Reduced congestion promised in Queen's Speech to give lift-off to driverless cars and drones

A 'Modern Transport Bill' to encourage investment in driverless cars, drones and space-planes is part of today's Queen's Speech, with the aim of reducing congestion and making journeys safer.

The Government declares that "modern transportation can make more efficient use of roads, railways and airspace, speeding up journeys for people and goods," as it lays out its plans to "cut red-tape" and ensure appropriate insurance is available for autonomous vehicles. The legislation will aim to build on the momentum Number 10 says has been made at putting the U.K at the forefront of self-driving technology with trials taking place in Bristol, Greenwich, Milton Keynes and Coventry.

The Bill would also set the framework for a space-port and for commercial drone operations, as the Government highlighted a prediction that drone production will soar from the current worldwide market of $4bn annually today to $414bn within ten years.

The Queen's Speech also contains a Neighbourhood Planning and Infrastructure Bill, designed to "support the Government's ambition to deliver one million new homes". This would also "transform the way we plan for major infrastructure projects" by putting the National Infrastructure Commission on a statutory footing to provide independent assessments of the nation's long-term infrastructure needs and by reforming compulsory purchase orders with "a clear framework for agreeing compensation".

A Local Growth and Jobs Bill would allow local authorities to retain business rates and give combined authority mayors the power to raise additional funds for infrastructure if they have the support of local businesses through local enterprise partnerships, "similar to the decision of local businesses in London to make a contribution towards Crossrail 1". And a Digital Economy BIll would give all citizens and businesses the legal right to have a fast-broadband connection.