Vociferous Applause for AV Act at ITS UK Parliamentary Reception, 17 June
We were delighted to attend the Intelligent Transport Systems UK (ITS UK) Parliamentary Reception at Westminster last week (Tuesday 17 June), with highlights including a policy update from Minister for the Future of Roads, Lilian Greenwood MP, and notable praise for the Automated Vehicles (AV) Act.
After initial networking and a chance to take in the glorious views from the Terrace Pavilion, we were greeted by Henry Tufnell MP, who referenced progress on the AV Act – prompting a spontaneous round of applause – the Bus Services Bill, Great British Railways (GBR), the National AI Strategy, and the Integrated National Transport Strategy (INTS).
There followed a compelling short speech by Peter Simm, of event sponsor Mobius Networks. “Transport relies on digital systems, so we need to take cybersecurity seriously,” he said. “Imagine if impacts lasted for 6 weeks, like the recent M&S attack.”
ITS UK Chief Executive, Max Sugarman, then spoke eloquently about expanding choice and joining up modes, helping local authorities move from trials to deployment, and having a grown-up conversation about road charging.
The gravitas of the occasion was reflected by the seniority of both the speakers and the ITS UK members in attendance. We heard from not only Lilian Greenwood MP, but also the Shadow Transport Minister, Lord Moylan, and the Lib Dem’s Transport Spokesperson, Paul Kohler MP.
All party support for AVs
Lord Moylan thanked ITS UK for fostering collaboration and promoting innovation. “The greatest risk lies in running away from new technology,” he said. “The Conservative Party is supportive of the AV Act, which lays the groundwork. It is a significant step to ensure the UK remains at the forefront of this technology.”
Lauding the Netherlands for its cutting-edge approach to integrated transport, Kohler urged greater local decision-making. “This cannot all come from the centre,” he said. “We need to hear what local communities need. Some rural areas have no buses at all, it’s just not good enough. Now is the time for ambition and innovation.”
The headline slot naturally went to the government. Lilian Greenwood (Labour member of parliament for Nottingham South since 2010, now Minister for the Future of Roads) spoke of the Department for Transport’s vision for “safer, faster journeys for everyone”.
Describing AVs as “an example of the benefits AI can bring”, and the issue of marketing terms as “an important safety matter”, she added: “The months, years, decades ahead are full of opportunities for transport. If we get it right, there’s a very bright future.”
UK transport community
Formalities complete, we adjourned to the balcony by the Thames for further networking. Especially coming the day before MOVE London 2025 at Excel, there was a pleasing mix of familiar self-driving faces – Kenneth Clarke of Silvera Automotive Solutions, Hendrik Frenzel of Dromos, Jamie Hodsdon of Oxa, Karla Jakeman of TRL, and Richard Morris of Innovate UK – and representatives from the wider intelligent transport community.
Absolute pleasure to chat with Paula Claytonsmith of The Local Council Roads Innovation Group (LCRIG), Jordan Cowley of Transport for West Midlands (TFWM), ITS consultant Alistair Gollop, Paul Hudson of Now Wireless, Jon Lyons of Mobius, John Paddington of ERTICO, Ian Patey of WSP, Rachael Quinn of ITS UK, Dave Todman of Amazon Web Services (AWS), and Andrew Waight of Solent Streetworks.
For more on how ITS UK is helping to build safer, greener, more integrated transport networks, visit its-uk.org