BACKGROUND NOTE
TRANSPORT AND WORKS BILL
"A Bill will be introduced to replace private legislation as the means for
authorising transport development schemes."
The Transport and Works Bill would reform the present arrangements for
authorising rail, inland waterway and harbour projects by private Act of Parliament
and make changes to railway safety legislation.
The Bill follows the proposals in the Government's consultation paper 'Private Bills and New Procedures', published on 21 June 1990 (Cm 1110). Changes to
the proposals were announced on 17 May 1991 by the Secretary of State for
Transport, Mr Malcolm Rifkind (Hansard 17 May 1991 Cols 300-301). The
Government proposals were part of its response to the Joint Select Committee on
Private Bill Procedure which reported on 20 July 1988 (HL Paper 97: HC 625).
The Bill would provide for:
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a new system of Ministerial Orders to authorise railway, train and
other guided transport schemes; canal works; and other works which
may interfere with navigation, following a public inquiry if necessary;
broadening the objects for which Harbour Orders may be sought
under the Harbours Act 1964;
associated amendments to railway and tramway safety legislation; revision of the outmoded legislation about tramways; and