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

Friday, 23 October 2026

BBC News

• Council votes to axe two hour free parking schemeA scheme offering people two hours of free parking in Wakefield has been scrapped after the council said it was "unaffordable".
• Court papers reveal mayor's £2.7m interest in major rail schemeAn elected mayor who campaigned against East West Rail's preferred route had a major financial interest in the project which was not recorded as having been declared during a meeting in parliament with the rail minister, it has emerged.
• No trains between York and Leeds for nine daysNo trains will run on the main route between Leeds and York for nine days, Network Rail has said.
• Battery trains branded an 'insult' to HullransPennine Express recently announced it was investing £1bn in a new fleet of battery-electric trains for the 2030s. However, former Hull Liberal Democrat councillor Lord Dave McCobb said he was pressing for full electrification of the rail line to Hull saying "our part of Yorkshire deserves better".
• All London minicabs could be electric by 2030TfL says switching all private-hire vehicles to electric is "vital" in creating a "healthier city".

The Guardian

• 'We've lost a basic sense of politeness': UK readers reveal daily reality of public transportAndy Burnham has announced a campaign against nuisance behaviour on public transport, including 'headphone dodgers' who play loud music.

The Herald

• Edinburgh could declare 'car-free day' for Tour de France Grand Départ next summerGreen councillor Lorenzo Martinico has called on officers to introduce a vehicle-free festival around the time of the race in July 2027.

The Independent

• Thousands of busy roads across England to be resurfaced in major pothole crackdownThe government has also announced a further ?220 million in funding for councils in England to tackle potholes

This is Money

• Dazzling headlights forcing one in four drivers off the road after clock changeOne in four motorists affected by headlight glare plan on reducing or even giving up driving when the clocks go back this weekend.

Local Government

• Mayor invites residents to help name future transport networkThe West Midlands public transport network is to get a fresh look and a brand new name. Richard Parker, Mayor of the West Midlands, is asking the public to put forward their suggestions for what the region's transport should be called.

Birmingham Mail

• Ryanair adds ninth aircraft at Birmingham Airport with flights from £29.99Ryanair is basing a ninth aircraft at Birmingham Airport for Winter 2026

Birmingham Post

• £45bn Northern Powerhouse Rail update: What it could mean for ManchesterNew station announced for Bradford under Northern transport plans

Bristol Live

• Bus links row over bid for 75 homes on 'unsustainable' site'This development would totally change the village’s character'

Daily Post (North Wales)

• New passenger trains rolled out on rail line serving North WalesTransport for Wales’ first new Class 197e trains enter passenger service on the Cambrian Coast Line - although will only do part of the route inititally

London Evening Standard

• International trains set to run from second major London station: When, where and how?Sir Richard Branson's Virgin is among operators seeking to take on Eurostar in offering cross-Channel routes to European capitals and other cities.

Manchester Evening News

• Rail travel around Greater Manchester is about to change foreverIt is set to bring major beneftis from ticketing to infrastructure and the customer experience.

Wales 247

• Transport for Wales introduces new trains on Cambrian Coast LineTransport for Wales' first new Class 197e trains have entered passenger service on the Cambrian Coast Line between Machynlleth and Pwllheli, replacing trains that have served the route for more than 30 years.

Yorkshire Evening Post

• Frustration in East Yorkshire over rail connectivity needs to be addressedYorkshire has long been held back by poor public transport and the public here is not willing to accept token gestures to improve the network. The Government won?t get away with trying to pull the wool over the eyes of the electorate.

Yorkshire Post

• Bradford Interchange: 'Serious concerns' raised over newly announced plans?Serious concerns? have been raised over the newly announced plans for a new rail station at Bradford Interchange.

Cambridge News

• Pedestrians and wheelchair users 'forced' into road by narrow pavementsThe trial measures will remain in place for at least a year and up to 18 months

Hull Daily Mail

• Rail investment will only cut Hull-to-Leeds journey times by 'up to a minute'Lord Dave McCobb has described the upgrades as an 'insult' as it was revealed a new fleet of battery-powered trains will not offer East Yorkshire significantly improved journey times as he campaigns for full rail electrification

My London

• Old London Underground tracks and signal failures costing commuters more than 800K hours a weekThe network's 'renewals backlog' is an estimated 36.5 billion, half of which is track work alone

Other Regional Press

• Renewed calls for village?s railway station to be reopenedSenedd Members have urged the Welsh Government to revisit plans for reopening Nelson railway station, after a petition signed by more than 400 people was brought before a committee.
• MP urges cross-party working on rail future after accusing Peer of ?political point-scoring?Hull?s most senior MP has called for cross-party working on future funding for the city?s railway after criticism of the impact of a ?1bn investment in new battery-electric trains.
• New approach to service reviews set to strengthen Staffordshire?s bus networkA new approach to reviewing and improving Staffordshire?s supported bus network will help to protect important community connections and provide best value for money.
• Haddington train station case 'weak', government body saysHopes of a new train station in an East Lothian market town have hit a set back after Transport Scotland told council officers the case was 'weak' and failed to provide evidence the benefits outweighed the costs.
• Becky Gittins MP on antisocial behaviour on trainsWe all have those little things that get under our skin. Someone playing music at full volume on the train, or returning to your car a few minutes late only to find a hefty parking charge waiting for you. They're hardly the biggest issues facing the country, but they're frustrations that many of us will recognise.
• Bewdley Express trial concludes after welcoming more than 1,000 passengers aboardThe trial of the Bewdley Express, a new passenger service, has ended on a positive note after successfully carrying more than 1,000 passengers during its run.
• Planned improvements to major road hit by congestion pushed back for 18-monthsThe A34 Stratford Road Enhancement Study — a £810,000 joint project between West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA) and Solihull Council — faces an 18-month delay and is now expected to complete in September 2028, pushing back planned improvements to congestion, cycling, walking and bus infrastructure including the Sprint scheme.
• Birmingham Airport £2bn expansion to double passengers without second runwayBirmingham Airport's £2bn expansion plan aims to double passenger numbers to 30 million by 2041 and increase flights without a second runway, significant noise increase or public funds
• Birmingham Airport: £3.75bn economic impact and 57,000 jobs as masterplan vote opensBirmingham Airport has published an economic report showing it contributes £3.75bn to the regional economy and supports 57,000 jobs, as public consultation continues on its masterplan to handle 30 million passengers by 2041

Bus and Coach Buyer

• TfWM single-route franchisesRichard Parker, Mayor of the West Midlands, has invited small and local bus operators to bid for individual bus routes as the region takes its next step towards bringing the network back under public control.

New Civil Engineer

• Councils report record road maintenance spend, says DfTEngland's local authorities have reported a record level of spending on road maintenance this year, with nearly 11,265km of carriageway resurfaced and total local road maintenance expenditure rising to about £4.9bn, according to figures published by the Department for Transport (DfT).

Rail Magazine

• Transport for Wales' Class 197e plan for Cambrian lines after units enter serviceTransport for Wales (TfW) Class 197s have made their debut on Cambrian passenger services.

Route One (Bus and Coach)

• Audio-visual information grant reopens for small operatorsThe Department for Transport (DfT) has re-opened grant applications for small coach and bus operators to fund the cost of audio-visual next-stop announcements.

Sustainable Bus

• Alexander Dennis studies 18-metre Enviro Max tram-style electric bus with Volvo for UK BRT marketAlexander Dennis and Volvo Buses have announced a feasibility study for the development of an 18-metre tram-style electric articulated bus for the UK market, combining Volvo's BZL Electric chassis with a new Alexander Dennis body design named Enviro Max.

TaxiPoint

• MPs call for different airport drop-off charges for taxis as Government agrees 12-month review Taxi and private hire drivers could face a different approach to airport access charges after MPs raised concerns over rising fees, inadequate transport alternatives and disruption to communities surrounding UK airports.

Other News Sources

• Local MPs push back on Heathrow expansionProposals for a third runway at Heathrow airport put the ?health and wellbeing? of local constituents at risk, several MPs in areas surrounding the airport
• £7bn East West Rail line to run from Swindon straight to London EustonThe first passengers to travel on the new East West Rail line will not be able to get off at its freshly built station.