Legislation update – February 2022

DEFRA – Consultation on the reform of the waste carrier, broker, dealer registration system in England 

This proposal would update key regulations for people and businesses involved in transporting and managing waste. It will modernise the approach and create an effective and predominantly online system, making it easier to use and providing stronger powers to fight waste crime. Released 21/01/2022 – closes 15/04/2022. 

Scottish Government – Strategic Transport Projects Review 2 

This consultation is on the draft second Strategic Transport Projects Review (STPR2) for Scotland. The review will inform Scottish Ministers’ decisions on transport investment in Scotland for the next 20 years (2022-2042). Released 20/01/2022 – closes 15/04/2022. 

DfT – Post-implementation review of The Carriage of Dangerous Goods and Use of Transportable Pressure Equipment Regulations 2009 

The Department for Transport (DfT) is carrying out a post-implementation review (PIR) of The Carriage of Dangerous Goods and Use of Transportable Pressure Equipment Regulations 2009 as amended (CDG 2009). Released 17/01/2022 – closes 17/02/2022. 

Scottish Government – 20% car kilometre reduction route map 

The Scottish Government has opened a consultation on transport and non-transport policies that will be implemented to support car-use reduction. Released 13/01/2022 – closes 06/04/2022. 

Oxfordshire County Council – Local Transport and Connectivity Plan (LTCP) 

Oxfordshire County Council has opened a consultation on the local transport and connectivity plan which highlights freight. Released 05/01/2022 – closes 16/03/2022.  

Transport for the North – Freight & Logistics Strategy for the North of England 

A Freight & Logistics Strategy for the North of England goes out to public consultation today, highlighting the opportunities to address the challenges that lie ahead for the sector and calling on everyone to have their say on shaping the way forward. The freight and logistics sector is vitally important for the North of England, with more than 33% of goods entering through the region’s ports and 25% of GB freight starting or ending in the North. Released 04/01/2022 – closes 31/01/2022. 

CONSULTATIONS WHICH CLOSED IN JANUARY 

Transport Scotland – Scotland's National Transport Strategy Impact Assessments 

Transport Scotland opened a consultation seeking views on Scotland's National Transport Strategy 2 (NTS2), which set out the vision for Scotland's transport system to the year 2040. Released 03/11/2021 – closed 05/01/2022. 

Department for Infrastructure – A Consultation on the Proposed Content of the new Road Safety Strategy for Northern Ireland to 2030 

The Department for Infrastructure (Northern Ireland) opened a consultation seeking views on the proposed content of the new Road Safety Strategy for Northern Ireland to 2030. Released 15/11/2021 – closed 10/01/2022. 

Public Accounts Committee – Progress with trade negotiations  

The Committee questioned senior officials at the Department for International Trade and Defra on UK progress in trade negotiations, including converting existing EU trade agreements with non-EU countries into new UK agreements, as well as DIT’s progress with trade negotiations with new partners. Released 30/11/2021 – closed 12/01/2022. 

Department for Infrastructure – A consultation to consider making careless driving a fixed penalty notice offence 

The Department for Infrastructure opened a consultation on making careless driving a fixed penalty notice offence. Released 23/11/2021 – closed 18/01/2022. 

Transport Scotland – Aviation Strategy 

The Scottish Government opened a consultation seeking views on how to realise their vision for aviation. Released 18/10/2021 – closed 21/01/2022. 

Transport Select Committee – Fuelling the future: motive power and connectivity 

The Transport Committee opened a new inquiry – Fuelling the future: motive power and connectivity – which examined how government fuel policy will affect connectivity, capacity and sustainability across all transport modes, including motor vehicles, maritime, rail and aviation, up to 2050. Released 13/12/2021 – closed 21/01/2022. 

Transport Select Committee – Integrated rail plan 

The Committee was interested in the implications of the Integrated Rail Plan (IRP) for the economy and rail capacity and connectivity. Released 16/12/2021 – closed 24/01/2022.  

Office of Road & Rail – ORR's role and approach to the third road investment strategy 

ORR was seeking views on their proposed approach to assessing the challenge and deliverability of plans for the third road investment strategy. Released 08/12/2021 – closed 28/01/2022. 

Transport East – Transport East Transport Plan 

Transport East was seeking views on their subregional transport plan. Released 02/12/2021 – closed 30/01/2022. 

Transport for the North – Freight & Logistics Strategy for the North of England 

A Freight & Logistics Strategy for the North of England highlighted the opportunities to address the challenges that lie ahead for the sector and called on everyone to have their say on shaping the way forward. The freight and logistics sector is vitally important for the North of England, with more than 33% of goods entering through the region’s ports and 25% of GB freight starting or ending in the North. Released 04/01/2022 – closed 31/01/2022. 

ANNOUNCEMENTS – JANUARY 2022

31/01/2022 – Multi Department – Declare you’re transporting goods inside the EU, Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway 

You must declare when your drivers use HGVs, vans or trailers to transport goods between two points in the EU, Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway. 

31/01/2022 – TfL – Face coverings continue to be required on TfL services 

As the government's 'Plan B' restrictions are lifted and regulations are relaxed across England from Thursday 27 January, we are reminding customers that face coverings continue to be required on TfL services. 

29/01/2022 – DVSA – Driving on motorways hub: National Highways Information to help you stay safe and feel confident 

National Highways has launched a ‘Driving on motorways’ hub that’s packed full of useful guidance and information to help you feel more confident when driving on motorways. 

27/01/2022 – DVSA – M1 (passenger car) IVA inspection manual update - headlamps  

From 1 April 2022, DVSA will be applying an updated version of the M1 (passenger car) IVA inspection manual. The changes are being made to section 25 (Headlamps) along with updates to some other sections. 

27/01/2022 – DHSC – England returns to Plan A as regulations on face coverings and COVID Passes change 

From 27 January and because of the success of the booster rollout, all measures under Plan B have been lifted. 

27/01/2022 – DfT – Road freight statistics: July 2020 to June 2021 

Road freight activity statistics for the United Kingdom and internationally between July 2020 and June 2021. 

26/01/2022 – TfN – Northern leaders call on DfT to release funding for TfN 

Political and business leaders across the North are calling on ministers to provide clarity on future funding for Transport for the North (TfN) to allow it to continue working on vital plans to improve connectivity across the region and help unlock economic potential. 

26/01/2022 – DfT – Highway Code changes set to take effect 

Changes to The Highway Code, including the hierarchy of road-users and the 'Dutch Reach' took effect from 29 January 2022. 

26/01/2022 – DfT – The Highway Code: 8 changes you need to know from 29 January 2022 

Rules for all types of road users will be updated in The Highway Code to improve the safety of people walking, cycling and riding horses. 

24/01/2022 – DfT – UK open for travel with all restrictions removed for eligible vaccinated arrivals 

Changes to COVID-19 testing measures for travellers arriving in the UK from 4am 11 February. 

24/01/2022 – HS2 – Transport Assessment policy and data (BID TR-004-00001) 

This document presents the relevant policies and guidance that have informed the development of the proposed High Speed Two railway between Crewe and Manchester. 

24/01/2022 – DVSA – Trialling reverse parking manoeuvre in non-DVSA car parks for practical car tests 

DVSA is to launch a reverse parking trial at 15 driving test centres across Great Britain. This will enable the reverse parking manoeuvres on the car driving test and ADI part 2 test to be carried out in non-DVSA car parks. 

24/01/2022 – DfT – North West on track to benefit from faster and more reliable train journeys as bill for next phase of HS2 to be laid in Parliament 

Bill to extend HS2 from Crewe to Manchester, creating a new transport spine across the North West that will reduce journey times and boost local economies. 

22/01/2022 – DfT – E-cargo bikes: grant funding 

Grant funding amounts given for e-cargo bikes between 2019 and 2022. 

21/01/2022 – DVSA – Improved information on transporting horses in horseboxes and trailers 

We've reformatted and updated the horsebox guidance into a series of webpages, rather than the old PDF version.  

21/01/2022 – BEIS – Government backs Britishvolt plans for Blyth gigafactory to build electric vehicle batteries

Britishvolt, the UK battery company, has received an in principle offer of government funding though the Automotive Transformation Fund (ATF) for its planned gigafactory in Blyth, Northumberland.  

19/01/2022 – DHSC – England to return to Plan A following the success of the booster programme 

Plan B measures will be removed following millions getting the booster, which gives strong protection against Omicron 

19/01/2022 – DfT – Programmatic appraisal of road schemes 

Research exploring how the appraisal of a singular road scheme may be affected by other road schemes. 

18/01/2022 – TfL – Mayor announces bold plans to secure a green, clean future for London 

A new report published today by Element Energy, commissioned by the Mayor of London, sets out the scale of the action required to move London towards a greener future and net-zero carbon emissions by 2030. 

17/01/2022 – DfT – Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games transport plan 

The transport plan to support the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games has been approved. 

14/01/2022 – HMRC – Goods leaving Great Britain from 1 January 2022 at ports using GVMS (CIP 1) 

HMRC’s policy on customs controls for exporters from 1 January 2022 in Great Britain. 

14/01/2022 – DVLA – How to renew your driving licence online if you’re 70 or over 

If you’re 70 or over and need to renew your driving licence, the easiest and quickest way is online. 

13/01/2022 – DLUHC – Local government and the path to net zero: government response to the Select Committee report 

A response by the government to the Housing, Communities and Local Government Committee's report on local government and the path to net zero. 

12/01/2022 – DfT – Travelling to the EU? Prepare now for the EU posting of drivers’ portal 

From 2 February, the EU is introducing new rules that mean if you operate loaded goods journeys in and between European Member States (cabotage or cross-trade), you may need to register information digitally about your journeys on a new EU web based portal. 

12/01/2022 – Multi Department – Smart motorway rollout to be paused as government responds to Transport Committee report 

Government is pausing the rollout of new all lane running smart motorway schemes until five years of safety data is available. 

11/01/2022 – Multi Department – Temporary relaxation of the enforcement of the retained EU drivers’ hours rules: all road haulage sectors in Great Britain 

Temporary relaxation of the retained EU drivers’ hours for drivers undertaking carriage of goods by road. 

10/01/2022 – Multi Department – Communiqués from the Interministerial Group for Transport Matters 

A note of the meetings held by the Interministerial Group for Transport Matters. 

10/01/2022 – DIT – Notice to exporters 2022/01: UK exporters fined for unlicensed strategic exports 

This notice sets out compound penalties related to unlicensed exports of dual use goods, military goods and related activity controlled by the Export Control Order 2008. 

10/01/2022 – DfT – Government teams with charity Scope on Disabled Persons Passenger Charter 

New charter to boost consumer confidence and provide an online one-stop shop on passenger rights and complaints procedures for disabled people. 

10/01/2022 – DfT – Inclusive mobility: using tactile paving surfaces 

How to install and use tactile paving surfaces to help visually impaired and other pedestrians recognise potential hazards and other features in roads, rail and other locations. 

10/01/2022 – DfT – Inclusive mobility: making transport accessible for passengers and pedestrians 

A guide to best practice on improving access to public transport and creating a barrier-free pedestrian environment. 

07/01/2022 – OTC – Help with new customs rules 

The Traffic Commissioners for Great Britain have been asked by HMRC to draw your attention to help and advice to support you with the introduction of the new customs rules on 1 Jan 2022. 

07/01/2022 – DVSA – What we are doing so we can answer more of your calls 

Since the start of the pandemic, the number of calls to our customer services centre has increased dramatically. 

07/01/2022 – Multi Department – Businesses most impacted by Omicron variant to benefit from over £700 million as government delivers funding to local authorities 

New grant funding for businesses impacted by the pandemic. 

05/01/2022 – DfT – Transport for London funding extension December 2021 

The current Transport for London funding settlement has been extended to 4 February 2022.