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

Monday, 17 February 2025

BBC News

• Ambulance service returns to serve airportSouth East Coast Ambulance Service (Secamb) is set to have a dedicated paramedic service working out of Gatwick Airport again.
• Planners back solar farm near airportPlans to fit solar panels to a building close to an airport have been agreed after it was concluded there would be no risk to pilots flying overhead.
• Artist portrays 'awe-inspiring' TfL workerRizwan Javed and Jack Dickson were brought together as part of BBC One's Extraordinary Portraits.

Financial Times

• IndiGo sheds budget domestic airline tag with upmarket overseas pushIndia’s largest carrier adds business class and more international routes
• Rockets, drones and flying taxis: airlines brace for crowded skies Expected surge in traffic in flying vehicles will lead to airspace becoming the ‘Wild West’, say aviation experts

The Guardian

• The north of England had high hopes for this government. Why is it only offering us crumbs from the south?Neglect of schemes like the Tyne Bridge restoration contrasts sharply with bullishness over southern projects

The Telegraph

• Japanese city considers dual pricing on public transport to tackle overtourism [subscription]Kyoto, famed for centuries-old temples, shrines and tea rooms, is experiencing an influx of arrivals

Times Online

• 'Mr Hydrogen': Britain can lead the world in the energy transition [subscription]Jo Bamford, who has struck out from digger dynasty JCB into green energy and transport, says an opportunity is there for the taking
• Green fuel claim by Rachel Reeves over Heathrow expansion 'is a lie' [subscription]The chancellor used sustainable aviation fuel to justify airport's growth but 90% of it comes from Chinese used cooking oil, which is expected to dry up

i News

• Benefits cuts and higher taxes - how Reeves could raise defence spending... Several large-scale infrastructure projects remain uncertain due to fiscal constraints, and scrapping them could be an option as Reeves tries to balance the books. One option is the Lower Thames Crossing, a 14-mile road link between Kent and Essex, which would include a 2.6-mile two-way tunnel under the Thames.

Birmingham Mail

• Midlands motorway cameras catch hundreds of drivers committing this offence - and it's not speedingPolice forces have started punishing the motoring offence over the last few years

Bolton News

• Trial to see 'Welcome Points' introduced at railway stationsA trial is set to see more 'Welcome Points' introduced at railway stations across the region.

Bradford Telegraph & Argus

• The latest look at new plaza outside Bradford InterchangeNew seating and planters have been installed outside Bradford Interchange this week, as work on the new “plaza” outside the transport hub nears completion.

Nation. Cymru

• Train-tram option favoured for restoring Bangor to Afon Wen railway lineA new feasibility study favours building a train-tram line to restore the Bangor to Afon Wen railway line, which was closed in the 1960s.

Wolverhampton Express and Star

• Hundreds of jobs pledged as new rail training centre opens in BirminghamHundreds of new jobs have been pledged for young learners following the opening of a specialist infrastructure and rail training centre in Birmingham.
• 'Quicker than Heathrow' - Birmingham Airport boss eyes bright future as plans to axe journey times into London from Birmingham move forwardA planned high speed rail link could make it quicker for passengers to get into London from the West Midlands than from Heathrow, the boss of Birmingham Airport says.

Yorkshire Post

• TransPennine Route Upgrade shows North can deliver major rail projects - trust us with fundingOn time and on budget - that's not something you often hear about transport projects.

Kent Online

• Could devolution in Kent improve our ailing bus services?Residents are never shy to voice opinions on Kent's bus services which have taken a hit in recent years. Operators face huge struggles with soaring running costs and passenger numbers not having recovered from the pandemic.

Leeds Live

• Yorkshire's most unreliable train routes as Huddersfield to Leeds among UK's worst journeysNorthern has apologised for its performance and says 'it has not been good enough'

Other Regional Press

• Govia Thameslink Railway's additional Class 379 trainsAn additional fleet of modern trains is being brought into service by Govia Thameslink Railway in readiness for major timetable changes in December.

Rail Business Daily

• AtkinsRéalis appointed to deliver Network Rail Property digital programmeAtkinsRéalis, a world-class engineering services and nuclear company with offices around the world, has been appointed by Network Rail to lead its ambitious Property Digital Programme, managing the digital systems essential to the operations of one of the largest property portfolios in the UK.

Rail Magazine

• Testing of hydrogen-powered Class 08 shunter due to start after Severn Valley Railway unveilingA Class 08 shunter converted to hydrogen power has been unveiled at the Severn Valley Railway.

Railway Gazette

• Network Rail seeks Transpennine Route Upgrade programme partnerUK: Network Rail has begun the process of appointing a programme partner to support the delivery of the Transpennine Route Upgrade. The 96 month framework contract has a potential value of around £100m.

Route One (Bus and Coach)

• Bristol Airport eCitaro pair indicate model's growing buyer interestSHARE Bristol Airport is among the first UK operators to place the Mercedes-Benz eCitaro battery-electric bus into service, with two in use on staff and passenger shuttle work
• Creating a map of missing policies for transport decarbonisationNews that average global temperatures in January were 1.75 degrees centigrade above the pre-industrial average, and that January was the 18th of the last 19 months to exceed the 'safe' threshold of 1.5 degrees centigrade above that average, gives us another clear reminder about what the decarbonisation agenda is all about.

Aviation Industry

• Move Over, Gatwick! A Look at the Rise of Stansted AirportMove over, Gatwick Airport: Artemis Aerospace looks at the rise of London Stansted Airport and the new plans shaping its future.
• Southampton Airport starts installing next-gen security scannersSouthampton Airport has entered a new phase in its multi-million-pound project to enhance security screening.

Other News Sources

• Network Rail spends millions of pounds on Stoke StationMore than 200 panes of glass have been replaced at the listed station
• HS2 signs £100m deal for passenger telecoms servicesA joint venture comprising specialist elements of IT firms Hitachi and Telent is awarded a contract of more than 13 years to implement infrastructure to support passenger and operational communications