Legislation update – November 2023

Consultations which opened in December 2023  

Multi Department - Non-road mobile machinery: decarbonisation options  

Various government departments are seeking evidence on how non-road mobile machinery (NRMM) might decarbonise as part of the government's wider net zero ambitions. Released 21/12/2023 - closes 26/03/2024.  

MCA - Consultation on the merchant shipping (carriage of cargoes) regulations 2024  

Consultation on the merchant shipping (carriage of cargoes) regulations 2024. Released 08/12/2023 - closes 19/01/2024.  

MCA - Consultation on the merchant shipping (carriage of dangerous goods and harmful substances) regulations 2024  

This consultation seeks your views on a new Statutory Instrument (SI) and accompanying Merchant Guidance Notes (MGNs). Released 08/12/2023 - closes 19/01/2024.  

Multi Department - Rapid charging fund: scheme design  

The rapid charging fund (RCF) will enable a comprehensive ultra-rapid charging network by funding prohibitively expensive grid connections. Views from this consultation will help design the fund. Released 06/12/2023 - closes 14/02/2024.  

Greater London Authority - London Plan Guidance  

The Mayor of London is consulting on new London Plan Guidance (LPG), which takes a further step towards ensuring that development plans and proposals assessed through the planning system provide sufficient industrial space that is fit-for-purpose. Released 06/12/2023 - closes 28/02/2024.  

DfT - Airport slot allocation system reform  

Seeks views on government’s proposals for reform to the airport slot allocation system in the UK. Released 04/12/2023 - closes 08/03/2024.  

DfT - Mode shift grants review  

Seeks views on the future of the Mode Shift Revenue Support and Waterborne Freight Grant schemes and the potential for successor schemes. Released 04/12/2023 - closes 19/01/2024.  

Consultations which closed in December 2023  

Welsh Government - Net zero sector skills  

Welsh Government wanted views on the skills needed to support their transition to net zero for each emission sector in Wales. Released 11/10/2023 - closed 31/12/2023.  

DfT - Volumetric concrete mixers review  

Sought views to justify amending the current policy approach to weight limits for volumetric concrete mixers (VCMs). Released 19/10/2023 - closed 15/12/2023.  

CMA - Retained Liner Shipping Consortia Block Exemption provisional decision  

The CMA consulted on a provisional decision not to recommend replacement of the Liner Shipping Consortia Block Exemption Regulation (the 'Retained CBER') with a new UK block exemption order. Released 17/11/2023 - closed 15/12/2023.  

DESNZ - UK greenhouse gas emissions reporting: Scope 3 emissions  

We're seeking views on the costs, benefits and practicalities of Scope 3 greenhouse gas emissions reporting in the UK. Released 19/10/2023 - closed 14/12/2023.  

DfT - Infrastructure for zero emission heavy goods vehicles and coaches  

To inform the development of a zero emission heavy goods vehicle and coach infrastructure strategy. Released 19/10/2023 - closed 14/12/2023.  

Announcements, December 2023  

23/12/2023 - DfT - Donating vehicles to Ukraine through the ULEZ scrappage scheme  

Letter from the Secretary of State for Transport to the Mayor of London.  

22/12/2023 - DfT - Simpler road signs to protect small animals and boost safety  

Changes will help protect crossing routes for hedgehogs and other small animals, particularly on rural roads in England.  

21/12/2023 - Multi Department - Tariffs on electric vehicles avoided as UK and EU extend trade rules  

The UK and EU have agreed to extend trade rules on electric vehicles until the end of 2026 to keep costs down for manufacturers and consumers, the Prime Minister has announced.  

20/12/2023 - DfT - Government sets ambitious target to grow rail freight by at least 75%  

Target will boost economic growth and lead to significant environmental benefits by taking lorries off our roads, cutting emissions and congestion in the process. 

20/12/2023 - DfT - Rail freight growth target  

Increasing the amount of freight transported on the rail network by setting a rail freight growth target for 2050.  

20/12/2023 - DfT - Government invests £235 million to upgrade and repair roads across London  

Funding to maintain the capital’s roads over the next 11 years will improve journey times and save motorists money on damage caused by potholes.  

19/12/2023 - DfT - Local transport provision: local authority capacity and capability  

Findings from a survey and focus group research on the capacity and capability of local authorities in England to plan and provide local transport services.  

19/12/2023 - DfT - Bus services: local transport authority capacity and capability  

Research on the capacity and capability of local transport authorities in England concerning bus service planning and provision.  

19/12/2023 - DfT - LGV Driver and Urban Driver apprenticeships: off-the-job training  

Guidance on off-the-job training for LGV Driver and Urban Driver apprenticeships.  

18/12/2023 - DfT - Ministers and TfL agree £250 million government funding to upgrade London’s transport system  

Funding brings much needed capital investment and will support jobs across the country.  

14/12/2023 - DESNZ - Hydrogen production delivery roadmap  

This roadmap sets out how DESNZ expect the hydrogen production landscape to evolve towards 2035.  

14/12/2023 - DfT - Transport Statistics Great Britain: 2023  

Report showing statistical trends in the British transport sector for the year 2022.  

13/12/2023 - DfT - Boost for electric vehicle drivers as 50,000 public chargepoints installed across the UK  

The UK leads the transition to net zero and is on target to install 300,000 public electric vehicle chargepoints by 2030.  

13/12/2023 - DfT - Provisional road traffic estimates, Great Britain: October 2022 to September 2023  

Provisional estimates for road traffic in Great Britain for the year ending September 2023, by vehicle type and road class.  

13/12/2023 - DfT - Travel time measures for the Strategic Road Network and local ‘A’ roads: October 2022 to September 2023  

Congestion on the Strategic Road Network (motorways and ‘A’ roads managed by National Highways), and on locally managed ‘A’ roads for the year ending September 2023. 

12/12/2023 - Multi Department - Works to start on major £1 billion transformation of Black Cat to Caxton Gibbet route  

New dual carriageway to reduce congestion and improve journey times between Milton Keynes and Cambridge.  

12/12/2023 - DVSA - Making sure your passengers know they need to wear their seat belts  

The law states that seat belts must be worn where buses and coaches have them fitted as standard. This applies regardless of what type of road the vehicle is travelling on.  

12/12/2023 - DfT - Road freight statistics: July 2022 to June 2023  

Road freight activity of Great Britain registered Heavy Goods Vehicles (HGVs) operating in the UK, between July 2022 to June 2023.  

12/12/2023 - DfT - Vehicle licensing statistics: July to September 2023  

Licensed and registered motor vehicle statistics in Great Britain and the United Kingdom for July to September 2023.  

11/12/2023 - DVSA - A new stopper car is coming to DVSA  

DVSA are actively researching electric vehicle alternatives for their enforcement team. The new stopper car will start being used around the Ashford, Kent area from 11 December and will be trialled in different locations around the country over the next year.   

If you are asked to stop by this vehicle, be assured that it is a genuine DVSA vehicle and follow the instructions given.  

11/12/2023 - DVSA - Driver CPC consultation results published  

On 11 December, the Department for Transport (DfT) published its response to the consultation on proposed changes to the Driver Certificate of Professional Competence (DCPC).  

08/12/2023 - Multi Department - Laws passed to reduce strike disruption and protect public services  

08/12/2023 - DfT - Minimum service levels for passenger railway services regulations  

Information about applying the Strikes (Minimum Service Levels: Passenger Railway Services) Regulations 2023 in practice.  

07/12/2023 - Multi Department - Customs simplification measures: December 2023  

A summary of measures to simplify customs import and export processes for traders.  

07/12/2023 - Multi Department - Further measures to better connect Scotland and the UK announced  

The transport secretary has announced new measures to better connect Scotland including plans for improvements to the A75 between Gretna and Stranraer.  

07/12/2023 - DfT - Transport Secretary announces further measures to improve transport connectivity across the UK  

EV chargepoint pilot scheme at motorway service areas to support government’s vision of transition to electric vehicles.  

07/12/2023 - DfT - Vehicle excise duty evasion statistics: 2023  

Vehicle Excise Duty (VED, or road tax) evasion among vehicles seen on UK roads, and the associated revenue loss in 2023.  

06/12/2023 - Multi Department - Transport Secretary announces £70 million boost for more rapid electric vehicle chargers at COP28  

EV chargepoint pilot scheme at motorway service areas to support government’s vision of transition to electric vehicles.  

06/12/2023 - DfT - Encouraging motorists to view their MOT certificate online  

In DVSA's latest blog post, Chris Price shares more details about how testers can reduce the amount of paper they use, what DVSA will be doing to encourage this move to paperless, as well as how this contributes to DVSA’s strategic plan to 2025.  

06/12/2023 - DfT - Port freight quarterly statistics: July to September 2023  

Provisional quarterly statistics on freight handled by UK major ports for July to September 2023.  

06/12/2023 - DfT - Driver and rider testing and instructor statistics: July to September 2023  

Driver standards statistics on the numbers and pass rates for driving, riding theory, practical tests and registered driving and riding instructors.  

05/12/2023 - DfT - Transport climate risk assessments  

An evaluation of guidance and tools that transport operators use to complete climate risk assessments.  

05/12/2023 - DfT - Climate change adaptation and transport infrastructure: rapid evidence assessment  

This research examines how climate change impacts transport infrastructure.  

05/12/2023 - DfT - International rail freight: UK border requirements and processes  

Customs and security requirements for rail freight movements entering or leaving the UK.  

05/12/2023 - DfT - Advanced air mobility evidence review  

Research into new and emerging aviation technologies for transporting people and goods, including small electric and automated aircraft.  

04/12/2023 - DfT - Service announcement: £3.9 billion boost for more reliable train journeys in the North  

One of Britain’s largest rail projects is on track to deliver better journeys, more quickly for passengers and freight in the North thanks to a £3.9 billion funding boost announced by Rail Minister Huw Merriman.  

04/12/2023 - DfT - UK aviation shaping its own destiny as airport slot reform consultation launched  

With a new reform, the airport slot allocation system can have a tailored approach that works best for businesses and passengers across the UK.  

04/12/2023 - DfT - Slot allocation at Heathrow: runway expansion research  

A behavioural experiment that explores alternative mechanisms for airport slot allocation.  

04/12/2023 - DfT - Slot allocation at an expanded Heathrow: alternative mechanism experiment  

A behavioural experiment that explores alternative mechanisms for airport slot allocation.  

01/12/2023 - DfT - COP28: green shipping corridor collaboration  

US and UK joint statement on green shipping corridor collaboration at the COP28 World Climate Action Summit.  

Published On: 04/01/2024 14:00:00