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

Monday, 31 March 2025

BBC News

• EasyJet opens base at London Southend AirportEasyJet has opened a new three-aircraft base at London Southend Airport. It will run 122 flights per week across 20 routes, creating 140 new jobs in the process.
• Care leavers to get free buses until aged 25Care leavers will be able to travel on buses for free until they are aged 25. The Tees Valley Mayor and Combined Authority (TVCA) approved funding to bring the area in line with the North East Combined Authority, which already provides free travel to those aged between 18 and 25 who have been in foster care.
• Cycling plans in Wales at risk, warn campaignersWarning as Welsh government moves focus away from building cycle infrastructure.
• London-style bus network in Wales 'needs extra cash to work'Ministers have promised a "simpler" network replacing a system where bus companies set their own timetables.
• E-bike ban begins across London transport networkThe ban is being brought in over safety concerns about non-folding e-bikes.

Financial Times

• England’s road-building budget cut by 5% Allocation to National Highways is lower than current year
• Air travel is ready for the wheelie-suitcase surchargeFree carry-on luggage may seem a bargain, but it often leads to a forced trip to the baggage carousel anyway

The Telegraph

• Drones to hunt trespassers delaying Britain's trains [subscription]National Rail deploys 'revolutionary' technology to target vandals, graffiti artists and thieves
• Driving test waiting times hit record high [subscription]Aspiring motorists face average wait of 20 weeks to book a practical test
• 'Back our £25bn green energy project or we'll take it overseas' [subscription]Sir Dave Lewis interview: UK risks missing out on the next generation of net zero infrastructure
• Drivers face Hammersmith Bridge ban under reopening plans [subscription]Cost constraints and environmental concerns could mean motorists are barred from Thames crossing

Times Online

• Police Scotland's e-scooter advice ?causing confusion? [subscription]The force says they are ?motor vehicles? that need insurance, despite the fact it is illegal to ride them in a public place

Daily Record

• ScotRail has paid £2.5m in delay compensation since being nationalised three years agoA Freedom of Information request showed that delay compensation has increased every year since April 2022.

Birmingham Post

• Northumbrian Water reveals project to turn poo into sustainable aircraft fuelThe water company plans to use its Bran Sands Treatment Works site for the innovative project

Bristol Live

• 'Last-mile’ delivery hub for cargo bikes could be created in Bristol city centreThis week's list of notable planning applications
• Bristol Temple Meads sees an injury every five days shocking new figures revealThet station has become a hotspot for slips, falls, and injury claims against Network Rail

Morning Star

• Avanti urged to address ticket office staff shortagesTRANSPORT union RMT has urged rail operator Avanti to address ticket office staff shortages on the West Coast Mainline.

Nation. Cymru

• Interest on £70 million railway loan must be repaid to Welsh GovernmentInterest accrued on a £70 million loan used to improve the railway between Newport and Ebbw Vale will need to be paid back to the Welsh Government, councillors have been told.
• Great British Railways - is it fit for purpose in Wales? Professor Stuart Cole, CBEThe UK government is intending to restructure Britain's railways by merging the UK government owned Network Rail and the UK government controlled contracted train operating companies (TOCs) into Great British Railways (GBR).

Bucks Free Press

• MP calls for bus company to review timetable of new serviceAn MP has called for a review of a new bus service's timetable

Other Regional Press

• How Somerset's new electric buses will be 'transformational' for local peopleNew electric buses will be "transformational" for Somerset residents by bringing reliability to the network, transport campaigners have said. Somerset's buses have received ?14.7m of investment since March 2024 to allow electric buses to enter service on key routes - with ?14.5m coming from FirstBus South (which runs Buses of Somerset) and ?2.2m being provided by the Department for Transport (DfT) through its zero emission bus regional area (ZEBRA) scheme.
• 'Quicker, safer and more reliable journeys' - How the Lower Thames Crossing will change M25 travelThe National Highways team working on the Lower Thames Crossing are "shovel-ready" and keen to get building the new 14.5-mile stretch as soon as possible now the Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander has given it the go ahead. The ?9 billion route will link the A2 and M2 in Kent to the A13 and M25 in Essex via a 2.6-mile tunnel beneath the Thames.
• Business case to tackle Ely junction bottleneck to cost £70mPutting together a business case to convince the government to tackle a railway bottleneck holding back Norfolk and Suffolk will cost £70m.
• How Brighton railway station has transformed over 40 yearsBrighton?s railway station building has undergone several transformations over the past 40 years, evolving from vintage to vintage-modern.
• Colne-Preston line test for new Norther assistance schemeA railway line in East Lancashire will be used as part of a trial by train operator Northern to help bring confidence to older and disabled passengers.
• Rail regulator says some capacity can be made available at Eurostar depotThe Office of Rail and Road (ORR) says Eurostar?s London depot would be able if required to accommodate additional trains, following its receipt of an independent report it commissioned to investigate the matter. The report, published today, assessed the capacity at the operator?s Temple Mills International facility.
• MP hits out at cuts to Hereford train serviceHarriett Baldwin MP criticised cuts to the Hereford train service.
• Sarah Dyke MP welcomes new bus service for Somerset stationThe bus link will see the Route One bus connecting Castle Cary and Shepton Mallet and directly serving Castle Cary station for the first time.
• 'Lifeline' Darlington bus services extended to maintain access to work and educationSeveral bus routes described by residents as "lifeline" services will continue until March 2026 after an agreement with the Tees Valley Combined Authority
• Work on £41m link road to finally start next year despite changes to viaductWork on a £41 million road project is on track to start in a year’s time - despite rehashed plans being submitted for the scheme.

Construction Index

• Consultants named for eastern rail frameworkNetwork Rail's Eastern region has launched a framework for development and design consultancy work.

Rail Magazine

• Calls for hourly Oxford-Bristol services as GWR confirms end date for successful Saturday trialHourly services between Oxford and Bristol would better connect high-performing, knowledge-intensive industries and universities, and would only require an operational cost to be introduced.
• Network Rail issues ECML performance warning amid tense exchange over track access requestsNetwork Rail has submitted final representations on eight track access applications relating to the East Coast Main Line (ECML) after issuing a warning about future performance of the route.

Railway Gazette

• Runaway Risk Tool enables site-specific safety measuresUK: The Rail Safety & Standards Board has developed a Runaway Risk Tool to identify locations where the track conditions or gradient could cause rail vehicles to move away from worksites, and which sections of track would be vulnerable if they did.

Railway Supply

• Stadler Partners with Hexagon Purus for Hydrogen Rail SystemsStadler Secures Deal with Hexagon Purus for Hydrogen Systems in California. This is reported by the railway transport news portal Railway Supply.
• Rail Union Protests Highlight Staff Shortages at Ticket OfficesRail Union launches protests to tackle staff shortages at key ticket offices now. The group targets understaffing at West Coast mainline stations run by Avanti. This is reported by the railway transport news portal Railway Supply.

RMT

• RMT urges Avanti to address ticket office staff shortagesRail union RMT, is urging Avanti to address ticket office staff shortages on the West Coast Mainline, warning that understaffing is impacting passengers and putting undue pressure on existing staff.

Other News Sources

• New operators set to take charge of Haverfordwest airportHAVERFORDWEST airport?s new operators are expected to take their lease up in the next few days as part of a drive to make the facility cost-neutral to the council.
• Surrey railway station that ‘everyone loves’ named as prettiest in county by readersThis small rural location recently got a big shout out