Latest news with #TransportSelectCommittee
NZ Herald
5 days ago
- Politics
- NZ Herald
Political changes threaten NZ infrastructure
A recent minority report on behalf of Labour and The Greens as part of the Transport Select Committee's report on a New Zealand Institute of Economic Research (NZIER) on the Te Tai Tokerau Northern Expressway questioned the project. Photo / Michael Cunningham THE FACTS The problem with large-scale government-procured infrastructure is that elections get in the way. Over the past 10 years, big projects have been cancelled every time the Government has changed. The Roads of National Significance was trimmed in 2017; the Auckland light rail was cancelled in 2023 and now,
The Independent
09-07-2025
- Business
- The Independent
HS2 should be ‘largely completed' by now but project is just over halfway there, boss admits
The construction of HS2's physical structures should have been 'largely completed' by now under the project's initial timeline – but it is actually just over halfway there, the project's chief executive has admitted. HS2 Ltd chief executive Mark Wild blamed major delays in the execution of the project on 'inefficiency of work' as a result of the decision to start construction work before the finalised design or consents were in place. Giving evidence in front of the Commons Transport Select Committee, HS2 Ltd chief executive Mark Wild admitted: 'The construction of the civil engineering should have been largely completed by now. 'The reality is we're about 60 per cent complete.' Asked about the causes for the delays, Mr Wild said: 'It's a very, very important lesson - the projects must not be mobilised and commenced if you haven't got the design and consents, because the productivity of the teams, the hard working teams, is so leveraged if you're waiting for the design.' He said the failure to complete designs before construction began was a much bigger cause of delay than the high-speed goal of the new rail line. 'It's probably much more important than the effective speed', the chief executive said. 'I do agree, the speed, the trains per hour, the tonnage, has had a huge effect on the spec. 'I think when all said and done, the cost exceedence though has mostly been inefficiency of work, because we started too soon. I think that will be revealed as the most dominant effect.' He also said the coronavirus pandemic and the rise in inflation caused by Russia's invasion of Ukraine had an impact. Phase One of HS2 between London and Birmingham was initially planned to open by the end of 2026. This was later pushed back to between 2029 and 2033, but transport secretary Heidi Alexander said last month there was 'no route' to meeting that timeframe. In 2013, HS2 was estimated to cost £37.5 billion – at 2009 prices – for the entire planned network, including the now-scrapped extensions from Birmingham to Manchester and Leeds. In June last year, HS2 Ltd assessed the cost for the line between London and Birmingham would be up to £66 billion. Earlier this year, MPs on the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) warned that high-speed rail between London and Birmingham may never be delivered because the government and HS2 lack 'the skills or capacities' to complete the project. The powerful committee of MPs said the rail project should be studied as an example of ' how not to run a major project ', with billions of pounds of taxpayer funds having already been wasted. And, despite the northern leg of HS2 having been axed to cut costs, a move first revealed by The Independent, the PAC warned it has doubts about the government's ability 'to deliver even a curtailed scheme'. In a damning report, the committee added that even if the slimmed down HS2 project is delivered, it will 'bring very poor value for money'. One example the committee cited in the waste associated with HS2 was the building of a bat protection tunnel in Buckinghamshire costing more than £100m. Shortly after joining HS2 Ltd as chief executive at the start of December 2024, Mr Wild said the project was "in a very serious situation that requires a fundamental reset". In October 2023, then-prime minister Rishi Sunak cancelled a plan to extend HS2 between the West Midlands and Manchester. The Independent revealed the PM's plans weeks in advance, sparking fury among northern politicians and business chiefs. And the planned leg to Leeds was axed in November 2021 after a review was carried out in 2020 because of escalating costs and delays.
Auto Express
19-05-2025
- Automotive
- Auto Express
Driverless cars won't get UK green light until 2027
Autonomous or self-driving cars have been on the roads of the UK for several years as part of various technical trials, but always with a safety driver sitting behind the wheel ready to take command in an emergency. Now it has been revealed that the first 'unmanned' driverless cars won't appear until the second half of 2027 at the earliest - a year later than the date promised by the last government. Advertisement - Article continues below It was this time last year when the previous government's Automated Vehicles Act became law, with ministers then stating ambitions for self-driving cars to be operating on UK roads without human 'safety drivers' as soon as 2026. However, the Department for Transport is now winding back expectations on the timing, while remaining strongly committed to the technology. "We are working quickly and will implement self-driving vehicle legislation in the second half of 2027", the DfT said in a statement made to the BBC, adding that the department was also exploring options 'for short-term trials and pilots to create the right conditions for a thriving self-driving sector". The Automated Vehicles Act allowing such trials came into force in 2024 followed a report by Parliament's Transport Select Committee a year earlier that stated the development of driverless cars could generate a host of undesirable consequences, including worsening congestion, and new dangers for 'less skilled' human drivers. The legislation also took into account a review by the Law Commission which recommended that 'users' of driverless cars should not be held responsible for accidents or injuries caused when their vehicle is in self-driving mode. Instead, the responsibility should lie entirely with the vehicle manufacturer or operator. Public perceptions around driverless cars have been coloured by the experiences in markets such as the US, where high-profile accidents - sometimes fatal - have resulted from insufficiently-developed tech being trialled on public roads. Perhaps that's why a YouGov poll last year indicated that 37 per cent of UK residents say the idea of travelling in a driverless car makes them feel 'very unsafe'. Want the latest car news in your inbox? Sign up to the free Auto Express email newsletter...
Auto Express
14-05-2025
- Automotive
- Auto Express
New record as 600,000 learner drivers are waiting for their driving tests
Analysis of data provided by the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency has revealed that the backlog of tests has soared beyond 600,000. A PA news agency investigation reveals that as of the end of April, 603,352 practical driving tests had been booked, with the average waiting time reported separately by the AA as 20 weeks. That is a big increase on the 521,190 tests booked at the end of April in 2022, yet despite the surge in demand the DVSA says it's carrying out fewer tests this year - 610,000 between January and April 2025, compared with 718,000 in the same period in 2024. That amounts to a 15 per cent decrease in test provision by the agency. Speaking in defence of its record, the DVSA has previously put some of the blame on learners booking tests before they're ready, and putting undue stress on the system. The latest figures show the pass rate has increased to 50.2 per cent from 48.3 per cent in April last year, suggesting learners and instructors have taken heed, but still the waiting lists grow. Advertisement - Article continues below Heidi Alexander, the Secretary of State for Transport, was grilled by the Transport Select Committee of MPs about the continuing failure of the DVSA to get on top of its test backlog. She pledged the government is 'acting fast' to deal with the problem, and promised an additional 10,000 tests per month, as well as action to prevent the mass-booking of test slots by computer 'bots' operated by businesses or individuals profiteering from the opportunity to sell appointments on to desperate learners, who can't themselves get a look-in on the DVSA booking website. Unfortunately, action on the bots is so far limited to a promised 'consultation' on how best to amend the booking system. This has yet to be launched, and there's no sign of any concrete action yet. 'The current backlog facing learner drivers is completely unacceptable, but we are taking decisive action to address the situation inherited from the previous government,' a Department for Transport spokesman told PA. 'Thanks to the intervention of the Secretary of State, an additional 10,000 driving tests will be made available monthly. 'This will ensure ready learners can book their tests more quickly, helping to unlock opportunity and supporting economic growth.' Now you can buy a car through our network of top dealers around the UK. Search for the latest deals… Find a car with the experts Not bothered by MoT advisories? That may be about to change Not bothered by MoT advisories? That may be about to change The number of MoT failures caused by worn tyres is on the rise, and experts are calling for mandatory follow-ups on advisories Confirmed: New VW Golf GTI will be electric – and it's a 'monster' Confirmed: New VW Golf GTI will be electric – and it's a 'monster' VW is taking the iconic hot hatchback brand into the electric era with the new Golf GTI EV already in development… Mazda MX-5 goes electric: the iconic roadster's radical future Mazda MX-5 goes electric: the iconic roadster's radical future The next Mazda MX-5 roadster is set to be offered as a pure EV, and our exclusive images preview how it could look
The Independent
11-04-2025
- Business
- The Independent
Heathrow passenger numbers tumble after fire shutdown but record 2025 still expected
Three weeks after Heathrow closed down for almost a day due to a power substation fire, Britain 's biggest airport has reported a 7.5 per cent fall in passenger numbers – but the hub still expects to handle a record number of travellers in 2025. During March, Heathrow handled 6.22 million passengers – almost half a million fewer than in the corresponding month in 2024. The number of flight movements dropped by 3 per cent, which represents about one full day of flying. A fire broke out in a transformer within the North Hyde electrical substation in Hayes, north of Heathrow, late in the evening of Thursday 20 March. The airport later said: 'The decision to close the airport was taken to protect passenger and colleague safety because of the unprecedented impacts of an off-airport fire at an electrical substation.' More than 1,300 flights were diverted or cancelled by the near-total shutdown of Heathrow on Friday 21 March. A few flights were allowed to arrive and depart later in the day. A further 100 or more were grounded on the following day as airlines struggled to get their operations back on track. More than 250,000 passengers had their travel plans wrecked. In his commentary on the fall in traffic, the chief executive, Thomas Woldbye, did not refer to the fire, saying: 'Passenger numbers were slightly down due to changing holidays this year.' Easter fell in March in 2024, increasing the amount of traffic in that month. This year Easter falls in late April. Ramadan – which normally causes a reduction in passenger numbers – coincided with March this year. Traffic to and from the Middle East was down 8 per cent year-on-year. The decline in Heathrow's traffic in March led to an overall fall of 1.5 per cent in the first quarter of 2025. Mr Woldbye added: 'Belly hold cargo on passenger flights was a bright spot, growing 4 per cent, and underlining the importance of Heathrow as the UK's gateway to growth. 'We are still on track to see another record year in 2025 and colleagues are working hard preparing for a busy Easter and May Bank Holiday getaway.' Two inquiries are under way into the closure of Heathrow. At a hearing of the Transport Select Committee earlier this month, Mr Woldbye said the bill for setting up a guaranteed power supply would be more than £1bn. Airlines lost up to £100m as a result of the airport's closure. But away from Heathrow, the shutdown boosted the fortunes of other airports and airlines. Ryanair sold an extra 10,000 tickets on the day, many of them to and from London Stansted.
