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

Thursday, 25 June 2026

Government

• Collision between two passenger trains near Elstow [Rail Accident Investigation Branch]Investigation into a collision between two passenger trains near Elstow, Bedfordshire, 19 June 2026.

BBC News

• Cambridge Uni objects to railway near observatoryThe University of Cambridge has objected to the current plans for East-West Rail (EWR) because of concerns about a number of its sites, including an "internationally renowned" observatory.
• Council sorry for parking fines after train crashA council has apologised after drivers were fined for not moving their vehicles from a station car park after Friday's fatal train crash.
• Rail firm says 'do not travel' during heatwaveRail passengers are being advised not to travel on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday amid soaring temperatures.
• Council to investigate £327,000 pay-off for Edinburgh Trams bossUnite the union described the payout as an "excessive golden goodbye" and called for Edinburgh city council to take action.
• Bigger cars could cut London parking, study saysLarger cars could strip London of about 100,000 on-street parking spaces by 2040, a study warns.
• Glasgow subway to close for four Sundays to test new systemStrathclyde Partnership for Transport (SPT) has requested for testing to be carried out on 19 July, 16 August, 23 August and 30 August.
• Train passed red signal before fatal crash - reportA preliminary report from the Independent Rail Accident Investigation Branch is published.
• Trump accuses big oil firms of price-gouging driversThe US president named Shell, ExxonMobil, BP and Chevron when talking to reporters about a probe into fuel prices.

Financial Times

• Rome airports warn of summer 'disaster' unless EU border controls suspendedRome's airports will be forced to suspend the EU's new controversial biometric border system to cope with summer tourist numbers
• Train in fatal UK crash passed red signal, investigators sayTrain in fatal UK crash passed red signal, investigators say.

The Guardian

• Germany's railways grind to halt as IT maintenance snag takes down networkDeutsche Bahn widely criticised after hundreds of thousands of passengers stranded in operator's latest setback
• What is China’s SpaceSail, and could it rival Elon Musk’s Starlink?The company has just a few hundred satellites in low Earth orbit but has state backing and is already reportedly negotiating with dozens of countries. Elon Musk’s Starlink has long dominated the satellite internet industry, but a Chinese government-backed project is aiming to challenge its position.SpaceSail has just a few hundred satellites in low Earth orbit compared with Starlink’s 10,000-plus.

The Herald

• Strap yourselves in: it's time we had seatbelts on trainsTragically there was one death in last Friday evening's rail crash on the Midlands line to London , but the severe injuries incurred could have been significantly reduced had passengers been wearing seatbelts

The Independent

• Tube temperatures near 40C as commuters brave heatwave: 'It's hotter than South Africa'Temperatures on the London Underground rail network reached almost 40C on Wednesday as the day was officially declared the hottest in June on record.

The Telegraph

• Train driver passed through red signal before Bedford crash [subscription]Shaun Burton's train 'approached and then passed' warning light moments before collision that killed him, preliminary report finds

Times Online

• Four ways airports are changing the way you'll holiday [subscription]Advanced tech, including AI, is revolutionising the air-travel experience, promising faster, smoother journeys. Some are already ahead of the curve
• Rising Trucking Rates Drive U.S. Companies Back to the Railroad [subscription]High fuel prices and rising truck rates are leading shippers to opt for slower, cheaper intermodal transit

Transport Committee

• Transport Committee launches inquiry into draft Heathrow Expansion National Policy StatementThe Transport Committee has launched an inquiry to scrutinise the Government's blueprint for a third runway at Heathrow.

City AM

• Burnham's new chief of staff ran City firm advising Thames Water and rival Heathrow bidderAndy Burnham's likely chief of staff will move to Downing Street from a lobbying firm that counts Thames Water and the rival bidder for Heathrows third runway as clients, just as ministers mull decisions that could decide both organisations' fate.
• London's heatwave is a boon for Lime bikes As temperatures climb across the capital and commuters look for ways to avoid stuffy Tube carriages, London’s heatwave is turning into a major boost for the micromobility industry. Lime, the Uber-backed e-bike giant preparing for a New York stock market listing, has seen demand surge as Londoners swap public transport for two wheels.

Mail Online

• Why did doomed train pass red signal? The deadly sequence of events that put two commuter trains on a collision course, explained down to the last detail by DEEP DIVEIt was Britain's worst rail disaster in 20 years. A Luton Airport Express service ploughed into the back of a stationary train travelling towards London shortly after 5pm on June 19, 2026.

This is Money

• Oil falls to lowest price since start of Iran war as shipping picks up in the Strait of HormuzBrent crude dropped towards $73 a barrel having peaked at $126 at the end of April as the conflict shocked the world. Oil is at its cheapest since February 27.

Network Rail

• Network Rail issues statement following RAIB publication on Bedford train collisionNetwork Rail has issued a media statement following the Rail Accident Investigation Branch's (RAIB) interim statement, published today (Wednesday 24 June), into the Bedford train collision, which occurred on Friday 19 June.

Sky News

• Train driver who died in crash that injured 100 'passed red signal moments before collision'A train driver who died in a crash near Bedford had passed a red signal moments before the collision, investigators say.

Birmingham Mail

• Heatwave causes almost 1 in 10 train cancellations as temperature reaches 36CExtreme heat can cause significant rail disruption
• Bosses refuse to set opening date as they defend 'regrettable but normal' Dudley Metro delaysTransport bosses said the delayed Wednesbury to Brierley Hill metro extension is expected to be complete in the autumn

London Evening Standard

• Which London trains are affected by the heatwave? Full list of disruptions and 'do not travel' warningsNational Rail has advised passengers on Wednesday or Thursday to 'only travel if absolutely necessary'

Manchester Evening News

• Mayhem at Euston as passengers face major delays or cancellations amid 'hell on Earth' heatwaveThere were scenes of mayhem again at Euston on Wednesday (June 24) with huge crowds gathering on the concourse and passengers facing severe delays and cancellations.

Metro

• Video: London's Euston Station looks grim with thousands of sweaty commuters stuckWorkers travelling through the capital on Tuesday faced another headache after soaring temperatures forced rail bosses to introduce a reduced timetable at one of Britain's busiest stations

Wolverhampton Express and Star

• Rail line blocked near Birmingham after train crew 'taken ill'The crews were taken ill between Shirley and Stratford-Upon-Avon on the North Warwickshire line

Other Regional Press

• SAF benefits at risk of being 'diluted' by Heathrow expansion, government warnedTHE BENEFITS of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) are at risk of being 'diluted' by a third runway at London Heathrow Airport, a campaign group has warned, following government research predicting significant emissions rises caused by expansion.
• North Wales MSs press Finance Minister on rail investment gap at SeneddWales is losing £850 million in rail funding during the current UK spending review period because the UK Treasury has classified HS2 as an England and Wales project, the Senedd heard on Tuesday money that the Finance Minister said could have been spent on rail investment in Flint and Wrexham.
• M42 weekend closure warning to drivers as HS2 works take major step forwardStarting tomorrow night, a section of the M42 will be closed until Monday morning

Airportwatch

• Wales: Fresh calls for assurances on Magor stationFresh calls have been made for firm assurances on a long-awaited railway station project. Catherine Fookes MP has joined Lynne Neagle MS and Monmouthshire county council leader Mary Ann Brocklesby in writing to the Welsh Government to secure a clear commitment to the delivery of Magor Walkway Station.

New Civil Engineer

• NCE Podcast | Why Birmingham - Manchester rail can't wait for HS2This month's guest is Ben Brittain, director of public affairs at the Association for Consultancy and Engineering (ACE).

Rail Advent

• London Euston services to be disrupted due to expected highs of 37 degreesThe station is expected to be very busy, and on the 24th and 25th, people are advised not to travel and only do so if essential.

Rail Business Daily

• Northern named the highest-ranking rail operator in nationwide apprenticeship rankingsTrain operator Northern has topped the list of UK rail operators in the Sunday Times 'Top 100 Apprenticeship Employers'

Rail Magazine

• Why has HS2 spent so many millions on consultants? Christian WolmarJust as the news about HS2 couldn't get any worse, it does. The report in the Financial Times that £65m has been spent on consultants since November preparing for the 'reset' is yet another kick in the teeth for anyone who still believes that the scheme is a worthwhile undertaking.
• GB Railfreight '99s' set to enter traffic next month as tenth example arrivesGB Railfreight's Class 99s have taken a step closer to entering revenue earning service after one hauled an intermodal service for the first time.
• Freight concerns over Railways Bill infrastructure clause remain despite government amendmentThere's still concern a clause of the Railways Bill gives the Transport Secretary power to regulate the use of freight terminals, despite a government amendment.

Rail Technology Magazine

• Huge Precast Beams Signal New Phase for HS2's Birmingham TerminusConstruction of Birmingham's new HS2 Curzon Street station has taken a significant step forward with the installation of the first of more than 556 concrete beams that will form a critical part of the platform support structure.

Railnews

• Weather disruption warnings spread to north west Warnings of disruption to train services because of very high temperatures have spread to north west England. Journeys will take longer because an amber warning of extreme heat has been issued.

Safer Highways

• Government Backs TfL Ambition to Take Control of Moorgate Rail Services Transport for London's long-standing ambition to bring Great Northern services into the capital's transport network has received a significant boost after the Transport Secretary signalled her support for the proposal.
• HS2 Axes More Than 300 Jobs as Leadership Drives Cost-Cutting Overhaul Writer: Safer Highways Safer HighwaysHS2 has eliminated more than 300 administrative positions as part of a major restructuring programme designed to reduce costs and sharpen the organisation's focus on delivering Britain's largest infrastructure project.

Aviation Industry

• Considerable risks remain to the government’s plan to reduce emissions from aviation: CCC warns progress to achieving carbon budgets is under strainThe CCC’s Progress Report 2026 comes just days after the government published its draft planning framework for Heathrow airport expansion which, on current trends, could result in aviation emissions of 41Mt of CO2 by 2050.

Other News Sources

• Birmingham-Manchester rail without HS2: upgrade options and risks for engineersThe Engineers Collective and New Civil Engineer have recently used their podcast format to unpack technically demanding environments such as Antarctic construction and historic long-span bridges, suggesting this UK rail episode is likely to probe design, safety and delivery trade-offs rather than just the politics of HS2.
• HS2 lifts first huge beams for Birmingham's Curzon Street stationThe construction of an enormous deck that will help support the platforms at Birmingham's new HS2 station has begun with the first of more than 556 concrete beams lifted into position.