Category: Uncategorised

Dear All,

 OAKLEY STREET AND OLD CHURCH STREET – BUS AND COACH BAN

The Kensington and Chelsea (Prescribed Routes) (No. 7) Traffic Order 2023

On behalf of the Council of the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea and in accordance with the usual consultation procedures on traffic and parking schemes, I wish to draw your attention to the made order, described more fully in the attached documents, to prohibit all buses (including coaches) from entering Oakley Street and Old Church Street (between the south-eastern kerb-line of King’s Road and the north-western kerb-line of Chelsea Embankment), excluding any part of those roads that is a red route side road. An exemption would apply to vehicles following a diversion route, and dial a ride and community transport services..

If you have any queries or wish to discuss the matter further, please do not hesitate to contact me.

Kind regards,

Paul White

Parkmap and Traffic Orders Officer

Transport and Regulatory Services
Tel:   020 7361 3399

Email:   [email protected]
37 Pembroke Road, London W8 6PW

There will be a series of temporary lane closures in place at Gallows Corner junction on the A127 Southend Arterial Road and A12 Eastern Avenue, approaching and leaving the roundabout. This will reduce the road from two lanes to one.

During this period all routes will remain open, including the Gallows Corner flyover, and temporary footway diversions will be in place.

Approach roads and local roads will be very busy during the works. Significant queues and delays are expected. Journeys made before 07:30 and after 19:00 may experience less disruption.

This is the first step of works to renew and strengthen the ageing Gallows Corner flyover so the major structure can continue to serve Londoners reliably.

From mid-June until September, Gallows Corner Junction – both roundabout and flyover – will be closed to all traffic except emergency vehicles and buses for flyover replacement works. There will be local diversion routes for traffic and temporary walking route diversions in place.

Lambeth Bridge eastbound directional closure (Westminster to Lambeth) from 10 February to 19 December 2025.

TKJV, working on behalf of TFL will be carrying out public realm improvement works on Lambeth Bridge. Works will necessitate the part closure of Lambeth Bridge.

Coaches unloading passengers in the northbound coach parking on Park Lane.

Please can we remind operators that aside from the two coach bays to the rear of Apsley House no boarding or alighting is permitted in the northbound coach parking due to the proximity of the cycle lane. Additionally all northbound stops have a local buses only restriction. Set down and pick up only (no parking or waiting) is permitted on the southbound carriageway at bus stops and a dedicated facility next to the Dorchester hotel.

Thank you

The Department for Transport have yesterday issued an important update to the upcoming requirements for Smart Tachograph 2 installation and driver’s hours records for PSV’s when conducting journeys into the EU.

From 31 December 2024, new requirements will come into effect for some commercial international transport journeys involving PSV’s with more than 10 seats. These updates apply to operators conducting journeys between the UK and EU and form part of the UK’s international agreements under the Trade and Cooperation Agreement (TCA) and the Interbus Agreement. 

Key Points to Note

1. Scope of Changes
   • The changes apply only to PSVs operating international transport journeys between the UK and EU.
   • Vehicles used solely within the UK remain unaffected and must continue to follow the UK’s assimilated drivers’ hours and tachograph rules.

1. AETR Rules for International Journeys
   • In-scope PSVs on UK-EU journeys must comply with the AETR drivers’ hours and tachograph rules.
   • The AETR rules largely align with the UK’s assimilated rules but with some differences such as:
     • No Mobility Package Changes: Unlike the assimilated rules, the AETR does not include updates introduced by the EU Mobility Package in August 2020.
     • Recording Period: The AETR continues to require a 28-day recording period for drivers’ records. The 56-day requirement under the EU Mobility Package does not apply.

1. Understanding the TCA and Interbus Agreement
   • The TCA does not include detailed rules for passenger transport drivers’ hours and tachographs. Instead, it refers to the Interbus Agreement, which requires compliance with the AETR or specific EU rules.
   • The UK has confirmed that operators must follow the AETR rules for international journeys. To align with this:
     • Domestic journeys will continue to follow the UK’s assimilated rules.
     • International journeys between the UK and EU will follow the AETR rules.
   • This approach has been agreed upon with the European Commission.

1. Smart Tachographs
   • PSVs equipped with Smart Tachograph 1 or 2 systems remain compliant with AETR requirements. These devices meet the standards for digital tachographs and include additional functionalities.
   • The Department for Transport (DfT) is reviewing the current requirement for UK-registered vehicles with analogue or digital tachographs to retrofit a Smart Tachograph 2 by 31 December 2024. Enforcement of this requirement is on hold pending further updates.

1. Domestic Transport Rules Unchanged
   • PSVs operating solely on domestic UK journeys must continue to comply with the UK’s assimilated drivers’ hours rules. There are no changes to these rules or their enforcement.

Guidance and Support

Operators are encouraged to familiarize themselves with the AETR rules and ensure compliance for international journeys. Guidance on drivers’ hours and tachograph rules is available at Drivers’ hours: Overview – GOV.UK.

The UKCOA will provide updates on any further changes as they occur

Stephen Spendley- Director of Operations- UK Coach Operators Association – 07990 049832

Last night, 16th December 2024, UKCOA Managing Director, Peter Bradley had the privilege of speaking at the All-Party Parliamentary Group for Bus and Coach.  This Group brings together parliamentarians and Industry stakeholders to discuss key issues, drive initiatives and champion the growth and survival of our sector.

We are proud to play an active role in shaping the future of our industry and ensuring that coaches remain a vital part of the UK’s transport network.

(L-R) APPG Co-Chair Lord Peter Snape, Peter Bradley, Claire Walters – Bus Users UK Chief Executive and Louise Cheeseman – Chair of Women in Bus and Coach.

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 19th May

A40 Westway

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.