Corporate report

DPTAC Main Committee meeting minutes December 2025

Updated 24 February 2026

10:30am to 3:30pm, Wednesday 17 December 2025, Department for Transport (DfT) London and online.

Attendees 

DPTAC: Sue Sharp (Deputy Chair and Meeting Chair), Carly Jones MBE, Christine Morgan, Damian Bridgeman, David Sindall, Edward Trewhella, Erin Pritchard, Mary Doyle, Paul Finnegan, Rachael Mole and Ruth Murran.

Officials: Gavin James (Deputy Director, Traffic Management), Rosie Snashall (Deputy Director, TSC Implementation), Centre for Connected and Autonomous Vehicles Team, Civil Parking and Traffic Enforcement Policy Team, Cross Modal Accessibility Team and DPTAC Secretariat. 

Apologies: Mari Martiskainen, Miro Griffiths, Victoria Armstrong and Zamila Skingsley.

Welcome, conflicts of interest and minutes of previous main meeting 

The Chair welcomed everyone to the meeting and invited each person to briefly introduce themselves.  

No real, potential, or perceived conflicts of interest were declared.  

The minutes from the previous meeting were noted with no comments from attendees.

Automated vehicles accessibility

Members from the Centre for Connected and Autonomous Vehicles team updated the committee on the progress towards implementing a full regulatory framework for automated vehicles, with the goal of completing implementation in the second half of 2027.

It was noted that this involves a series of consultations and incremental legislative steps to ensure readiness. There was discussion about the challenges of communicating updates effectively and the value of exploring additional channels to improve visibility and engagement.

Those present also considered how best to facilitate specialist stakeholder sessions, emphasising the importance of training for officials to ensure inclusivity and effective participation.

Recruitment processes and public appointments were discussed, including the value of involving individuals with relevant experience in selection panels.

The discussion concluded with a general agreement on the importance of early engagement, clear communication, and structured support to achieve the programme’s objectives.

Law Commission review of transport accessibility legislation

The committee received a detailed update on the forthcoming Law Commission review of transport accessibility legislation.

The discussion covered the scope, timeline, and engagement plans, with emphasis on the need for committee input on priorities.

The review will look at the complexity of existing legislation across transport modes and the public realm (including streetscapes). The process will involve desk-based research, interviews, and stakeholder engagement, with opportunities for ongoing committee involvement.

Accessible travel charter

DfT officials outlined the rationale for a staged development approach of the accessible travel charter, comprising a mission statement, detailed commitments, and best practice guidance.

Committee members highlighted the importance of meaningful stakeholder engagement and designing the views of disabled people to be ongoing through the process – balancing momentum with inclusivity.

Development plans include workshops, surveys, and regular touchpoints, with a survey open until 23 January to gather additional evidence.

Participants discussed the voluntary nature of the charter, alongside potential incentives for industry adoption, such as public recognition and alignment with other processes. There was strong support for making the charter a living document, subject to ongoing review and adaptation to future developments. Practical considerations included budget allocation for lived experience panels, and ensuring accessibility and inclusivity in all engagement activities.

Pavement parking

DfT officials provided a comprehensive update to the committee on the current status and direction of the pavement parking ban policy, highlighting the shift from a proposed national ban to a devolved, locally led approach and outlining the legislative and exemption framework under consideration.

DfT officials also outlined the evaluation strategy to measure the impact of the pavement parking ban, including baseline data collection, targeted surveys, and case studies, with a focus on key groups such as wheelchair users, vision impaired people, and those using pushchairs.

Committee members raised concerns about conflicting access needs, enforcement challenges, and the limitations of existing schemes like Blue Badges. Additional considerations included managing exemptions, addressing commercial vehicle behaviour, and ensuring pavements are repaired promptly.

Those present agreed on the need for strong stakeholder engagement, inclusive research design, and ongoing updates as the policy and evaluation work progress.

Next meeting

The next DPTAC main meeting is scheduled for 18 March 2026.