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The biggest review into transport in a generation will pave the way for transforming the way people and goods move around our cities, the government has announced today (19 March 2019) in its Future of mobility: urban strategy.

The review will explore regulations around new types of vehicles including e-scooters and e-cargo bike trailers, how sharing data can improve services by reducing congestion, and how journey planning and payment can be made more simple. This wide-ranging review will also explore modernising laws from the 1800s that are providing a barrier to innovation.

Alongside this, the government is launching a competition for up to 4 new 鈥榝uture mobility zones鈥�, backed by 拢90 million, to test ideas to improve journeys for people across the country. With 80% of people in the UK now using smartphones, ideas will include smoother payment systems, better, more up-to-date travel information and the use of innovative forms of transport, making travel in towns and cities more convenient, more reliable and cheaper.

Future of Mobility Minister, Jesse Norman, said:

We are at a potentially pivotal moment for the future of transport, with revolutionary technologies creating huge opportunities for cleaner, cheaper, safer and more reliable journeys.

Through this strategy the government aims to take advantage of these innovations; connecting more people and bringing big benefits we hope for both the economy and the environment.

Mike Hawes, SMMT Chief Executive, said:

The automotive industry is responding to perhaps the most significant change since the invention of the car. Mobility as we know it is evolving, improving people鈥檚 day-to-day lives with implications for all of society. Today鈥檚 strategy offers important guidance on the objectives and principles underpinning the future of mobility in towns and cities, while giving industry scope to invest and innovate, developing exciting new services.

We look forward to working closely with government and local authorities to shape the strategy鈥檚 implementation, helping to position the UK as a global leader in future mobility.

Future of Mobility Grand Challenge Business Champion and former Board Member of BMW, Ian Robertson said:

With a long history of transport innovation, a world-class research base and many established technology leaders, the UK is in prime position for a transport revolution.

The government鈥檚 vision as set out in the 鈥楩uture of mobility: urban strategy鈥� will ensure that going forward, all businesses within the transport industry create technology that is accessible to everyone, environmentally friendly and economically worthwhile. In doing so, the industry can ensure it harnesses its domestic expertise to profit from a growing market for cleaner, safer and more efficient transport.

Mayor of the West Midlands, Andy Street said:

Technology is going to completely change the way people get around, and we鈥檙e pleased the West Midlands is at the forefront of this revolution.

The West Midlands is already the beating heart of Britain鈥檚 self-driving vehicle testing, competing with Silicon Valley, Germany and China.

As the UK鈥檚 first ever future mobility area we are already developing these new technologies to help people get around more quickly and easily, and to build the next billion-dollar company like Uber or Tesla right here in Birmingham, Binley or Brierley.

Matthew Eastwood, Head of Transport at Energy Saving Trust commented:

The Department for Transport鈥檚 eCargo Bike Grant Fund will support the adoption of ecargo bikes by businesses in England. An ecargo bike has the potential to be faster through traffic than a van and offer much lower operating costs. They are a practical sustainable transport solution for urban deliveries, generating zero emissions therefore contributing to improved air quality.

Successful applicants will access grant funding for up to 20% of the cost of a new ecargo bike up to the value of 拢1,000 per bike and must sign up to an agreed code of practice. Applications for the eCargo Bike Grant Fund will open on 1 April, in the meantime potential applicants can review the eligibility criteria, code of conduct and register an expression of interest at www.energysavingtrust.org.uk/transport/ecargo-bike-fund

The strategy, a key part of the government鈥檚 modern Industrial Strategy, also sets out 9 key principles that will guide government decision-making going forward, ensuring that emerging transport technologies are safe, accessible and green.

These include being: safe, secure and guarded against cyber threats; accessible to older people and those with visible and non-visible disabilities; and in line with the government鈥檚 ambition for a zero-emission future.

In a further boost for sustainable transport, the government has announced the first winners of the Transforming Cities Fund and awarded 拢60 million to 10 city regions for schemes supporting low-carbon vehicles, cycling and walking projects, and smart traffic controls. The Transforming Cities Fund aims to invest in public and sustainable transport infrastructure in some of England鈥檚 largest city regions, encouraging an increase in journeys made by low carbon modes.

The government has also published its response to the Last Mile call for evidence, outlining a range of measures to support cleaner and more sustainable last mile deliveries. These include increasing the uptake of e-cargo bikes and e-vans. In addition, working with the Energy Saving Trust, the government is also now inviting expressions of interest for 拢2 million of funding to support the uptake of e-cargo bikes.