Chris Ames 18 May 2016

Queen's Speech 2016: Elected mayors to get power over buses

The much-anticipated buses bill will limit powers to franchise services to areas with directly elected mayors while legislation will be introduced to facilitate the use of autonomous and electric vehicles.

The Queen’s speech included plans for a Bus Services Bill and a Modern Transport Bill, as well as measures to improve infrastructure and the digital economy.

In his introduction to the document setting out details of forthcoming Government legislation, prime minister David Cameron said: ‘To back business, we will make sure Britain has first-class infrastructure, especially when it comes to the transport of the future.’

The government has confirmed expectations that ‘London-style powers to franchise local services’ will only be given to mayoral combined authorities.

Ministers said a separate Modern Transport Bill ‘will put Britain at the forefront of the modern transport revolution, so that we create new jobs and fuel economic growth around the country’.

It will include: legislation to enable the future development of the UK’s first commercial spaceports; new laws to make the UK ready to pioneer driverless cars; and new rules to bring safe commercial and personal drone flight for households and businesses a step closer.

Specific measures will include ensuring that appropriate insurance is available to support the use of autonomous and driverless vehicles.

In the speech, the Queen said ministers ‘will ensure the United Kingdom is at the forefront of technology for new forms of transport, including autonomous and electric vehicles’.

However, guidance has made clear that measures on autonomous and driverless vehicles measures will apply to Great Britain only and not Northern Ireland.

A Digital Economy Bill will honour Mr Cameron’s pledge to make high speed broadband a universal service obligation and help telecoms providers build the infrastructure needed for faster broadband and better mobile networks

SIGN UP
For your free daily news bulletin
Highways jobs

Standards, Compliance and Development Manager - Children’s residential provisions

Oxfordshire County Council
£57187.00 - £60485.00
This role will lead on Quality Assurance, Standards development, and Regulatory compliance for Oxfordshire’s residential children’s provision, including the unregulated reforms 2022. The post holder will conduct internal inspections within the registe Countywide
Recuriter: Oxfordshire County Council

Streetcare LGV Driver / Operative - WMF2112e

Westmorland and Furness Council
£27,711 - £28,624
Westmorland and Furness Council are seeking to employ an enthusiastic and motivated person into a Street Cleansing role Cumbria
Recuriter: Westmorland and Furness Council

Specialist Communication Support Worker (CDC)

City Of Doncaster Council
Grade 7, £27,259 - £29,955 (pay award pending)
The City of Doncaster Council puts improving the life of its residents at the centre of everything we do. Doncaster, South Yorkshire
Recuriter: City Of Doncaster Council

Apprentice Social Value

Durham County Council
£14,566
Earn. Learn. Qualify.   Do you want to earn while you learn, with the chance of progression once you qualify? Do you want the opportunity to grow, dev Durham
Recuriter: Durham County Council

Pay Reward and Employment Services Support Officers

Durham County Council
£25,584 to £27,711 p.a. (Grade 5) Pay Award Pending
An exciting opportunity has arisen for ten Pay, Reward & Employment Services Support Officers to join our CIPP accredited team.   WHAT IS INVOLVED?  Spennymoor
Recuriter: Durham County Council
Linkedin Banner