King's Speech: LGA statement on the Automated Vehicles Bill

Responding to the Automated Vehicles Bill announced in the King's Speech, Cllr Darren Rodwell, Transport spokesperson for the Local Government Association, said:

“Autonomous Vehicles have potential to dramatically improve people’s quality of life, especially in areas where bus services struggle to support them. It is important the law keeps up with new technology and trends in the way we travel.

“Councils will continue to prioritise safety and public health, regardless of mode of travel, alongside plans to keep roads congestion free, buses moving and make walking and cycling the first choice for short journeys to reduce carbon emissions.

“Councils are already leading the way in digitalising their Traffic Regulation Orders to manage their streets more effectively and efficiently, while preparing the ground for autonomous vehicles. It is important these changes end a long overdue, outdated and expensive requirement for these orders, and other council notices, to be published in local newspapers.

“Government also needs to act to help pedestrians and road users by regulating the estimated 750,000 private e-scooters already on our roads, the majority of which are used illegally and by banning pavement parking, which would make footpaths accessible to all parts of society.”