Transport

Our transport lawyers are leaders in their field. With decades of experience in the sector, we offer in-depth expertise across the modes of transport law.

Overview

The transport sector remains vital to the country's economic health and there are ambitious plans in place that will continue to enhance the UK's passenger and freight systems in the years ahead.

Our industry-leading transport lawyers have deep insight into the sector and unparalleled expertise in transport law. We are committed to understanding our clients’ complex needs to ensure we deliver highly effective solutions. Drawing on a pool of expertise from across the firm, our collaborative approach allows us to build the right team for each client.

Our advice covers all aspects of transport law; from funding and operations to construction and development. We work at the forefront of new transport technologies to provide clients with innovative solutions, based on a deep understanding of the operational and commercial challenges they face.

Our transport lawyers work across the entire sector including highways and road transport, rail, aviation and marine and ports.

Our transport team has been recognised by winning Energy and Infrastructure Team of the Year for its work advising Transport for Wales and the Welsh Government on the transfer of the Core Valley Lines railway network from Network Rail to TfW.

Areas of focus

Our transport law expertise includes the following:

Multi-modal transport solutions – transport hubs, rail-air through ticketing, terminal and port network integration.
Highways, rail, airports and ports – infrastructure and operations.
Digitisation and new technology – including the digital railway, passenger information screens and driverless cars.
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.

Experience

Advising on the development and construction of the Metropolitan Line extension for London Underground.

Advising on the planning/consenting of various schemes on the UK Strategic Roads Network including for Highways England.

Advising on the new generation of Eurostar very high speed e320 trains for Eurostar.

Advising on the sale of Great Yarmouth Port Company for Global Infrastructure Management LLC, part of the Global Infrastructure Partners group.

Advising on franchise bids for many major UK rail franchises including the successful bid by FirstGroup plc for TransPennine Express

Advising on cutting edge projects analysing and implementing driverless cars and other connected and autonomous vehicle technologies in the UK, on behalf of the Venturer and FLOURISH consortia.

Advising on the major remodelling of the M4 motorway in South Wales for Costain Infrastructure, implementing the scheme.

Advising on the strategic highway network improvement and framework contracts for the delivery of the new nuclear power station at Wylfa Newydd, for the Isle of Anglesey.

Advising the Competition & Markets Authority on the corporate aspects of the £1.5 billion sale of Stansted Airport and the £807.2 million sale of Edinburgh Airport and advising on the corporate, financing and separation aspects of the £1.5 billion sale of Gatwick Airport.

Advising Airbus Group on disputes and a project for radar safeguarding and upgrade at Broughton airfield, including integration of upgrade with neighbouring Liverpool John Lennon Airport.

Open access rail applications on a major intercity route on behalf of the innovative open access provider.

Implementation of the new European Rail Traffic Management System (ERTMS) on behalf of all UK freight operating companies.

Providing energy clients, including Helius Energy plc, RES, and Prenergy Power with real estate, planning and regulatory advice relating to the development of port-side energy projects.

Advising Noss on Dart Marina on the mixed-use redevelopment of the marina, including residential, retail and employment uses and the Noss Marine Academy.

Advising Weymouth and Portland Council on the harbour works required for the 2012 Olympic Games.

Advising Dong Energy on a proposed Harbour Revision Order for a new jetty in the Humber Estuary.

Advising on the sale of an operational port to another port operating company.

Meet the team