September saw Parliament return following the summer recess, with MPs sitting from 1 to 15 September before the conference recess. The House of Commons will return on Monday 12 October. The sitting also marked MPs’ first opportunity at Prime Minister’s Questions to scrutinise the new Prime Minister, Andy Burnham.
Although Parliament sat for just two weeks, September brought a number of important developments for transport safety – including in areas where PACTS and the APPG for Transport Safety have been actively working to influence policy. Government announcements on ghost and cloned number plates and the future of rail freight, for example, closely reflected issues highlighted through recent PACTS and APPG research. Alongside showcasing where our work is helping to shape the debate, this update highlights the key parliamentary and government developments that matter for transport safety, and what they could mean for the sector.
Departmental, national, regional and devolved government announcements
Government announces new roads policing centre to limit illegal number plates – link – 05/09/2026
The Government has funded a new National Roads Policing Coordination Centre to strengthen enforcement against illegal, cloned and ‘ghost’ number plates. The centre will bring police forces together to share intelligence, data and technology, including trials of equipment to detect plates designed to evade cameras. The measures form part of the Government’s Road Safety Strategy and aim to improve road safety while disrupting organised crime and drivers seeking to avoid enforcement.
The announcement follows the APPG for Transport Safety’s December 2025 report on ghost and cloned number plates, which was coordinated by PACTS and called for stronger national coordination to tackle the issue. PACTS welcomes the Government’s action in this area, while recognising that further work is needed. The APPG is therefore exploring the possibility of commissioning further research into the economic impact of ghost and cloned plates to better understand the wider costs associated with the issue. The APPG is also exploring other potential avenues for action, including seeking a Westminster Hall debate on the issue.
Great British Railways sets target for rail freight growth – link – 08/09/2026
The Government has set a new target for Great British Railways to increase rail freight by at least 40% by 2040, as a milestone towards 75% growth by 2050. The plans aim to strengthen supply chains, support economic growth and reduce pressure on the road network, with rail freight producing significantly less carbon than equivalent road freight. A dedicated GBR board member will also have responsibility for freight.
PACTS strongly supports the new target, which aligns closely with the findings of its recent report, Road vs Rail: A comparative study of freight risks. The report found that the risk associated with transporting freight by rail is at least 78 times lower than by road, demonstrating the significant safety benefits that could accompany a greater shift towards rail freight. PACTS therefore encourages organisations to consider moving freight by rail where practicable and will continue to monitor developments and engage with the Government and relevant stakeholders as the proposals progress.
Debates, questions and statements in Parliament
10 minutes rule motion: Road Safety plans – Adam Jogee MP – link – 01/09/2026
Adam Jogee MP introduced the Road Safety Plans Bill, a Private Member’s Bill, which would require every local authority in England to prepare and publish a bespoke road safety plan for each school, addressing local risks such as speeding, unsafe crossings and blind spots. He argued that school road safety needs a more localised approach rather than relying on broad, one-size-fits-all measures.
The Bill was prompted by road safety concerns in Newcastle-under-Lyme, including a serious collision involving a parent outside Meadows Primary School in December 2025 and wider reports of speeding and near misses. The Bill passed its First Reading and is due for Second Reading on 16 October 2026. PACTS will provide an update on the Bill’s passage in the next October newsletter.
Private Members’ Bill: Multi-Storey Car Parks (Safety): Second Reading – Maria Eagle MP – link – 04/09/2026
The Bill focused more on trying to prevent suicides in car parks by setting safety requirements and minimum onsite staffing requirements.
Westminster Hall debate: vehicle theft – Liz Jarvis MP – link – 08/09/2026 – Minister for Policing present
MPs debated the growing problem of vehicle theft, including the increasing use of sophisticated technology by organised criminal networks. Road safety concerns were also raised, particularly the risks posed by stolen vehicles being driven dangerously and the potential danger to other road users and emergency services.
Legislation
Railways Bill – Committee Stage (day 1) – link – 08/09/2026
The Railways Bill completed its first day of the House of Lords Committee Stage. The House of Lords Committee Stage will last until the end of October.
Railways Bill – Committee Stage (day 2) – link – 10/09/2026
The Railways Bill completed its second day of the House of Lords Committee Stage. The House of Lords Committee Stage will last until the end of October.
Railways Bill – Committee Stage (day 3) – link – 16/09/2026
The Railways Bill completed its third day of the House of Lords Committee Stage. The House of Lords Committee Stage will last until the end of October.
