United Kingdom: Rail, Road & Cycling

Network Rail has launched a comprehensive 12-week consultation on proposed rail access arrangements that will establish the contractual framework for implementing the Railways Bill. The consultation covers critical documents including Track Access Contracts, Station and Depot Codes, and capacity planning processes, with responses due by December 2, 2026.

The UK government has set an ambitious statutory target to increase rail freight volumes by at least 40% by 2040, with a longer-term goal of 75% growth by 2050. This initiative, backed by the Railways Bill currently before Parliament, aims to shift goods transport from road to rail, potentially saving up to one million tonnes of CO₂ annually while raising the value of rail-transported goods from £33.7 billion to £49.5 billion.

For commercial fleets, one of the most significant changes brought about by automated vehicles is also one of the simplest to describe: what happens when there is nobody in the driving seat? We are used to a model in which responsibility starts with the driver. The driver checks the vehicle, drives it, responds to hazards and, in the HGV world, sits within a well-established system of operator licensing and regulatory oversight.

A devastating train collision near Bedford has resulted in numerous serious injuries and a tragic loss of life, raising urgent questions about railway safety.

The UK government has launched a consultation on safety principles for automated vehicles, seeking input on regulatory frameworks that will govern self-driving technology on British roads.

Government is reshaping biodiversity net gain requirements in England, with a consultation closing soon on a targeted carve-out for brownfield housing schemes. What are the practical implications and likely timings?

In July we wrote about the Competition and Markets Authority's proposed study into the road and rail sectors, aimed at supporting the government's...

Vehicle number plates serve a crucial function in identifying vehicles on UK roads, enabling law enforcement, automated camera systems, and regulatory compliance.

I recently acted for Ms A, a young woman in her 20's who suffered a significant ankle injury when she was involved in road traffic accident.