The aim of the Department for Transport is transport that works for everyone. Its objectives are to build a reliable and safe transport system.
For the information that is available on the website, the DfT website is currently structured around the core business areas (see below). The current intention is to brigade information on a similar basis to the current DfT site as the web pages are revised - a process that will be completed in Spring 2003.
You will be able to obtain information contained in the classes in this Scheme either by browsing by class or by subject to obtain all relevant information or refine this to a specific piece of information.
The Information Management Division of the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister has responsibility for day to day management of the DfT Publication Scheme. By contrast, access to information on the DfT web site is the responsibility of the DfT's Communication Directorate in association with line divisions.
The Publication Scheme specifies the categories of information that the Department and its agencies publish at the moment and will publish in the future and explains how to obtain that information (which may be available directly through the DfT or elsewhere). It also makes it clear whether the information is available free of charge or on payment. For people who need information in alternative formats, we will take all reasonable steps to make the material available.
The DfT Publication Scheme covers the following executive agencies. You will need to approach the attached contacts for the information that is not available on the DfT or agencies web sites, or for any priced information or information for which there is a fee.
Department for Transport
David Coker (Data Protection Officer)
Information Rights Unit
Ashdown House
Sedlescombe Road North
St Leonards on Sea
East Sussex
TN37 7GA
Tel: 020 7944 8479
Email: david.coker@dft.gsi.gov.uk
Press Office
DfT Communication Directorate
Resource Management
Zone 5/01 Great Minster House
76 Marsham Street
London
SW1 4DR
Tel: 020 7944 8300
DfT Free Literature Service
PO Box 236
Wetherby
LS23 7NB
Tel: 0870 1226 236
Email: dft@twoten.press.net
DfT website: www.dft.gov.uk
Highways Agency
For all access requests, supply of documents and press notices:
Highways Agency Information Line
Highways Agency
123 Buckingham Palace Road
London SW1W 9HA
Tel: 08457 504030
Email: ha_info@highways.gsi.gov.uk
Highways Agency website: www.highways.gov.uk
Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency
Freedom Of Information
Driver & Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA)
Longview Road,
Morriston
Swansea SA99 1AW
Tel: 01792 782318
Email: FoI@dvla.gsi.gov.uk
Website: http://www.dvla.gov.uk or http://www.direct.gov.uk/motoring
Driving Standards Agency
Data Protection and FOI Compliance Manager
Driving Standards Agency
Stanley House
56 Talbot Street
Nottingham
NG1 5GU
Tel: 0115 901 2706
Fax: 0115 901 2729
Email: foi@dsa.gsi.gov.uk
DSA website: www.dsa.gov.uk
Vehicle and Operators Services Agency
Data Protection and Freedom of Information Compliance
Officer
Vehicle and Operators Services Agency
Berkeley House
Bristol
BS5 0DA
Tel: 0117 954 3430
Fax: 0117 954 2546
Email: Inform@vosa.gov.uk
VOSA Press Office
(address as above)
Tel: 0117 954 2561
Fax: 0117 954 3303
Email: Press@vosa.gov.uk
Sales of Publications
(address as above)
Email: Publications@vosa.gov.uk
VOSA website: www.vosa.gov.uk
Vehicle Certification Agency
Information Manager
VCA
1 Eastgate Office Centre
Eastgate Road
Bristol
BS5 6XX
Email: enquiries@vca.gov.uk
VCA website: www.vca.gov.uk
Maritime and Coastguard Agency
Spring Place HQ
105 Commercial Road
Southampton
SO15 1EG
Email: mca_publication_scheme@mcga.gov.uk
MCGA website: http://www.mcga.gov.uk/c4mca/mcga-foia-publication.htm
Government Car and Despatch Agency (GCDA)
Email: info@gcda.gsi.gov.uk
GCDA website: http://www.gcda.gov.uk/
This Publication Scheme has been developed under the requirements of the Freedom of Information Act 2000 and has been agreed by the Information Commissioner. It provides a guide to the information DfT publishes or has agreed to make available in the light of the provisions of the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information and the Freedom of Information Act 2000. It is not a list of the actual publications, since this may change as other items are published but rather it is a description of the classes or types of information published. A list of DfT publications, including priced publications, is available on the DfT website) or from the DfT contact (details as above). Many of the individual classes in the Scheme refer the user to The Stationery Office (TSO: www.thestationeryoffice.co.uk) as the publisher of the documents falling within that class. However, the department may not always publish through TSO and reserves its rights to publish through other organisations in the future. We will indicate those publishers, other than the Department, against documents that appear in the publication list. Alternatively, the DfT contact will be able to advise you.
Information included in the Scheme will be made available, either on the DfT website, or through the DfT contact points or other providers (subject to their agreement) as indicated. The DfT website also includes information that is not routinely published and not covered by this Scheme but is made available nonetheless. If you cannot find what you want either on the website or through this Scheme you may consider whether you wish to make an access request under the provisions of the Environmental Information Regulations 1992 or the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information until 2005 when the Freedom of Information Act 2000 will come fully into force. Access requests should be directed to the Department's or Agency contacts listed above. Please provide as much detail as possible to help us identify the information you require.
Information that carries a charge will be identified. Payment will be required in advance.
There may be a charge for information published under the Scheme, depending on how you obtain it. We indicate for each class of information in the Publication Scheme where a charge may be levied and where the information is normally free. If a class includes chargeable material, a "£" will appear under the costs heading. We set out below our general charging policy which explains the circumstances in which charges may be made for information which is normally free (for example, if more than one print out from the website is requested or you want to receive a copy of information viewed at the DfT or agency library).
a. Information that appears on our website. There is no charge by us if you print off information that appears on the website (although you may of course have to meet any charges by your Internet Service Provider, personal printing costs etc). If you do not have Internet access, single printouts as on the website will be available from the Department's information contact (see above) free of charge. However, requests for multiple printouts, or for archived copies of documents that are no longer available on the web, may attract a charge for the cost of retrieval, photocopy, postage etc. We will let you know at the time of your request the charge which will be required in advance of supplying the information;
b. Current publicity leaflets or booklets issued by the Department and its agencies will be available from DfT Free Literature Service (contact details above) free of charge;
c. Information generated by the Department may be viewed free of charge at DfT's Library or agency libraries (for details see contact above). If you wish to make photocopies of the information a charge may be levied. This will be payable in advance;
d. Information available via a website, but a charge would have to be paid before the main part of the information could be accessed. This may arise, e.g. where the website is used to deliver a value-added customised service, particularly where the basic data is also available to private sector users who may provide their own value-added service. Where this applies the reason for the charge and the level of charges will be notified to you in advance.
e. The charges for priced publications in both paper and electronic format and videos are as set out in our publication list available either on the DfT website or from the Department's contact listed above.
If you want to re-use or reproduce our publications, e.g. commercially or for circulation for education, etc, purposes, you will in most cases need to apply for a licence for this at www.clickanduse.hmso.gov.uk. This Department is a Crown body and our information is subject to Crown copyright administered by Her Majesty's Stationery Office. For HMSO Guidance Notes on a range of copyright issues, see the HMSO website www.hmso.gov.uk/guides.htm.
More details of the Government's policy on where charges are made and on determining the level of charges is available in "Charges for Information: When and How - Guidance for Government Departments and other Crown Bodies" at www.hm-treasury.gov.uk/about/open_government/opengov_charging.cfm.
The DfT Scheme provides for a consistent approach across the DfT business areas and agencies by setting out the classes of information that we will proactively release and readily make available to the public. Not all the information held by the Department is, however, included in the Scheme. Information that the Department considers is sensitive is excluded. For example, information will not be released if, in the Department's view, it is commercially sensitive, relates to security matters, comprises legal advice or its disclosure would amount to an unwarranted invasion of privacy.
The Publication Scheme is not retrospective. We will not therefore publish under this Scheme information held by us which predates 30 November 2002. Any other restrictions or limitations on the release and retention of documents and information regarding the costs of documents are set out in the description of each class.
We would welcome your feedback on the Department's Scheme in particular its coverage or if you have any complaints. Please contact the Department using the Department's contact details listed above.
Class:
Advertisement
Description:
Scope: Published information provided to the media in support of DfT sponsored campaigns. The information will be made available on the DfT website or through the DfT enquiry point (020 7944 3146) or Press Office (020 7944 3118) or through the relevant Agency Customer Enquiry Point.
Timing: The information above will be available once it has been published. It will be available for one year after publication.
Costs: -
Class:
Annual Reports
Description:
Scope: The Department's Annual Report includes information relating to the Department's main areas of work, progress made against targets set for the main areas of the Department, and its costs. It will be available on the DfT web site or in hard copy from TSO (subject to TSO agreement) for which a charge will be levied. Similar information concerning the DfT agencies' is available in their Annual Reports that may be found on individual agency websites.
DfT will also publish the following Annual Reports:
DfT Business Plan
DfT Departmental Investment Strategy
DfT Resource Accounts
DfT Greening Operations Annual Report
Traffic Area Network Business Plan
National Radiological Protection Board Annual Report
(available on the NRPB website - www.nrpb.org).
Vehicle Inspectorate Business Plan
Vehicle Inspectorate Effectiveness Report
DVLA Business Plan
DVLA Corporate Plan
DVLA Charter Mark Award
DVLA Welsh Language Scheme
DVLA Customer Satisfaction Survey
Highways Agency Business Plan
Maritime and Coastguard Agency Business Plan
Vehicle Certificate Agency Business Plan
Timing: These Reports will be made available from their date of publication and will be available for one year afterwards.
Costs: £ (available free from the relevant website)
Class:
Budget
Description:
Scope: Published information relating to the DfT overall costs including staff numbers, capital and running costs is available in the DfT Business Plan and Annual Report which are available on the DfT website or from TSO or as shown in the publication list.
Timing: Available once the Business Plan and Annual Reports are formally published and available for one year thereafter.
Costs: £ (available free from the relevant website)
Class:
Circulars
Description:
Scope: DfT official circulars covering guidance/instructions to local authorities on roads and aviation available on the DfT or Highways Agency (www.highways.gov.uk) websites. Hard copies will be available from either the Department or from TSO.
Timing: Following formal circulation to the appropriate authorities and available for one year thereafter.
Costs: £ (available free from the relevant website)
Class:
Consultation Papers
Description:
Scope: DfT public consultation papers are available on the DfT website. We will publish a summary of responses on the DfT or Agency websites.
Timing: Consultation documents will be available during the consultation period and thereafter in the consultation paper archive section of the DfT website for a minimum 1 year. The summary will be posted after an announcement of the outcome has been made and will be available for one year thereafter.
Costs: -
Class:
Decision letters
Description:
Scope: This Scheme applies to the following decision letters issued in determination of:
1. Section 8 of the Railways Act 1993 (power to grant licences), in cases where the Secretary of State exercises these powers, or his approval is required.
2. Under powers in the Transport Act 2000 to approve local authority schemes for local road user charging and workplace parking levy.
3. Decision letters to local authorities informing them of their annual capital allocations for local transport investment.
4. Sections 5, 35, 38(2), 77, 78, 79 and 80 of the Civil Aviation Act 1982 (where a decision has been taken by a Minister).
5. Section 68 Airports Act 1986
6. Section 39 Transport Act 2000
7. Applications under section 44 of the Civil Aviation Act 1982 (power to obtain rights over land) which have been the subject of a public inquiry.
8. Applications under section 46 of the Civil Aviation Act 1982 (power to exercise control over land in interests of civil aviation) which have been subject to special parliamentary procedure.
9. Applications under section 59 of the Airports Act 1986 (acquisition of land and rights over land) which have been the subject of a public inquiry.
10. Decisions under the Civil Aviation Authority Regulations 1991, Part III, Air Transport Licensing, s(27), as amended by the Licensing of Air Carriers Regulations 1992 (SI 2992) on appeals against CAA decisions on the allocation of air traffic rights between the UK and another country arising from restrictions in bilateral agreements.
11. Enforcement or Prohibition notices issued under the Radioactive Material (Road Transport) Act 1991 and the Radioactive Material (Road Transport) Regulations 2002 (SI 2002 No 1093).
12. Decision letters in relation to inquiries into trunk road schemes.
13. Advanced payment code decisions on appeals under section 220 of the Highways Act 1980.
14. Notifications of approval of training provider for training in the carriage of dangerous goods under the carriage if dangerous Goods by Road (Driver Training) Regulations 1996 (SI 1996 No 2094).
15. Public Service Vehicle Special Authorisations given under section 43 of the Disability Discrimination Act 1995.
We will also release Inspectors Reports following a public inquiry if held in relation to the above decisions.
Note: this class will be limited to the decision letters themselves and not to any documents or evidence referred to in them.
Timing: Decision letters will be published once they have been sent to the parties and will be available on the respective DfT or agency website for one year thereafter.
Costs: -
Class:
Enforcement
Description:
Scope: DfT will make available any rulings by the Information Commissioner in relation to the Department under the Freedom of Information Act 2000, the Data Protection Act and the Environmental Information Regulations 1992. We will also make available rulings from the Parliamentary Commissioner in relation to the Department under the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information. These will be available on the DfT website
Timing: As soon as the rulings have been published either by the Information Commissioner or the Parliamentary Ombudsman and will be available for one year thereafter.
Costs: -
Class:
Forms
Description:
Scope: All current DfT forms made available to the public that relate to the services provided by DfT and its agencies, will be available on the DfT or appropriate agency website.
Timing: All forms that are current will be published.
Costs: -
Class:
External guidance
Description:
Scope: All published guidance prepared for the general public by the DfT and available on the DfT website. The DfT will also publish a number of technical publications and guidance, some of which are subject to a fee as shown on the publication list. These are available from the Department's publications sales centre, TSO or as shown on the publication list.
Timing: Available after the guidelines have been formally published. Those on the DfT website will be available for one year thereafter or in hard copy from the DfT contact point listed above until they are superseded.
Costs: £ (available free on the website)
Class:
Internal guidelines, instructions and manuals
Description:
Scope: The DfT will publish the following internal guidance prepared for DfT officials in the course of their work and make these available on the DfT or relevant agency website:
1. DfT and agency Staff Handbooks.
2. DfT Public Complaints Procedure
3. DVLA Driver Customer Services
4. DVLA Customer Enquiries Group
5. DVLA Local Office Directorate
6. DVLA Drivers Medical Group - medical operating
instructions and licensing operation instructions.
7. VI Public Complaints Procedure
8. Highway Agency's Customer Champion Guidelines
Timing: These will be made available on the relevant website once they have been formally approved and for one year thereafter and on request in hard copy until superseded from relevant contact listed above.
Costs: -
Class:
Job advertisements
Description:
Scope: All DfT external recruitment and appointment opportunities will be available on the DfT website
Timing: As soon as they are approved for publication. They will remain available until the application date has passed.
Costs: -
Class:
Meetings
Description:
Scope: The DfT will publish or release the Terms of Reference, agendas, and minutes (unless as specified below) of the following DfT organised meetings:
1. Disabled Persons Transport Advisory Committee (minutes only).
2. DVLA 6 monthly Industry Liaison Meetings (agenda and minutes only).
3. Secretary of State's Medical Advisory Panel (minutes only, available on the DVLA website).
4. The Road Safety Advisory Panel.
5. Working party on the Transport of Dangerous Goods.
6. Channel Tunnel rail Link High Level Forum (minutes only).
Timing: The information described here will be available after the date of the meeting through the DfT website and direct from the DfT contact point listed at the beginning of the Scheme.
Costs: -
Class:
Policy papers
Description:
Scope: DfT will publish the following policy statements: White Papers, Green Papers, Command Papers and consultation documents (see above class definition). These will be available both on the Department's website and through TSO or as specified in the publications list.
Timing: Following formal approval by the Secretary of State or Ministers. These will be available for at least one year from the date of their publication.
Costs: £ (available free on the relevant website).
Class:
Press releases
Description:
Scope: All DfT press releases and press articles about DfT initiatives that appear as news items and are issued to the press are available from the DfT web site or from the DfT Press Office (details listed above).
Timing: Following official public release or publication and available for one year thereafter.
Costs: -
Class:
Science
Description:
Scope: the Departmental Science and Innovation Strategy, research programme strategies, notices of future research requirements, and projects commissioned by the Department. Final project reports arising from commissioned projects will also be made available except in those cases where the Department has not secured rights to publish. Any information that addresses issues of national security, commercial or personal confidentiality will be excluded. Notices, strategies and the Executive Summaries of final research project reports will be published on the DfT website at Full research reports may also be published on the website or will be available through contacts identified on the website.
Timing: the Departmental Science and Innovation Strategy will be published on a three-yearly basis. Research programme information will be published at least annually. Notice of research projects will be published when research on each project starts. Research project reports and Departmental assessments (with effect for projects completed after November 2002) will be published within six months of project completion or, at the latest, when quality checks, including relevant peer review, are completed or when a policy decision based on its findings is publicised.
Costs: with one exception, all documents will be available free of charge. The exception is full research reports where a charge may be levied in relation to printing and handling costs, collected through sales in HMSO outlets or through standard arrangements set in place by research contractors.
Notes: In circumstances where either the Department or a third party wishes to retain and protect intellectual property rights arising from research it has commissioned or conducted and where permitted by the relevant legislation and guidance, the Department may enter into an exclusive or non-exclusive licensing or other arrangement regarding the use of the information, for which the Department may charge a fee. Further information about the handling of intellectual property in government research contracts can be found in the Patent Office guidance 'Intellectual Property in Government Research Projects' available at http://www.patent.gov.uk/about/notices/2001/ipresearch.pdf .
Class:
Speeches
Description:
Scope: The published versions of formal speeches by DfT Ministers will be available on the DfT website or copies can be obtained from the DfT Press Office (see details above).
Timing: Available after the Minister has delivered the speech and for one year thereafter.
Costs: -
Class:
Statistics
Description:
Scope: Statistics regularly compiled by DfT for public dissemination and available on the DfT website or through TSO (www.thestationeryoffice.co.uk).
Timing: Following the agreement of Ministers to the publication of the series. Publication is announced in line with the "Code of Practice on release of official statistics" and available for one year thereafter.
Costs: £ (available free on the website)
Class:
Statutory Directions
Description:
Scope: DfT Statutory Directions to the Civil Aviation Authority.
Timing: When published on the CAA's website (www.caa.co.uk).
Costs: -
Class:
Tender documents
Description:
Scope: The requirement and published award information in relation to DfT tenders that are advertised in the OJEC or in any trade journal. The information will be available during 2003 as a matter of course on the DfT website. Contact 01424 458484 for details.
Timing: Following award decision and publication.
Costs: -
Items that include information relevant to the Department for Transport's activities but which are not published by the Department.
Acts of Parliament
Scope: Acts of Parliament and explanatory notes from 1988 onwards are available from the HMSO website www.hmso.gov.uk/acts.htm free of charge, and can be purchased from the TSO website www.thestationeryoffice.co.uk. DfT Bills are available on the Parliament website (www.parliament.uk).
Timing: As available on the relevant websites listed above.
Costs: Subject to any charges levied by TSO.
PQ
Scope: Answers provided by DfT to Parliamentary Questions are available from the Hansard website as follows:
Commons: www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm/cmpubns.htn and
Lords: www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/ld/ldhansrd.htm
Papers deposited in the House Libraries, as part of an answer, and where available in electronic format, will be available from the House websites.
Timing: Copies of PQ answers are available once they have appeared in the Hansard website and are subject to the availability conditions of that site.
Costs: See websites referred to above for pricing
Statutory Instruments
Scope: DfT SI's from 1987 are available on the HMSO web site (www.hmso.gov.uk)
Timing: As available on the HMSO website.
Costs: Free of charge