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

Sunday, 26 January 2025

BBC News

• Island ferry disruption as works take placeFerry passengers will face journey disruption as two vessels undergo repair and maintenance work.
• New bus timetable changes rolled outA number of bus service timetable changes have been rolled out in South Tyneside and Sunderland.
• Potential solution to axed hospital shuttle bus - MPThere could be a solution in the coming weeks to the scrapping of a shuttle bus that runs between two Lancashire hospitals, according to the MP for Burnley.
• Bus route to serve new Plymouth crematoriumPlymouth City Council has announced new bus links between Plympton and Plymstock including a route that will serve the new crematorium, The Park.
• Longer trains set for popular commuter routeA rail operator is introducing new trains on a popular commuter route in a bid to reduce overcrowding on services.
• Busy commuter train line closes for four months Major works on electrification of the means it will be closed for 16 weeks from Saturday.

The Guardian

• The Heathrow runway row is back as debate over airport growth gets noisierWith four similar expansions set for take-off around the south-east of England, could the proposal finally get clearance?

The Herald

• ScotRail spends £4m on buses and taxis since nationalisationScotRail has spent over £4m on rail replacement services in the nearly three years since it became nationalised, new figures show.

The Independent

• Rail: This is where we are, but it is definitely not where anybody wants to be?Could this be the end of buck-passing and the start of taking responsibility?

The Telegraph

• Reeves's Heathrow expansion won't help Britain fly. [subscription]The Chancellor must prioritise lower taxes and smarter regulation if she is to unlock growth

Times Online

• Why time, not money, may stall Heathrow's third runway [subscription]After years of political opposition, Rachel Reeves is about to support expansion of the airport - but the project must still clear huge financial hurdles
• Heathrow is no match for Dubai or Doha. It needs the third runway [subscription]Cathy Adams knows where she would choose to spend a layover and it isn't west London. The proposed new development will be a win for travellers, she says

Daily Record

• 'Nearly 400 incidents of damage' caused by Storm Eowyn, Network Rail sayEngineers have discovered the damage as they work to ensure railways lines are safe for trains to run again today.

The Mirror

• EXCLUSIVE: Rachel Reeves hints at Heathrow expansion support - 'travel is important to Brits'Chancellor Rachel Reeves refused to comment on 'speculation' about a third runway at Heathrow - but pointed to the fact the Government backed expanding Stansted and City Airports

Labour List

• Steve Reed says any Heathrow expansion would see 'proper consultation', and defends past vote against third runwayEnvironment secretary Steve Reed has said any revived Heathrow airport expansion plan would be accompanied by a proper consultation, and spoken up about the reasons for his past vote against a third runway.

London Evening Standard

• Any plans to expand Heathrow would look at mitigations - Cabinet ministerSteve Reed suggested mitigations would be considered in order to make the project work.

The Press and Journal (Aberdeen)

• David Knight: Legal row exposes shambles of Aberdeen's bus gates but there's still time for peace talksI fear the council has already tied itself in a legal straitjacket; another fundamental issue worthy of independent judicial scrutiny.

Daventry Express

• The £191bn railway megaproject that will connect six desert countriesA multi-billion pound railway project spanning six countries in Eastern Arabia was announced in 2009, but officials hope it will be completed by 2030.

Wirral Globe

• Northern Trains aims to replace around two-thirds of fleetUP to 450 new trains could be replaced as part of Northern Trains' 'largest ever' fleet investment.

Other Regional Press

• Major £5m West Midlands Railway upgrade completed in CoventryWest Midlands Railway has completed a major £5m upgrade at a key depot in Coventry. Work has been taking place at the North Yard, where the Class 730 electric fleet is maintained.
• Northern is the enemy of my life: Passenger slams train firmPASSENGERS have slammed Northern rail as 'the enemy of my life' after the firm paid out £2.4 million in delay repay compensation last year.
• Cambridgeshire Mayor recommended to go ahead with bus franchising schemeBus franchising in Cambridgeshire and Peterborough has moved a step closer after Mayor Dr Nik Johnson was recommended to go-ahead with the scheme.
• Closures on Portswood Road 'will boost public transport' says bus bossTHE introduction of new restrictions on Portswood Broadway will speed up public transport - and stop bad parking at bus stops.
• New partnership chair outlines plans to transform Worcestershire's railway stationsTHE NEWLY-appointed chair of the Worcestershire Community Rail Partnership (WCRP) Tom Painter has set out his plans to transform railway stations.
• Rail passengers in South West feel 'second-class', Devon MP saysTRAIN passengers in Devon and Cornwall are being left out in the cold as billions of pounds are spent on high-speed rail projects elsewhere in the country, it has been claimed.

Bloomberg

• UK Chancellor to Fast-Track Housing Approvals Near Rail StationsUK Chancellor of the Exchequer Rachel Reeves plans to fast-track planning approvals for housebuilding near big commuter rail stations as part of reforms that aim to deliver 1.5 million new homes over five years.

Rail Advent

• Gardens bloom at Greater Anglia railway stationsLast year, volunteer station adopters added over 1,000 square metres to the areas set aside for gardens and wildlife areas at Greater Anglia stations.

Aviation Industry

• Growth Over Climate London Heathrow Expected To Get Green Light For Controversial 3rd RunwayIn the UK's July 2024 General Election, Labour won a majority of seats in parliament, putting an end to the previous Conservative government in power for over a decade

Other News Sources

• Replacement bus service announced for Giffnock commutersScotRail has confirmed a replacement bus service for Giffnock and Thornliebank stations.
• Amazing 73-mile UK railway where locomotives pass through stunning countrysideMarvel at Britain's untouched countryside with this epic train journey that's been branded one of the 'most scenic' in Europe. Featuring a whopping 20 viaducts, 14 tunnels, and a breathtaking vista that comes out rain or shine - the Settle to Carlisle Railway attracts visitors from around the globe, and it's easy to see why.
• EasyJet welcome talk of Heathrow expansionEasyJet has welcomed reports that the Government plans to back the expansion of Heathrow Airport, saying that it offered the chance to provide lower fares to more passengers, writes David Connett.