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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."