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

Monday, 17 March 2025

Government

• Radical action plan to cut red tape and kickstart growthThe Chancellor will meet top regulator bosses in Downing Street today (Monday 17 March) as she unveils an action plan to deliver on the pledge to cut the administrative cost of regulation on business by a quarter, make Britain the best place to do business and drive economic growth.

BBC News

• Secret tunnels discovered beneath railway stationRailway engineers have uncovered a "labyrinth" of historic tunnels and secret rooms hidden beneath an active railway station.
• Delayed third station opens on new railway lineThe delayed third station on a new railway line will open to passengers on Monday.
• Reeves to meet regulators in drive to cut red tape... In a statement on Monday, the government said "regulators must work for the people... not get in the way of progress". Changes expected to be announced include streamlining the environmental regulatory process for major projects including Lower Thames Crossing (subject to planning approval) and future ones such as a Heathrow expansion.
• Glen Sannox sailings resume after crack repairThe ship returned to service with the 14:50 sailing from Brodick after repairs were successful.

Financial Times

• Maritime regulator says ‘fight fire with fire’ and levy China ships at US ports Federal Maritime Commission chair says taxes on Chinese vessels docking in US should be used to create domestic champions

The Guardian

• US astronauts stranded on ISS for nine months to return to Earth on Tuesday, Nasa saysJourney of Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams on a SpaceX Crew Dragon craft will be broadcast liveA pair of US astronauts stuck for more than nine months on the International Space Station will be returned to Earth on Tuesday evening, Nasa has said.Barry “Butch” Wilmore and Suni Williams are to be transported home with another American astronaut and a Russian cosmonaut aboard a SpaceX Crew Dragon craft, which arrived at the ISS early on Sunday.

The Telegraph

• Richard Branson plots Virgin flying taxi service in Home Counties [subscription]The billionaire''s airline signs a deal to fly business passengers from Heathrow and Manchester

Times Online

• Regulators get targets to cut red tape and boost the economy [subscription]... Some of the changes, particularly those relating to environmental regulation, are expected to speed up delivery of major infrastructure projects such as the long-delayed Lower Thames Crossing.

Sky News

• 'Heroic' oil tanker crew praised after North Sea ship crashThe crew of a US oil tanker struck by a container ship in the North Sea have been praised as "heroic" for triggering a crucial firefighting system before abandoning the vessel.

Bolton News

• Week to go until new 'tap and go' brings busses and trams 'in line with London'A map has been released showing where people can get busses and trams every 12 minutes or less ahead of major changes to public transport.

Daily Post (North Wales)

• 'Material start' on new road for clogged up North Wales village that lost its bypassRoads review saw village lose its £14m bypass

Wrexham.com

• Plaid Cymru calls for ?fair share? from HS2 voted down in SeneddThe Senedd rejected Plaid Cymru calls to demand HS2 be redesignated as an England-only project to unlock billions of pounds of consequential funding for Wales.

Other Regional Press

• Free bus pass for over 60s in England plan update as MPs get answer from Department for TransportCampaigners say it is unfair that people in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland get free travel at 60 where in England it's down to local councils
• 'Only the wealthy can afford to park': Oxford car park charges to increaseOxford City Council has approved an increase in off-road parking charges from April, raising concerns that businesses in the city will be impacted.
• New Birmingham Airport car parking rules come into force this weekBirmingham Airport has announced plans to introduce a barrierless system for vehicles dropping off passengers at its Premium Set Down and drop off areas

Rail Magazine

• See inside secret tunnel found under Salisbury station - but nobody knows what it was originally forA lost tunnel that's thought to have once linked Salisbury station with a neighbouring lunatic asylum has been uncovered. The extraordinary discovery has been made by Network Rail and South Western Railway engineers redesigning the station forecourt.
• Public transport concerns delay Gatwick's runway bid as MPs call for new Heathrow rail linkThe government has delayed a decision on a second runway at Gatwick Airport, in order to seek guarantees about the proportion of passengers who would arrive by public transport.

Route One (Bus and Coach)

• Inclusivity starts in the cab environmentFor decades, like many aspects of bus design, the cab area has remained largely unchanged, and certainly no holistic review has been undertaken. Women in Bus and Coach (WiBC) together with partners at Transport for London (TfL), TRL, Chapman Seating (and many more), has embarked on a project to deliver bus cabs that are fit for the future.
• Buses inquiry extends parliamentary focus on sectorOur political expert looks in depth at the Transport Select Committee's recent Buses Connecting Communities inquiry
• Bus investment offers treasury great value for moneyA relatively small amount of investment into bus could go a long way, says CPT Chief Executive Graham Vidler
• Clarity on key asks from coach and bus is priority, minister explainsTopics including bus funding in England and PSVAR certainty part of Simon Lightwood's thinking

Aviation Industry

• Virgin Atlantic to launch UK air taxi service with JobyVirgin Atlantic (VS/VIR) has announced a partnership with eVTOL specialist Joby Aviation to launch an air taxi service in the UK to connect passengers with its key hubs at London Heathrow (LHR/EGLL) and Manchester Airport (MAN/EGCC).

Other News Sources

• Could rejected routes be revived for new Western Link plans?Previously rejected routes for the Norwich Western Link could be dusted down and reconsidered, after the government told council leaders to find alternatives.
• Single ticketing system for buses and trains could come in across North YorkshirePayments for buses, trains and other public transport services could be brought into one system by the end of the year under plans for York and North Yorkshire.
• Lumo celebrates 20th Community Rail AwardsAn awards ceremony has celebrated innovative projects connecting railways with local communities, recognising efforts to promote sustainability, station improvements and youth engagement.
• The European Airports Undergoing Major Improvement ProjectsAfter a tricky few years during the pandemic, when the future of the aviation industry looked uncertain, global air travel has well and truly rebounded, and demand for flights is now higher than ever.
• National Express enhances coach routes between Birmingham, Heathrow and GatwickNational Express has announced a boost to coach services between Birmingham, Heathrow, and London Gatwick, with some journey times reduced by up to one hour.
• Major £140million Gatwick Airport upgrade could stop 12,500 bus journeys a yearIt could end the need for a bus to take you to and from your plane