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

Thursday, 13 February 2025

BBC News

• Bridge over railway to be demolished and rebuiltA bridge over a railway line and station in Leeds is to be demolished and rebuilt as part of plans for the electrification of the route.
• Cafe plans for derelict building on new rail lineA disused building on a newly reopened railway line could be saved if planners back proposals, external for its renovation.
• Heathrow announces huge upgrade plan including third runwayLondon Heathrow Airport (LHR/EGLL) has today unveiled its largest-ever upgrade plan for the UK's busiest airport including terminal expansions and a third runway which has been backed by the UK Government.
• Academy aims to tackle transport skills shortageThe centre in Aston will train people to work in the construction of train lines, tram routes and stations.
• £41m for cycling and walking routes in regionThe cash will help 10 councils deliver cycle tracks, footpaths and safer crossings and junctions.
• Runway hopes reignite Heathrow southern rail planRunway hopes reignite Heathrow southern rail plan

The Independent

• Heathrow to unveil expansion plan as Reeves attempts to kickstart growthRachel Reeves gave her backing to a third runway at Heathrow in a speech last month as part of an attempt to restore confidence in the economy

The Telegraph

• People at parties are fascinated by my job, says transport minister [subscription]Minister says he is centre of attention at social occasions, with partygoers desperate to know how London Underground works

Times Online

• Give workers skills they need for future, say MPs [subscription]Rupert Soames, the CBI chairman, backs Commons committee and supports action to spur growth but warns about tax burdens

This is Money

• Soaring belief in Heathrow: Make hub greener and third runway plan can take-off, says ALEX BRUMMERCredit where credit is due. Rachel Reeves may have poleaxed the public finances but the Chancellor has fuelled the booster rockets for British infrastructure.

Local Government

• Demolition work to begin on St Helens bus station kick-starting town centre renewalDemolition work to make way for St Helens town centres' multi-million-pound transformation will begin in March, kick-starting a year of highly visible change and renewal across the town centre, St Helens Borough Council has confirmed.

Sky News

• Heathrow boss explains how they will pay for third runwayPlans for a third Heathrow runway will be with the government "by summer", the airport has said, amid projections it could be decades before the project is completed, if at all.

Bradford Telegraph & Argus

• West Yorkshire gets an extra £17m for walking and cycling improvementsWest Yorkshire has been awarded over £17 MILLION to improve walking and cycling routes in the region.

Other Regional Press

• Free bus pass rules to change under new plans for everyone over 60The petition on the Parliament website is urging the Department for Transport to make it the same for everyone
• Another 'farce' as SNP transport quango faces £120,000 repair bill to fix BRAND NEW Glasgow subway trainsPassengers complained to Strathclyde Partnership for Transport about the wobbliness of the new trains that forced the retrospective action

New Civil Engineer

• Heathrow Airport announces details of multi-billion pound privately funded expansionHeathrow Airport has announced it will be conducting a privately funded multi-billion pound expansion which includes a new runway as well as upgrades to terminal buildings, passenger infrastructure and aircraft stands.

Rail Advent

• Transport Minister visits Manchester to gather ideas on integrated transportLocal Transport Minister, Simon Lightwood, visited Manchester today, Wednesday, 12th February, to launch a series of regional roadshows designed to gather ideas from local leaders and passengers on how to improve transport.

Rail Business Daily

• 'Once in a lifetime' opportunity to boost regional growth through better rail links Improvements to rail services should be at the heart of the government's push to boost economic growth, address regional inequalities and reduce transport emissions, according to new research published by think tank Green Alliance.

Aviation Industry

• London Heathrow Airport's "Reimagined" campaign calls for urgent review of airport regulation and passenger chargesLondon Heathrow Airport's "Reimagined" campaign urges the CAA to review Heathrow's regulation, citing high costs, poor service, and ageing infrastructure.
• Aviation minister hints government won't pay for Heathrow third runway groundworkAviation minister Mike Kane has stopped short of giving a firm timescale for Heathrow's third runway, and also indicated the government will not fund surface works including moving part of the M25.

Other News Sources

• Next stop, better rail: growing UK train travelImproving the UK's rail network will boost regional growth in the areas that need it most, improve travel options and cut greenhouse gas emissions. As the government creates Great British Railways and a new integrated transport strategy, the time is right to revitalise the rail system.
• OUT-OF-AREA WORKING: MP questions transport minister on taxi and private hire licensing enforcementChris Ward, Labour MP for Brighton Kemptown and Peacehaven, has questioned the government on how it is supporting local authorities in enforcing taxi and private hire vehicle (PHV) licensing regulations. He also sought clarification on what steps are being taken to ensure that taxi and PHV journeys either start or finish within the area in which the vehicle is licensed.
• Heathrow British Airways cleaners strike over living wage hypocrisyEmployer OCS Living Wage Foundation accredited but pays BA workers minimum Workers employed by facilities services firm OCS to clean British Airway's offices at Heathrow are to strike over pay.
• Heathrow promises to submit third runway proposals to government by summerUnder plans ruled illegal five years ago, third runway would have been open next year
• Heathrow expansion lands badly with publicHuge majority of people disagree with Labour's claim that building a third runway at Heathrow is the right priority.

News from Europe

• Air purifiers, masks and staying indoors: How to reduce your risk from air pollutionNearly the entire world is exposed to air at some point that doesn't meet the strict standards set by the World Health Organization.
• Sweden, Finland, the Netherlands: Which European countries have the greenest transport?Renewable electricity is helping the EU achieve its goal, but campaigners caution against relying on biofuels.