This Bill aims to give the Welsh assembly additional powers over transport, as requested by the assembly in a resolution in March last year.

The Bill requires the assembly to develop policies for the promotion and encouragement of safe, integrated, sustainable, efficient and economic transport facilities and services in Wales.

Under the Bill, the assembly will publish a Wales transport strategy setting out how it plans to take its responsibilities forward, and will be able to direct Welsh local authorities on how to undertake their transport functions.

The Bill will also empower the assembly to establish a public transport users’ committee for Wales, to consider and make recommendations on matters relating to public transport in Wales.

The publication of the Bill in December 2004, and then again in May 2005 followed earlier consultation and pre-legislative scrutiny of a draft Bill.

House of Commons

First reading: May 19 2005 (HC Bill 4)

Second reading: June 16 2005

Standing Committee F

• 1st sitting: June 28 2005 (am)
• 2nd sitting: June 28 2005 (pm)

Remaining stages: October 17 2005

House of Lords

First reading: October 18 2005 (HL Bill 26)

Second reading: November 1 2005

Grand Committee:  November 24 2005

Report stage: January 10 2006

Third reading: February 14 2006

Royal Assent: February 16 2006