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Liverpool and the City Region has the potential for 700 UK built hydrogen buses
THE man behind plans for thousands of
UK built hydrogen buses across the country says Liverpool could accommodate up
to 700 of them as part of the move he hopes can lead the nations' economic
recovery. JCB heir Jo Bamford claims his plans are:- "An ideal option for
a Government that needs to boost UK manufacturing at this critical time whilst
radically reducing our carbon emissions and air pollution," and has
already submitted his vision in a document to Ministers.
As well as Liverpool, plans are being drawn up to introduce a fleet of 3,000
state of the art buses; in which passengers benefit from USB charging points and
more spacious seating; in places such as:- Aberdeen, London, Brighton,
Birmingham, Manchester, Glasgow, Edinburgh and Belfast, with interest from
relevant Authorities. Mr Bamford, who leads a green hydrogen production
company, Ryse, and in 2019 they acquired Wrightbus, a UK manufacturer who have
made the world's 1st hydrogen powered double decker bus, proclaims that zero
carbon, UK made hydrogen technologies must play a pivotal role in driving the
British economy forward. He believes that an urgent introduction of hydrogen
buses will lead to a knock on transformation of other heavy duty vehicles, such
as:- lorries, trains, ships and even Ambulances and Police cars. This would have
the potential to create and sustain hundreds of thousands of skilled, green
collar jobs across the country. Greenhouse gases released from transportation
account for a third of the UK's total carbon emissions. Whilst battery powered
vehicles are becoming a popular option for household cars, the lack of range and
considerable weight make them practically impossible for heavy duty forms of
transport. There are also growing concerns about the mining practices used to
find the materials for batteries, as well as what happens to them at the end of
their life, with recycling rates lower than 5% in Europe and the US.
In Mr Bamford's vision, 3,000 hydrogen buses; about 10% of the UK's total fleet;
could be silently moving around UK Towns and Cities, including:- Liverpool, by
2024. These vehicles will release only water vapour and save an estimated
280,000 tons of carbon dioxide each year, the equivalent of taking roughly
107,000 cars off the road a year. Research King's College London and
UK100, a network of local authorities, suggested up to 1,040 deaths per year, in
Liverpool, were linked to air pollution.
Crucially, Bamford commented that:- "The
hydrogen used to power these vehicles will be completely green." His company
Ryse is in the process of building the UK's 1st hydrogen production plant on the
Kent coast. This will be powered by a near by offshore wind farm and use
electrolysis to produce hydrogen from water. Mr Bamford plans to build another
four hydrogen production plants by 2025 to provide enough power for all 3,000
buses. Cities around the world are seeing massive reductions in air
pollution as many vehicles have been kept off the road during the pandemic.
However, the reality is that if we just go back to how public transport has
traditionally been run, levels of pollution will quickly rise again to the same
levels as before the crisis. We have an opportunity with hydrogen powered
transport to make a huge difference to air quality, and for UK jobs as well.
With increased orders on this scale I could increase the workforce at Wrightbus
by nearly 700%. UK made hydrogen buses are ready to hit the streets today. We
already have hydrogen buses in London, and 20 of Wrightbus' world leading double
deckers will be added to this later this year. We also have orders from
Aberdeen, with many other areas becoming interested in our technology; in the UK
and across the world."
Hundreds of Local Authorities have declared climate emergencies, and local
politicians are becoming increasingly interested in the potential of hydrogen to
power local transport. Darren Shirley, Chief Executive of Campaign for Better
Transport, said that:- "The Government has the opportunity to ensure
continued progress on improving air quality and reducing carbon emissions from
rural as well as urban transport through fostering a hydrogen fuelled heavy
vehicle industry. As part of the National Bus Strategy, and through the UK's
Industrial Strategy, it should focus not just on battery electric, but the range
of zero emission technologies that will benefit communities through cleaner air.
It is clear that a range of technologies will be needed to take the UK's
transport system to net zero carbon emissions. Battery electric is not going to
be viable for all uses, so buses fuelled by green hydrogen will be necessary to
serve longer ranges and rural routes, and hydrogen lorries to move heavier loads
over longer distances."
The Government has recently committed a ₤5bn
plan to boost local bus services, which a significant amount of this likely to
be spent on replacing old diesel vehicles for modern, zero emission models.
Mr Bamford has set a clear challenge to the Government. "The UK missed the
opportunity to become global leaders in battery technology, we must not repeat
this mistake with hydrogen. We are already leading the world by making hydrogen
buses and boilers. We have a real opportunity to back a sector that will create
jobs, economic growth and allow us to claim position as global leaders in
hydrogen transport technology. With countries across the world also looking to
drastically cut their carbon emissions, let's build an industry that can sell
zero carbon products, skills and innovation across the world. We can make
significant progress on this in the next five years, but it must start with
buses and it must start now."
Mr Bamford has asked the Government to set aside ₤500m; 10% of the
National Bus Strategy fund; to unlock the UK's hydrogen industry. Roughly about
₤200m of this is needed to build the hydrogen production facilities and bespoke,
zero emission transportation vehicles to take it to bus depots in City Centres.
Another ₤300m is being called for to support a strategic financial incentive to
enable operators to purchase them for the same price as a current diesel one. Mr
Bamford said:- "The Government gives the public a subsidy to buy an
electric car, why shouldn't a bus operator; who provides a vital service for the
local community; be supported to buy a clean, green, UK built hydrogen bus?"
MPs back new Hillsborough law to help families affected by major incidents
SEFTON Central MP Bill Esterson is one
of the sponsors of The Public Advocate Bill, which would establish a public
advocate to provide advice to families of the deceased after major incidents. A
top level advisor would support families and liaise with officials such as
coroners and lawyers. All Merseyside MPs have given their backing to the
proposed new law introduced by Halewood and Garston MP Maria Eagle, which would
help families fight for justice following public disasters, 31 years after
Hillsborough triggered a decades long battle for the truth.
Mr Esterson said:- "The Hillsborough families, many from my own
constituency, have been through hell in their fight for justice for their loved
ones, and this cannot be allowed to happen again. At every turn they felt that
they were fighting against the state, which had what seemed like unlimited
resources, whereas the families were left without the help and support they
needed. It took too long for the families to get the truth to be accepted. We as
lawmakers must make sure that no other families have to go through the same
ordeal. A public advocate is an idea that has the backing of the Hillsborough
families, and those affected by other atrocities including the 1988 Lockerbie
plane bombing, and I am proud to have been able to give it my support as a
sponsor and at its 1st reading today. The Public Advocate Bill aims to prevent
any other families bereaved by a public disaster from having to endure such a
long fight to get to the truth and to get justice and accountability for their
loved ones as the Hillsborough families have had to do."
The Public Advocate Bill would provide a better way of responding to large scale
disasters on behalf of bereaved relatives and survivors. It arises out of the
experience of the Hillsborough families and others and was written by Lord
Michael Wills and Maria Eagle MP following consultations with those bereaved by
a number of public disasters including Hillsborough. If enacted, it would
provide a monument to the indefatigability, determination and courage of the
Hillsborough families. It would be a lasting legacy as they bring to an end the
annual public commemorations of the disaster. It would mean no other families
bereaved by disasters in future would have to go through what they have had to
go through to get to the truth and to get a measure of justice. This will be the
3rd time that MPs have attempted to get the Public Advocate Bill through
Parliament. Greater Manchester mayor Andy Burnham was 1st to introduce a version
of the Bill in 2015, but the general election was called soon after so it failed
to progress.
Maria Eagle, MP for Garston and Halewood, brought the Bill back to the Commons
in 2019 and it passed its 1st reading, but again the general election halted its
progress. Ms Eagle has reintroduced the Bill again and it had its 1st Reading in
the House of Commons under the 10 Minute Rule Procedure, on Wednesday, 22 April
2020.
Speaking ahead of the 1st Reading of the Public Advocate Bill in the House of
Commons, Maria Eagle MP said:- "The planned final
memorial service at Anfield on the 31st Anniversary of the disaster has had to
be postponed but the families, survivors and others across the Liverpool City
Region understand the loss the Hillsborough families have endured and the
horrific three decades long battle they have had to wage to get to the truth and
a measure of justice. As they prepare to end the large public commemorations,
many feeling vindicated but exhausted, it is a time for legislators to learn the
lessons and take steps to prevent their horrendous experience from ever being
repeated. If enacted, the Public Advocate Bill can stop what has happened to the
Hillsborough families from ever happening to any other families bereaved by
public disasters and it will be a lasting legacy and tribute to the courage,
indefatigability and determination of the Hillsborough families and
campaigners."