The schemes given the go-ahead today show how even smaller-scale strategic upgrades can have a dramatic impact across the whole network. Upgrading the national infrastructure in this way makes supply chains more resilient and enables logistics providers to ensure that the right goods are in the right place at the right time – whether that is a factory, office, hospital or doorstep.

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

Trams will run from Wednesbury to Brierley Hill, providing faster and more reliable transport connections to centre of Birmingham and wider West Midlands.

The Transport Secretary, Heidi Alexander is in the West Midlands today (6 February 2025) to put spades in the ground on the extension of the West Midlands Metro tram network in the Black Country.

Funded through the government’s £1.05 billion City Region Sustainable Transport Settlement (CRSTS) for the West Midlands, the project will see drastically improved connections for currently underserved communities.

For the first time, this investment will mean trams will run from Wednesbury to Brierley Hill, providing faster and more reliable transport connections between Dudley and Brierley Hill to the city centre and wider West Midlands and so to jobs and opportunities.

Providing first time light rail connection for many local residents, passengers will benefit from journey time savings of up to 30% compared to taking the bus and with greater reliability at peak times.

The first phase of the extension, running from Wednesbury to Dudley town centre, is already well underway and due to open to passengers in autumn of this year.

Poor local transport stifles local productivity, particularly in smaller towns and rural areas where so many rely on local buses, trains and trams. That’s why boosting local transport infrastructure is central to the government’s Growth Mission, as is empowering local leaders to deliver better transport for their communities through the Devolution White Paper. This is helping support jobs, boost local business and deliver growth in all 4 corners of the UK as part of the government’s Plan for Change.

Transport Secretary, Heidi Alexander, said:

Residents in and around the Black Country have been chronically underserved by public transport, limiting access to jobs and opportunities and stunting economic growth.

We’re turning the tide on poor transport connections in the West Midlands and delivering a transport system that people can rely on, raising living standards across the region.

The extension of the West Midlands Metro will be transformational and I am delighted to officially mark the start of work today as this government gets on with supporting local jobs and business while empowering local leaders to deliver our Plan for Change.

Once complete, the extension will provide a major boost to local businesses as the extension is set to pass through Cinder Bank, Pedmore Road and the Waterfront business park.

The Transport Secretary is meeting with West Midlands Mayor Richard Parker and being given a tour of Parkhead Viaduct in Dudley – an iconic 19 century Brunel structure which will come back into use as part of the Metro route.

Richard Parker, the Mayor of the West Midlands, said:

Good transport links are essential – helping people get to school, work, local shops and to enjoy a day out. Extending the metro further into the Black Country opens up routes for job opportunities, skills and growth, ensuring fast, reliable journeys for everyone across the West Midlands.

Now that I have secured the funding from government and we’ve got the approvals needed, the work can start to make this long-awaited project a reality. The restoration of this viaduct shows how we can protect our region’s industrial heritage while developing modern infrastructure.

With the first phase nearly complete, the Metro is already creating jobs, supporting local businesses, and attracting investment to the area, and soon it will take those same opportunities into Dudley and Merry Hill.

The press release issued by the Department for Transport on 16 January 2025.

Funding will boost growth and create jobs throughout the UK, as well as move towards an era of zero-emission shipping.

Coastal communities and businesses across the country will benefit from £30 million of new decarbonisation funding, helping to drive economic growth and create jobs – delivering on the government’s Plan for Change.

The funding comes from the latest round of the Clean Maritime Demonstration Competition (CMDC6), launched today (16 January 2025). CMDC is designed to support clean maritime technologies including electric, hydrogen, ammonia, methanol, wind power and more.

Previous rounds of the competition have seen funding delivered to over 300 organisations, bringing in more than £100 million of private investment across the UK.

Successful projects have included the installation of Britain’s first electric chargepoint network across ports in the South West, the largest ever retrofit of a hydrogen research vessel in Wales and the installation of a state-of-the-art carbon capture system on a vessel.

Maritime Minister, Mike Kane, said:

This new £30 million investment is part of our Plan for Change – growing the economy and making Britain a clean energy superpower.

I’m proud to see this funding boost growth and create jobs throughout the UK, as well as ushering in an era of zero-emission shipping.

Yesterday the Maritime Minister visited Hull to see how the city has benefited from £3.7 million of CMDC funding through one of the programme’s flagship projects, GT Wings’ AirWing™. The innovative wind propulsion system has been built and delivered locally at Alexandra Dock and will reduce emissions on vessels by up to 30%.

The first AirWing is being assembled at the MMS Docks in Hull and will be installed on a Carisbrooke Shipping vessel, with sea trials scheduled for March 2025.

This groundbreaking project is creating opportunities for skilled workers and bringing economic activity to the region, positioning Hull as a hub for maritime innovation.

Innovate UK will open the sixth round of the CMDC on 24 January. The application window will close on 16 April 2025.

Mike Biddle, executive director, Net Zero at Innovate UK, said:

Innovate UK is delighted to partner once again with the Department for Transport to deliver the latest instalment of the Clean Maritime Demonstration Competition.

CMDC round 6 is a great opportunity for UK innovators to take part in a world-renowned maritime transport R&D grant funding programme. The competition focuses on the ever-more prevalent issue of decarbonisation within the industry and we’re looking forward to seeing participation from across the maritime transport sector and beyond, focusing on physical, digital, system and skills-based innovation.

George Thompson, CEO of GT Wings, said:

We’re extremely excited about the imminent launch of AirWing, our next-generation, compact wind propulsion technology designed to help even the most challenging ocean-going vessels decarbonise by harnessing wind power.

This progressive step has been made possible thanks to the support of the Clean Maritime Demonstration Competition, which recognised the transformative potential of this innovation and GT Wings’ ability to scale it for market impact.

With the UK leading the way in modern wind propulsion, it’s an exciting time to be driving fresh innovation in this space.

Captain Simon Merritt, senior fleet manager at Carisbrooke Shipping Ltd, said:

We look forward to the first AirWing being installed on our cargo ship this month, significantly reducing fuel consumption and emissions.

This project has been accelerated with funding from Department for Transport and Innovate UK under CMDC Round 4. It demonstrates the power of collaboration between leading British companies, turning innovative ideas into real solutions to decarbonise the maritime industry while creating job opportunities in the UK.

The sixth round of funding brings the total invested through the CMDC to £159 million, accelerating the vast economic benefits that green maritime funding has on local jobs, industries and economies.

CMDC funding comes from the £236 million UK Shipping Office for Reducing Emissions (UK SHORE) programme, which is focused on decarbonising the UK maritime sector through research and development. Innovate UK is the delivery partner for CMDC and will manage the distribution of funds to successful applicants.

The press release issued by the Department for Transport on 15 January 2025.

Government pledges funding to fix up to 7 million potholes across the country this year.

Future of Roads Minister, Lilian Greenwood, is marking National Pothole Day (15 January 2025), with a visit to the JCB Factory outside Derby, to see cutting-edge technology helping councils tackle potholes.

Derbyshire, highlighted by the RAC as the worst area in England for potholes, is set to benefit from a share of the government’s record £1.6 billion investment to resurface across England.

This includes an additional £20 million for the East Midlands County Combined Authority, which includes Derbyshire, as part of a £1.6 billion funding for highway maintenance that will enable councils to fix up to 7 million more potholes.

At the J.C. Bamford Excavators Limited (JCB) power systems factory, the Roads Minister will speak to engineers to learn about the latest innovations being used to tackle the pothole plague. She will operate JCB’s ‘pothole pro’, a machine that can fix a pothole in 8 minutes, with a cost of around £30. The ‘pothole pro’ is currently used by 20 local authorities.

The minister will also meet with local leaders to discuss their plans for filling potholes to deliver safer, quicker and less costly journeys for all road users in Derbyshire. This is part of the government’s plans to work more closely with local authorities to ensure they have the powers to spend it where their communities need it most.

As part of its Plan for Change, the government is committed to delivering safer, smoother journeys – reducing delays, saving drivers money and going above and beyond its manifesto pledge.

Future of Roads Minister, Lilian Greenwood, said:

Potholes are a clear sign of decline in our infrastructure and for too long roads like those in Derbyshire have been left in a state that endangers and costs road users.

It’s time for change and we are investing £1.6 billion to fix up to 7 million more potholes across England this year, including over £75 million for the East Midlands Combined Authority.

JCB’s ‘pothole pro’ is one of the many great examples of using new technology to repair potholes faster and demonstrates how companies are harnessing new technology to repair potholes faster.

We’ll continue to engage with local leaders and industry to ensure innovations are being used to deliver roads the country deserves.

Ben Rawding, general manager, municipalities at JCB, said:

 We are looking forward to introducing the minister to the benefits that innovation and technology can deliver in tackling the plague of potholes in our country.

Last month’s announcement by the Department of Transport of £1.6 billion of funding for road repairs in England during 2025 is very welcome. Our appeal to the Minister will be for this funding to be spent wisely to ensure permanent long-term repairs become the priority for local authorities making best use of value-adding, productive technology such as the JCB pothole pro.

RAC senior policy officer, Rod Dennis, said:

There’s no motoring-related issue drivers are more concerned about than the state of their local roads – where almost everyone’s journeys begin and end.

Going beyond merely patching potholes is the name of the game, and using the latest technology to perform permanent repairs is a much better use of public money. To stop our roads falling apart in the first place, we support councils surface dressing them at regular intervals and resurfacing those that are beyond reasonable repair.

We’d also strongly encourage drivers to report potholes they’re aware of to their local authority, via GOV.UK, the RAC website or using the Stan app.

The government’s latest road maintenance funding builds on the wider support it’s giving to councils to deliver core services and serve their communities. £69 billion of funding will be injected into council budgets across England to help them drive forward the government’s Plan for Change through investment and reform and to fix the foundations of local government.

The press release issued by the Department for Transport on 10 January 2025.

Discounted rail ticket prices will apply to journeys made between 17 January and 31 March 2025 across Great Britain.

Next week, passengers will be able to get their hands on millions of train tickets at half the price as part of the government’s annual rail sale.

From 14 to 20 January 2025, selected advance and off-peak fares will go on sale at up to 50% off for travel between 17 January and 31 March 2025.

As part of this year’s rail sale, thousands of popular routes across almost all UK train operators, including Transport for Wales and ScotRail, will be offering discounted tickets with journeys spreading the length and breadth of Great Britain.

Passengers in Liverpool could visit London for as little as £7, a journey from Preston to Edinburgh could be as cheap as £8.40 and a ticket from Nottingham to Manchester could cost less than a tenner.

These offers will not last long and there are only a limited number of tickets, so passengers are being encouraged to snap up these deals quickly if they want to save more on their train fares.

Following the success of last year’s sale – which saved passengers around £5.8 million in total – the government tasked the rail industry to deliver an even bigger sale to offer cheaper tickets for passengers and encourage more people to travel by train.

Whether it is connecting with family, friends and loved ones or getting out to explore more of Great Britain, passengers can find thousands of journeys at up to half price.

The railways play a vital role in connecting people and businesses across the UK, providing opportunities through essential links to jobs and education. Getting more people moving on our rail network is a key part of the government’s mission to build strong foundations through fuelling economic growth.

The sale delivers on the government’s commitment to put passengers at the heart of rail services and to raise living standards as part of the Plan for Change so working people have more money in their pockets.

Secretary of State, Heidi Alexander, said:

I’m launching the biggest ever rail sale so more passengers can get big discounts on train tickets to visit destinations across the country.

Whether you’re planning a getaway or wanting to visit friends or family, this sale offers huge reductions on all sorts of journeys.

Make the most of this sale, get your tickets while you can!

This year’s rail sale returns after more than 600,000 tickets were sold in last year’s sale, worth £5.1 million in ticket sales for the industry and resulted in an extra 440,000 journeys taken by train.

This comes on the 200th anniversary of the first steam-powered passenger train with celebrations expected throughout the year as part of Railway 200. This will honour Britain’s heritage as the birthplace of the modern railway and recognise the role rail continues to play in forming critical infrastructure and boosting local economies throughout the country.

Jacqueline Starr, Chief Executive of Rail Delivery Group, said:

This year, as we celebrate 200 years of railways in the UK, we’re reminded that rail travel is about much more than simply getting from A to B – it’s about bringing people, communities and opportunities together.

Over 2 centuries, rail has become a vital part of the UK, shaping the economy and lives of millions.

The year’s rail sale will offer over 2 million discounted advance fares starting on 14 January 2025, which is a great way to save on your travel and celebrate 200 years of railway connections.

Rail remains one of the quickest and greenest ways to travel, with the government committed to getting more people onto the railways, cutting carbon emissions and freeing up vital space on our roads for emergency services and freight.

To encourage more people onto the railways, the government is undertaking the biggest overhaul of our railways in a generation through the creation of Great British Railways, which will bring track and train together under one directing mind with a relentless focus on improving services for passengers and customers.

As part of this, the Public Ownership Bill recently became legislation, delivering on a manifesto commitment and allowing the government to get on with improving services by clamping down on unacceptable levels of delays, cancellations and waste under decades of failing franchise contracts.

It will save up to £150 million a year in fees alone by ensuring every penny is spent on services rather than private shareholders, all while coming at no additional cost to the taxpayer.

Example fares during the rail sale

Journey	Sale price	Full price
St Pancras to Whitstable	£7.20	£11.30
Ashford to Ramsgate	£2.60	£5.20
Leeds to Manchester Airport	£5.90	£11.90
Newcastle to Carlisle	£6.00	£12.00
Liverpool to London Euston	£7.00	£14.00
Nottingham to Manchester	£9.20	£18.50
Leeds to Sheffield	£3.60	£7.20
London to Edinburgh	£26.15	£62.50
Aberdeen to Edinburgh*	£14.50	£29.00
Glasgow to Inverness*	£14.10	£28.10
Preston to Edinburgh	£8.40	£16.80
London to Newcastle	£23.60	£52.10

*Journeys on ScotRail

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

The Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) Mandate will support thousands of skilled jobs, deliver economic growth and help make the UK a clean energy superpower.

Flights are set to be greener as the UK’s ambitious Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) Mandate officially comes into force today (1 January 2025).

SAF is made from sustainable sources, such as materials like household waste or used cooking oil and produces an average of 70% less carbon emissions than traditional fossil-based aviation fuel.

By law, this type of fuel must now make up at least 2% of all jet fuel in flights taking off from the UK from 2025, growing year-on-year to 10% by 2030 and 22% by 2040.

These ambitious but achievable targets should see around 1.2 million tonnes of  SAF supplied to the UK airline industry each year by 2030 – enough to circle the globe 3,000 times.

Being one of the first countries in the world to sign the mandate into law, the UK is at the forefront of decarbonising air travel and is helping to kickstart the government’s Plan for Change.

Together with the other actions we are taking to grow a UK SAF industry, it will support thousands of skilled jobs in every part of the country, deliver economic growth and help make the UK a clean energy superpower.

Minister for Aviation, Mike Kane, said:

From this moment on, aviation will be a greener, more sustainable form of travel and today marks a significant milestone for the UK SAF industry.

With thousands of jobs supporting the UK SAF industry and flying becoming popular than ever, the mandate will help deliver our Plan for Change helping to grow the economy and giving people the freedom to travel in a more sustainable way.

Tim Alderslade, CEO of Airlines UK, said:

UK airlines support the SAF Mandate as both a powerful and practical tool for driving down aviation carbon emissions and a clear signal that the industry is fully committed to a net zero future.

Our priority is ensuring airlines have access to the increasing volumes of SAF required to meet the mandate as global demand soars, at the most competitive price possible for consumers.

The UK mandate is ambitious and scaling SAF production will mean further work to expand eligible feedstocks, incentives to help cut costs and, critically, ensuring the design of the revenue certainty mechanism enables the UK to increase production of advanced fuels this decade whilst keeping costs as low as possible, critical for achieving mandate compliance and avoiding supplier buy-out.

Karen Dee, Chief Executive of AirportsUK, the trade body for UK airports, said:

The SAF Mandate is an important step towards decarbonising air travel and we are pleased the government has continued the work of its predecessor to implement it.

Aviation knows it must reduce carbon emissions and the mandate is something that it has long called for to help establish production of cleaner fuels. We will continue to work with all parties to ensure there is homegrown supply and that the UK benefits from this new industry through jobs and investment.

Duncan McCourt, Chief Executive of Sustainable Aviation, said:

Sustainable Aviation welcomes the introduction of this mandate, which will drive the demand needed to help deliver SAF at scale.

SAF is a critical component in the industry’s plan to reach net zero, representing almost 40% of the carbon reduction that will make net zero a reality in 2050.

Alongside the mandate, we also need a well-designed revenue certainty mechanism to help accelerate domestic SAF production and support compliance with the mandate, by kickstarting UK SAF production in earnest this decade. We look forward to the upcoming consultation and to the mechanism being delivered into law as soon as possible.

The start of the SAF Mandate is only one milestone on the UK’s path towards decarbonising aviation and comes following the first meeting of the Jet Zero Taskforce – a new and refreshed group charting a clear path toward cleaner aviation.

The government has also confirmed it will introduce a revenue certainty mechanism for SAF producers to attract investment in new plants in the UK.

Working alongside the mandate, it will help to reduce risk, give investors the confidence they need to invest in UK SAF plants and encourage the supply of  SAF for the UK aviation sector.

A further consultation on the revenue certainty mechanism will be launched early this year.

The press release issued by the Department for Transport on 17 December 2024.

The Bus Services Bill will overhaul how bus services operate, delivering on our commitment to improve living standards across the country.

New legislation to improve buses and boost local control of services moved a step closer today (17 December 2024), as the Bus Services Bill was introduced in the House of Lords.

The bill will put buses back at the heart of communities, enhance connections to work and vital appointments to improve living standards and follows the government’s £1 billion investment to increase reliability and cap single bus fares at £3.

The plans will lift the ban on local authorities establishing their own bus companies, making it easier for them to control services and shape routes to work better for local people. The bill will also empower local authorities to work alongside private operators to improve bus services if they choose to not pursue full ownership.

It follows the announcement made earlier this week of new powers for local leaders to similarly be able to better shape rail services to better meet the needs of their communities.

Additionally, the bill ensures that lifeline bus services cannot be removed or changed without councils reviewing their ability to serve communities, especially those in rural or deprived areas.

Transport Secretary, Heidi Alexander, said:

It is high time we recognise that local leaders need to be able to make decisions about their buses.

The introduction of the Bus Services Bill marks the next step on our journey to overhaul how bus services operate, delivering on our commitment to improve living standards across the country.

This is on top of over £1 billion to help improve bus service reliability and frequency – better connecting communities across the country to job opportunities and public services.

The bill will also improve safety for both passengers and staff by mandating that drivers undertake training to identify and respond to threats of violence against women and girls and anti-social behaviour on buses and at bus stops.

The new powers will mean local transport authorities will be able to emulate the success of places like Manchester where public control has massively improved reliability and patronage. Manchester’s Bee Network has seen passenger numbers grow by 5% and service reliability improve since public control began a year ago.

To mark the introduction of the bill, the Local Transport Minister, Simon Lightwood, visited Reading today to discuss how the new powers will enable local authorities to implement their own improvements.

Today, the government has also responded to its consultation on guidance for local leaders seeking public control of bus services. Following positive feedback, new guidance has been published to support local authorities in streamlining the franchising process.

In an ongoing drive to improve buses, the government allocated £955 million in bus funding last month. This follows an intervention to cap single bus fares at £3, keeping travel affordable, with savings of up to 80% on some routes.

Improving local transport is an essential part of the government’s mission to rebuild Britain and grow our economy and this government is committed to building infrastructure which will drive growth and opportunity and improve living standards.

Regional Mayors, including Andy Burnham and Tracy Brabin, have pledged to use government support to maintain their local fare caps at below £3.

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

Buses are the backbone of our public transport system. The introduction of the Bus Services Bill, and its intention to hand more powers to local areas, will herald a smoother ride for the bus.

The bill will help ensure the bus plays an active role in supporting and growing our local economies and connecting our communities.

Anthea Sully, Chief Executive, White Ribbon UK, said:

It’s vital that women and girls’ freedom of movement also equates to being safe while travelling.

The bus network and drivers play an important role in ensuring the safety of women and girls by being allies, which is reflected in the mandatory training that would be introduced in this Bill relating to knowing how to identify and respond to threats of gender-based violence.

This will help to change harmful attitudes and behaviours. We all have a part to play to ensure all women and girls can live free without the fear of violence.

Robert Williams, Reading Buses Chief Executive Officer, said:

Local ownership, local management and consistent coordinated thinking has allowed us to focus on planning and delivering the best possible network.

As our owner, the local authority can guarantee the maximum return on any investment in making bus services even more attractive.

The press release issued by the Department for Transport on 17 December 2024.

Leadership will commence under new CEO as we work to deliver the HS2 line cost-effectively for passengers and taxpayers.

The Chair of HS2 Ltd, Sir Jon Thompson, has announced he will step down from his position in spring after almost 4 years on the Board.

Sir Jon joined the Board of HS2 Ltd as a Non-Executive Director in April 2021 and subsequently was appointed Chair of Britain’s largest rail project. Recently, as Executive Chair, he also provided continuity at a pivotal time for the project while the new Chief Executive Mark Wild was recruited.

During Sir Jon’s tenure, he has guided HS2 Ltd and its supply chain – a workforce of currently over 30,000 – to construct the infrastructure that will carry the high-speed track.

The recruitment of a new Chair will commence shortly to identify a successor who will lead HS2 Ltd through the next phase of the HS2 project.

Sir Jon’s successor will work with Mark Wild, one of the most respected figures in the infrastructure industry, who joined the organisation at the start of the month as CEO to oversee the completion of the high-speed railway.

Transport Secretary, Heidi Alexander, said:

I want to thank Sir Jon for his work over nearly 4 years to progress Britain’s largest rail project.

He has provided strong leadership during challenging times for the project, and we are grateful for his service.

The coming months will see fresh leadership commence under new CEO Mark Wild, as we work to grip budgets and deliver the line cost-effectively for passengers and taxpayers.

Today’s announcement comes after the government gave the project much-needed certainty by confirming HS2 will be delivered between Birmingham and Euston while pledging to grip budgets and bring the project back on track to deliver it cost-effectively for passengers and taxpayers.

The press release issued by the Department for Transport on 28 November 2024.

The Integrated National Transport Strategy will set out a ‘people first approach’ to getting people around the country.

Transport Secretary, Louise Haigh, has today (28 November 2024) set out her vision for more joined up and locally-led transport across England in a speech to Mayors and transport bosses.

Speaking at Leeds Civic Hall, she outlined her vision for a new Integrated National Transport Strategy, the first in a quarter of a century – which will set out a ‘people first approach’ to getting people around the country. Recognising that different passengers have different needs, and the quality of transport varies across the country, it will set out how government can support local areas to make all forms of transport work together better.

The strategy will set out a clear vision for how transport across England can evolve over the next 10 years so that more places offer better, more seamless journeys door-to-door – like those facilitated by the successful Bee Network in Greater Manchester and Transport for London. The Bee Network brings together bus, metro and active travel under one name, meaning transport works together better for people.

The Transport Secretary has looked to Dijon for inspiration, having visited it earlier this year to see how a city roughly the size of York, or Chester, is running buses every five minutes in rush hour, the tram every three and has a dial-a-ride service to the outlying villages. Dijon has also created a single app that brings together every mode of transport – from bus to tram, car hire to bike hire, planning journeys to paying for parking.

The department is also reforming its appraisal system, so that projects deliver good value for money as well as the right outcomes – such as more jobs, improved access to education and healthier communities. These reforms include giving sufficient weight to transport projects that enhance access to jobs, boost productivity, and help businesses grow, particularly in less affluent areas.

To support this, an internal panel of experts are also reviewing the department’s capital spend portfolio, to drive better economic outcomes in our transport system.

The Transport Secretary said:

Integrated transport in this country is lagging behind our European counterparts, and for too long our fragmented transport networks have stunted economic growth and made it harder for people to get around.

Today, I’m launching a new national vision of transport that seamlessly joins all modes of transport together, and puts people at the heart of our transport system.

I want everyone to be able to contribute to this vision and have launched a call for ideas on how the strategy can best deliver greater opportunity, healthier communities and better lives.

Regional roadshows will be hosted around the country to hear more from local leaders, transport operators and passenger bodies, as well as taking feedback from the public, to hear how to best deliver integrated transport.

Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire said:

A better integrated public transport system is vital to growing our economy.

In West Yorkshire, I have big plans for a world-leading mass transit system that will be fully integrated with railways and a publicly controlled bus network, helping people to access new jobs and opportunities across the region.

The Secretary of State’s new Integrated National Transport Strategy will support me and other mayors to deliver on our ambition for better-connected and faster growing regions.

The Transport Secretary also emphasised the importance of using data in rural areas, where driving is a more practical choice, to manage traffic flows and help drivers easily find, and pay for, parking spaces. She also outlined her intention to promote cycling and walking as the best choice for shorter journeys, and prioritise pavement repairs, safe crossing and cycle infrastructure where they are needed most.

It is hoped that joining up all forms of transport will particularly benefit people in those areas that haven’t seen the links they need to get to jobs and services, thereby enhancing opportunities and driving national economic growth.

To oversee this new vision, the department will be recruiting a new Integrated Transport Commissioner to help deliver real change.