DfT to research how best to digitise kerbside management
The Department for Transport (DfT) is planning to look into the possibilities of increasing the use of digital technology and data in managing kerbsides on public roads. As a result of this, it has revealed plans now for a two-month discovery project, aimed at better understanding user needs, with a market notice for support from the private […]
Government halts smart motorway roll-out
The rollout of new smart motorway schemes will be paused until a full five years’ worth of safety data is available, as the Department for Transport invests £900 million to improve safety on existing All Lane Running motorways. In line with the Transport Committee’s most recent recommendations, the rollout of new ALR smart motorways will […]
Latest DfT transport statistics reflect pandemic lockdowns
Over 580 passenger kilometres were travelled in Great Britain in 2020, a fall of 33% from 2019 after long-term growth since 1960. This meant people made 739 trips on average across private and public transport in 2020 in England, down 22% from 2019 also. The figures form part of the latest transport statistics from the […]
TfL financial crisis “could lead to tube line closing”
Transport for London is considering shutting down an entire tube line to try to balance its books, as its battle with central Government over financing continues. London’s financial paper City AM reports TfL’s chief financial officer Simon Kilonback told the operator’s finance committee that TfL could see the “full closure of a line or part […]
Government strengthens hand held mobile law
The Government is strengthening existing laws making it illegal to use a hand-held mobile phone while driving under virtually any circumstance. It says this follows a public consultation which found that 81% of people supported such a move. The Highway code is being changed making it clear that hand-held phone use at traffic lights or […]
Major government review says highways authorities have coped well with extreme weather events but sector must ‘co-design’ better ways to support communities
A major government review has found ‘clear evidence’ of authorities within the highways sectorthat have coped well under the intense and sustained pressures placed on them by a variety of extreme-weather hazards over recent years. But despite this, the sector must ‘co-design’ better ways to support communities over coming decades, according to one expert, who […]
Government consults on Road Collision Investigation Branch idea
A new investigation branch dedicated to learning lessons from road traffic collisions, including those involving self-driving vehicles, could be established under plans being unveiled by the Government. The Department for Transport has launched a consultation on proposals to set up a Road Collision Investigation Branch (RCIB), which would operate much like the similar independent bodies […]
Two National Highways planning decisions delayed
The Transport Minister Andrew Stephenson has confirmed that development consent orders around two improvements to National Highways’ road network have been given revised deadlines. The schemes relate to the applications for the M25 junction 10 / A3 Wisley Interchange and M54 to M6 link road. He writes: I have been asked by my Right Honourable […]
New M1-A6 link road to be built in Central Bedfordshire
A new strategic road will be built to bypass the town of Luton, running from the A6 to junction 11a of the M1, connecting with the recently finished A5 to M1 Link road. Central Bedfordshire Council says the new link will be 2.75 miles long with a dual carriageway to a new planned rail freight […]
Tech companies in £2m competition to “revolutionise transport”
Entrepreneurs and innovators pioneering new ways of creating a better transport system are in line to get taxpayer funding to “see their ideas brought to life from idea through to inception”. Transport Minister Trudy Harrison has announced up to 53 projects will be awarded a share of £1.95million in Department for Transport funding. Past winners […]