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

Saturday, 08 March 2025

BBC News

• Train travel disruption ahead of new station buildRail passengers are being warned of disruption ahead of the construction of a major new station in Devon.
• Southend Pier trains pause for essential workRailway trains operating on Southend Pier will be out of action for nearly a month so essential maintenance work can be carried out, the local council has said.

Financial Times

• French shipping magnate Saadé pledges $20bn US expansion in nod to TrumpBoss of CMA CGM says expansion will add further 10,000 jobs in US
• Lower Thames Crossing has cost £1.2bn even before construction startsOutlay on items including consultants, planning and legal fees jumps from £800mn two years ago
• Eurostar trains from Paris cancelled after WW2 bomb found near tracksA 500kg bomb was discovered 2.5km from the Gare du Nord in a northern suburb
• Heathrow looks at building shorter third runway in bid to cut costsLondon’s hub airport is preparing a detailed expansion plan after winning government backing

City AM

• Electric vehicle rules to be relaxed after Nissan lobbying The government has confirmed it plans to relax electric vehicle sales quotas after Nissan claimed they threatened the future of its Sunderland manufacturing plant. Jonathan Reynolds told the Times a “substantial change of policy” had been agreed. “We will do everything we can to make sure Nissan has that secure long-term future in the UK, [...]

i News

• The town abandoning rail travel because 1 in 10 trains never turn upPassengers at one of the country's worst railway stations for cancellations say trying to use the train is not worth the stress and they are forced to use the bus or drive instead.

The Mirror

• UK mountain railway hit by repair chaos finally reopens after £25m worksFollowing a series of closures and major snags, the UK's highest railway line is back in action - but it may

Local Government

• Internationally respected transport expert to chair Glasgow City Region Bus PartnershipDr George Hazel OBE has been appointed to the role of Independent Chair of the Glasgow City Region Bus Partnership.

Birmingham Mail

• Why transport bosses want to transform the West Midlands bus networkA public consultation on the reform of the existing bus network will be held until March 30

Bolton News

• 'It's great news for the people': Bolton departs from train station cancellation woesIn spite of Bolton's train woes throughout 2024, which resulted in numerous of its stations being among the worst in the country for delays and cancellations, things look to have taken a turn for the better

Manchester Evening News

• New CGI images show how bridge containing landmark roundabout will be demolished in year-long £20m projectLocals have been warned the 12-month closure of the Greek Street roundabout will cause huge disruption

Other Regional Press

• Bus company welcomes first all-female cohort of trainee driversOxford Bus Group has welcomed the first all-female cohort of trainee bus drivers in its history.
• Network Rail launch new digital service to keep residents in the loopNew digital service that will let people know about upcoming railway engineering work, emergency work and get updates in ‘real-time’.
• Coventry council blasted over cycle lane plan as 'there has to be way'CoventryLive readers have been discussing a campaign to prevent the felling of 26 trees for a new cycleway has ignited a fierce debate among residents.

Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport

• Midlands to get 16,000 new electric vehicle chargersThe Midlands is set to receive over 16,000 new electric vehicle (EV) chargers thanks to a £40.8 million government investment announced today. Thirteen local authorities across the region, supported by Midlands Connect, have secured funding from the Local EV Infrastructure (LEVI) Fund to expand charging infrastructure throughout cities, towns and rural areas. Future of Roads Minister Lilian Greenwood said: "Making charging as seamless and as easy as possible is crucial to making the switch to electric a success and rolling out over 16,000 chargers across the Midlands will ...

New Civil Engineer

• Lower Thames Crossing: Private finance options outlined including semi-funded at £10.2bnThe Lower Thames Crossing (LTC) has outlined potential different private financing options available to bring the project forward, including a semi-private option that would see its total anticipated cost increase to £10.2bn.

Transportxtra

• A fifth of Sustrans staff to lose jobs due to drop in fundingSustrans has reported that 20% of its workforce will be made redundant by the end of this financial year due to a drop in funding. The charity, which works to improve walking, wheeling, and cycling in the UK, carried out a ?restructure? at senior level late last year and said that further job cuts were necessary.
• £42m 'Healthy Low-carbon Transport Hub' seeks net zero health benefitsA new ?42m Healthy Low-carbon Transport Hub (HLTH) project led by four UK universities is to research the potential to maximise the health benefits of the transition to low-carbon transport.

Other News Sources

• High Speed Rail Group calls for new affordable and realistic HS2 planRail companies have urged the government to recommit to extending HS2 to Crewe, claiming it would act as a key driver of growth.
• Expensive tolls and less than adequate transport infrastructure?The economic impact of these two issues combined severely reduces the opportunities for individuals and businesses?
• Commitment to work together on Irish Sea linksThe Welsh and Irish Governments are working together on safeguarding and building on the links between the two countries across the Irish Sea, the two governments said today.
• Inside the latest issue of Passenger TransportIssue 332 of Passenger Transport is published on March 7. Contents include: LEAD STORY ‘Mission not accomplished’ Ahead of International Women’s Day 2025, campaigners for greater diversity and inclusion in the UK’s passenger transport sector have restated their commitment to a more balanced workforce ; NEWS Hendy – We can’t wait for legislation to kick in The Railways Bill is expected to be in parliament later this year, but rail minister Lord Hendy wants work to integrate track and train to start today High Speed Rail Group of...