Department for Transport

Action Planned (AI summary) The County Council proposes to bring forward the upgrading of the Pelican crossing by 3 years to a new style Puffin crossing, with completion estimated by the end of the financial year. The crown on the trees on the northbound approach to the crossing will be raised to improve visibility.

Action Planned (AI summary) The DfE intends to consult on a revised version of guidance on school transport in the autumn and will consider whether they should further clarify the description of the training that drivers and escorts should receive. The DfT will reinforce the importance of basic life support training for drivers through targeted communications and social media, and raise the profile of the issue with bus industry and local authority stakeholders.

Action Planned (AI summary) The Department of Transport commissioned the Northern Trans Pennine study, covering the A66 and A69 and the Chancellor announced in the 2016 Budget his commitment to upgrade the A66 and A69. Safety improvements at specific locations on the A66 are to be delivered this financial year.

Action Planned (AI summary) The Department for Transport is working to improve direct and indirect vision for drivers, including international agreement to allow camera systems instead of mirrors, developing aerodynamic HGVs, and working with stakeholders on safer lorry designs.

Action Planned (AI summary) The London Heliport is pursuing officially safeguarded status and working with the CAA/EASA, local government, and NATS. They are awaiting a response from the DfT regarding the case for official safeguarding. The CAA is reviewing the safety of onshore helicopter operations in the UK, will work with the helicopter community, and is planning a seminar on safety culture for the commercial helicopter industry. They will also actively engage with the DfT and DCLG regarding building obstacle impact assessments.

Action Planned (AI summary) • The London Heliport has continued its correspondence with both CAA and DfT in order to provide information to progress consideration of official safeguarding of the London Heliport and assist them with implementation of AAIB report recommendation 2014-30. • The DfT will treat the email as a formal application for official safeguarding whilst asking for further documentary evidence to support the application. • The DfT will consult the CAA and the Department for Communities and Local Government to determine what other measures, if any, are available to ensure that local planning authorities give due regard to safeguarding concerns the London Heliport when granting planning permission. • The Flight Operations team is conducting a review of the safety of onshore helicopter operations in the UK this year. • The review will include a post implementation review of the Standardised European Rules of the Air (SERA). • The CAA will work with the helicopter community to consider whether there are any recommendations or industry best practice that could be incorporated into regulation or regulatory guidance material.

Action Planned (AI summary) The Department for Transport explains vehicle safety standards and states they intend to produce a new chapter of the Traffic Signs Manual on traffic lights and pedestrian crossings, bringing together and updating existing advice, but cannot give a precise date for publication.

Action Planned (AI summary) The National Trust is supportive of Wiltshire Council's proposal to downgrade a section of Byway 11 to a bridleway. They are also contributing to discussions with the Department for Transport regarding proposals for a tunnel for the A303. Wiltshire Council has commenced the process of exploring potential solutions with multiple agencies, including Highways England and Historic England. The Council has requested an extension to the response deadline to 12 months due to the multi-agency approach required. English Heritage supports the downgrading of Byway 11 to a bridleway and its closure to vehicular access, and offers to work with Wiltshire Council and the police on the matter. They acknowledge concerns about the impact on Byway 12 and that no recent action has been taken to review the use of Byways 11 or 12.

Action Planned (AI summary) TfL will conduct a detailed investigation of lighting levels on Westminster Bridge by August 2015 and consider appropriate alterations, also public consultation in summer 2015 on the road layout across the bridge as part of TfL's 'Better Junctions' works programme.

Action Planned (AI summary) The Department for Transport has raised the issue of bus seat design with bus manufacturers and plans to encourage them to adopt additional safety features. They also intend to raise the issue within the international technical group responsible for pan-European construction requirements.