Transport Planning Associates (TPA)

  Delivered on Tuesday 7th November 2023 in the Palace of Westminster, more than 70 years after the most recent previous King’s Speech, His Majesty King Charles III’s announcement of the UK Government’s legislative agenda for the parliamentary session made mention of several initiatives that will be of interest to transport consultants and their clients.  The speech included references to bills addressing London pedicabs, automated vehicles, and rail reform. So, what are some of the essential details of these measures that those involved in transport planning and infrastructure design ought to know about?  The Automated Vehicles Bill  The King stated that his ministers would “introduce new legal frameworks to support the safe commercial development of emerging industries, such as self-driving vehicles”.  A recent report issued by the Transport Select Committee described the present legislation in place for self-driving vehicles as “archaic and limitin...

  Delivered on Tuesday 7th November 2023 in the Palace of Westminster, more than 70 years after the most recent previous King’s Speech, His Majesty King Charles III’s announcement of the UK Government’s legislative agenda for the parliamentary session made mention of several initiatives that will be of interest to transport consultants and their clients.  The speech included references to bills addressing London pedicabs, automated vehicles, and rail reform. So, what are some of the essential details of these measures that those involved in transport planning and infrastructure design ought to know about?  The Automated Vehicles Bill  The King stated that his ministers would “introduce new legal frameworks to support the safe commercial development of emerging industries, such as self-driving vehicles”.  A recent report issued by the Transport Select Committee described the present legislation in place for self-driving vehicles as “archaic and limitin...

  The Government-owned company responsible for the operation, maintenance, and improvement of England’s motorways and major A roads has announced that it will invest more than £100 million in improvement projects for roads around the South West of England.  Many transport consultants and their clients will be interested to read that National Highways’ multimillion-pound investment in road maintenance will help improve the journeys of millions of motorists and road users in the region.  The organisation said that more than 75 road maintenance and renewal projects would be enabled as a result of the funding, with improvements set to be delivered to roads, paths, and bridges.  What exact improvements can road users in this part of England expect?   In its press release , National Highways announced that it would be spending the £103 million figure during the current financial year of 2023/24.  The company said that its plans for renewals encompass...