In his 20 June letter to the ORR, in connection with the applications, Richard Goodman of the DfT suggested there could be a conflict of interest where open access trains are operated by groups which are also contracted by the DfT to operate passenger services. “We are already seeing a number of applications that, if approved, would put an open access operator in direct competition with contracted services operated by the same owning group,” he wrote. “We are concerned that such applications risk poorer overall experience for passengers and further reduced value for taxpayers, and would potentially be contrary to ORR’s duty to consider the interests – and specifically value for money – for users and providers or railway services. “Applications for... continue
The Department for Transport and Ministry of Housing and Local Government have finally launched what they describe as “the first nationally agreed measure of connectivity covering the whole of England and Wales” for trial use by local transport and planning authorities. The Connectivity... continue
A new tool to support spatial development as a key element in local and... continue
The Transport Committee has launched a new inquiry into the Government’s proposals to update planning regulations that will be used to decide major developments at ports. The National Policy Statement for Ports (NPSP) covers the process for nationally significant projects which are decided by... continue
Local authorities should be given new powers to limit disruption and congestion caused by street works, the House of Commons Transport Committee has urged. Lack of coordination between utility companies, and the ‘emergency’ permitting system need to be addressed, the inquiry undertaken... continue
The DfT is reviewing bus Enhanced Partnerships after some local transport authorities (LTAs) encountered difficulties. In its 2021 national bus strategy for England, the DfT required all LTAs to create Enhanced Partnerships (EPs) unless they were planning to adopt bus franchising. This was a... continue
Local bus services in England have continued to decline... continue
Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander has written to prospective promoters of a new third runway at Heathrow airport inviting them to submit detailed proposals. Her letter reflects the expectation that the scheme will not necessarily be undertaken by the airport’s owners (LTT917). Surface... continue
Transport Action Network (TAN) has said it is dismayed at the Government “decision to fund a raft of poor value and expensive road schemes such as the A66 Northern Trans-Pennine, A46 Newark, M60 Simister Island, A38 Derby Junctions and 28 local roads.” Most of these are legacy schemes... continue
Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander has admitted not all schemes on the DfT’s preparation programme will be able to continue. Alexander criticised the previous government’s major road network programme, saying almost half of the projects in it were yet to reach the outline business case... continue
Over 50 road and rail upgrades are to go ahead having been included in an announcement of the Department for Transport’s detailed scheme programme given funding approval. The transport secretary said the list was of those projects to be backed by the £92. 8 billion allocated to the... continue
The English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill builds on The English Devolution White Paper, published last December, setting out what the government describes as “ the need for nothing less than a completely new way of governing – a generational project of determined... continue
A claimed £40bn investment spend in distribution and related facilities by Amazon in the UK over the next three years has been hailed by the Prime Minister as “a landmark vote of confidence in Britain” endorsing the government’s new Industrial Strategy. Amazon says the spend... continue
Spending by councils on home to school transport is increasing... continue
York and North Yorkshire Combined Authority (YNYCA) has become the newest Member of the Urban Transport Group (UTG), the UK’s network of transport authorities. YNYCA, the single body created by the City of York Council and North Yorkshire Council, was established in February 2024. It is led... continue
The Welsh “bridge to franchising” tendering... continue
The Department for Transport and Ministry of Housing and Local Government have finally launched what they describe as “the first nationally agreed measure of connectivity covering the whole of England and Wales” for trial use by local transport and planning authorities. The Connectivity... continue
Current funding and priorities preclude construction by 2035 of any Northern Ireland projects contained in the All-Island Strategic Rail Review, according to the DfI’s draft transport strategy. The existing railways require more funding to maintain safety, following under-investment. The... continue
Major changes to the shape of local transport responsibilities in England have been confirmed to be on the way with publication of the Government’s Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill. The legislation will establish a set of strategic authorities with significantly greater and more... continue
Inclusive public transport and good quality active travel infrastructure will help improve... continue
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