Latest news with #DepartmentforTransport
Times
a day ago
- Business
- Times
Ministers turning clock back to bad old days of British Rail
Bit by bit, Britain's rail network is falling back into public ownership. As the contracts of train operating companies expire, their operations are coming under the control of an interim Department for Transport (DfT) entity that will make way for Great British Railways some time in late 2026. All passenger operator contracts are expected to have been rolled into GBR from October 2027. From then on Britain will be served by a nationalised railway not dissimilar to British Rail, that specialist in shabby, second-class service that so epitomised shabby, postwar Britain. Only private freight operations will survive this return to locomotive socialism, together with rolling stock leasing firms and nimble 'open-access' private passenger companies operating on only a few routes with no subsidy in the gaps between GBR services. Everyone outside the Labour government can see what is coming down the line: a gigantic state monopoly run by civil servants (hundreds of DfT officials are being transferred to help run it) and those well-known champions of innovation and customer choice, the RMT and Aslef. As a report warns, the 'ghost of British Rail' is risen. Tony Lodge, a specialist in the rail industry at the Centre for Policy Studies think tank, is not alone in believing that it doesn't have to be this way. In his report, 'Rail's Last Chance', Mr Lodge describes GBR as a solution in search of a problem. He is right: while the privatisation of national infrastructure in the Thatcher-Major era produced winners (telecoms) and, ultimately, losers (water), the experience of the rail industry was more mixed. Before the pandemic rail privatisation was largely a success. Between 1998 and 2015 the number of passenger journeys more than doubled, outstripping state railways in France and Germany. New trains and services were introduced; passenger satisfaction was the highest in Europe. True, fares increased, and private operators sometimes overreached themselves with excessive franchise bids. But that record in no way makes the case for raising British Rail from the grave. It was not privatisation that resulted in the recent drop in rail income but Covid. The pandemic permanently altered the rail landscape. Working from home meant many fewer commutes and lucrative peak-time season tickets. Raw passenger numbers are almost at pre-pandemic levels but the tickets being bought are cheaper, off-peak ones: receipts are down £1.4 billion. Shipping fresh air around the country, as Rishi Sunak described operations during lockdown, killed the franchise model. Faced with rescuing insolvent passenger companies, the Tories chose consolidation under GBR, but with private firms running services on fixed contracts to foster innovation. In his report Mr Lodge pleads with the government not to throw the good out with the bad. The network is costing the taxpayer £12 billion a year while delivering only 2 per cent of passenger journeys. If this huge burden on the public finances is to be reduced ministers must, he says, prioritise customer and income growth. That means allowing more and more open-access operators to compete on price and service, making ticketing more user friendly with apps and points systems, monetising the network's vast land bank and making the Office of Rail and Road into a muscular regulator. His is a hybrid system marrying a unified network with competition. Everyone knows it's the best way forward. Except the unions and government.
Daily Mirror
4 days ago
- Automotive
- Daily Mirror
Blue Badge holders will soon be able to park in new location after rule change
The Department for Transport has issued an update on the use of Blue Badges in Europe, meaning UK drivers with a disability can use their parking permits abroad Blue Badge holders might soon be able to use their permits abroad, thanks to a proposed overhaul by the Labour Party government. The Department for Transport has refreshed its guidance just in time for the peak of the summer holiday rush this week. The latest word from Labour gives the green light for UK drivers with disability parking permits to be welcomed in over 25 European nations. This could spell good news for approximately 2.8 million Blue Badge holders planning a jaunt overseas. Countries rolling out the scheme for Brits include Austria, Belgium, Croatia, Cyprus, Germany, Hungary, Ireland, Malta, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, and Sweden, all giving the thumbs up to the badges. Switzerland is also on board, though it asks visitors to pair the badge with a parking clock when they park up. Denmark is happy to accept British Blue Badges but insists on the use of a parking disc, while Greece, Iceland, Luxembourg, and Romania are open to parking cards from outside the EU as well, although France may turn up its nose at non-EU permits, reports Birmingham Live. The DfT advised: "We recommend that you carry any supporting documentation that may be required, such as a doctor's note or a translation of your Blue Badge, especially when travelling to countries with stricter parking rules." When it comes to Spain, UK Blue Badge recognition is a local affair, says the DfT. Those with disabilities have the opportunity to snag, renew, or hold special driving licences based on necessary adaptations, restrictions, or other conditions related to individuals, vehicles, or traffic situations. Drivers from other nations, navigating Spanish roads, must adhere to the stipulations outlined in their driving licences, Spain asserts. The statement said: "Wheelchair users, People with walking difficulty, People with vision impairment, People with mental health issues, learning disabilities. "The parking card is granted to people for which an impossibility to perform by themselves a number of basic vital tasks has been certified. Please note that parking cards might be granted to people with no driver license." Parking concessions differ in each country, the DfT notes, with information accessible via parking card for people with disabilities in the European Union, and the FIA guide for the disabled traveller: using parking permits, cards and placards in the EU and EEA. Once official, this will make it easier for people with or without visible disabilities to park in places close to where they are, without having to worry about finding suitable parking.
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Automotive
- Yahoo
EV drivers issued 'fantastic' update from Labour as major rollout begins
Over the past year, the UK has seen a significant boost in its electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure, with 17,370 new public chargepoints installed nationwide. According to figures released today by the Department for Transport, this marks a 27% increase in the total number of chargepoints since July 2024, reflecting a major step forward in supporting the country's transition to electric mobility. This rapid expansion has enhanced accessibility to EV charging facilities across the country, making it easier for drivers to find convenient locations to recharge. READ MORE: Drivers on three prescription medications issued warning over DVLA rule READ MORE: DVLA issues warning for drivers who have 'a personalised registration' READ MORE Millions of UK households urged to sell their homes before 2029 Regional growth has been especially strong in the North East, East of England, and West Midlands, helping to reassure motorists that reliable charging options are increasingly available wherever they travel. Labour Party Future of Roads Minister Lilian Greenwood made the announcement, revealing that Britain's charging infrastructure is expanding at a rate of one new chargepoint every thirty minutes. She said: "Just last week we announced record discounts to help make EV ownership a reality for thousands more people, alongside making it easier to charge at home so more drivers can run their EV for as little as 2p a mile that's London to Birmingham for £2.50. "Today's chargepoint figures show that alongside lowering upfront costs, we're also making fantastic progress towards expanding our charging network across the UK. "With a new chargepoint added to the network every half an hour, we're helping put range anxiety firmly in the rear-view mirror." Ben Nelmes, CEO of New AutoMotive, also praised Labour's development of the Zero Emission Vehicle (ZEV) mandate, which he said was "delivering for drivers". Manufacturers must have at least 28 per cent of sales come from zero emission vehicles by the end of this year, before reaching 80 per cent at the end of the decade and 100 per cent in 2035. Nelmes said: "This lockstep growth is the market and Government working hand in hand, giving more and more people the confidence to make the switch. "With the mandate providing a clear roadmap, we are getting it done and paving the way for a zero emission future on UK roads."
Daily Mirror
5 days ago
- Daily Mirror
UK's 'most dangerous road' with 164 crash casualties to get £7.6m revamp
A 23-mile stretch of road - often touted as the UK's most dangerous - featuring dangerously steep bends, twists and blind junctions is slated for a complete transformation to help prevent further casualties One of the country's most notorious roads is set to benefit from 'life-saving improvements' to the tune of £7.6 million. Featuring 23 miles of steep bends, twists and blind junctions - Snake Pass is a well-known stretch of the A57 that links Sheffield with Manchester. Situated in the picturesque Peak District between Glossop and Sheffield, the route is used by more than 30,000 vehicles every single week - and is the highest road in Derbyshire. Snake Pass has become somewhat of a tourist attraction in itself, despite being one of the 'most high-risk' roads in England due to its serpent shape and constant closures due to poor weather and landslips. In fact, collision data submitted to the Department for Transport stated that between 2018 and 2023, there were five fatalities, 62 serious and 102 slight collision casualties. Derbyshire County Council had also warned that landslips are becoming so frequent that it could not keep repairing the road. It had previously asked the Department for Transport (DfT) for a 'landslip fund' to make sure the road could stay open - but the government body said it was not 'responsible' for the road. However, the DfT has now unveiled £7.6 million of investment as part of its Safer Roads Fund. The proposed safety improvements, which are still subject to a public consultation later this year, include adding up to 10 average speed camera sites along the route, with speed limit reminder signs. Improvements will also be made to the junction of the A57 and Manor Park Road in Glossop, to narrow the road and reduce the time it takes for pedestrians to cross the road. A pedestrian crossing at the Dinting Vale viaduct will then be erected, to 'provide a safer walking route for pedestrians to the railway station'. Other improvements include implementing advanced 'road restraint' safety barriers, designed to prevent motorcyclists sliding under existing safety barriers, to reduce potential injuries, and anti-skid friction surfacing, at bends and existing collision sites, to help minimise braking distances. The DfT estimates the revamp will prevent more than 93 fatal and serious collisions over the next 20 years, as well as slashing congestion and emissions. "We have already carried out a number of safety improvements along the route, but a more holistic solution is required to save lives and change road user attitudes and behaviour along this challenging stretch of road," said Councillor Charlotte Hill, Cabinet Member for Potholes, Highways and Transport. "We welcome the award from the Safer Routes Fund for a suite of road safety measures worth £7.6 million – an investment well beyond the means of our annual road maintenance budget for the county. "Using our experience gained from similar challenging routes in the county, we will now be able to finalise our proposals for the Snake Pass, in readiness for a public consultation later this year. We look forward to being able to deliver a step change in road safety and reduce casualties along this significant route."
The Sun
5 days ago
- Climate
- The Sun
New £15million train station linking tiny town to 3 major destinations is unveiled in new satellite photos
A STUNNING series of satellite images has captured a new £15million train station that will link a tiny town to three major destinations. Train bosses said the new rail link will benefit commuters, students and businesses. 3 The station, which will be the newest addition to the Dartmoor Line, connecting West Devon, Torridge and North Cornwall with Exeter and beyond, will also benefit education and leisure services in the region. GWR Regional Growth Manager David Whiteway said the project would provide "valuable support for the community and local economies". Satellite images show the rapid development of the £15million scheme, which is being funded by the Department for Transport with contributions from Devon County Council and West Devon Borough Council. Major update Since work began in January, major progress has been made to create the new station on the edge of Okehampton, two minutes from the A30. In March, 300 metres of the single-line track was moved 90cm north to allow a new platform to be built alongside it. 3 The previous track layout didn't allow for a platform to be built that meets regulations for new stations. New track and 20 concrete sleepers were installed in the new alignment and 1,000 tonnes of ballast (track stone) laid and compacted. Drainage work also took place with two new chambers built under the track and 300 tonnes of stone laid to allow water to flow away from the railway. 3 Then in May, 25 bored piles were driven 12 metres into the ground to support the new platform, footbridge and lift. The next major stage of work will see the footbridge and lift shaft installed in autumn. Man in his 70s dies after car falls down embankment and crashes onto train tracks as busy rail route closed Work is also ongoing to build a 200-space car park and station platform. Network Rail lead portfolio manager Alex Phillips said the past six months had seen "strong momentum on this important project, with several significant milestones reached". Devon County Council cabinet member for climate change and biodiversity Councillor Jacqi Hodgson added: 'I'm sure everyone is pleased to see that good progress is being made on the site. "Some major elements of the scheme will be carried out in the coming months, such as the installation of the footbridge, but everything is already taking shape. "The Dartmoor Line is a tremendous success and we're looking forward to the opening of this new station which will make rail travel more convenient for even more people, reducing traffic congestion and helping reduce our carbon footprint in Devon.' West Devon Borough Council's lead member for planning and built environment Councillor Caroline Mott said the project will bring long-lasting benefits to everyone in West Devon". West Devon Borough Council's lead member for economy Councillor Neil Jory said it would have a "positive impact" on the wider region.
