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

Wednesday, 12 March 2025

BBC News

• Petition calls for service through 'bus desert'Residents in Oxford have said they are living in a "bus desert" and are calling for a route to connect them to the city centre.
• Government urged to prioritise direct rail linkA letter, signed by more than 24 businesses and organisations, has been sent to the government calling for the immediate reintroduction of direct train services between Cleethorpes and London.
• Cargo ship's captain arrested over North Sea crashHumberside Police says an investigation has been launched into the collision between the two ships.
• When Silvertown opens, Blackwall tolls start tooThe mayor says Silvertown tunnel will support economic growth but critics call it a white elephant.

Financial Times

• Ship’s captain arrested after North Sea collision Reason for crash still unknown after container vessel struck tanker carrying US military fuel
• US airlines’ warnings of lower demand cast shadow over economic outlookAmerican, Delta and Southwest trim financial guidance on corporate and consumer softness
• The ‘freedom railway’: China’s new plan to take on the US in AfricaTazara project showcases Beijing’s leaner approach to overseas development just as western aid appears to retreat

The Guardian

• Experts warn of North Sea collision’s ‘devastating’ impact on marine lifeHighly toxic jet fuel leaking from oil tanker threatens local ecosystems as investigations begin into collision’s causeLeaking fuel from the collision between a cargo ship and oil tanker in the North Sea would have a “devastating” impact on marine life, experts have said, as investigations began into the cause of the incident.Fires continued to burn onboard both vessels 24 hours after the Stena Immaculate tanker and cargo ship Solong collided off the coast of Yorkshire on Monday morning. A search for a missing crew member was called off overnight. Continue reading...

Network Rail

• Meet Eric, a robotic dog helping us inspect some of our harder-to-access parts of the railway. Thanks to Eric, we're better able to maintain or repair these parts of our railway for less disruption to your journeys.Our railway is made up of parts above and below the ground. Culverts under the track help manage the drainage of water from the tracks.

Sky News

• New planning bill could be the government's most important - but will it work in practice?The government introduced a new bill on Tuesday aimed at clearing blocks to building to get Britain growing again.

Derby Telegraph

• A38 Derby expansion battle 'ended' as big update given on major schemeNational Highways claims a legal challenge against its planned overhaul of the A38 in Derby has ended - paving the way for the £250 million project. The organisation released an update on Monday (March 10) which said it is now continuing to plan and prepare for the next stages of the scheme.

Manchester Evening News

• Big change for hundreds of Bee Network bus passengersNew upgrades to 'ring and ride' and 'local link' bus services means users can now book a door-to-door journey via an app for the first time, and track buses in real-time. Bookings can still be made over the phone and online.
• Bee Network app users told to walk across runway to reach Manchester Airport"Chef’s kiss, five stars, no notes"

The York Press

• York and North Yorkshire Combined Authority transport plans agreedGROWING York and North Yorkshire's bus network and exploring the case for a franchise arrangement for the county's bus services are among plans included in a new set of transport priorities.

Yorkshire Post

• Elland Railway Station: Land compulsory purchase powers set to be used for new Yorkshire railway stationThe new station is being added to the Calder Valley line to boost the town's transport links with the wider region and beyond, including Leeds, Huddersfield, Bradford and Manchester, improving access to jobs, education and other opportunities.

Oxford Mail

• Witney: Lack of transport links a 'barrier to growth'The lack of transport links connecting West Oxfordshire to Oxford are a barrier to jobs and growth in Witney, the local MP has said.

Other Regional Press

• Tees Valley electric bus rollout underway with disappointment for RedcarAn officer and a councillor agreed that it was 'unfortunate' that new findings since the funding bid means that electric buses are no longer bound for Redcar
• Bus routes in BCP could be cut after spending reviewNEW bus routes could be made and others cut in a review of services across Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole.
• Network Rail under fire for tree felling on Clement Place, BarryTransport company Network Rail has upset residents by carrying out tree felling on land they claim is protected.
• Eastleigh MP slams rail sector as 3000+ cancelled last monthAn MP has slammed the rail sector and called for a new railway agency as data showed that thousands of trains were cancelled in just four weeks at Eastleigh station.
• MP slams rail sector as 3,000 trains in Eastleigh cancelled last monthLiz Jarvis MP has slammed the rail sector in 'disgust' and called for a new railway agency as data showed that thousands of trains were cancelled.
• Calls to open LTNs in emergencies and roadworks refusedOxfordshire County Council have rejected calls for Low Traffic Neighbourhoods (LTNs) in Oxford to be reopened during major incidents or emergencies.

Calling All Stations - The Transport Podcast

• Indian railway adventure (part 2), pressing deadline for HS2 and tribute to Professor Rod Smith, S2 Ep10Christian brings listeners the second part of his report on rail developments in India with particular reference to the city of Mumbai [2:15]; Mark Walker and Christian discuss the growing pressure for a decision on how to replace HS2 between Birmingham and Crewe [19:03]; in a tribute from the departure lounge, Christian reflects on the life and work of Professor Rod Smith [26:09].

Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport

• Global Ports Holding signs 50-Year lease to operate Greenock Cruise PortGlobal Ports Holding Ltd (GPH) has announced the signing of a 50-year lease agreement with Clydeport Operations Ltd, a subsidiary of Peel Ports Group, to operate Greenock Cruise Port. According to Peel Ports, the agreement follows the recent success and growing passenger numbers at Greenock Cruise Port in Inverclyde each year. The terminal welcomed over 80 cruise ships from across the globe last year, with numbers expected to rise further in 2025 and beyond. Global Ports Holding will now take over the operation of the cruise port and is expected to enhance opportunities and attract more vis...
• New project aims to boost use of e-scooters and e-bikes by disabled peopleA year-long project exploring how disabled people can better access shared micromobility services will be led by the UK's shared transport charity, Collaborative Mobility UK (CoMoUK). The initiative aims to increase disabled participation in e-scooter and e-bike schemes by identifying and addressing barriers beyond vehicle design. CoMoUK will seek partnerships with shared micromobility operators, local authorities and community groups specialising in active travel engagement. Richard Dilks, chief executive of CoMoUK, said: "This is a really important project, which will dire...

New Civil Engineer

• £250M A38 Derby Junctions scheme to move ahead after winning legal battleNational Highways has overcome a second legal challenge to its A38 Derby Junctions scheme, meaning the scheme can now move forward.
• ONR reveals 13 rail incidents at nuclear sites since 2020, including 7 at SellafieldThe Office for Nuclear Regulation (ONR) has was notified of 13 rail-related incidents at UK nuclear sites since 2020, seven of which were at Sellafield.

Rail Advent

• Proposed Midlands rail link to save over 13 million minutes a yearLeicester's City Mayor Peter Soulsby, Midlands Connect and business leaders have pledged their support for the proposed rail link between Coventry, Leicester and Nottingham.

Rail Business Daily

• East West Rail can revitalise local economies, say business leaders A railway that has quadrupled its passenger numbers and provided countless new investment opportunities shows how East West Rail can deliver a similar boost to local economies across the Oxford, Milton Keynes, Bedford and Cambridge region, business and council leaders say.
• "Green shoots of growth" show the way for return to public transport"Green shoots of growth" in the latest transport statistics demonstrate that public transport is continuing its strong return, with growing passenger numbers across bus, rail and light rail modes approaching pre-pandemic levels, according to a new report.

Rail Magazine

• Guest Comment: Rail devolution under GBRDeputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner recently announced in the English Devolution White Paper that an additional 8.8 million people will benefit from mayoral devolution in their area, meaning that nearly 80% of England's population will soon have local leaders with funding and powers over policy areas that will include transport.

Railway Gazette

• GPS ticketing trial planned for this yearUK: The Department for Transport is seeking suppliers to take part in trials of GPS-based pay-as-you-go ticketing in Yorkshire and the East Midlands later this year,

Route One

• Scania further develops battery-electric bus driveline packageWork introduces new motors, charging option and gearboxes to builder's electric bus platform
• Stagecoach Chesterfield electric bus rollout follows VEV depot workThe first examples of what will be a 57-strong battery-electric bus fleet with Stagecoach in Chesterfield have entered service after work there was completed by VEV. It is the first of four electric bus readiness projects that the supplier is undertaking for the group.

Urban Transport Group

• 'Green shoots of growth' show the way for return to public transport'Green shoots of growth' in the latest transport statistics demonstrate that public transport is continuing its strong return, with growing passenger numbers across bus, rail and light rail modes approaching pre-pandemic levels, according to a new report.

Other News Sources

• Oxford Bus Group attracts more than 100 good causes to Brand the Bus 2025OXFORD Bus Group has taken its Brand the Bus charity giving back competition to new heights this year, with more than 100 good causes entering.
• Autonomous vehicles for public transportation: the growing interest of local authorities and mobility operators in Renault Group's approachRenault Group is convinced of the role that autonomous public transport vehicles can play at a time when authorities and operators are preparing to make structuring choices for the future of mobility.

News from Europe

• Decreasing transport poverty in Europe through public EV chargepointsThis briefing examines the EU's EV landscape, key challenges, and policy changes to ensure equitable access to this transformative tech.