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

Saturday, 04 January 2025

BBC News

• Historic station's refurb on track for completionThe ?10m renovation of a 130-year-old railway station in West Yorkshire has been "substantially completed", Network Rail has said.
• Residents 'in limbo' 14 months after HS2 decisionResidents living on the original HS2 route say they remain unable to get on with their lives.
• Snow and icy rain likely to disrupt parts of UKBitterly cold conditions fuelled by an Arctic blast are sweeping the UK and could result in disruption.

The Guardian

• Record number of electric cars were sold in UK during 2024Environmental groups urge government to keep tougher green targets despite industry claim they are unsustainableCarmakers sold a record number of electric cars in the UK last year, prompting environmental groups to urge the government to stick to tougher green targets even as the industry argues they are unsustainable.The number of new cars sold in the UK rose by 2.6% in 2024 to 1.95m, according to the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) lobby group. Of those, 19.6% were electric, up from 16.5% a year earlier. Continue reading...

The Herald

• Emirates' Glasgow and Edinburgh airports flights call ?disappointing?A leading business figure has declared he is ?disappointed? that major airline Emirates chose to resume its Edinburgh Airport flights ahead of reinstating its double-daily service between Glasgow and Dubai.

The Independent

• Electric car sales hit a record high in 2024 but fall short of government targetNew car sales hit 1.95 million in 2024; EVs take 19.6 per cent share; Ford Puma is Britain’s best seller

Times Online

• Carmakers miss electric vehicle sales target [subscription]With private buyers resolutely untempted by discounts, the industry says cutting prices to reach government thresholds is unsustainable

City AM

• Wizz Air passengers surge despite engine dispute Wizz Air passengers jumped above five million in December 2024, a two per cent increase from last year, even as the company was forced to ground dozens of its planes due to engine issues. The FTSE 250 carrier reported 5.06m customers throughout last month, despite a 3.1 per cent drop in seats from last December [...]

The Mirror

• Met Office issues urgent warning to anyone driving a car this weekendNearly all of Britain has been covered by snow and ice warnings - and the Met Office is urging people to be prepared for weather chaos.

Sky News

• The 'serious problem' of littered e-bikesElectric bikes that riders can hire and park at their convenience are an increasingly common sight on UK roads - with an estimated 30,000 Lime bikes available in London alone.
• Warnings for snow and freezing rain set to begin - as major disruption expectedWarnings have been issued for heavy snow and freezing rain over the weekend, with icy weather expected to cause significant disruption across large parts of the UK.

Birmingham Mail

• The dashboard button drivers should 'think twice' before pressingA car expert has issued a warning to drivers over a common button on the dashboard which you should 'think twice' about pressing as the UK heads deeper into winter and towards Christmas

Birmingham Post

• Next phase of Cardiff Crossrail project key to maximising benefits of the South Wales MetroProfessor Mark Barry said the second phase at a relatively modest cost of up to £200m would transform rail services in Cardiff but also benefit the wider South Wales Metro
• Wizz Air passenger numbers soar despite planes being grounded due to engine issuesThe FTSE 250 carrier reported 5.06m customers throughout last month, despite a 3.1 per cent drop in seats from last December to around 5.8m

Bolton News

• Fleet of 19 new double decker buses to introduced to key route this weekendOvercrowding is set to be eased on two of Bury’s busiest bus routes with the introduction of 19 new electric double-deckers this weekend
• Bolton to Wigan railway route on track despite disruption due to theftThe theft last week of these crucial cables in the area around Lostock Junction meant there was a danger of missing a deadline of New Year's Day

Bradford Telegraph & Argus

• New hope for campaigners as battle to reopen railway line continuesCAMPAIGNERS pressing for the reopening of a railway line have been given new hope.
• 'Relief' for thousands of passengers as Bradford Interchange bus station to reopenBradford Interchange bus station will finally reopen this weekend - bringing to an end a year of travel misery in the city.

Daily Post (North Wales)

• Important advice to avoid costly driving and home errors in severe winter weatherThe Met Office has issued weather warnings across the UK for snow and icy conditions

Northern Echo

• National Highways advice to North East drivers as A66 "highly likely" to closeNational Highways have issued advice to North East drivers as the A66 is "highly likely" to close at some point over the weekend

The York Press

• Bus fares rise across York and North Yorkshire - how will your journey be impacted?Bus fares in York have risen by as much as 50 per cent this week, after the government cap on bus fares has been lifted.

Cambridge News

• A1 and A421 to face road closures in Cambridgeshire for work near Black CatThere are several closures to be aware of in January

North Wales Live

• Full list of changes to Liverpool John Lennon Airport in 2025 including new premium loungeAnyone travelling from the airport this summer will notice a distinctly different look inside the departures lounge

Other Regional Press

• New operator taking over bus route as latest Watford timetable tweaks announcedIntalink has announced upcoming bus service changes that could impact Watford passengers for the 258, 821, RA3, and 755/757 routes.
• ‘Everything is more expensive’: Passengers react to bus fare increasePassengers have reacted to the news that the cost of bus travel has increased in the city following the turn of the year
• 'Residents deserve better' says roads group on major infrastructure planA roads action group has said 'residents of Oxfordshire deserve better' after a multi-million-pound infrastructure road for Didcot was permitted by the government.
• Full list of West Midlands roads motorists told to avoid as amber alert issuedNational Highways has issued an amber severe weather alert with a full list of roads to avoid and travel advice as snow is set to hit the UK this weekend
• Drivers warned of huge car tax changes for 2025 - including for electric carsThe changes, which are due to come into effect in April, will see more motorists paying the standard vehicle tax rate of £190. For the first time ever, vehicle tax will apply to owners of electric cars

Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport

• HS2 Chair to step down as search begins for successorHS2 Ltd Chairman Sir Jon Thompson has announced he will step down from his position in spring 2025. Sir Jon, who joined as a Non-Executive Director in 2021 and became Chair in February 2023, will have served four years on the HS2 Board when he departs. Transport Secretary Hedi Alexander praised Sir Jon's strong leadership during challenging times for Britain's largest rail infrastructure project, particularly in guiding both HS2 and its supply chain through a period of significant change. The Government has confirmed that recruitment for Sir Jon's successor will begi...
• UK becomes one of the first the impose SAF mandate into lawThe Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) Mandate has officially come into force, making the UK among the first countries globally to enshrine it in law. Following 1 January announcement, the UK has set an ambitious target requiring 10% of all jet fuel to be sustainable by 2030. The initiative, part of the government's green aviation strategy, will utilise sources such as household waste and cooking oil to produce SAF. SAF generates 70% less carbon than traditional fossil fuels on average. By law, this fuel must constitute at least 2% of all jet fuel for UK departures from 2025....

Other News Sources

• Why won't Herefordshire chiefs bring in lifesaving speed limits?20 miles per hour speed limits in Wales are a success but Herefordshire Council refuses to follow best practice and advice by introducing 20mph speed limits on streets and roads where people live to reduce road deaths and injuries.
• Airport must repair crumbling runway or it could be forced to closeShoreham Airport, also known as Brighton City Airport, has applied for permission to resurface and widen its "degrading" runway