The UK Government has set out a programme of transport legislation including reforms and investment aimed at supporting economic growth and infrastructure modernisation.
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King Charles III today (13 May) outlined the UK Government’s forthcoming legislative agenda during the State Opening of Parliament, the second King’s Speech of the current Starmer Government.
The main themes of the King’s Speech and the upcoming legislative agenda include economic, energy and national security, ending the opportunity crisis, and strengthened public services and reformed state.
More information on the State Opening of Parliament is available to read here.
The full text of the King’s speech 2026 is available to read here.
The UK Government’s legislative agenda includes several major initiatives across rail, road, aviation, and other transport sectors aimed at boosting economic growth and improving infrastructure.
CIHT welcomes the upcoming legislative agenda and is pleased that the UK Government recognises the central role that infrastructure and mobility play in supporting economic growth, connectivity, resilience, and decarbonisation across the UK.
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The UK Government is introducing new funding models and investments to modernize the road network:
Highways (Financing) Bill: This Bill introduces a Regulated Asset Base (RAB) funding model to attract private capital for large-scale road projects, with the Lower Thames Crossing expected to be the first scheme to use it.
Major Event Planning: The Sporting Events Bill will require designated bodies to publish statutory transport plans and use enhanced road regulation powers to manage traffic during major events like EURO 2028.
Draft Taxi and Private Hire Vehicle Bill: This Bill seeks to replace "Victorian-era" rules with a single national framework for England. Key measures include a national database of all licensed vehicles and drivers to improve information sharing between authorities and enhanced protections for disabled passengers.
European Trade: The European Partnership Bill aims to reduce red tape and cut queue times for lorries at the border through new agreements with the EU.
Cyber Security: The Cyber Security and Resilience Bill identifies the rail network as critical national infrastructure; a potential systemic cyber incident causing one week of disruption could cost the economy £1.8 billion. It also brings operators of electric vehicle charge points into its regulatory scope to protect the electricity network.
Civil Aviation Bill: This legislation aims to unlock the benefits of airport expansion and reform airport slot regulations to be more responsive to demand.
Maritime Innovation: Under the Regulating for Growth Bill, the government intends to create a regulatory sandbox for Maritime Autonomous Surface Shipping (MASS). This will allow for controlled testing of autonomous commercial and defence vessels, with the goal of capturing 10% of a global market projected to be worth over $217 billion by 2033.
The government plans a significant overhaul of the rail network through two primary bills:
Railways and Passenger Benefits Bill: This legislation will establish Great British Railways (GBR), a new publicly owned company that will unite track and train management under a single body. GBR will be responsible for a single online ticketing platform, simplifying the currently fragmented system of different fare types. The Bill also creates a Passenger Watchdog and an independent rail ombudsman to resolve disputes.
Northern Powerhouse Rail (NPR) Bill: Formally known as the High-Speed Rail (Crewe - Manchester) Bill, this project involves up to £45 billion in investment to provide "turn-up-and-go" services between major northern cities like Liverpool, Manchester, Leeds, and York. Phase 2 of the project will specifically provide powers to construct a connection to Manchester Piccadilly via Manchester Airport.
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