The Department for Transport (DfT) is tendering for the provision of development and support to its Transport Analysis Guidance (TAG) Appraisal & Modelling Tools. The scope also includes ad-hoc assistance with other tools and sub-models that aid the implementation of TAG. The contract, valued at £1.44m, will run from 1st May this year for 38 months, with a possible extension of up to one year. DfT anticipate the handover from the existing supplier Atkins to happen in April. The supplier will be responsible for maintaining and developing the DfT’s suite of software tools, including: TUBA (Transport Users Benefit Appraisal); TEMPro (Trip End Model Presentation Program); WITA (Wider Impacts in Transport Appraisal); DIADEM (Dynamic Integrated Assignment and Demand Modelling);... continue
Pedal & Post, one of the pioneers of green logistics, has ceased operations after 14 years. The Oxford-based firm – which had operated a fleet of e-cargo bikes, trikes and electric vans – stated online that the decision followed the loss of a major client earlier this year. Both its... continue
The major overhaul of the Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) system in England, just announced by the government, could bring an end to the escalating costs of school transport provision - but not for several years as the changes are finalised after consultation and then phased... continue
Southwark’s cabinet member responsible for streets, road safety, active travel... continue
London’s bus speeds are dropping and ridership is directly tied to bus journey times. Transport for London (TfL) has said (and the last issue of LTT reiterated this) that “for every 10% reduction in speed, there is a 6% drop in demand” for buses in London. These are undisputed... continue
Transport for the North (TfN) has called for further appraisal system changes to address what it argues is a failure to recognise factors that tilt investment away from its area. The calls come from the second phase of its Northern Appraisal Playbook, with a report that... continue
An updated Appraisal Guide just published by the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) includes a new methodology for valuing the health impacts of urban design, among other changes. There are a number of areas in which MHCLG appraisal practice has both parallels and... continue
There are potential significant cross-government transport applications of the new Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government appraisal guidelines that emphasise the importance of public health for decisions about development. Researchers from the Institute for Policy Research and... continue
The government is launching a consultation on what it calls ‘sensible geographies’ for the new sub-regional Spatial Development Strategies (SDSs) provided for in the English Devolution White Paper, published in December 2024, as part of its intention to reintroduce mandatory strategic... continue
Concerns that “top-down” national planning policy requirements are outstripping the capacity of local services were expressed by MPs in a Westminster Hall debate last week on the relationship between new housing developments and local transport infrastructure. Opened by Liberal Democrat... continue
Delivering the Government’s response to the debate Simon Lightwood , the Minister for Roads, said “aligning housing and transport is essential for delivering homes that are connected and sustainable and that provide genuine choices for people. To that end, we have prioritised making... continue
West of England Labour Metro Mayor Helen Godwin has said that introducing bus franchising in the region is not a priority, and bringing buses under public control would require a region-wide Council Tax precept to pay for it. She did not rule out franchising in the future, though made no mention of... continue
The Department for Transport (DfT) is seeking to appoint a group of experts to form a Bus Franchising Advisory Group. The project is budgeted at £1.2 million and prospective suppliers have been invited to apply by 5 March. The invitation says the purpose is to establish a pool of suppliers... continue
South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority (SYMCA) is tendering to run demand-responsive transport across Rotherham and Doncaster as part of a 12-month £800,000 DRT pilot project. The service is expected to launch in the Summer 2026 , operating in two zones targeting under-served areas in... continue
Plans for the delayed Sprint bus rapid transit system is finally set to get the green light after being approved by West Midlands Combined Authority’s (WMCA) Investment Board. Proposals to buy 24 tram-like, battery electric articulated buses as well as charging infrastructure will go to... continue
Highland Council is developing a model for the creation of Britain’s first new municipal bus company in modern times, using powers in 2019 Scottish legislation. The council has used Section 22 permits to operate public and schools bus services since January 2023. In February 2025 it acquired... continue
The first of more than 100 publicly owned electric double-deckers have arrived in the Liverpool City Region ahead of their introduction into passenger service with the new franchised network. Over the next few months more of the zero emission buses are set to be delivered by UK manufacturers... continue
The Government’s pledge that rail reform will improve national economic performance depends in large part on whether it improves mobility within big cities, states a new report by Centre for Cities. Great British Railways (GBR), which will be established under the Railways Bill, must support... continue
Labour’s campaigning for the Senedd election in May has been supported by Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer visiting South Wales to launch the party’s £14bn Vision for Rail across Wales and Borders. He did not announce any new funding. He agreed that the vision document, prepared by... continue
The physical distance between bus and rail services is being widened too often, Arriva UK Bus Director Martijn Gilbert has told the House of Commons Transport Committee inquiry on achieving and measuring integration of transport modes. His career has included managing bus and rail operations,... continue
Measuring all transport impacts would change decision making in the UK, the Transport Committee was told by Kate Carpenter, vice president of the Chartered Institution of Highways & Transportation. Currently “pretty much everything is dominated by journey times”, she said, arguing... continue
The abuse which transport planners suffer online and in other places from opponents of proposed changes is making scheme delivery difficult, Damien Jones, Chair of the Association of Transport Co-ordinating Officers has warned. At the session of the House of Commons Transport Committee, he gave the... continue
Prof Greg Marsden contrasted the development of mobility hubs in West Yorkshire, which has 2.4m people, and in Berlin, with 3.7m people, he told the committee. Berlin has over 300 mobility hubs built into new and old housing areas. “We are struggling with the business cases in West... continue
Separate ticketing systems for city regions and for journeys between cities are justifiable, provided they are clearly defined, a Centre for Cities analyst has told the House of Commons Transport Committee’s inquiry on transport integration. “There is a position for different apps... continue
Reorganisation of English local government could work against transport integration, Association of Transport Co-ordinating Officers chair Damien Jones told the committee. “If local government reorganisation is not thought through, you could be in a position where you break up integrated... continue
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