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

Saturday, 15 March 2025

BBC News

• Ship captain charged over North Sea collisionThe Solong cargo ship and Stena Immaculate tanker collided off the East Yorkshire coast on Monday.
• Elizabeth line gets posters to prevent dirt marksTfL said the posters would "better protect and visually improve the spaces behind seating areas".
• Musk's Tesla raises concern over Trump tariffsThe electric carmaker’s warning about tariffs comes despite its boss's key position in the Trump administration.

Financial Times

• Captain of Solong container ship charged over North Sea collisionVladimir Motin accused of gross negligence manslaughter after his ship struck Stena Immaculate tanker on Monday

The Guardian

• Crew lifts off on SpaceX mission to replace stuck Nasa astronautsFalcon 9 rocket takes off on journey to replace duo who have been at International Space Station since JuneThe replacements for two Nasa astronauts who have been stuck at the International Space Station for nine months launched on Friday evening, paving the way for the pair’s long-awaited return.SpaceX’s Falcon 9 rocket lifted off at 7.03pm ET (11.03pm GMT) in Florida carrying the four astronauts who will take over from Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams, who have been stuck on the orbital lab since June.

Local Government

• WMCA Board approves £1.2bn Budget to drive growth, jobs, housing and better transportHundreds of millions of pounds will be invested by the West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA) over the coming 12 months to drive economic growth, build more social and affordable housing, improve transport links and give people the skills they need to land good quality jobs.

Birmingham Mail

• West Midlands Railway major disruption as firm 'can't get parts to keep trains on tracks'The rail firm said not all its diesel trains would operate amid 'supply-chain issues'

Bradford Telegraph & Argus

• Train company that runs services from Bradford named best in BritainLNER has been named the best train operating company in Great Britain when it comes to consumer satisfaction, in a survey by Transport Focus.

Daily Post (North Wales)

• Seaside town's level crossings could be shut and rail bridge built under plan to ramp up servicesNetwork Rail plans to make changes to how people cross the railway in Prestatyn

Derby Telegraph

• UK's oldest working steam locomotive coming to Derby for huge Alstom eventThe UK's oldest working steam locomotive ' Furness Railway No. 20 ' will be appearing at a huge exhibition of trains and other exhibits. The Greatest Gathering is being held in August at train maker Alstom's Litchurch Lane works to celebrate the 200th anniversary of the modern railway.

Manchester Evening News

• The long-suffering passengers having to deal with one of England's worst stationsIt's in the middle of nowhere, but students rely on Gathurst station - the second worst in England for cancelled trains. Nick Jackson reports.

Yorkshire Post

• Why we need to get trains moving across Yorkshire - David BlunkettFour weeks ago, in this column, I praised Rachel Reeves, the Chancellor of the Exchequer, for making it clear that the Government would decisively back major infrastructure programmes. I bemoaned, however, that despite supporting this significant investment for our country, very little was on offer for the North of England, and Yorkshire in particular.

Chester Standard

• Plans for ferry from Wirral to new Everton stadium announcedEXTRA train and bus services are to be put on for the second test event at Everton?s new stadium as well as a special ferry for matchgoing fans. Around 25,000 fans are expected at the under-21 friendly match on Sunday March 23 as part of preparations for the new 52,888-capacity stadium at Bramley-Moore Dock ahead of its full opening later this year.

Other Regional Press

• Chippenham Railway Station construction ramping upConstruction is ramping up on a major project to transform the forecourt of a busy train station.
• Passengers name Newcastle Airport one of the best in EuropeNewcastle Airport has been named one of the best in Europe for customer service.
• Improvement scheme for one of Kent's worst roads sees wildlife concerns raisedConcerns have been raised regarding the A229 Blue Bell Hill Improvement Scheme due to the potential consequences for local wildlife and biodiversity.
• Teesside fleet of 17 Arriva buses conk out due to 'fuel issues' sparking problems for passengersTen routes across Stockton were affected with reports of buses being towed back to the depot
• Dangerous Coventry bus services named as National Express say they have 'targeted patrols'Passengers have been urged to report incidents by texting SeeSay to 81018

Construction News

• Mace wins £140m airport pier extension jobMace has officially won a £140m job to deliver a 180-metre extension to a pier at London Gatwick, it has been announced. The Pier 6 deal will see the contractor deliver eight aircraft gates next to the airport's runways. A statement from the airport said?

New Civil Engineer

• Market engagement begins on £1bn highways and transport services framework for EalingThe market has been invited to engage on an upcoming £1bn highways and transport professional services framework for the London borough of Ealing.

Rail Business Daily

• Dozens of bird and bat boxes installed at nine TransPennine Express stationsDozens of bird and bat boxes have been installed at nine TransPennine Express (TPE) stations to provide additional habitats for native wildlife.
• Rail freight usage and performance dataNew data released by the Office of Rail and Road (ORR) has revealed the total freight moved in the latest quarter (1 October to 31 December 2024) was 4,065 million net tonne kilometres, up 6 per cent compared with the same quarter the previous year. Intermodal non-maritime and biomass had the largest percentage increases in freight moved.

Railnews

• Friday news roundup Rail Partners to close, passengers favour open access, Midlands Connect gains support, Scottish green fuel trials and a story about bats and birds. Click for Friday news roundup.

Trafnidiaeth Cymru [Transport for Wales]

• Lab by Transport for Wales partner with Media Cymru on Accelerator Programme to Drive Innovation in the Transport SectorTransport for Wales (TfW) and Media Cymru are joining forces to launch an exciting new accelerator programme, designed to support Welsh businesses and entrepreneurs in developing cutting-edge innovations for the transport sector.

Aviation Industry

• Expanded air links boost connectivity for Cardiff AirportCardiff Airport in Wales is expanding its destination network with the addition of package holidays and flights for winter sports enthusiasts to Salzburg in Austria for the winter 2025/26 season. Meanwhile, Spanish carrier, Vueling, is also increasing its frequencies to Malaga for summer 2025.
• AEF analysis: the Seventh Carbon Budget's implications for aviationAll eyes were on the government’s independent climate change advisors, the Climate Change Committee, at the launch in late February of its advice on the 7th carbon budget running from 2038-2042.

Other News Sources

• Lower Thames Crossing team visits NCC's Construction and Engineering Campus to explore skills partnershipNew City College's Construction and Engineering Campus in Rainham recently welcomed representatives from the Lower Thames Crossing project for a tour of its outstanding facilities.
• Big spend promised for county's damaged roads£13.5 million has been allocated for road improvements throughout Herefordshire by the council.