There are four main components to the bill: air traffic services, local transport, road user charging / workplace parking levy, and railways. The Transport Bill was presented to the House of Commons on 1st December 1999, underwent its Second Reading on 20th December 1999 and was in Standing Committee stage between 18th January 2000 and 6th April 2000. The Bill received Royal Assent on 30 November 2000. Transport Bill Royal Assent
The Remaining Stages of the Transport Bill (Report Stage and Third Reading taken together) were carried out in the House of Commons on Tuesday 9th and Wednesday 10th May 2000. It was presented to the House of Lords for First Reading on 12th May 2000, with the Second Reading taking place on Monday 5th June 2000. The Bill has now begun Committee Stage in the House of Lords, with Lord MacDonald leading on the Grand Committee of the Transport Bill in the Moses Room of the House of Lords on Tuesday 27th June 2000. Government Amendments were considered that day, leading to a new version of the Bill. The Committee stage was re-committed to the House of Lords on 6th July, with further dates on 10th July / 17th July and 26th July 2000. The Report stage began on 27th July in the House of Lords, and continued on 26th/30th October 2000 and 2nd November 2000. Third Reading in the House of Lords took place on 9th November 2000. The Bill returned to the House of Commons for consideration of Lords Amendments on Wednesday 15th November 2000.
Transport Bill receives Royal Assent
DETR Press release: News Release 742: 4 December 2000
‘The Government’s determination to create a safe, modern, integrated and effective transport system has taken a major step forward with Royal Assent of the Transport Bill. The Transport Act 2000 is the most comprehensive piece of transport legislation in over 30 years. It contains a wide range of new powers to improve local transport services and will enable a public-private partnership (PPP) to be established for National Air Traffic Services (NATS).’ To view the full Press Release click here
Amendment 121: Quiet Lanes and Home Zones
This Government New Clause allows local authorities to designate any road in their area as either a “Quiet Lane” or “Home Zone”. This is supported by PACTS as it is likely to lead local authorities to adopt a more strategic approach to speed management.
Although the idea of a “Quiet Lane” is relatively new, the concept of “Home Zones” has been given considerable prominence in discussions about child mobility and the encouragement of walking and cycling. Earlier this year, the Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions set up a research project to monitor the effectiveness of 8 pilot Home Zones in different parts of England and Wales.
In brief, a Home Zone is a geographically specified area of urban development in which the vehicle speed is likely to be limited to 20mph or lower and where pedestrians and cyclists will have precedence over motorised traffic. It is closely modelled on the Dutch “Woonerf” and will need to be accompanied by distinctive signage and environmental improvements.
Given the continuing number of pedestrian and cyclist casualties in urban areas and the new target to reduce child deaths and serious injuries by 50% by the year 2010, PACTS believes that the encouragement of Home Zones will play a part in improving safety for the most vulnerable on our urban roads. PACTS welcomes the inclusion of this new clause in the Transport Bill.
Amendment 122: Report on Rural Road Speed Limits
This new clause, in which the operation of speed limits will be reviewed and a report published to Parliament within a year, is supported by PACTS as a first step towards the establishment of a rural road hierarchy and a more consistent approach to speed management in rural areas. Half of all fatalities in rural areas are car occupants (Road Accidents Great Britain, DETR, 2000). This clause offers a means to reducing the number of car occupant fatalities and towards encouraging walking, cycling and horseriding in rural areas.
3. Amendment 114: Driver Training and Driving Instructors
This new clause would allow the Secretary of State to specify training packages for trainee licence holders. It would allow the Secretary of State to put into practice proposals referred to in paragraphs 3.20 and 3.21 of “Tomorrow’s Roads – safer for everyone”, making logbooks mandatory and specifying content of training to be assessed.
Given the need to improve the collision record of young and novice drivers, PACTS supports this proposal as part of a package of measures to improve driver training and testing. Further ideas are contained in PACTS’ briefing on Driver Training and Education.
Amendment 27: Public Private Partnership of National Air Traffic Services
[p27, line 25, at end insert – “( ) No direction to make a transfer scheme shall be given under subsection (1) before the first Session of the next Parliament after that in which this Act is passed”]
Although PACTS recognises that this may be interpreted as a “wrecking amendment”, I believe that it should be supported as it would allow additional time for further consideration of the recommendations contained in the Environment, Transport and Regional Affairs Committee Report into “The Proposed Public-Private Partnership for National Air Traffic Services Limited” (London: The Stationery Office, 2000).
PACTS supports the separation of regulation from service provision as set out elsewhere in the Bill.
Transport Bill Royal Assent, 30 November 2000
Latest Version of the Transport Bill as amended on Report in the House of Lords (printed 2nd December 2000 (Amendments to be moved on Third Reading)
Transport Bill Report Stage Debates in the House of Lords 26th October 2000; 30th October 2000; 2nd November 2000 and Third Reading on 9th November 2000
Transport Bill Debate in House of Lords 26th July 2000
Transport Bill Debate in House of Lords 17th July 2000 (Part1; Part 2; Part3 )
Transport Bill Debate in House of Lords 10th July 2000
Transport Bill Debate in House of Lords 6th July 2000
2nd Reading of the Transport Bill in the House of Lords, Monday 5th June 2000
Text of the Transport Bill presented to the House of Lords 12/5/00
Explanatory Notes for the Transport Bill
House of Lords First Reading: 12th May 2000
House of Commons Remaining Stages Debates: 9th May 2000 / 10th May 2000
Notices of Amendments: Up to and including 4th May 2000. Considered on 9th/10th May 2000.
Transport Bill: Full Text and Explanatory Notes (as amended in Committee in the House of Commons and printed on 6th April 2000).
Debates of Standing Committee E on the Transport Bill: (18/01/00 – 06/04/00)
Tabled Amendments to Transport Bill: During Standing Committee E
Second Reading of Transport Bill: House of Commons Debate 20/12/99
Safety Implications: PACTS’ Initial Response to the Transport Bill
