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

Wednesday, 23 September 2026

BBC News

• 'Unjustifiable' runway upgrade delays criticisedConcerns have been raised after a project to rebuild an island airport's runway were delayed.
• Work to restore station lifts to take over a yearWork to install lifts at the nearest railway station to Premier League club AFC Bournemouth is expected to take just over a year, South Western Railway (SWR) has said.
• First new Mersey ferry in 60 years officially launchedThe first new Mersey Ferry to be built in 60 years has been officially launched in Liverpool.
• Playing loud music on the bus? That will cost you hundreds of dollars in SingaporeBus passengers in Singapore can now be fined up to $500 Singapore dollars ($391; £293) for placing their feet on seats or playing loud audio, as well as eating, drinking or littering onboard.
• Europe's car makers are in crisis. Will the threat of war rescue them?Auto executives across Europe hope rearmament can help them flex their industrial muscles once more.

Department for Transport

• Making active places 2026The Transport Secretary sets out the government's approach to active travel at the making active places conference.

The Guardian

• London buses in decline Why public transport in global cities is slowing to a crawl visualisedAs experts fear for future of UK capital's bus network, some commuters are giving up entirely. London is not alone with worrying implications for the poorest in society

The Herald

• Edinburgh Airport new chief's big challenge after new flights wins joyYou could make the argument that it is easier for a chief executive to take the controls at a business after a period of underperformance, rather than following years of stellar numbers, because they can portray themselves as the force driving a heroic rescue.
• A83 Rest and Be Thankful - business revolt over four-year convoy planA business revolt has erupted over plans to impose four years of convoy traffic on Scotland's most notorious road as campaigners demand ministers abandon the current two-stage fix.
• Rest and be Thankful - Transport secretary acts amid business revoltThe transport secretary has agreed to meet representatives of a 1,500-business campaign group which has led a growing revolt over plans for Scotland's notorious Rest and Be Thankful.

Times Online

• On paw patrol at Waterloo, the sniffer dogs keeping the railway safe [subscription]It is rush hour at London Waterloo. Amid the frantic sea of commuters surging towards the departure boards after another day of rail delays, three staff members in high-visibility uniform are turning heads.
• A Rocket Supply Crunch Is Making It Harder to Hitch a Ride to Space [subscription]There is a rush to secure flights as SpaceX winds down its flagship vehicle and rivals try to ramp up
• Minister to rule over future of air traffic control boss [subscription]Heidi Alexander will meet the board of Nats to discuss the role of its chief executive, Martin Rolfe, after a series of failures that hit thousands of flights

The National

• £500m Edinburgh Airport expansion plans 'act of climate vandalism,' say GreensTHE Scottish Government has been accused of 'wilful ignorance' and committing an 'act of climate vandalism' by the Greens after ministers welcomed a £500 million investment in Edinburgh Airport.
• Scottish Government to intervene after Scotland to Europe ferry plans ditchedTHE Scottish Government will intervene after Forth Ports pulled out of plans for a direct ferry service between Scotland and Europe.
• New train union intervenes in ScotRail row over Israel-linked firmA NEW trade union has intervened in the row over an Israeli settlement-linked firm shortlisted to build ScotRail's new suburban trains.

Birmingham Mail

• 'Safe and useable' plea at Birmingham deadly road blackspotMore than £12.5 million funding has been agreed for the second phase of the A45 cycle route in Birmingham
• 100,000 drivers 'face fines and penalty points' under new Birmingham speed limit rulesThe city council has revealed plans to cut most roads to 20mph
• Birmingham's most crime-hit bus routes revealed - and they are used by thousandsPolice have named the most notorious bus routes in Birmingham

Bradford Telegraph & Argus

• Fresh track laid in tunnels for Transpennine Route UpgradeFresh tracks are being laid through a pair of historic railway tunnels in West Yorkshire as part of a huge railway upgrade.

Daily Post (North Wales)

• Welsh Government crackdown on engine idling 'won't be enforced'From September 30, fines for stationary engine idling on Welsh public roads will rise to £75–£150. They apply in certain circumstances if drivers fail to switch off when asked by a local authority traffic officer.

Nation. Cymru

• Consultation launched on plans to improve major transport hubPassengers are being asked for their views on plans to improve one of south west Wales' busiest transport hubs.

Cambridge News

• Tram plans slammed as 'scandalous waste of money'A study which could suggest introducing trams or a light rail network to combat Cambridge's congestion could be released later this year, as readers remain divided over the city's transport strategy
• Locals call for railway station to be built instead of 180 new homesOne objection said transport links into the city are 'insufficient'

Wirral Globe

• Justin Madders MP rides mobility scooter across WirralA WIRRAL MP has taken to a mobility scooter to highlight the daily obstacles faced by people who rely on them to get around.

Other Regional Press

• Gloucestershire Airport sale back on the cards after first attempt collapses'The airport's shareholders remain committed to selling the site as an operational airport'
• Experts claim Dundee air pollution spikes during grouse season as they call for airport to become park and rideTwo West End based academics have suggested the site could be used as a park and ride instead.
• Solution suggested for Wigan railway station where cars park outside residents' homes 'for days at a time'A Wigan councillor has suggested land that could be used for parking at a railway station currently undergoing a 36.1m refurbishment.
• Secretary of State 'unable to commit' to opening date for East West Rail line between Oxford and BletchleyThe Minister was responding to a letter from Buckingham and Bletchley MP Callum Anderson, who was seeking an update on the commencement of passenger services on the line.

Train Operators

• World Car Free Day: EMR launches new tourism map for greener days outEast Midlands Railway (EMR), in partnership with the East Midlands Combined County Authority (EMCCA), has launched a new tourism map helping visitors discover some of the region's best days out by rail and bus.

Insider Media

• Consultation on Doncaster Sheffield Airport airspace proposals nearing completionResidents and stakeholders across Doncaster are being encouraged to have their say on airespace plans at Doncaster Sheffield Airport as the consultation nears completion.

Highways News

• Oxfordshire to pilot low-carbon approach to road resurfacingA scheme to resurface a stretch of the B4445 in Chinnor, Oxfordshire will pilot a unique package of low-carbon materials expected to save over 30 tonnes of CO2 while improving the road's performance.
• How building trust could unlock up to 10% more value from highways partnershipsToday?s Highways Voices hears how highways and infrastructure organisations could unlock between 5 and 10% more value from their strategic partnerships by treating trust as an operational asset.
• Arup, AECOM and Campaign for Better Transport consortium to spearhead production of new bus stop guidanceA consortium of Arup, AECOM and Campaign for Better Transport has been appointed by the Department for Transport to develop a new national guidance document on the safety and accessibility of bus stopping places.

New Civil Engineer

• Balfour Beatty progressing with £65M Edinburgh Airport expansionInfrastructure group Balfour Beatty said it is progressing with the £65M South East Pier Expansion (Sepex) project at Edinburgh Airport.

Railway Gazette

• Reforms will support a stronger rail sector, says European Transport CommissionerINNOTRANS: 'I am a huge fan of rail', declared European Transport Commissioner Apostolas Tzitzikostas, addressing the opening ceremony of InnoTrans 2026 in Berlin on September 22. But 'I believe the sector is currently selling itself short.'

road.cc

• 'The equivalent of upgrading a single A-road junction': National Cycle Network set for £104m investment as transport secretary promises to go 'hell for leather on active travel' but campaigners are unimpressedTransport secretary Heidi Alexander has pledged to go 'hell for leather on active travel', as the government announced that it will invest £104 million in the National Cycle Network (NCN) over the next four years.

The Business Desk

• New Mersey Ferry set for maiden voyage following Royal Daffodil naming ceremonyA landmark moment in the 800-year history of the Mersey Ferries was celebrated today (September 22) as the new £26m Royal Daffodil set out on its maiden voyage following a special naming ceremony.

Trafnidiaeth Cymru [Transport for Wales]

• fflecsi Machynlleth expands to Dyfi ValleyTransport for Wales (TfW) is expanding the Machynlleth fflecsi service across the Dyfi Valley, allowing more communities across Powys and Gwynedd to benefit from flexible, demand responsive transport.

Transport for London

• 'Game-changing' transformation of internationally important South Kensington Tube station hits new milestoneTfL intends to award design and build contract to Costain, meaning scheme can now fully progress, bringing a significantly improved passenger experience through a station capacity upgrade and enabling step-free access to all platforms within the Grade-II listed station, as well as adding a new eastbound Circle and District line platform
• New entrance at King's Cross St Pancras Underground station provides step-free access from the south side of Euston Road for the first timeA new entrance at King's Cross St Pancras Tube station is providing a new step-free access route on the south side of Euston Road. The entrance, fully funded by developer Precis Advisory, will provide additional and more direct accessibility options to the station thanks to a new lift, making journeys more accessible for thousands of Underground customers in line with TfL's Equity in Motion plan. This project is the latest progress in the Mayor of London and Transport for London (TfL)'s plans to work with developers to support making London's transport network as accessible as possible.

Transportxtra

• The fantasy economics of a new Heathrow runwayKeith Buchan is frustrated by the esoteric exchanges between economists

Other News Sources

• New Mersey Ferry sails into history with landmark ceremony and maiden voyageA landmark moment in the 800-year history of the Mersey ferries was celebrated today as the new £26m Royal Daffodil set out on its maiden voyage following a special naming ceremony.

News from Europe

• Europe may avoid wider jet fuel shortage, but smaller airports remain at riskFalling demand from November and increased shipments from Asia are expected to leave Europe with enough jet fuel in the coming months, although analysts warn that smaller airports could still run dry.