The challenge
Achieving net zero emissions will require significant additional change to the way we travel. In decarbonising the sector, we will need to use transport fuelled by alternatives to fossil fuels, in addition to unlocking the potential of new technologies to create demand-led, sustainable journeys.
The Government has published its Transport Decarbonisation Plan, which sets out its policy to achieve decarbonisation by 2050. It is far-reaching and to achieve the aspirations set out in the Plan, change is required across all modes of transport. Shifts will also be needed for wider planning, development and regeneration policies, which will all require buy-in from and collaboration amongst a variety of stakeholders.
How we can help
We work across the whole transport sector – highways and roads, rail (passenger and freight), aviation, marine and ports. Our client-base is broad and includes funders, technology developers, operators, regulators and public bodies. This provides us with a holistic understanding of the sector and its opportunities for decarbonisation, such as innovation in transport methods, how transport is fuelled, changes in personal travel choices and the logistics of how goods are distributed.
We work in close partnership with our clients, advising on transport innovation, the development of alternative fuels (including hydrogen and fuel cells), and transport infrastructure. We also advise on the use of new technologies. These are increasingly required to capture data that informs strategic business and government policy on how best to shape our transport network for the future, and continue meeting passenger and commercial demands.
We are seeing changes in infrastructure development across all transport modes, including the introduction of zero carbon buses and cars (including autonomous vehicles). Existing infrastructure challenges in rail are helping to shape future requirements for rolling stock and we advise clients on alternative forms of traction (including battery).
We provide strategic thinking and commercial insight to help deliver tailored solutions to meet client aspirations, ranging from pilot projects and individual supply arrangements to fully integrated (turnkey) projects.
What we do
Our transport law expertise includes:
- Multi-modal transport solutions – transport hubs, rail-air through ticketing, terminal and port network integration
- Highways, rail, airports and ports – infrastructure and operations
- Digitalisation and new technology – including the digital railway, passenger information screens and autonomous vehicles
- Developing modal and multi-modal regulation – from proposals for rail franchising and open access, bus partnerships to European rail packages and safety
- Corporate structuring – including the creation of Highways England and the governance of Northern Ireland transport
- Finance
- Public and private sector interfaces
- Research and Development
- Infrastructure
Our partnerships
We are well connected and sit on key industry groups. We participate in a number of bodies including: