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

Thursday, 27 February 2025

BBC News

• Loss of station parking sparks development concernProposals are being put forward to build 300 apartments on the site of a Tube station car park.
• 'Exceptional' pressures force CalMac fleet reshuffleThe west coast ferry operator says it is being pushed "to the limit" by a shortage of vessels.
• Gatwick second runway decision expectedIf the airport wins permission for its controversial expansion plan, construction would start almost immediately.

Department for Transport

• Trials for contactless ticketing in the North and Midlands takes another step closerContactless will offer simpler ticketing and a better experience for rail customers.
• Supporting the UK aviation sectorSecretary of State for Transport outlines next steps for airport expansion during the Airlines UK annual dinner.
• Ministers approve long awaited A47 road scheme to support over 40,000 homes and 30,000 new jobsRoad scheme will speed up journeys and revive economic growth across Norwich.

Financial Times

• French buyout firm Ardian increases Heathrow stake PE group buys holdings from Ferrovial, CDPQ and USS in a £870mn deal that takes share of airport to more than 30%

The Guardian

• Dirtier BP is still miles away from resetting its share price | Nils PratleyFossil fuel giant’s strategic U-turn may be far-reaching but even after ditching climate goals the shares fellBP to ramp up oil and gas output in major shift away from green goalsExplainer: why has BP pulled the plug on its green ambitions.

The Telegraph

• Extra-high ticket barriers to trap Tube fare dodgers. [subscription]US company Cubic designs gates that use AI to detect cheats and alert nearby guards

Times Online

• Vauxhall owner Stellantis burns through £6bn as profits fall 70% [subscription]John Elkann says finances will improve as it widens the selection of electric vehicles, starts producing its own batteries and teams up with China's Leapmotor
• Heathrow profits jump by 31% as airport pushes for third runway. [subscription]After a record number of passengers, bosses complain about constrained capacity
• Build roads or lose northern voters, MP warns ministers [subscription]People are fed up with delays to a long-promised motorway link road, says a Labour MP, as the party gears up for a by-election 'dogfight' with Farage
• Car touchscreens 'too distracting' as simple tasks take 22 seconds [subscription]Experts warn that touchscreens, which are cheaper for manufacturers, are becoming increasingly complex and mimicking smartphones, which are banned at the wheel

Edinburgh Evening News

• Transport plan is hotch-potch of re-hashed, half-baked notionsI'm sure someone in the Scottish Government is very proud of its new transport document, but the lack of fanfare on its publication suggests confidence in the start of a bright new dawn is in short supply.

Carlisle News & Star

• Borderlands backs plans for £10million Borders Rail studyThe Borderlands Partnership have backed plans for a feasibility study into the extension of the Borders Railway to Carlisle.

Wrexham.com

• Welsh Government introduces £1 bus fare for 16-21 year oldsPlans to introduce capped bus fares for young people in Wales have been praised as 'potentially transformational' by a North Wales Member of the Senedd.

Other Regional Press

• Siemens Mobility's green investments at Goole Rail VillageSiemens Mobility has installed 1,700 solar panels at its Goole Rail Village.
• Suffolk County Council reveals Ipswich Transport PlanSuffolk County Council has revealed its Ipswich Transport Plan for the next 15 years, featuring improved bus punctuality, routes and cycling areas.

New Civil Engineer

• Revealed: Details of Aquind legal threat against DESNZ over UK-France interconnector DCOThe government was threatened with legal action during the last General Election due to delays to the development consent order (DCO) process for the Aquind Interconnector between England and France. NCE can reveal details of that grievance for the first time.

Rail Business Daily

• CrossCountry appoints Shiona Rolfe as Managing DirectorCrossCountry has appointed Shiona Rolfe as its new Managing Director, taking effect from Saturday 1 March.
• Transport Secretary official opens revamped Stow Station HouseThe redeveloped Stow Station House has been officially opened by Cabinet Secretary for Transport Fiona Hyslop MSP, at a special event at the Borders railway station.

Rail Magazine

• First passenger train covers East West Rail as'196' tests also get under wayThe first passenger train to cover the recently reopened East West Rail line from Calvert to Bletchley ran on February 15, when West Coast Railways 33029 and 33207 Jim Martin worked the 'Verney Venturer' charter promoted by Pathfinder Railtours. 47802 was provided for train supply.

Railway Gazette

• Cycle train enters service on the Heart of Wales lineUK: Transport for Wales has returned to service the first of six Class 153 single-car diesel multiple-units which are being refurbished to carry bicycles.

Other News Sources

• Hitachi Rail to upgrade Paris metro line 12 with its digital signallingHitachi Rail has been awarded a contract to deliver its cutting edge CBTC digital signalling technology for line 12 of the Paris metro, operated by RATP.
• TSSA union launches report highlighting the scale of violence experienced by UK transport workersThe TSSA Union the union for transport and travel workers today (Wednesday) launched a report, detaiing the main findings from research conducted on TSSA members about workplace violence.
• Local Transport Plan approved by Suffolk County Council CabinetSuffolk County Council's Cabinet has approved a Local Transport Plan to improve how people travel round the county.
• ICE: Government must clarify infrastructure investment plans to rebuild public trustThe Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE) has called on the UK government to clarify its infrastructure investment strategy and the balance between public and private funding.