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

Wednesday, 22 January 2025

BBC News

• Government digital document app launching in summerVeteran cards and driving licences will also be incorporated into a gov.uk wallet.
• Investment at port to prolong cruise ship staysIt is hoped the investment will see more cruises start and finish in Belfast rather than just calling for the day.
• Heathrow third runway plans 'catastrophic'Climate groups criticise plans for a third runway amid reports the government backs the scheme.
• Heathrow and Gatwick airport could expand under plansAirports across the UK could expand as part of the government's drive for economic growth.
• Treasury steps in to protect car loan firms' payoutsThe government is concerned major compensation for the mis-selling scandal could hurt the car industry.

ITV News

• Reeves to back third runway at Heathrow in battle to grow economyIn a speech next week the chancellor will support the idea of building a third runway at Heathrow, driven by a desire to 'go further and faster' in search of economic growth, as ITV News Economic Editor Joel Hills reports

Department for Transport

• Future of Flight challengeAviation Minister speaks about airspace modernisation strategy and drones at the UKRI's Future of Flight challenge event.
• Great British Railways online rail ticket retailingOnce set up, Great British Railways will retail tickets online by bringing together individual train operators? websites.

The Guardian

• Gatwick still beats Heathrow hands-down if we must have another runway | Nils PratleyPollution aside, the problem with expanding Heathrow lies in the disruption and delay inevitable in such a complex project

The Independent

• What the expansion of Heathrow, Gatwick and Luton means for passengersThe government is poised to give the go-ahead to extra runways at the UK's busiest airports, Heathrow and Gatwick. Chancellor Rachel Reeves is expected to back expansion at the two biggest London airports, as well as increasing capacity at Luton. But such moves would cause controversy with residents, environmentalists and Labour politicians.
• Rachel Reeves to back Heathrow third runway in bid for economic growthGovernment could back much-delayed plan for third runway at Heathrow, as well as expansion of Gatwick and Luton airports
• Labour split over support for Heathrow expansion with Reeves set to give backingChancellor Rachel Reeves is expected to voice her support for a third runway at Heathrow despite opposition from cabinet collegue Ed Miliband and London mayor Sadiq Khan

The Telegraph

• Reeves faces battle with Khan over Heathrow expansion. [subscription]Chancellor's plan to back third runway risks splitting the Cabinet over net zero opposition
• The beauty spots at risk if Heathrow and Gatwick get new runways [subscription]With Rachel Reeves set to support plans for expansion at the UK's two biggest airports, we consider the potential winners and losers

Times Online

• Heathrow runway may not take off. [subsciption]The government already has four easy options to expand London's airport capacity by more than 60 million passengers a year

City AM

• Will Heathrow's third runway plans be halted by Miliband, Khan and Burnham?Heathrow Airport's long-delayed third runway plans took a major step forward this week, after it was revealed the government is prepping to give the project its backing.
• British wine industry calls on Eurostar to bring back Kent services Britain's wine industry has called for Eurostar to restart services from two Kent stations to boost the South East of England's vineyards. The high-speed operator suspended operations from Ashford International and Ebbsfleet in the early stages of the pandemic.

Mail Online

• Labour braced for Cabinet split over plans for a third runway at Heathrow Airport - as Chancellor is set to back expansion as part of a bid to combat flatlining growthLabour is braced for Cabinet splits over plans for a third runway at Heathrow Airport as the Chancellor ducked questions about the expansion yesterday.

Local Government

• Consultation launches on improvements to the A229 Blue Bell HillKent County Council (KCC) has today launched its second public consultation on proposals to improve one of the county's worst roads for congestion and road safety, the A229 Blue Bell Hill.

Sky News

• Chancellor swerves question over 'catastrophic' Heathrow runway expansion plansRachel Reeves was asked to comment on reports that the government was planning to back the expansion of Heathrow, Gatwick and Luton airports, as part of her growth agenda.

Bradford Telegraph & Argus

• Work on new rail platform almost completed ahead of new London trainsWork to create an extra platform at a city centre rail station is due to be completed in the coming weeks.

London Evening Standard

• Keir Starmer and 16 ministers urged not to 'U-turn' on opposing Heathrow third runwaySir Keir Starmer and 16 of his ministers including seven who attend Cabinet were urged 'not to U-turn' on their previous opposition to a third runway at Heathrow.

Metro

• This is what Heathrow Airport could look like after £14,000,000,000 expansionHeathrow Airport could soon expand if government gives the green light to controversial plans to build a third runway.

Morning Star

• Heathrow expansion could spark largest single environmental campaign in British history, MP warnsEXPANDING Heathrow airport may spark Britain's biggest-ever single environmental campaign, former shadow chancellor John McDonnell warned today.

Northern Echo

• Funding increase for Darlington railway museum ahead of 2025 celebrationsAn award-winning Darlington tourist attraction celebrating the region’s railway heritage is set for a bumper year.

Wales Online

• Wales has been 'robbed' and needs a 'proper resolution' to HS2 funding row says ex-ministerA Labour MS says Wales has been 'robbed' of huge sums of money

Burnley Express

• Youth Zone unveils modern new bus thanks to kind donationThe bus was unveiled at a special launch in Market Square over the weekend.

Kent Online

• Kent County Council asks public for views on A229 Blue Bell Hill improvements between Maidstone and Medway... With many future housing developments in the area, not least a 2,000-home garden village scheme at Lidsing, plus issues arising from the proposed Lower Thames Crossing, the situation on the already heavily congested A229 can only get worse if not addressed.

Other Regional Press

• Climate group says Heathrow expansion would be 'catastrophic'Expanding Heathrow Airport would be 'catastrophic', environmental groups have claimed, amid reports that the Chancellor is preparing to back the project.
• Overnight parking charges could be 'disastrous' for business ownersProposals for overnight car parking charges in town centre carparks have been described as ‘worrisome,’ ‘concerning,’ and ‘disastrous’

Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport

• New autonomous logistics drone takes flight with 150kg capacityBritish drone manufacturer Windracers has unveiled its latest self-flying cargo aircraft, the ULTRA MK2, marking a significant advancement in autonomous logistics technology. The versatile Windracers ULTRA platform performs detection, delivery and cargo-dropping missions across multiple sectors.
• New clean energy hubs to power hydrogen and electric logistics fleetsThe UK's first network of clean energy refuelling hubs for commercial vehicles has secured £100 million in funding from Quinbrook Infrastructure Partners, marking a significant step forward in transport decarbonisation. The project, led by Aegis Energy, will create five initial sites by 2027 in Sheffield, Immingham, Warrington, Corby and Towcester, with plans to expand to 30 locations by 2030. Construction of the first hub will begin in 2025, with doors opening in early 2026.

Highways Magazine

• Bats come back to haunt Norfolk as £274m scheme is shelvedNorfolk County Council has shelved its £274m Norwich Western Link scheme after advice from Natural England about its impact on bats forced the authority to withdraw its planning application.

The Business Desk

• Yellow trains on the way as Burnham starts Bee Network rail takeoverGreater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham has agreed a plan to take over eight commuter train lines by 2028 as part of a joined-up ?London-style? public transport system, intended to boost passenger numbers, drive growth and deliver new homes.

Aviation Industry

• Heathrow extends SAF incentive scheme as government set to back airport expansionHeathrow, one of the busiest international airports in the world, has increased its annual incentive for airlines to adopt the use of sustainable aviation fuel when refuelling at the airport.
• How Heathrow Airport's Third Runway Becomes CatastrophicIn the blistering heat of Britain's climate-conscious era, the government's reported nod toward expanding Heathrow Airport with a controversial third runway has ignited an inferno of protests, predictions of 'catastrophic' consequences, and fiery confrontations between environmental campaigners and economic proponents

Other News Sources

• Daimler Buses' Till Oberwörder to lead Board of Europe's bus and coach manufacturersThe European Automobile Manufacturers' Association (ACEA) bus and coach manufacturers are pleased to announce that Till Oberwörder, CEO of Daimler Buses, has been elected as Chair for 2025.
• Heathrow and ChargeBox partner to enhance CX with advanced passenger phone charging solutionHeathrow, a Corporate Partner of the FTE Digital, Innovation & Startup Hub has partnered with ChargeBox to introduce cutting-edge mobile device charging technology in Terminal 2, revolutionising passenger convenience.
• Starmer Faces Labour Party Split Over Heathrow Airport Expansion PlanInternal critics raise concerns on growth, climate, pollution Labour city mayors Burnham and Khan also oppose the plans
• Burntisland station: passengers travel to Kirkcaldy and back to get only platform rampMelanie Ward, MP for Cowdenbeath and Kirkcaldy, wants to see 'urgent improvements' following a meeting with Stephen Lightwood, UK Minister for Local Transport, Network Rail, and the local community council.