Transportinfo.org.uk - today's transport news in the uk, hand picked for you each morning

Wednesday, 19 November 2025

BBC News

• Universal Studios to get new railway stationA new railway station is set to be built to serve the proposed Universal Studios UK theme park.
• Second platform opens at station after 40 yearsA second platform has opened at a Cornish railway station for the first time in nearly 40 years as part of a £50m infrastructure project.
• Grant approved to protect region's bus servicesThe region's combined authority approves an extension to the current grant that expires in December.

ITV News

• Start of East West Rail services on new 37bn rail line could be delayedThe launch of services on a new £7 billion railway face being delayed by a failure to agree who will control train doors.

Department for Transport

• East West Rail unveils next phase for Oxford-Cambridge growthEast West Rail confirms next phase of construction, boosting Oxford-Cambridge links with more frequent trains, new stations and major economic growth.

Financial Times

• Helicopter makers are circling a shrinking marketThis is a field where sales have been flatlining for years

The Guardian

• Onboard the world’s largest sailing cargo ship: is this the future of travel and transport?The Neoliner Origin set off on its inaugural two-week voyage from France to the US with the aim of revolutionising the notoriously dirty shipping industryIt is 8pm on a Saturday evening and eight of us are sitting at a table onboard a ship, holding on to our plates of spaghetti carbonara as our chairs slide back and forth.

The Herald

• Prestwick Airport major opportunity as government call loomsPrestwick Airport is looking to a bright future which hopefully even those who moaned for so long about its rescue might cheer, writes Business Editor Ian McConnell.

The Independent

• Ryanair loses landing rights at European airport in rare late flight penalty Body that assigns airport slots found Ryanair had been consistently late on Monday evening flights

The Telegraph

• New £7bn rail line delayed in row over who opens the doors [subscription]Unions are locked in a dispute with train company over whether responsibility lies with the guard or driver

Times Online

• FirstGroup shares fall amid warnings on costs and passenger numbers [subscription]Stock extends slide from the summer as buyback programme ends, but half-year profits rose and the company boosted its dividend

City AM

• Firstgroup doubles down on open access expansion despite DfT concernsFirstgroup has doubled down on its open access expansion plans as the transport business defied government concerns over the scheme.
• Businesses back Heathrow bid to run third runwayA group of well-known firms has urged ministers to approve the third runway expansion plan tabled by the owner of Heathrow airport, arguing its plan will deliver “the greatest economic benefit to the UK”.

Network Rail

• Second platform open at Newquay with branch line ready for Mid Cornwall MetroNewquay has a second platform in operation for the first time in 38 years today (Tuesday 18 November) as trains return to the branch line after Network Rail's engineering work.

Birmingham Mail

• 'Important moment' - West Midlands transport budget black hole is being pluggedA funding gap for transport budgets of almost £120 million had been projected for next year

Birmingham Post

• Rail company Northern aiming for 30m more journeys in next five yearsThe company has been widely criticised for the standards of its services this year

Bradford Telegraph & Argus

• Historic railway launches Christmas event to celebrate 60th anniversaryThe Keighley and Worth Valley Railway (KWVR) is urging families to book early for its popular Christmas experience.

Daily Post (North Wales)

• Airbus considering 'stretching' plane to fill gap left by superjumbo A380This comes as the aerospace giant enjoys a glut of orders at the Dubai airshow

The York Press

• New £14.3m public transport project in Harrogate announcedA new multi-million pound public transport scheme has moved a step closer to construction.

Yorkshire Post

• 'Don't snatch defeat from jaws of victory': £193m Doncaster Sheffield Airport message sent to councillors by business leadersSouth Yorkshire business leaders have urged councillors to give the green light to funding the reopening of Doncaster Sheffield Airport next week as they highlighted the 'potentially enormous' rewards of going ahead.

Cambridge News

• Another new railway station proposed for CambridgeIt's hoped the new station in the east of the city would ease congestion in the centre

Other Regional Press

• Data shows Stansted Airport flights third most delayed in UKNEW analysis of Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) data reveals airlines operating from Stansted Airport have the third lowest punctuality in the UK.
• Arora Group submits final case for 'superior' Heathrow expansion planThe gloves are off in the battle to expand Heathrow with the Arora Group this week sending new, detailed evidence to the Department for Transport (DfT) for its 'Heathrow West' plan. Arora is trying to prove its scheme is 'superior' especially on price and ease of building compared to the proposal put forward by the airport's current operator, Heathrow Airport Limited (HAL).
• More Bracknell to Reading trains needed after 9pm says MPA local MP has called for more late night trains from Bracknell to Reading.
• Major £10M project to renovate Salford Central Station now completedA major £10m upgrade to deliver a better customer experience and improve accessibility at Salford Central station has been completed, making journeys easier for everyone from disabled passengers and older people to those travelling with pushchairs or heavy luggage.
• Josh MacAlister secures commitment from Rail MinisterAN MP has 'secured commitments' from Rail Minister Lord Peter Hendy during a meeting in Westminster to drive forward progress on key issues with Cumbria's coastal railway line.
• WMCA agree Transport for West Midlands subsidy to keep bus servicesA subsidy to 'secure' the West Midlands bus network and stop services being cut has been given the green light.
• Mark Isherwood MS calls for action over public transportQuestioning the First Minister, I called for action to make public transport accessible for all, stating that bus services are a lifeline for blind and partially sighted people, but Guide Dogs Cymru has warned that the Bus Services (Wales) Bill lacks enforceable accessibility commitments for people with vision impairment, and that accessibility is mentioned only once, without clear standards or measures and called for suspension of shared bus stop boarders, where a passenger must cross a live cycle lane.
• Bold 15 year plan to improve rail transport in Oxfordshire is approvedJust weeks after it was announced that Oxford's Cowley Branch Line would reopen to passengers, an ambitious plan to improve rail transport and connectivity across Oxfordshire and the wider region over the next 15 years has been approved.
• Year-long roadworks scheme at junction will cost £13mA £13m scheme to improve a major junction will delay traffic close to Didcot for a whole year in south Oxfordshire.
• Thames Valley leaders to pursue mayoral authority dealThames Valley councils propose a new mayoral strategic authority to secure devolution, boost investment, and coordinate regional transport, housing, and growth.

Rail Advent

• East Coast Digital Programme to affect services in HertfordshireThis weekend will see a section of the railway close south of Peterborough to allow for the additional testing of digital signalling.

TaxiPoint

• Ford MAXiCab draws strong interest from taxi drivers at Heathrow Airport preview as licensing push continues Perry RichardsonCab Direct brought the Ford MAXiCab to London Heathrow for a preview event held with the London Cab Drivers Club (LCDC), attracting a steady stream of taxi drivers keen to see the new purpose-built model up close.

RMT

• RMT warns of widespread welfare failures leaving women transport workers without safe toilet accessRMT today exposed widespread failures in welfare provision for transport workers, with new survey evidence and frontline testimony showing that women in particular are being denied safe, clean and accessible toilet facilities, leaving employers in breach of basic dignity and clear legal duties.

Other News Sources

• Business leaders urge council to rubber stamp funding to reopen Doncaster Sheffield AirportA coalition of South Yorkshire business organisations has called on Doncaster Council to give the green light for funding to re-open Doncaster Sheffield Airport when it meets next week.
• Ex-BT CEO Jansen on the runway to become Heathrow Airport chair ? reportPhilip Jansen, former Chief Executive at BT Group, is reportedly set to take up a position as Chairman of Heathrow Airport.
• Government to strip councils of final say on major housing schemesThe government has announced a series of planning changes which weaken local councils' ability to block development and make it easier to build near train stations.
• New homes near train stations to get 'default yes' from plannersNew housing development near train stations are set to receive a default 'yes' from planners. The government has announced housebuilding near well-connected train stations will receive the green light if they meet certain rules, to ensure more homes are built.
• £7 billion Oxford railway faces delay due to train door rowPassenger trains were scheduled to start running on East West Rail between Oxford and Milton Keynes for the first time in nearly 60 years by the end of next month (December 2025).
• Plymouth mobility hub earns shared transport gold standardThe Connect Plymouth Hub makes it easier for people to travel sustainably, providing access to e-bikes, an electric car club vehicle and rapid EV charging.
• DfT plans for National Transport Analysis PlatformThe Department for Transport (DfT) is developing a National Transport Analysis Platform for modelling transport scenarios on a national scale.