We now have updated dates for the Park Lane works, in addition to bus NOEs (attached), from Monday 19 May until Thursday 18 September. All dates continue to be subject to change.

These works are to make permanent the infrastructure that was put in place for the Park Lane cycle lane. The works will be undertaken in six phases working south to north in localised worksites along the northbound carriageway using lane restrictions. Where the bus lane is closed it is only in the immediate vicinity of the worksite. Planned events, such as concerts, have been taken into account during the works planning.

Phase 1A & 1 B: Bus stop Y and Tour stop X – Achillies Way

• 1A: NOE CE25-66834 – 19 May to 19 June 2025
• 1B: NOE CE25-66395 – 20 June to 30 June 2025
• Bus stop and tour stop will be partly closed in each phase. Due to capacity constraints tour buses should not serve either stop but can use stop T further north as an alternative.
• Bus lane closed past this location

Phase 2: Coach parking bays (x4) prior to Stanhope Gate

Works TBC

• 19 May to 29 May 2025 2 June to 12 June 2025
• Coach parking bays closed
• Bus lane open

Phase 5 & 6: Speaker’s Corner stops W (Bus), 14 (Coach) & Z (Tour)

• 5: NOE CE25-66400 – 19 August to 3 September 2025
• 6: NOE CE25-66402 – 3 September to 18 September 2025
• Stops are closed in two phases of works (approximate dates as above) with half the stop space remaining open
  • Scheduled coaches: Should not serve these stops between 08:00 to 20:00 daily– alternative stops depending on line of route: Bayswater Road stop A or Portman Street stop M.
  • Tour buses: Can continue to serve the open stops in each phase but must keep dwell times to an absolute minimum
• Bus lane closed past this location, two traffic lanes remain open

After the works detailed above some overnight closures are likely to be required for other works, but these are TBC.

We have received the following from TfL

Hi All,

I have had a number of comments fairly recently from multiple stakeholders about coaches parking/waiting on bus stops and blocking bus services. Most recently outside the Park Lane Hilton (presumably before/after an event).

Please can you remind members the broad rules on stops:

Yellow routes

• Set down and pick up are permitted on double and single yellow lines – however, activity must be taking place. Some London boroughs allow an observation time – however, this does not apply when loading restrictions are in force
• Check signs before using bus stops to pick up and set down as most are restricted to ‘local’ or ‘LT/TfL’ buses. Parking and waiting is not permitted at any time

Red routes

• Double red lines: no stopping at any time
• Single red lines: no stopping during restricted hours
• Vehicles registered as a bus can use red route bus stops, but must not park or wait, and activity must be taking place
• Some Red Route bus stops in busy areas now restricted to ‘local’ buses.

Robert Hall | Coach Network Advisor

Victoria Coach Station | Transport for London

The Port of Dover is launching a new pilot to simplify and speed up border checks for school groups travelling from the UK to France – and it starts 3 April 2025. Under the scheme, school groups that submit passenger information to their ferry operator at least 72 hours in advance could benefit from faster processing at the French border in Dover. To qualify, schools will need to provide proof of status – such as a screenshot from their national school database registration.  We encourage members to engage and share their experiences as this rolls out.

Click here to read more: Port Of Dover Launches UK-France School Trips Border Processing Pilot To Streamline Travel

RSO Partnership Press Release

I hope your week is going well!

I’m pleased to share our latest press release announcing an exciting new partnership with Road Skills Online, aimed at addressing the growing issue of bridge strikes.

Individually, both training and technology are proven tools in preventing these costly and dangerous incidents. Together, they become even more powerful—reinforcing and supporting one another. For example, if a driver forgets key elements of their training, our Low Bridge Detection System (LBDS) can serve as a timely reminder. Conversely, if a driver is tempted to ignore an LBDS warning, their prior training may prompt them to take it seriously.

We’d greatly appreciate it if you could consider featuring this announcement in your upcoming print or digital content. Your support in sharing this exciting development would be invaluable to us.

Kind regards

Louise Smith

Design and Marketing Manager

Dear Member,

The Office of the Traffic Commissioner has recently issued a survey regarding accessibility, and we want to understand how our members feel about it.

This short form includes just three questions and should only take a couple of minutes to complete. Your responses, especially your honest views in the final question, will help guide the UKCOA’s conversations with government and stakeholders as we continue to represent the coach industry’s interests on this important issue.

Your feedback is anonymous and greatly appreciated.  To access the form please click here.

A30 westbound within the B3184 junction | Westbound | Road Works

Location : The A30 westbound. Reason : Roadworks are planned. Status : Pending. Schedule : Expect disruption everyday between 20:00 and 06:00 from 1 April 2025 to 5 April 2025. Schedule : Expect disruption everyday between 20:00 and 06:00 from 7 April 2025 to 12 April 2025. Schedule : Expect disruption everyday between 20:00 and 06:00 from 1 September 2025 to 6 September 2025. Schedule : Expect disruption everyday between 20:00 and 06:00 from 8 September 2025 to 13 September 2025. Lanes Closed : All lanes will be closed.

A30 eastbound exit for B3184 | Eastbound | Road Works

Location : The A30 eastbound. Reason : Roadworks are planned. Status : Pending. Schedule : Expect disruption everyday between 20:00 and 06:00 from 1 April 2025 to 5 April 2025. Schedule : Expect disruption everyday between 20:00 and 06:00 from 7 April 2025 to 12 April 2025. Schedule : Expect disruption everyday between 20:00 and 06:00 from 1 September 2025 to 6 September 2025. Schedule : Expect disruption everyday between 20:00 and 06:00 from 8 September 2025 to 13 September 2025. Lanes Closed : All lanes will be closed.

A30 westbound exit for B3184 | Westbound | Road Works

Location : The A30 westbound. Reason : Roadworks are planned. Status : Pending. Schedule : Expect disruption everyday between 20:00 and 06:00 from 1 April 2025 to 5 April 2025. Schedule : Expect disruption everyday between 20:00 and 06:00 from 7 April 2025 to 12 April 2025. Schedule : Expect disruption everyday between 20:00 and 06:00 from 1 September 2025 to 6 September 2025. Schedule : Expect disruption everyday between 20:00 and 06:00 from 8 September 2025 to 13 September 2025. Lanes Closed : All lanes will be closed.

A30 eastbound within the B3184 junction | Eastbound | Road Works

Location : The A30 eastbound between the M5 and the junction with the A375 . Reason : Roadworks are planned. Status : Pending. Schedule : Expect disruption everyday between 20:00 and 06:00 from 1 April 2025 to 5 April 2025. Schedule : Expect disruption everyday between 20:00 and 06:00 from 7 April 2025 to 12 April 2025. Schedule : Expect disruption everyday between 20:00 and 06:00 from 1 September 2025 to 6 September 2025. Schedule : Expect disruption everyday between 20:00 and 06:00 from 8 September 2025 to 13 September 2025. Lanes Closed : All lanes will be closed.

(taken from the National Highways website)

• Scheme will create new pedestrian crossings, a protected cycling route and improvements to bus lanes in the area

• Construction programme planned to minimise disruption for local residents and businesses as much as possible, but there will be impact at times

• TfL launching a dedicated travel advice page closer to the start of these works. 
• Roads in the surrounding area expected to be busier than usual, TfL encouraging Londoners to consider alternative transport options.

• Ensuring that people can walk, cycle and use public transport is vital to the capital’s economy and to improving everyone’s safety, health and wellbeing

Transport for London (TfL) is due to begin construction work this summer on a major new scheme to make A23 Streatham Hill safer and better for residents and those visiting the area.  The scheme, developed in close partnership with Lambeth Council, will create new pedestrian crossings, a protected cycling route and improvements to bus lanes in the area.

Ensuring that everyone can travel safely and sustainably is important to the health and wellbeing of people in neighbourhoods and communities across the capital. This includes being able to access local high streets, shops and other businesses and amenities easily and affordably. Currently, roads in the area do not make it easy or attractive to walk or catch the bus. TfL also needs to protect bus journey times on this important corridor to enable more people to benefit from London’s affordable network of bus services. The scheme will make it easier to cross busy roads, offer protected space for people to cycle and provide continuous bus lanes with fewer obstructions. The work will be undertaken in five main stages and is due to be completed by spring 2027.

The latest collision analysis for the area shows that 72 collisions took place in the 36-month period up to 31 October 2024, resulting in injuries to 75 people. TfL is determined to eliminate death and serious injury on the transport network as part of its Vision Zero goal.

TfL held a consultation into its plans for the A23 Streatham Hill, with 70 per cent of respondents stating that the changes would make it easier or safer to walk and 83 per cent saying the same about cycling.

TfL will begin construction work in summer on changes between Sternhold Avenue and Holmewood Road including:

• Making walking safer and easier by building two new pedestrian crossings and moving existing crossings to places where people want to cross
• New protected cycle lanes to make cycling safer on this important cycling corridor, including over the busy South Circular road
• New protected cycle lanes to make cycling safer on this important cycling corridor, including over the busy South Circular road
• Improvements to bus lanes by removing parking and loading bays, making it easier for buses to travel
• Changing some access to local side roads including restrictions and closures. This will improve road safety on the A23 and minimise vehicle movements across the protected cycle lane, reducing danger to people cycling
• Making public spaces more attractive for everyone, including by planting new trees and landscaping, as well as sustainable drainage to reduce the risk of flooding
• New traffic signals at the Telford Avenue junction, outside Brixton Bus Garage.
• TfL has planned its construction programme to minimise disruption for local residents and businesses as much as possible, including maintaining traffic flow and avoiding night working where possible. TfL will continue to monitor roads during the works and implement signal strategies to relieve congestion and assist the bus network. TfL will also work closely with bus operators to minimise any impacts on bus services as much as possible and 24/7 bus garage access will be maintained. TfL will be working closely with Lambeth Council to monitor and address any impacts on local side roads and the surrounding road network. Side road closures will be staggered to avoid multiple impacts to residents. All loading and parking will be facilitated on borough roads to prevent additional congestion to the A23. A TfL public liaison officer will also consult with local businesses about bespoke loading arrangements as needed. A comprehensive customer communications campaign will be put in place to ensure customers are aware of these works and their impacts and are equipped with comprehensive travel advice and information. TfL will also be launching a dedicated travel advice page closer to the start of these works.

(taken from the TfL Website)

250312 Letter updating members regarding Regular and Special Regular Protocol (UKCOA)

Dear Member,

UK-based coach operators running international services will see changes come into effect from 1 April 2025 as the Regular and Special Regular (RSR) Protocol replaces existing arrangements under the UK-EU Trade and Cooperation Agreement (TCA).  These updates primarily impact timetabled coach services and those carrying specific groups, such as school transport.

The RSR Protocol largely replicates the temporary TCA provisions, ensuring continued access for UK operators to the EU and beyond.  From April, UK operators will be able to run authorised RSR services to countries such as Albania, Bosnia & Herzegovina, Moldova, and Ukraine, in addition to EU member states.  While this transition is expected to be smooth, operators should be aware of the revised authorisation process through the DVSA (for GB-based operators) and the DVA (for Northern Ireland operators).

For services between Northern Ireland and Ireland, specific provisions will remain under the TCA. These include allowances for cabotage within Ireland for RSR services, transit rights for journeys passing through Ireland to reach Northern Ireland, and occasional services picking up and setting down passengers in Ireland.

Cabotage rules are also changing.  From 1 April, EU operators will no longer be allowed to conduct cabotage operations in the UK.  Similarly, UK operators remain restricted from undertaking cabotage in the EU, meaning services must start or end in the UK.

For operators running occasional services, no changes are expected, and existing requirements for Interbus Journey Forms or TCA Transit Forms will continue. However, non-liberalised occasional services (those not covered by Interbus or the TCA) will still require separate authorisation through the DVSA.

The DfT has confirmed that existing RSR authorisations issued under the TCA will remain valid for their approved duration.

Full details of the changes are attached in the notification sent to the UKCOA by DfT.

M4 Prince of Wales Bridge

We’re carrying out resurfacing and repairs on the M4 Prince of Wales Bridge from summer 2024 to autumn 2025. For more information, please visit our dedicated webpage.

If we’re planning to close either of the bridges in the next seven days, you’ll find further details below. For other closures on the network, including the approaches to the bridges, please visit our daily closures page. 

(taken from the National Highways website)