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

Thursday, 27 March 2025

BBC News

• Mayor hopes to 'squeeze out' extra rail capacityExtra rail capacity will be "squeezed out" following concerns about the number of football fans who can travel to and from Everton's new stadium by train, the mayor of the Liverpool City Region has said.
• New operators found for bus company going bustA bus operator running services across the Peak District and wider Derbyshire has ceased trading, a council has said.
• Electric bus route scrapped over costsPlans for an "electric rapid transit" scheme in Derby, announced in 2020, have been quietly scrapped, the BBC has learned.
• Government urged to improve 'embarrassing' stationA council has started a petition calling on the government and Network Rail to improve its "national embarrassment" of a railway station.
• Fears for wildlife after road scheme plan revivedThe "red route" in Northop was scrapped in 2023 but there are concerns habitats will be damaged with the revived plan.
• Fears 19th Century canal could start to run dry in daysThe operators of a 225-year-old canal warn of an "urgent" water shortage without imminent rainfall.
• Some e-bikes to be banned on most TfL servicesNon-foldable e-bikes will not be permitted on most services from 31 March, TfL says.
• TfL licence delays leaving drivers in debt - unionThe IWGB union says delays at TfL have left some drivers unable to work for months at a time.
• Trump announces 25% tariffs on car imports to USThe US President says the tariffs on cars will come into effect on 2 April and car parts a month later.

Department for Transport

• Minister and cricketers face off in 'Battle of the Buses', as government pledges to get buses back on track through new billWe're determined to ensure our bus services stay safe, inclusive and comfortable for all passengers.

Financial Times

• Japan says ‘every option’ on table against Trump’s 25% car tariffsAutomakers’ shares drop as trade partners rush to respond to US president’s latest salvo ahead of April 2 deadline
• Trump to impose 25% tariff on car importsNew levy marks significant escalation in US president’s trade war

The Guardian

• Donald Trump announces new 25% tariffs on cars from overseasCanada’s prime minister, Mark Carney, describes the levies as a ‘direct attack’ and vows to defend Canadian workers and companies. Donald Trump announced plans to impose sweeping 25% tariffs on cars from overseas on Wednesday, days before the US president is expected to announce wide-ranging levies on other goods from around the world.“What we’re going to be doing is a 25% tariff for all cars that are not made in the United States,” Trump said in the Oval Office. “We start off with a 2.5% base, which is what we’re at, and go to 25%.”

Times Online

• 'Trade tensions' blamed for 12th month of falling car production [subscription]Industry body says these are worrying times for UK vehicle makers' as output drops 11.6 per cent in February

Local Government

• Essex County Council statement on Lower Thames CrossingCouncillor Louise McKinlay, Essex County Council Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Communities, Economic Growth and Prosperity, said: "The Lower Thames Crossing project is clearly important to economic growth and prosperity, both in Essex and across the wider region, better connecting Essex with our neighbours in Kent, as well as London and the north, whilst at the same time helping to reduce congestion at the Dartford Crossing.

Sky News

• Network Rail to set up property company to deliver 40,000 homesIt is part of a drive to free up unused public land to help the government deliver its manifesto pledge to build 1.5m homes over this parliament.

Birmingham Post

• Cardiff Airport chief executive Spencer Birns quitsThe South African had been CEO for four years having first joined in 2006
• Nissan reveals new European range including Sunderland-built Leaf and Juke - and a comeback for the MicraWorkers at the manufacturer's Wearside plant are gearing up to build the third generation electric Leaf

Bradford Telegraph & Argus

• First black woman bus driver honoured with industry group blue plaqueA new Northern region for Women in Bus and Coach was celebrated at a gathering on Monday (March 24).

Bristol Live

• New bus and cycle lanes approved as calls are made for 'decent public transport'It forms part of Bristol City Council's wider ambition to get more people using public transport

Daily Post (North Wales)

• New bypass falls short of previous £14m plans as locals plead 'get on with it'The bypass for Llanbedr was given the go-ahead in March 2020 but then scrapped in November 2021, with a new road scheme now being put forward for the village

Manchester Evening News

• Greater Manchester's buses are better than they were, but people don't believe itThe Bee Network has improved punctuality - but passengers are not feeling the benefit
• The 'monstrous' CYCLOPS junction outside Metrolink stop that would 'make things worse'The plans, costing £2.9m, aim to make it 'safer and easier for people to walk, wheel or cycle' in the area

Wales Online

• Cross-border Western Gateway Partnership facing end of the road after UK Government ends fundingThe partnership was set up to champion and promote the economies of south Wales and the south west of England

South Wales Argus

• Welsh and Irish Government transport taskforce to meetA new taskforce dedicated to strengthening Irish Sea transport links is set to meet for the first time.

Other Regional Press

• Lower Thames Crossing opponents 'devasted' by go aheadOPPONENTS of a proposed £9 billion road crossing between Kent and Essex say they are "devastated and deeply disappointed" after it got the go ahead from Government.
• 'Nuisance' e-bike riders prompt Huddersfield town centre crackdownIt follows public outcry over 'nuisance e-bikes and anti-social driving'

Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport

• Lower Thames Crossing gets go-ahead with planning permission grantedThe Lower Thames Crossing connecting Kent, Thurrock, and Essex has been given the go-ahead by the government, Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander confirmed. National Highways first submitted the application in October 2022, and after a six-month review process, the project has received final approval.

Construction Enquirer

• New rail property company to unlock land for 40,000 homesNetwork Rail and London & Continental Railways are teaming up to create a new property company to release land for major housing-led schemes.

New Civil Engineer

• Spring Statement: Infrastructure sector agrees with growth plan but Spending Review is real testThe infrastructure sector has signalled support for chancellor Rachel Reeves' Spring Statement objective of focusing on growth but believes the real test will be in the Spending Review this summer.

Rail Business Daily

• Chancellor presents Spring Statement to ParliamentIn an accompanying statement document, the Chancellor said Government was 'supporting growth by investing £13 billion more in capital infrastructure over the next five years, launching a construction skills package to train up to 60,000 more skilled workers, and investing an additional £2 billion in social and affordable housing.

Rail Magazine

• Construction of second rail terminal in London Gateway expansion to start this springConstruction work to expand London Gateway and establish it as the UK's largest container port will begin in May, following regulatory approval for a £1 billion investment by its owner, DP World.

Route One (Bus and Coach)

• Strathclyde bus franchising a 'financial catastrophe', Easdales claimOwners seize on bus franchising cost in Manchester to affirm their calculations for Strathclyde

Other News Sources

• Lower Thames Crossing decision The government yesterday announced that a development consent order for the Lower Thames Crossing project has been approved by the Secretary of State for Transport. The 14.5 mile long route will connect the A2/M2 in Kent to the A13/M25 in Essex, and include the UK's longest road tunnel, when built.
• Secretary of state approves Lower Thames Crossing after finding that need for the project outweighs green belt harmPlans for the longest road tunnel in the UK that would predominantly cover green belt land have been approved by the transport secretary after he concluded that there was a 'clear and significant need' for the scheme.
• South Yorkshire chooses Veoliciti software for bus managementSouth Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority (SYMCA) has selected Velociti Solutions' contract management and performance system to support the management of its bus network.
• New cross-border effort to strengthen Irish Sea transport linksA new taskforce focused on improving the resilience of Irish Sea transport connections will hold its first meeting this Thursday.