Transport Insights

The transport stories you won't see in the industry-friendly media

Author

Chris Ames

Tag: greenwood

  • Ministers on the move

    At the time of writing, there are only four ministers listed on the Department for Transport webpage, with Lilian Greenwood and Mike Kane moving out and just one MP, Keir Mather, coming in.

    The remaining junior ministers, “Lord” Peter Hendy and Simon Lightwood, still have their existing portfolios (rail and local transport respectively) but Mather does not have one. I’m not sure he even has a driving licence.

    We will see how it settles down if/when a fifth minister is announced.

    I should apologise to Greenwood. Last week I mocked her for promising for the second time that progress on pavement parking would be made “very soon”.

    The trouble of course is that Greenwood’s departure will both delay progress on this and mean that her “very soon” promise will not have been made by the current minister.

    She also said the issue was a personal “bugbear” and this may have been her downfall with a No 10 operation determined not to upset drivers.

    Perhaps the new minister will even be a fan of pavement parking, particularly for delivery, delivery, delivery vehicles.

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  • Pavement parking ban remains sidelined

    During a Westminster Hall debate on Wednesday, future of roads minister Lilian Greenwood signalled that a ban on pavement parking is imminent – or did she?

    Well it looks like it could happen…some time in the future of roads.

    Local news outlets such as Bristol Live report:

    Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Transport, Lilian Greenwood, revealed that a policy announcement was imminent.

    “Our work is helping us shape a policy that is not only effective but equitable. As a result of all that work, I expect to make an announcement very soon.”

    Greenwood noted that the last government had sat on the issue for four years (after its consultation closed in November 2020) but said Labour, which came to power 14 months ago, was dealing with the matter as a matter of urgency.

    “Very soon” sounds like good news. It’s such good news that Greenwood has said it (at least) twice.

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