Breaking News
Will London's MPs have a change of heart over third runway?
Some MPs who opposed a third Heathrow runway are now part of a government set to give the green light.
Decades of neglect have failed rail links in Wales and the south west of England
A partnership between areas of south Wales and the west of England has identified opportunities to make rail a viable option for hundreds of thousands more people
Another missed SNP target as car remains king on Scotland's transport network
The Nats' war on motorists has annoyed car users but is unlikely to help them achieve their target of reducing use by 20% by 2030
Lower Thames Crossing in limbo still
While Transport Action Network was disappointed to see the Chancellor supporting the Lower Thames Crossing (LTC) today, it is far from a done deal. Private finance has not been secured and the planning application is yet to be approved.
Thursday, 30 January 2025
BBC News
- Big city fear for villagers near East West stationVillagers whose rural home place has been earmarked for a major new train station have voiced concerns they "don't want the village to turn into a city".
- Will electric planes and sustainable fuel make Heathrow's third runway green?The government has backed the construction of a third runway at London's Heathrow Airport. Chancellor Rachel Reeves announced the decision in a speech on measures aimed at improving economic growth, saying that the case for the expansion "is stronger than ever".
- Private sector could finance crossing - chancellorChancellor Rachel Reeves has said the government is exploring the option of privately financing the Lower Thames Crossing project.
- Government supports Lower Thames CrossingCampaigners in Kent have given a mixed reaction to Chancellor Rachel Reeves' signal of support for the £9bn Lower Thames Crossing.
- Transport correspondent leaves BBC after 38 yearsTransport correspondent Paul Clifton is leaving the BBC after 38 years. A familiar face on South Today, he said his favourite memories over the decades are of "the people I worked with, and those we met".
- Plans for new 'leisure marina' and 83 homes in townMore details of regeneration plans for Northwich's Weaver Shipyard are revealed.
- Will London's MPs have a change of heart over third runway?Some MPs who opposed a third Heathrow runway are now part of a government set to give the green light.
- The village divided by Heathrow Airport expansionHow much of Harmondsworth will survive a third runway being built at Heathrow Airport is unknown.
- Reeves backs third Heathrow runway in growth pushThe chancellor tells the BBC she wants a planning application "signed off" before the next election.
Channel 4 News
- Will a third Heathrow runway actually create growth? DebateWe speak to Ecotricity founder and Labour donor, Dale Vince, who is against building a third runway at Heathrow, and the chairman of S4 Capital Martin Sorrell, who is in favour of it.
Department for Transport
- Transport and growth update: airport expansion and transition to greener aviation [written statement]Outlines the government's position on airport expansion and work being done on sustainable aviation fuels.
Financial Times
- Passenger jet and US Army helicopter collide over WashingtonMore than 60 people were on the American Airlines flight from Kansas
- Harland & Wolffs new owner pledges £100mn to revive UK shipbuilderSpains Navantia says it will push for new orders, including from Royal Navy, to secure future of group
- The only winners are lawyers: Heathrow braces for long journey to third runway Totemic infrastructure project set for significant hurdles even after political green light
The Guardian
- What would Heathrow third runway mean for pollution, emissions and noise?As UK chancellor backs expansion at London's biggest airport, we assess the possible environmental impacts
- Scepticism in Whitehall that Heathrow plan can be reconciled with climate targetsEmission targets could derail project as campaigners say net zero commitment cannot be met if expansion happens
- The Guardian view on Labours growth plan: a long list but a shallow argument | EditorialThe chancellors measures might have some economic effect but her big speech lacked any sense of political purposeMinisterial speeches have two functions. They tell the audience what the government is doing and they explain why.
- UK car production falls to lowest level since 1954Number made fell to 780,000, the lowest for seven decades barring the pandemic, as carmakers battle weak demand and EV transitionBritish car production fell in 2024 to its lowest level in seven decades barring the coronavirus pandemic as the industry struggles with weak demand and prepares to shift away from fossil fuels to electric vehicles...
- Rescuers search Potomac river after plane collides with military helicopter near Washington DC livePassenger jet with 64 onboard collides midair with military Black Hawk helicopter near Ronald Reagan Washington national airportAmerican Airlines jet crashes after midair collisionCrash near Washington DC: what we know so farMultiple media including the New York Times, Reuters and CNN are saying the Black Hawk helicopter was carrying three soldiers. No senior army officials were onboard, they reported, citing US defence officials.Multiple sources are now saying that about 60 people were onboard the American Airlines plane that collided with the helicopter.
The Herald
- Rail staff 'relief' at boss stepping down amid 'failure'A nationalised rail boss's decision to step down has left staff with "relief" amid concerns over "leadership failures", The Herald can reveal.
The Independent
- Reeves backs £9bn Lower Thames Crossing as 'important project'The Chancellor said the Treasury is 'exploring options' for the 14.3-mile road linking Kent and Essex to be privately financed.
The Scotsman
- SNP Government's 'minimal' progress on reducing car use blamed on 'lack of leadership'The report by Audit Scotland has been scathing of the Scottish Government's lack of progress on reducing car use
Environmental Audit Committee
- Comment: Plans for a third runway at Heathrow AirportReacting to the announcement by the Chancellor that the Government supports plans for a third runway at Heathrow Airport, Environmental Audit Committee Chair, Toby Perkins MP, said:
Transport Committee
- Airport expansion and economic growth Transport Committee to examine Govt's proposalsResponding to the Chancellor of the Exchequer's announcements regarding expansion of airports in the south east of England, Transport Committee Chair Ruth Cadbury said:
Daily Express
- 'These are the reasons Rachel Reeves's £9bn Lower Thames Crossing plan will fail'EXCLUSIVE: The area's Reform MP says he is still against this version of the plan, but others have responded positively to the Chancellor's announcement
Daily Record
- Third Heathrow runway will boost Scotch whisky and Scottish salmon industries, says Rachel ReevesThe Labour Chancellor said the industries would have "increasing trade opportunities" from the expansion of the airport.
i News
- Work on tunnel to ease M25 gridlock could begin in 2025 after 15 years in limboWork could begin on a new £9bn road tunnel under the Thames between Kent and Essex as early as this year after Rachel Reeves gave her backing to the scheme in a bid to fire growth in the economy.
Mail Online
- Chancellor's Heathrow plans hit severe turbulence! Labour split erupts as London Mayor and top party donor vow to oppose Reeves's third runway ideas (and Ryanair boss says it'd take 25 years to build)The Chancellor publicly backed controversial plans for a third runway at Britain's biggest airport as she vowed to 'fight' the 'blockers' holding back the economy.
Local Government
- Wandsworth Council stands with residents against Heathrow third runway expansionWandsworth Council strongly opposes the Government's recent announcement indicating they would support the construction of a third runway at Heathrow Airport. This decision disregards the environmental, health, and quality-of-life impacts on communities already suffering from the negative effects of air traffic.
- Stafford road and transport improvement scheme progresses on busy roundabout junctionA major Stafford road and transport scheme is progressing at pace with lasting improvements now being made to a busy roundabout junction.
National Highways
- Chancellor backs Lower Thames CrossingThe Chancellor of the Exchequer sets out the government's commitment to delivering the Lower Thames Crossing
Sky News
- Money and public backlash are not the only issues Heathrow expansion plans faceUnder the Climate Change Act successive governments have a legal responsibility to meet successive five-year carbon budgets.
Bolton News
- Commuters set to get 'cheaper and smarter' transport in GMTravelling on Greater Manchester's buses and trams is set to get cheaper with a new annual ticket allowing customers unlimited travel with the cost starting from £2.75.
Edinburgh Evening News
- Consultation shouldn't be confused with public supportA report to today's Edinburgh City Council transport committee states that 62 per cent of people responding to its consultation on extending the tram network, guess what, support extending the tram network.
London Evening Standard
- Heathrow third runway location map reveals new area airport will coverA map of the proposed third runway at Heathrow reveals how expanding the west London airport will impact its surrounding areas.
- Chancellor Rachel Reeves makes major announcement on £9billion Lower Thames CrossingChancellor Rachel Reeves addresses future of planned link between Kent and Essex in major speech on Wednesday
Newcastle Evening Chronicle
- Changes to Ryanair's boarding process and luggage rules to impact passengers from MayFrom hand luggage restrictions to the new boarding pass specifications, failure to follow certain rules can see passengers charged additional fees at the airport
Wales Online
- Decades of neglect have failed rail links in Wales and the south west of EnglandA partnership between areas of south Wales and the west of England has identified opportunities to make rail a viable option for hundreds of thousands more people
Cambridge News
- East West Rail: 'Sizable' new towns could be developed along train lineChancellor Rachel Reeves said the government had already received proposals for new towns along the planned railway line.
Other Regional Press
- Jim McMahon backs plans for trains joining the Bee NetworkJim McMahon, MP for Oldham West, Chadderton and Royton, has lauded the plans to bring commuter rail services into the Bee Network.
- Chancellor slammed and Thames crossing cash search is not welcomed by borough councillorsPOLITICIANS in Thurrock have reacted to news that the government is pressing ahead with plans, and seeking financial support, for the controversial Lower Thames Crossing. And a campaign group says building the crossing will "only bring five years of traffic relief at Dartford for seven years of disruption and misery."
- Bakerloop down the Old Kent Road could be launched this year, transport bosses confirmThere would also be connections from Streatham to Eltham and North Greenwich to Thamesmead, among others
- Another missed SNP target as car remains king on Scotland's transport networkThe Nats' war on motorists has annoyed car users but is unlikely to help them achieve their target of reducing use by 20% by 2030
- Croydon Council and TfL to install 100 new bus sheltersCroydon Council and Transport for London (TfL) are working together to replace the shelters removed in 2021.
- Huddersfield faces 'severe disruption' as bus drivers set to strikeThe Unite union drivers plan to walk out amid an ongoing dispute
- Nine road offences to be punished with '30 minute e-course'Controversially they include dangerous cycling and failing to stop for a school crossing patrol
Bus and Coach Buyer
- Wrightbus launches two new electric busesPartnership with King Long sees small buses brought to UK and two new truck models revealed
Construction News
- Reeves backs Heathrow expansion, Lower Thames Crossing and Oxford-Cambridge corridorRachel Reeves has officially thrown the government's weight behind a third runway for Heathrow airport. In a major speech this morning (29 January), she said that the lack of extra runway capacity at the UK's biggest aviation hub was 'damaging'. She added that a third
Highways Magazine
- Reeves backs 'desperately needed' Thames tunnelThe Labour government has given its clearest indication yet that it is backing the £9bn Lower Thames Crossing (LTC).
New Civil Engineer
- Reeves confirms government is seeking private finance for £9bn Lower Thames CrossingChancellor Rachel Reeves has confirmed that the UK government is actively exploring private finance options for the £9bn Thames Crossing road scheme.
Rail Magazine
- Transport for Wales considers converting Class 231 fleet into bi-mode unitsTransport for Wales is examining plans to convert its Class 231 DEMUs into bi-mode units. TfW Rail Ltd's board was presented with a proposal for hybrid conversion work for the 11 units. The operator has a Hybrid Variation Agreement with manufacturer Stadler to serve an activation notice if it wishes to convert the units.
Route One (Bus and Coach)
- RHA welcomes green light over Lower Thames CrossingRHA has welcomed today's news that the government is to approve the building of the Lower Thames Crossing.
Transport Action Network
- Lower Thames Crossing in limbo stillWhile Transport Action Network was disappointed to see the Chancellor supporting the Lower Thames Crossing (LTC) today, it is far from a done deal. Private finance has not been secured and the planning application is yet to be approved.
Urban Transport Group
- East Midlands Combined County Authority joins Urban Transport GroupThe East Midlands Combined County Authority (EMCCA) has today joined the Urban Transport Group (UTG) as a Principal Member, strengthening the network of transport authorities across the UK.
Other News Sources
- Lower Thames Crossing gets Labour support to be built through private investmentChancellor Rachel Reeves' announcement comes three months after Labour put a pause on the £9bn project to build a second crossing between Essex and Kent
- 26 new Alexander Dennis buses for Central Connect as Vectare becomes Transport Made SimpleAlexander Dennis, a subsidiary of NFI Group Inc., one of the world's leading independent global bus manufacturers, today announced that it has delivered 15 new Enviro200 low-emission buses and 11 new Enviro400 double deckers to Central Connect, the bus operating division of the newly rebranded Transport Made Simple Group.
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