Transport featured high on the agenda of the Queen's Speech.

The Road Safety Bill means police will be given new powers to tackle drink driving and uninsured drivers.

The Railways Bill will implement plans set out in the recent white paper to abolish the Strategic Rail Authority and transfer more powers to the Department for Transport.

The School Transport Bill will allow local authorities to "provide innovative and safe school transport".

And the Crossrail Bill will authorise the construction of the Crossrail transport scheme.

Government Response: Department for Transport

Tony McNulty, transport minister, commenting on the Crossrail Bill, said: "This is a crucial step to turn Crossrail from an ambition into a reality. I am determined to work closely with our partners to introduce the bill as early as possible in the new year."

Stakeholder Comment: Transport and Salaried Staffs Association

Gerry Doherty, TSSA general secretary, said: "The government knows it has to get a grip on costs and performance in the rail industry as outlined in today's Queen's Speech. Transferring maintenance in-house to Network Rail last year helped.