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

Monday, 24 February 2025

BBC News

• Metro project to 'change face of Newquay'A £50m project improving rail services to Newquay will "change the face" of the town, Network Rail has said.
• Watch: A real-life flying car takes to the skiesFrom science-fiction to the real world, flying cars are here - but could the concept actually take off?

Financial Times

• Emirates boss warns against forcing airlines to finance Heathrow’s third runway Sir Tim Clark says higher landing fees to fund the project could prompt legal challenges

The Herald

• Free transport for everyone in Glasgow. Enough is enoughI was at the pub with some chums recently and we know how to have a fun night so were talking about the provision of bus services in Glasgow. It turned out I was the only one who pays for the bus because everyone else in the group was either under 22 or over 59. I was not pleased. I banged my fist on the table, causing a little of my Guinness to spill over the edge of the glass. Enough is enough, I said. No more free stuff.

The Scotsman

• 'Deeply worrying' rise in violent crime on Scottish rail networkA one-third increase in reported crime on Scotland's rail network since before the Covid pandemic has been described as 'deeply worrying'.

Times Online

• Aston Martin stalls its plans for electric cars. [subscription]The new chief executive Adrian Hallmark is resetting the company's strategy this week

City AM

• BMW pauses £600m electric vehicle Mini production BMW has confirmed it is delaying the reintroduction of electric vehicle production at its Oxford mini plant, citing 'multiple uncertainties facing the automotive industry';. The decision has put a £600m investment on hold and raised questions about the UK's transition to electric vehicles.

Daily Express

• London's incredible abandoned airport with the world's first-ever control towerThe airport was the place where Winston Churchill took early flying lessons, even crashing once and nearly dying.

Nation. Cymru

• Cardiff Bus Station To Be Rebuilt Brick-By-BrickIt starts before you even get there. If your flight is from London, and let's face it unless your destination features 24hr access to Carling Black Label it will be, then some sort of odyssey is in store before you can even dream of negotiating security frisk-downs.

Newcastle Evening Chronicle

• Newcastle Airport: New multi-million pound hub opensA new multi-million pound business hub has officially opened near Newcastle Airport.

North Wales Live

• I put Merseyrail, Northern and buses to the test and found the best way to get to workReporter Dan Haygarth put a number of commuting routes to the test to see what our public transport network needs

Other Regional Press

• Major Devon railway revival edges closerA long-running campaign to reopen railway stations in Cullompton and Wellington has gathered steam, with local MPs securing a meeting with the transport secretary. While no commitments have been made, officials have acknowledged the strength of the case for the project.
• Cambridge South railway station opening delayedThe opening of Cambridge South railway station has been delayed. Network Rail had hoped to complete the work by the end of this year, but now says it will open to passengers in 'early 2026'.
• Railway improvements would boost economy county council saysCALLS to improve an outdated rail line through the heart of the country are being supported by Worcestershire County Council.
• Moray Council remains 'committed' to tackling anti-social behaviour despite sharp increase in reports at Moray bus stationMoray Council says it remains committed to tackling anti-social behaviour after new figures revealed a sharp increase in reports at Elgin Bus Station since 2019.
• Councillor argues against claims Portswood bus gate isn't workingA Southampton City Council councillor has fought against claims that the Portswood bus gate is 'not working' after a petition to immediately suspend the trial doubled its signatures in 24 hours.
• Heathrow third runway: I'll protect Slough says council leaderWhether you are pleased or not by the government's recent decision putting a 'third runway' at Heathrow Airport back on the agenda, it is undeniable this decision will have a big impact on Slough.
• Wigan to get contactless tap and go busesWigan Bee Network passengers will soon be able to travel seamlessly across bus and tram knowing they'll always pay the best fare over the day or week, as Greater Manchester gets ready to achieve its long-held ambition for an integrated, London-style transport system.
• Councillors to ramp up the pressure to get the Calder Valley railway line electrifiedCouncillors have agreed to ramp up the pressure on transport chiefs to get the Calder Valley railway line electrified, calling it a vital artery for Calderdale.

New Civil Engineer

• Early insights on the designs of Canada's C$4.15bn first immersed tube tunnel proposalNCE has heard from a member of the Arcadis team behind proposals to construct Canada's first immersed tube tunnel about the challenges of associated with bringing forward such a design.

Rail Magazine

• Reeves talks of 'growth' but pays lip service to the railway - Christian WolmarI am a member of the Labour party. Indeed, I was a parliamentary candidate in a by-election in 2016 and tried to become an MP until recently.
• Investment in Crewe in limbo after HS2 cancellationTHE recent signalling upgrade at Crewe, which has seen digital signalling move from Basford Hall to the new Rail Operating Centre in Manchester, has cast extra significance on what happens next for the famous railway town and the wider region.

Route One (Bus and Coach)

• Rapid lift in zero-emission bus HVAC service contracts for GraysonGrayson Thermal Systems has now secured heating, ventilation and air-conditioning (HVAC) service and maintenance contracts for over 700 battery-electric and hydrogen fuel cell-electric buses in the UK.

Aviation Industry

• American Airlines backs call for Heathrow regulatory reviewAmerican Airlines has added its weight to a campaign calling for a review of how Heathrow is regulated after the government backed plans for a third runway.

Other News Sources

• Network Rail Completes £3.5M Renovation Project on Scotland's Awe ViaductNetwork Rail Successfully Completes Awe Viaduct Refurbishment. This was reported by the railway transport news portal Railway Supply.
• UK Bitumen tap turned off for rail freightTwo rakes of bitumen tanks are destined for storage at Eastriggs in Scotland. As Britain continues a slow decline in heavy industry, particularly in petroleum and chemical products, the need for heavy movement by rail has declined. In this instance, it has meant the mothballing of two rakes of purpose-built tanker wagons. Each rake is understood to handle around 800 tonnes.
• Wrightbus showcases latest version of flagship hydrogen double deck bus Bus manufacturer Wrightbus has revealed the latest version of its flagship hydrogen double deck bus.
• Green bus growth shows why incentives matter, says SMMT chiefThe Chief Executive of the Society of Motor Manufacturers & Traders (SMMT) has said that encouraging zero emission bus (ZEB) numbers highlight the importance of incentives for compelling companies to make greener choices.
• HS2: First River Tame West viaduct deck completed following site remediationOne of the River Tame West viaduct decks has been completed at High Speed 2's (HS2's) Delta Junction in Warwickshire, following remediation works to address ground contamination at the site.
• Interim Guidelines Agreed for Training Seafarers on Green ShipsThe IMO’s Sub-Committee on Human Element, Training and Watchkeeping (HTW) has agreed on draft interim generic guidelines for training seafarers working on ships powered by alternative fuels and new technologies. These draft guidelines will be…