King's Speech 2026: Transport

Approximate time to read: 9 minutes

This briefing explores what announcements the government could make in the King’s Speech on 13 May 2026 about transport.

The Railways Bill, a key part of the government’s manifesto commitment to nationalise the railways, has been carried over from the 2024–26 session to the 2026–27 session. The bill would establish Great British Railways, a new body that would oversee railway infrastructure and services. The bill was opposed at second reading in the House of Commons by Conservative and Liberal Democrat MPs. Only government amendments were made to the bill in committee stage in the House of Commons and it was awaiting report stage at the time of prorogation.

The government has said it will pursue reforms to improve road safety, some of which may require legislation. These reforms may include a minimum learning period for learner drivers; lowering the blood alcohol limit for everyone and lowering it more for novice drivers; mandatory eye tests for drivers aged over 70; cognitive testing for older drivers; mandating new safety technologies for specific vehicle categories; increased penalties for motoring offences; and regulating micromobility vehicles such as e-scooters.

The government has also stated that it intends to modernise the law concerning powered mobility devices such as electric wheelchairs and mobility scooters. The government ran a consultation on its proposals in early 2026. It has yet to respond to the consultation.

This briefing has been prepared to assist members of the House of Lords in the debates on the King’s Speech. It draws upon material from the public domain and does not constitute official information about the government’s intentions or provide a complete list of bills to be announced.