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

Thursday, 27 August 2026

BBC News

• Calls for clarity on future of 'unsafe' footbridgeCampaigners say they want clarity over the future of a 19th Century pedestrian footbridge which has been closed for safety reasons since July.
• Scottish airport numbers soar despite Middle East turmoilThe number of passengers passing through Scotland's airports rose sharply in the spring, largely driven by budget airlines.
• Passengers hope for better bus shelters by winterResidents in Eastbourne say they hope upgraded bus shelters will be installed before the winter, after the old shelters were removed.
• Fen rail line has never been worse, say passengersA railway passenger group is calling for urgent improvements to train services connecting Norfolk and Cambridgeshire after recording a steep rise in the number of cancellations.
• Manchester Airport boss defends car park incomeThe boss of Manchester Airport has defended a 'competitive' £453m in car parking charges.
• 'Ironing board' seats to be replaced on Thameslink Greater Thameslink Railway says these upgrades are part of the wider renationalisation plans.
• Why Tesla has been caught up in a massive car recall in ChinaThe country's biggest ever car recall affects more than four million vehicles made by Tesla, XPeng, Xiaomi and other firms.

The Guardian

• Heatwaves show UK must do more to promote cycling and walking, campaigners sayCivil society groups argue climate crisis means transport sector needs to urgently reduce its carbon emissions
• VW workers boo boss as he urges them to ‘pull together’ amid job cutsOliver Blume faces workforce at German HQ as carmaker struggles against Chinese competition and US tariffs. The chief executive of Volkswagen has faced boos and whistles of protest at the company’s headquarters after telling thousands of workers that a comprehensive reorganisation, which could include job losses and factory closures, is vital for its future. As Oliver Blume urged more than 10,000 workers on Tuesday to “pull together”

The Telegraph

• The Poshcast: Why do people think it's acceptable to use their phones on loudspeaker in public? [subscription]This week on The Poshcast, Cleo Watson and Sophia Money-Coutts tackle a particularly irritating modern etiquette conundrum: why is using loudspeakers on phones in public places the 'new normal'?
• Britain's boorish train passengers should be sent to Asia [subscription]Sights, sounds and smells common on UK public transport simply aren't tolerated in some countries
• German airport worker dies of malaria after mosquito imported on plane [subscription]Six employees in total were infected five survivors are receiving medical care

Times Online

• Lessons from a tale of two airports [subscription]Gatwick's £2.2 billion runway project promises affordability, lifting capacity to 80 million travellers. Heathrow's £49 billion plan risks doubling landing charges

City AM

• Gatwick takes ‘significant’ passenger hit from Iran warGatwick has suffered a “significant” decline in passenger numbers as a result of the Iran war after airlines cancelled flights to the region and holidaymakers swerved destinations like Cyprus, Greece and Turkey. The UK’s second-biggest airport saw total passenger numbers drop by nearly five per cent because of the Middle East conflict

This is Money

• Gatwick's profits fall after airport suffers steep decline in passenger numbers amid Iran warGatwick airport suffered a drop in first-half profits as fewer passengers passed through its two terminals because of the Iran war.

Labour Party

• Shabana writes on Midlands Rail Hub proposalsShabana has written to the Midlands Rail Hub Alliance regarding their plans for rail network enhancements in Digbeth.

Network Rail

• 'Say hello to yellow' - unified uniforms for staff at North's busiest stationsPassengers travelling through the North's three biggest and busiest train stations are getting a helping hand as staff switch to a new shared colour scheme so it's easier to seek help while making rail journeys.

Birmingham Mail

• Rail passengers warned over Birmingham Bank Holiday weekend disruptionBrummies planning on hopping on a train this Bank Holiday weekend have been issued a warning by the major railway network

Birmingham Post

• easyJet launches recruitment drive targeting over-50s for cabin crew roles across UKAirline says older workers bring invaluable life experience and skills
• £100m of upgrades for Greater Manchester's train stationsTransport for Greater Manchester wants to make stations more accessible

Bristol Live

• Decision looms on expanding village near Bristol despite problem with bus routeIt could be 25% larger

Daily Post (North Wales)

• Passport rule change affecting all ferry passengers travelling between Holyhead and DublinStena Line and Irish Ferries announced new rule change and how it will impact passengers

Edinburgh Evening News

• Edinburgh 7-7-7 bus lane trial could force shops to close warn tradersThe 7-7-7 trial - which would see bus lanes in force from 7am to 7pm seven days a week - is due to be tested on a route between Greenside and Duddingston over 18 months from October this year.

Liverpool Echo

• Merseyrail could have to reconsider 'devastating' e-bike banCycling UK said the move would impact those with mobility issues while Metro Mayor Steve Rotheram said the operator may have to think again

London Evening Standard

• New Superloop bus service launch date confirmed - and travel is free for the first weekThe SL12 Superloop bus route, which will run between Gants Hill and Rainham in east London, will open on September 5

Manchester Evening News

• The £41m row between Stagecoach and Stockport councilStagecoach said they were having 'positive discussions' but Stockport council has accused them of asking for too much money for two depots

Nation. Cymru

• Bus services set for shake-up as summer timetables endBus services across Cardiff are set for a shake-up from this weekend as summer timetables come to an end.

Sheffield Star

• Sheffield MP reaffirms support for tram expansion after meeting residentsAn MP has reaffirmed her support for an expansimn of Sheffield's tram network as she laid out her priorities for improving the lives of residents in one of the city's communities after a recent public consultation.

Yorkshire Evening Post

• Leeds City Station staff make big change to help passengers spot who to ask for helpLeeds City Station is turning yellow - and passengers are being told to look out for it if they need a helping hand.
• 'Get out of the way': Campaigners' furious demand over £2.5bn West Yorkshire tram planCampaigners have launched a furious attack on the new Prime Minister, demanding he hand over powers from London or risk scuppering West Yorkshire's long-awaited tram network.
• Pictures show giant crane lifting beams into place as historic Leeds railway bridge is rebuiltPictures have captured the moment a giant crane lifted bridge beams into place over a crucial railway route in Leeds.

Cambridge News

• Major milestone reached on £1 billion road project expected to finish in springThe major upgrade has reached 'another milestone'

Carlisle News & Star

• Miniature railway marks 90th anniversary with MP visitA miniature railway line is marking a major milestone this year with its 90th anniversary.

Lancashire Telegraph

• Next phase of Colne bus station upgrade to beginWork is due to begin in the coming days on the next phase of improvements to bring all bus services serving Colne town centre into a new, upgraded bus station.

South Wales Argus

• Abergavenny zero-emission car club part of Welsh expansionA zero-emission car sharing club in Abergavenny is one of a number to have launched this year.

Other Regional Press

• REFORM QUESTIONS PLAID'S COMMITMENT TO M4 RELIEF ROADReform Wales' Shadow Transport Minister Jason O'Connell MS has challenged Plaid Cymru's commitment to an M4 relief road, after the Welsh Government ruled out the Black Route while continuing to pursue the Burns recommendations alongside potentially closing M4 junctions.
• Prestwick Airport records a 197% increase in cargo tonnageEdinburgh Airport welcomed more than 200,000 more passengers than the same period last year (+5%), while Glasgow Airport saw a 3% increase. Inverness Airport saw passenger numbers grow by 8% year-on-year, ranking among one of the largest increases in this period
• Trainline to offer pizza delivery while on a trainTrainline is set to offer a new service over the bank holiday weekend in collaboration with Domino's.
• Gatwick Airport's profits drop as passenger numbers fallGatwick Airport has reported a sharp fall in half-year profits following a drop in passenger numbers linked to the conflict in the Middle East.
• Edinburgh Airport welcomes 200,000 more passengers as travel demand soarsEdinburgh Airport welcomed more than 200,000 more passengers than the same period last year (+5%), while Glasgow Airport saw a 3% increase. Inverness Airport saw passenger numbers grow by 8% year-on-year, ranking among one of the largest increases in this period.
• CARDIFF AIRPORT: Passengers up 16% as Welsh airport outpaces UK's record-breaking quarterPassenger numbers at Cardiff Airport grew faster than almost anywhere in the UK this spring, up 16% in a quarter when the country's airports broke records, new figures from the aviation regulator show.
• Mega Rail Freight proposals in North Warrington move towards next stageREPRESENTATIVES from local communities surrounding the proposed Intermodal Logistics Park North met earlier this week as the huge rail freight and logistics development moves towards its next stage.
• More night bus services coming to TamesideTAMESIDE passengers will soon be able to travel home later after a new night bus service was confirmed as part of major improvements to the Bee Network.
• A major North Somerset bus route is being extended to improve the region's public transport links.North Somerset Council says the move will make it easier for people to reach employment, education, healthcare, and leisure destinations such as Southmead Hospital and Cribbs Causeway.
• MP backs plan to tackle fare dodgers at Worcester Foregate StreetA WORCESTERSHIRE MP says new ticket barriers will be the end of the line for fare dodgers at two of the county's busiest railway stations.
• New bus route linking Hedge End, Whiteley and city centre launches this weekendA new bus service linking Southampton and Whiteley will launch this weekend creating a new bus between the two communities for the first time.
• 'Number 10 needs to get out of the way' - campaigners' solution to make West Yorkshire tram network realityThe Government has been urged to "get out of the way" and urgently devolve powers from London to West Yorkshire so the long-delayed Leeds Bradford mass transit system becomes a reality
• Huge Nuneaton town centre road change decided under new government ruleIt will mean major changes to the Leicester Road gyratory system and nearby roads

Bus and Coach Buyer

• Sustainable transport urged by multi-sector coalitionA coalition of more than 50 organisations is calling on the Government to act urgently on transport in response to climate issues. Among its demands are more journeys made using public transport.

Highways News

• One Island transport app launches on the Isle of ManA new app has launched on the Isle of Man that is looking to change the way taxis operate by incorporating an Uber style experience for customers.
• Bristol 'chaos' highlights importance of transport coordinationPassengers on Bristol's only rail commuter line have endured something of a frustrating week after a rail replacement bus service had to be cancelled due to roadworks, leading to calls for improved work coordination and communication
• Transport Scotland announces £55 million investment to improve bus servicesBus passengers across Scotland are set to benefit from a £55 million investment in infrastructure designed to improve the reliability, accessibility and efficiency of bus services.

New Civil Engineer

• CFD modelling promises bridge scour prevention cost efficiencies for Network RailComputational fluid dynamics (CFD) modelling is trimming bridge scour prevention costs across Network Rail's assetbase by bringing greater accuracy to assessments.

Rail Business Daily

• Metro shortlisted for multiple honours at Global Light Rail AwardsWest Midlands Metro is on track for a handful of prestigious accolades at a high-profile industry event later this year.
• Work has started to make Swinton rail station fully accessible for all passengers.For years, the steps to the Swinton platforms have been a barrier to many people being able to catch the train from those with disabilities to older people and carers pushing buggies.

Rail Magazine

• Capital connections could help GBRAvanti West Coast 390016 rolls silently to a stop in Platform 7. Nothing unusual about that. Except this isn't Euston; it's Paddington. This is the first visit of a Pendolino to Paddington and it is only the second time such a train has ventured to a foreign London terminal.
• Rolling stock and infrastructure strategy expected later this yearA national rail infrastructure and rolling stock strategy is expected to be published later this year.
• Siemens Mobility to strengthen train control as problems surface with other new management systemIarnród Éireann (IÉ) is turning to Siemens Mobility to strengthen its train control systems after a recommendation to end Indra's role in delivering the troubled Traffic Management System (TMS) for the new National Train Control Centre was accepted.
• DB Cargo gains extra Drax freight paths from 2027DB Cargo set to take over several freight paths used by Drax power station.

Rail Technology Magazine

• Siemens Mobility Completes Landmark Greater Copenhagen Light Rail ProjectSiemens Mobility and Aarsleff Rail have successfully completed the delivery of the Greater Copenhagen Light Rail, marking a major milestone in Denmark's public transport transformation.
• AtkinsRéalis Appoints Justin Norman to Lead UK & Ireland Transportation BusinessAtkinsRéalis has confirmed the appointment of Justin Norman as Managing Director of its Transportation business for the UK and Ireland, effective immediately, as the engineering consultancy positions itself for the next phase of growth across rail, highways, local transport and maritime markets.

Route One (Bus and Coach)

• Is widespread free and discounted bus travel doing a disservice?Such measures are political tools of the 2020s, but they may not be doing the sector any favour

Aviation Industry

• UK airports passenger record masks a shift from Middle East flying to budget EuropeCAA data shows UK traffic reached a new Q2 high by just 0.15%, with Ryanair, easyJet and Jet2 growth compensating for heavy losses on Middle East routes.
• iniBuilds Updates London Heathrow Airport with Multi-Jetway SupportiniBuilds has recently issued an update to their rendition of London Heathrow Airport (EGLL) for Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024, adding the long-awaited multi-jetway system across dual- and triple-stand configurations at all terminals.

Other News Sources

• SNP MUST DELIVER ON PROMISE FOR SIMPLER TICKETINGThe Scottish Greens are calling on the SNP Government to publish a plan and clear timeline for making integrated ticketing a reality across Scotland.
• EWR train users already face parking restrictions at train stationA council has started painting double yellow lines in a town for train users that don't exist.

News from Europe

• German rail freight faces EUR 112 million increase in track access chargesRail freight operators in Germany could pay around EUR 112 million more for access to the network next year after DB InfraGO proposed a 12.6% increase in the standard freight track access charge for 2027, from EUR 3.48 to EUR 3.92 per train-kilometre. The proposal comes at a time when rail is increasingly being called upon as an alternative to inland waterway transport affected by low water levels on the Rhine.