Planes running on batteries and hydrogen to become a reality under new group of aviation experts

THE UK's Transport Secretary, Grant Shapps, and the UK's Business Secretary, Kwasi Kwarteng, on 20 April 2022, set out a new group of aviation experts across industry and Government who will work together to make zero emission flight a reality. As world leaders in aviation decarbonisation, the new Zero Emission Flight (ZEF) Delivery Group, will further Britain’s role in the global effort to end flight emissions. Launched at the ⅕ meeting of the Jet Zero Council, the new steering group will help position the UK at the forefront of the global shift to green aviation by supporting the development of zero emission aircraft and airport infrastructure. It will also look at how the law needs to adapt so that sustainable flying can truly become a reality.  The new group will sit under the Jet Zero Council, an advisory forum with experts from across the industry, and will focus specifically on the technology, infrastructure and regulation needed to make zero emission flight a reality.

Speaking at the ⅕ Jet Zero Council meeting, the Transport Secretary, Grant Shapps said: - "From the first jet engine created here in the UK, Britain is truly a world leader in flying. Now we are determined to revolutionise flying and we want to see everyone have the opportunity to travel guilt free.  We are determined to bring forward the flight technology of the future, and through our new Zero Emission Flight Delivery Group, we will help create thousands of jobs around the country and take another step toward zero emission flights."

The new group will be led by aviation expert Rachel Gardner Poole, who joins with over 20 years of experience in military and commercial aviation, both in the public and private sector. Currently the Chief Operating Officer for the Connected Places Catapult, Rachel has previously worked at the Civil Aviation Authority, the UK Space Agency and IBM.  Under Rachel’s leadership, the ZEF Delivery Group will build on the progress made through the Aerospace Technology Institute’s (ATI) FlyZero projectand the Department for Transport’s Zero Emission Flight Infrastructure project.

Zero Emission Flight Delivery Group Chair, Rachel Gardner-Poole: - "It is a great privilege to be asked to be the Chair of the ZEF Delivery Group and I am committed to the critical work ahead to make zero emission aviation a reality. I am passionate about using innovation and technology to create a positive impact on our planet and look forward to collectively addressing the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead of us."

The Government is investing in Aerospace R&D through the Aerospace Technology Institute (ATI) Programme and ₤685m will be provided over the next 3 years, which was announced in March by the Business Secretary. In addition, Government is providing ₤125m (matched by ₤175m from industry) of support for Innovate UK’s Future Flight Challenge. The Challenge will shortly announce projects successful in its third funding competition including those advancing electric flight technologies that will support the operation of sub Regional Aircraft and the UK in reaching its net zero target. This could be fantastic news for are area, as this should lead to more employment opportunities in and around the Liverpool City Region, with it's close connections to Airbus and BAE Systems.
 

National Road Victim Service expands across the North West

THE National Road Victim Service, which provides desperately needed emotional and practical support for victims of bereavement and catastrophic injury following road crashes, is today announcing a Regional expansion of its team of specialist caseworkers across the North West to help more than 1,000 victims across England and Wales a year. The service is delivered by road safety charity Brake, which also campaigns to end the carnage on our roads and coordinates National Road Safety Week in November each year. Across the North West, Government figures analysed by Brake show that:-
 
► 2,572 casualties were killed or seriously injured in 2020 (the last full year of data available), down from 3,267 people in 2019. However, this reduction is mainly as a result of less traffic on the roads due to lockdown measures.

► There were 78 casualties killed or seriously injured per billion vehicle miles travelled in 2020 - the ⅕ highest in the 10 Regions across England Wales, is down from 80 in 2019.

► The Local Authorities in the Region with the largest numbers of casualties killed or seriously injured per billion vehicle miles travelled in 2020 were:-Blackburn (207), Blackpool (142), Liverpool (120) and Sefton (115).
 
The National Road Victim Service is recruiting 12 new Regionally based caseworkers, and 2 Regional case managers, to support more victims across all parts of England and Wales. These professional caseworkers have expertise in helping victims suffering shock, turmoil, devastation, and many life challenges as a result of crashes. The additional caseworkers are being deployed in Regions across England and Wales to provide expert care to road crash victims, including help through the psychological shock and trauma, help with practical matters including legal support, injury rehabilitation and mental health, and help accessing care for children and families. The National Road Victim Service works in close partnership with Police, Health Services, and many other community services to deliver its vital support. The expansion in England and Wales has been made possible through a generous corporate donation from Birchall Blackburn, a firm on Brake’s legal panel. Companies on the panel have been assessed by Brake to have extensive experience in helping road crash victims. Road crash victims have complex legal needs, that require specialist help from specialist lawyers. All firms on the legal panel are members of the Association of Personal Injury Lawyers. This expansion in England and Wales comes just weeks after the National Road Victim Service was awarded a ₤537,000 grant from the Scottish Government to extend its support for road crash victims in Scotland over the next 3 years. Since it was set up in 1996, Brake’s National Road Victim Service has helped more than 50,000 victims across the UK through provision of vital information and caseworker care. All Police Forces across the UK distribute National Road Victim Service information to road victim families and the service works in close partnership with many Police Family Liaison Officers.

Chief Constable Jo Shiner, National Police Chiefs’ Council (NPCC) Lead for Roads Policing, said:- "Focussing on victims is a key part of the NPCC Roads Policing Strategy 2022/25. It is important to remember that too many people live in the shadow of grief from road collisions every day.Of course I want to see far fewer families suffer the traumatic, unexpected and often preventable death of a loved 1 on our roads, but we know that there will be hundreds of families, this year alone, that will need compassionate and professional support when, sadly they do suffer such a loss. We must always remember, these are real people not just numbers. I'm pleased to learn that the National Road Victim Service, provided by Brake, is now able to expand its service to victims and look forward to seeing how this progresses in the coming months."

Commenting on today’s announcement, Mary Williams OBE, Brake’s Chief Executive, said:- "Road crashes tear families apart and cause untold shock, turmoil and devastation across the North West and the UK. Victims of bereavement and catastrophic injuries due to road crashes deserve expert support, from day 1, from a specialist caseworker who can deliver essential care and work alongside our partners in the Police, health services, legal services and other essential services required by victims, particularly services for children and families, and victims with a range of vulnerabilities. Today’s expansion marks a big step towards our goal of more than 4,000 road crash victims getting the care they need each year, and this step is taken thanks to the vital donations received from expert law firms who assist road victims. All communities are affected by carnage on our roads. Please help us to support even more road victims and end the deaths and injuries by donating or raising funds for Brake."

Quentin Underhill, Head of Catastrophic and Serious Injury at Birchall Blackburn Law, said:- "Brake’s new Regional caseworkers will be vital to the North West families we meet every week who are devastated by road crashes. We’re honoured to play a small part in providing that help, support, and hope."
 
Victims of bereavement or serious injury due to a road crash, can call the National Road Victim Service on:- 08088000401, or email:- Help@Brake.Org.UK or visit:- Brake.Org.UK/Support.