Category: Uncategorised

Reforms to Driver Certificate of Professional Competence (CPC) have come into effect today (Tuesday 3 December). Changes include:
• introducing a National Driver CPC that will cover driving a lorry, bus or coach in the UK
• allowing training courses to be done in blocks of 3.5 hours, rather than the previous 7 hours, to allow greater flexibility
• decoupling e-learning from trainer led courses
The guidance on how the reforms affect drivers has been updated, look on their website: https://www.gov.uk/

The measure to speed up the process for drivers to return to driving a lorry of bus coach in the UK if their Driver CPC has expired will come into effect on 1 February 2025.
Finding National Driver CPC courses
Over 200 National training courses have been approved and added to the list of available Driver CPC training courses. You will now be able to search by National and International courses.
Introducing a periodic test
The results from the 2023 consultation on introduction of a test were mixed and DfT will continue to keep under review the possibility of the introduction of a periodic test.
The dedicated page on the Driver CPC reforms is available on GOV.UK: https://www.gov.uk/

From Wednesday 4 December 2024 roadworks will be taking place on Belvedere Road between the railway bridge and Upper Ground slip roads. This will consist of temporary traffic lights past the worksite. Works are expected to be in place until May 2025.

There will be changes to some tour bus stopping and standing arrangements, but these have already been communicated to the relevant operator.
Coach parking for the London Eye remains open.

Between November 2024 and May 2025 there will be weekend directional closures of the A40 Westway elevated section between the Westway roundabout and Marylebone flyover. Access to and from the A40 & A3220 will be maintained.

Until Monday 17 February

A40 Westway

Every weekend until Monday 17 February, the A40 Westway will be closed eastbound between the Westway roundabout and Marylebone Flyover. The closure takes place at weekends only from 22:00 on Fridays to 05:00 Mondays. This is while we carry out critical safety improvements.

Signed diversion routes will be in place but local roads are expected to be extremely busy.

Use alternative routes such as the A312 The Parkway or the A406 North Circular Road for connections with the A4.

Friday 21st February to Monday 19th May 2025

Westbound closures of the A40 from Marylebone Flyover to the Westway Roundabout (excluding Bank Holiday weekends).

Visit  A40 Westway webpage for more information.

A3220 Battersea Bridge Road

There will be a series of lane restrictions affecting Battersea Bridge Road across Battersea Bridge, between Cambridge Road on the south side and Cheyne Walk on the north.

Work will start at the junction with Cambridge Road and progress north one junction at a time. This is while we deliver the Battersea Bridge safety improvements scheme. Some local roads will also be closed where required, with signed diversions in place.

Dear Members,

We have received formal confirmation today from the Department for Transport (DfT) that the regulations regarding exemptions from the Accessible Information requirements for rail replacement services have now been published. You can access the details via the following link:

Exemption for Rail Replacement Coach Services

A total of 546 operators have been granted exemptions, and the operator’s licence number for each is listed in the published regulations. If you have not yet received direct notification from DfT regarding your application status, we recommend reviewing the operator’s licence list to confirm your exemption.

Should your licence number not appear in the list, or if you have not received an email confirming your application approval, please contact the DfT at: [email protected]

With Best Wishes,

The UK Coach Operators Association

A316 London Road roundabout

From Monday 21 October until mid-2025, there will be a series of lane restrictions on the A316 at the London Road roundabout and on all approaches. This is so we can complete highway improvement works.

If you are using the A316, plan ahead, allow more time for your journey and check before you travel

Crisis Control

If your company, or one of your vehicles, is involved in an incident that is attracting media attention, our Crisis Control service is here to help.  More information can be found here