Speaking at MOVE 2025 in London, Lillian Greenwood MP, the UK’s Minister for Future Roads, outlined a decisive roadmap for transforming transport across the country.
“Our roads matter…for our economy, for climate, for our very way of life,” said Greenwood. Framing roads as the “arteries of the nation,” she highlighted their foundational role in economic activity, noting that they carry 80% of goods in the UK.
Greenwood reaffirmed the government’s commitment to zero-emission transport, including the reinstated 2030 phase-out date for new petrol and diesel cars.
“If I could wave a magic wand and remove all road emissions, we would overnight reduce this country’s transport emissions by 90%,” she said, calling the ZEV mandate “the largest carbon-saving initiative across government.”
On automation, Greenwood introduced the newly launched Transport AI Action Hub and stressed the importance of regulation and safety standards.
“By 2027, we will have one of the most robust safety frameworks for self-driving in the world,” she said.
Sharing her experience in an autonomous vehicle navigating London traffic, she noted how it “safely accommodated cyclists and calmly avoided cats.”
Devolution also featured prominently, with Greenwood arguing that local leaders are best placed to shape transport priorities. “The best decisions over people’s daily journeys are made by those who know their communities,” she said, referencing over £18 billion in devolved funding to local and regional transport authorities.
Greenwood concluded with a clear message: “The future is now…and we’re acting fast to give people real choice in how they move.”
Watch the full keynote recording below.
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