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

Friday, 24 January 2025

BBC News

• Bus staff blame poor maintenance for disruptionBus drivers and engineers have said services are being cancelled because a fleet is "dropping to bits" due to lack a "lack of maintenance".
• Hammersmith Bridge 'could stay closed until 2035'Hammersmith Bridge could stay closed to vehicles for another decade, a Labour MP has warned.
• High winds halt ferries and disrupt rail travelSolent crossings and train journey's have been disrupted in the south as Storm ?owyn sweeps in.
• Rail tunnel flooding is 'biggest problem' in areaA section of railway that floods during storms is "by far and away" the biggest problem of its kind in the region, Network Rail has said.
• No step-free access at station 'unacceptable'An MP has criticised Network Rail over the situation at Bescot Stadium station in Walsall.
• Miliband: I won't quit over Heathrow expansionThe net zero secretary is a longstanding opponent of a third runway, which the government is now expected to back.
• Storm Eowyn disrupts transport across regionRail passengers are being advised not to travel between places such as Manchester and Liverpool.
• Mayor's clean air plan with no charges backedThe government comes out in support of "investment-led" air quality plans in Greater Manchester.
• Trump urges Opec countries to slash oil prices President Trump said he wants OPEC and Saudi Arabia to bring down the price of oil which he says is fuelling the Russia-Ukraine war.

Financial Times

• Miliband says he will not resign over Heathrow’s third runwayLabour chancellor argues airport expansion will boost economic growth
• American Airlines shares erase 2025 gains on weaker guidance than rivalsCarrier forecasts deeper-than-expected first-quarter loss and pins softer full-year guidance on travel demand and fuel costs

The Guardian

• Rachel Reeves?s bid to expand Heathrow could add ?40 to airline ticketExclusive: Treasury analysis shows ticket prices expected to go up across board with no plans for frequent flyers to shoulder more of the cost

The Independent

• Ed Miliband won?t resign over Heathrow third runway despite environmental concernsEnergy secretary and former Labour leader pledged to vote against expansion six years ago saying ?we owe it to future generations not just to have good environmental principles but to act on them?

The Telegraph

• I won't resign over Heathrow expansion, Miliband insists [subscription]Energy Secretary is accused by green campaigners of ?disappointing? hypocrisy

Times Online

• Ed Miliband won?t resign over third runway at HeathrowEd Miliband, the energy secretary, has ruled out resigning if ministers back a third runway at Heathrow, saying such a move would be ?ridiculous?.

City AM

• UK train ticket reform is long overdue, but we need smart data to power itBuying a train tickets shouldn?t feel like getting out of a labyrinth. Utilising data in transport, like Manchester does, could revolutionise our railways, writes Open Data Institute (ODI) chair Nigel Shadbolt

Daily Record

• First Bus cancels services in Glasgow as Storm Eowyn set to batter city with 100 mph windsThe bus operator will withdraw all of its services early tomorrow morning.

Mail Online

• Ed Miliband says he will not resign if Labour government back plans for a third runway at Heathrow AirportThe Energy Secretary, who was an outspoken critic of the plans when he was party leader, said the idea of him quitting was 'ridiculous'.

Birmingham Post

• Portishead railway could be 'fast tracked' and trains running by 2027 if Government gives key approvalThe long-awaited restoration of the abandoned line between Bristol and the North Somerset town had been set to begin last year

Bolton News

• Bolton train station to be brought under Bee NetworkBolton train station will be among the first to join the Bee Network, under ambitious plans announced by Metro Mayor Andy Burnham to create a 'London-style' public transport system.

Daily Post (North Wales)

• New special tax and customs zone goes live in bid to regenerate islandYnys Môn Freeport has now gone live - with benefits on offer for companies in the zone

The York Press

• 'No loss of desire' to dual York Outer Ring Road despite costs, hears budget meetingThere has been no loss of desire to progress with the York Outer Ring Road dualling project despite rising costs, the council’s economy spokesperson has said.

Wales Online

• UK government's new Great British Railways set to have an impact on trains in WalesThere are questions about how Welsh rail services will fit into the UK Government's plans for Great British Railways

Oxford Mail

• Brand the Bus 2025 receives dozens of entries in first monthMore than 25 charities have already entered a competition offering an advertising package worth ?100,000, less than a month after it was launched.

Other Regional Press

• Wales gears up to mark 200 years of passenger rail travelWales is geared up to mark 200 years of passenger rail travel this year as the UK marks the historic anniversary of the advent of the modern rail.
• Botley Road closure has led to loss of 'up to £20m' for businessesThe closure of the Botley Road for rail improvements has led to the loss of up to £20m for businesses

Rail Magazine

• Southeastern to fit toilets to Class 707 unitsSoutheastern?s Class 707 ?City Beam? four-car electric multiple units are to be fitted with toilets, following the Angel Trains fleet?s transfer from South Western Railway.
• CrossCountry cuts through driver training backlog during reduced timetable as DfT keeps watching eyeManagers at CrossCountry say they have achieved the aims of its three-month reduced timetable.

Railnews

• All Scottish trains to be cancelled after red storm warning ScotRail has cancelled all trains tomorrow in the face of a predicted storm which could include gusts of 160km/h. There are also warnings of severe weather south of the border. Trains will be cancelled north of Newcastle from 11.00 onwards, and northbound passengers are being urged not to try to travel beyond York.
• Train operator warns 'don’t travel' as storm approaches TransPennine Express is warning passengers not to try to travel between north west England and the Scottish central belt tomorrow, after an amber weather warning of gale force winds gusting at up to 150km/h.

The Business Desk

• Rail infrastructure work delays hit trading at engineering groupEngineering services group, Renew, says a slow start to the latest five-year rail infrastructure control period means trading in its railway operations is now behind management expectations.

Other News Sources

• Michelin helps Warrington?s Own Buses in electric fleet transitionMichelin is helping Warrington?s Own Buses in its fleet transition from diesel to electric by supplying the public transport operator with tyres designed for EVs.
• New bus franchising test set to benefit rural communities in mid-WalesA new bus franchising test is set to benefit rural communities in mid-Wales.
• Consultation begins on Fawley line's 'cheaper than £45 million open access serviceRestoring passenger services along the Fawley line would definitely not cost £45 million, according to the man behind a new open access plan.
• Heathrow and Gatwick expansion could be step closer as Government wants to limit legal challenge optionsCourt challenges to major infrastructure projects, such as those to expand capacity at Heathrow or Gatwick airports would be restricted under new Government plans