No safety driver required: DfT publishes guidance on AV pilot scheme with focus on first responders
The Department for Transport’s Centre for Connected and Autonomous Vehicles has announced that starting from spring this year companies will be able to apply to run commercial services using self-driving vehicles without a safety driver on roads in England, Scotland and Wales. This guidance is to help first responders (blue light services) to prepare for […]
Better Connected: DfT publishes its strategy for integrated transport
Tap-and-go travel across buses, trains, and trams will benefit more cities and towns across England after the Government announced more local powers for contactless travel in its national integrated transport strategy. Better Connected sets out a long-term framework for delivering a more joined up, accessible and user-focused transport system across England. Local leaders are being given the tools to replicate joined-up […]
LGA, CIHT and ITS UK respond to Better Connected local transport strategy
The Government has published ‘Better Connected’, its strategy on integrated transport, committing to eight priorities: simplifying payments and information; providing safe and dependable journeys; making travel accessible and affordable; creating healthier communities; aligning transport and development; championing data and technology; empowering local leaders; and optimising decision-making and appraisal. The strategy has a strong focus on […]
Roadchef accelerates long-term growth with £300m investment and five 75-year lease extensions
Roadchef has announced a new agreement with National Highways and the Department for Transport to secure the lease extension on five of its sites for a further 75 years. The sites where the leases have been extended are Clacket Lane Eastbound and Westbound, Northampton Northbound and Southbound, Sandbach Northbound and Southbound, Strensham Northbound and Watford […]
Romford residents demand TfL action over months-long delay to re-open Gallows Corner
Demands for action have been issued over the delay in reopening the Gallows Corner junction in Romford, prompting residents to call on Transport for London (TfL) to take ‘accountability’ for the nine-month delay in reopening the busy junction. The roundabout was initially closed in June 2025 and was expected to open in September. TfL now hope […]
System outage causes mass robotaxi malfunction in Wuhan
A mass robotaxi outage in the Chinese city of Wuhan caused at least a hundred self-driving cars to stop mid-traffic, sparking renewed debate around the safety of driverless vehicles, says the BBC. Local police said initial findings suggested a “system malfunction” caused multiple vehicles to stop in the middle of the road on Tuesday. Videos, external on […]
Ireland’s Transport Minister publishes Alternative Fuels for Transport Working Group 2025 Report
Ireland’s Minister for Transport, Darragh O’Brien, has published the 2025 Report of the inter-departmental Alternative Fuels for Transport Working Group. Transport decarbonisation requires improving alternative and zero emission technology to further reduce reliance on fossil fuels. This 2025 report sets out recommendations for further coordinated action on alternative fuels, which have potential to contribute to […]
Somerset: Surface dressing programme helps protect county’s roads
Somerset Council’s Highways team and contractor Kiely Bros are preparing to surface dress some roads as part of the spring/summer maintenance programme. Surface dressing is a nationally recognised maintenance technique for sealing a road, improving skid resistance, and preventing water getting under the surface. This is crucial to help stop potholes forming. It works by […]
Feras Alshaker named Office of Rail and Road’s Interim Chief Executive
After the announcement of the departure of its current Chief Executive, John Larkinson, later this month, Feras Alshaker, currently Director of Planning and Performance, has been appointed as Interim Chief Executive of the Office of Rail and Road with effect from Monday 27 April. In his current role, Feras has senior responsibility for Britain’s rail […]
York dedicates £16.5m for highways maintenance
York’s annual maintenance plan for our roads and streets has earmarked a 50% increase in investment in highways, pathways, lighting, drainage and more. This will see significantly more invested in York’s roads than in previous years and the wide-ranging plan commits to highway repair schemes in villages and suburbs as well as the city centre, […]