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

Tuesday, 01 April 2025

Government

• Government ushers in new era for UK infrastructure deliveryGovernment delivers on manifesto commitment to reduce red tape ? merging existing bodies to get a grip on delays to infrastructure delivery.

BBC News

• Train services cut over carriage spare parts delayFour services between Birmingham, Hereford and Worcester are withdrawn and may not return until summer.
• Driverless shuttle bus on show at transport museumThe shuttle bus carries 10 passengers and uses lasers, scanners, cameras, sensors and software to get around.
• New £150m Tay crossing opens after years of planningThe road crosses the River Tay from west of the A9 and links with the A93 and A94 north of Scone.
• A look inside the Silvertown tunnel before openingBBC London's transport correspondent was the first journalist into the tunnel before opening.

Financial Times

• Plans to break up Eurostar monopoly given boost by rail regulatorOffice of Rail and Road says capacity could be made available at Temple Mills depot
• Virgin Atlantic warns on signs of slowdown in US demand for transatlantic flightsBiggest US airlines have already reported a slowdown in domestic demand

The Guardian

• Virgin says 'no more major hurdles' to running cross-Channel trainsCompany says it has 'green signal' after rail regulator suggests space at Eurostar depot can be freed up for rivals

The Independent

• Virgin Group poised to announce challenger to Eurostar after key hurdle overcomeSir Richard Branson's company said it hopes to make an announcement shortly about services to rival Eurostar

The Telegraph

• Virgin gets green light for Channel Tunnel trains in blow to EurostarApproval to store trains in UK depot clears way for launch of services from St Pancras International

Times Online

• Richard Branson's Virgin Group hails green light to challenge Eurostar [subscription]Rail regulator says there is enough space for rival operators to use Eurostar's London depot
• Electric car drivers face £425-a-year 'luxury' tax bill [subscription]People buying many mid-sized electric family cars will be hit by a £2,125 luxury car tax from Tuesday in a move that risks slowing adoption at a critical time
• Tower Bridge chiefs fear traffic impact of tunnel tolls [subscription]The Blackwall and Silvertown tunnels are to charge drivers and those tasked with maintaining the bridge are worried about increased wear and tear as a result

Bolton News

• New 'electric vehicle' charging points to be rolled out at schools across BoltonOne of Bolton’s leading school groups will be announcing new electric vehicles charging points across its sites.

Bristol Live

• Taxi fares set to rise after zero responses to consultationThe council consulted the public about the higher fares, but received zero responses

Daily Post (North Wales)

• Major Airbus plane order in boost to North Wales plantBOC Aviation’s backlog of aircraft to be delivered becomes the largest in its history with Airbus
• Rail closures 'disrupting lives and businesses' in GwyneddWelsh Government 'wants people to use public transport' but they are being forced into cars here because of an 'inadequate' service
• Bid to restore Welsh name for railway station set to hit the buffersTransport for Wales say changing the sign on the Cambrian Coast line would be a 'huge and expensive task'

Edinburgh Evening News

• New Lumo rail plans could see 'double capacity' on flagship Edinburgh routeWithin the next three months, Lumo aims to gain approval to extend its services from King's Cross to Glasgow, building upon its current Edinburgh route.

London Evening Standard

• Eurostar rivals say 'green signal' has been given to run trains through Channel TunnelSir Richard Branson's Virgin Group says there are no more major hurdles to overcome for it to launch services rivalling Eurostar

The York Press

• Mayor pledges to improve bus services across York and North YorkshireThe Mayor of York and North Yorkshire has vowed to work “tirelessly to get our buses working” as he announced a £95 million investment into the region’s transport system.

Plymouth Herald

• New timetable for ?100m Plymouth railway station redevelopmentPlymouth?s railway station could be set for a ?100m transformation with new commercial and residential buildings in the next decade under a fresh ?vison? for the city centre. The station is one of several "priority" sites identified for regeneration as part of a new Plymouth City Centre Vision.

Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport

• Non-Folded E-Bikes banned on London transport from todayTransport for London (TfL) has today implemented a ban on all non-folded e-bikes across most of its services, including the Tube, Overground, Elizabeth line and DLR. The ban, which comes into effect on 31 March 2025, follows a comprehensive safety review conducted with the London Fire Brigade. TfL is the first UK transport operator to enforce such restrictions. The prohibition applies to all non-folding e-bikes, including standard cycles converted using electronic kits. While most e-bikes are considered safe,

Railnews

• Great Western electrification plan set to be unveiledPlans to extend Great Western electrification may be announced today.
• Network Rail chief Andrew Haines to retire Network Rail chief executive Andrew Haines is to retire from his post in October. Sir Andrew joined Network Rail in August 2018, and since 2021 he has also been responsible for managing the transition to Great British Railways.
• Eurostar depot controversy deepens after ORR report The prospects for more international operators running trains between London and the continent may have improved, following the publication of a report on depot capacity commissioned by the Office of Rail and Road. Several contenders have said they would like to compete with Eurostar and serve more destinations in mainland Europe.
• Opposition politicians criticise Scottish rail fare increase All ScotRail fares have risen by 3.8 per cent today, but opposition politicans are speaking of ‘dismayed’ passengers and a ‘spiral of decline’. The increase is lower than the 4.6 per cent rises in England and Wales a month ago, but the Scottish increase covers all fares rather than just those which are regulated.

Railway Technology

• Network Rail Eastern region launches new Development and Design Partnership FrameworkNetwork Rail's Eastern region has launched a new Development and Design Partnership Framework (DDPF) to support the delivery of Northern Powerhouse Rail (NPR), the Integrated Rail Plan, and other Eastern region projects over the next five years.

Other News Sources

• 'Dangerous' riding of bike or scooter could be banned in updated Guildford town centre rulesA Surrey council has put forward new measures in a bid to tackle antisocial behaviour