Transport Legislation

Legislative framework for transportation systems, road safety, public transport, aviation, and maritime matters.

The M48 Motorway (Severn Bridge) (Temporary Prohibition of Heavy Goods Vehicles) Order 2025

Published: Thu 22nd May 25

This order temporarily bans heavy goods vehicles exceeding 7.5 tonnes on specified sections of the M48 Severn Bridge, effective May 27th, 2025, for up to 18 months.

The ban addresses the potential for public danger and significant road damage.

Exemptions are in place for emergency vehicles and those with police permission.

The order is based on the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984, with consideration given to alternative routes.

The Motor Vehicles (Driving Licences) (Amendment) (No. 2) Regulations 2025

Published: Thu 22nd May 25

The Motor Vehicles (Driving Licences) (Amendment) (No. 2) Regulations 2025 amend the 1999 Motor Vehicles (Driving Licences) Regulations.

Specifically, they revise the rules concerning the types of zero-emission vehicles that can be driven under certain licence categories in Great Britain.

The changes primarily relax restrictions on the maximum authorized mass of zero-emission vehicles that category B licence holders (standard car licence) can operate, allowing for larger vehicles and trailer combinations, with some stipulations on age and experience in certain cases.

The regulations also address the age restrictions for driving some medium-sized goods vehicles specified within the updated regulations, setting a single legal age of 17.

This legislation revokes and replaces previous regulations largely based on assimilated EU law.

The Folkestone Harbour Revision Order (Amendment) Order 2025

The Folkestone Harbour Revision Order (Amendment) Order 2025 corrects an error in the 2017 order.

It removes the phrase “not exceeding the statutory maximum” from articles 12(2), 14(2), and 15(2), thereby removing the upper limit on fines for non-compliance with regulations concerning navigation safety and lighting.

This change reflects the removal of such limits in the Legal Aid, Sentencing and Punishment of Offenders Act 2012.

The order applies to England and Wales and took effect on June 10, 2025.

The Manston Airport Development Consent (Amendment) Order 2025

The Manston Airport Development Consent (Amendment) Order 2025 amends the 2022 order to extend the time limit for compulsory land acquisition from one to five years.

This amendment, made under the Planning Act 2008, addresses potential delays in the airport development project.

The order was signed by Kayla Marks, Head of the Transport and Works Act Orders Unit at the Department for Transport, on May 19, 2025 and comes into effect May 20, 2025.

The Blyth (Extension of Limits) Harbour Revision Order 2025

The Blyth (Extension of Limits) Harbour Revision Order 2025, enacted by the Marine Management Organisation, extends the Blyth Harbour limits to encompass Ash Barge Dock.

The order amends the Blyth Harbour Act 1986 to reflect this change, defining "Ash Barge Dock" and incorporating it into the harbour's jurisdictional boundaries.

The order also protects the rights of Trinity House and safeguards Crown interests.

It came into force on June 2nd, 2025, and applies to England and Wales.

The Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development) (England) (Amendment) Order 2025

This order amends the 2015 Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development) Order for England.

Key changes include relaxing restrictions on installing electric vehicle charging points and air source heat pumps, streamlining planning processes for these developments.

Specific alterations involve removing certain limitations on the size, location, and number of permitted installations.

A transitional provision allows continued development under previous regulations for a limited time.

The Aviation Security (Amendment) Regulations 2025

The Aviation Security (Amendment) Regulations 2025, effective June 23, 2025, amend existing aviation security legislation.

Specifically, they remove Chapters 3 (aircraft security) and 7 (air carrier mail and air carrier materials) from Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2015/1998.

The regulations apply to England, Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland, and were signed by Mike Kane, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State at the Department for Transport.

The A12 Chelmsford to A120 Widening Development Consent (Corrections) Order 2025

The A12 Chelmsford to A120 Widening Development Consent (Corrections) Order 2025 rectifies errors within the 2024 Development Consent Order granted under the Planning Act 2008.

Following requests from the applicant and Essex County Council, the Secretary of State issued this order, which details specific corrections to various articles and schedules, encompassing definitions, references, and textual inconsistencies relevant to highway specifications, environmental documentation, and land acquisition processes.

The order came into force on April 25th, 2025.