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

Monday, 07 April 2025

BBC News

• Vicar blames church exodus on new cycle laneA row erupts between a council and an Altrincham church over access after a road layout change.
• Motorists behind most tram crashes -transport bossThe boss of Manchester's tram network says most crashes are due to others "not paying attention".
• Rules on UK car firms relaxed ahead of 2030 petrol vehicles banThe prime minister says the measures are designed to aid the UK motor industry, which has been hit by Trump's tariffs.

Financial Times

• Virgin Atlantic CEO: ‘In aviation, you need to be paranoid’Shai Weiss has returned airline to profit but challenges loom

The Guardian

• ‘Polluting’ Silvertown tunnel is already out of date despite just opening, say campaignersVictoria Rance says the ‘1970s technology’ will cause pollution that will damage health for decades, but London mayor and TfL claim it will reduce congestionA multibillion-pound road tunnel under the River Thames will be out of date the moment it opens, according to campaigners.The first cars and lorries are due through the Silvertown tunnel in east London on Monday, passing between Greenwich on the south side of the river and Newham in the north. Continue reading...

The Herald

• Scottish airport has much to build upon as bidder emergesAfter the many difficult years which businesses in Scotland and throughout the UK have had to endure, one of the last things they would have wanted was to find themselves at the mercy of politicians.

Times Online

• Tax 'supersized' cars more to pay for potholes, campaigners say. [subscription]Larger SUVs have grown in popularity in recent years but are damaging road surfaces and are more dangerous for pedestrians and cyclists

City AM

• First new road crossing east of Tower Bridge since 1991 to openThe first new road crossing east of London's Tower Bridge in 33 years opens on Monday.

This is Money

• Apprentice levy is 'too restrictive', says AirbusHowever, smaller firms 'can't necessarily afford' to take on apprentices, Sue Partridge said, due to 'the way things are structured'.

Sky News

• Starmer promises 'bold changes' to rules over electric cars in wake of Trump's tariffsSir Keir Starmer promised "bold changes" as he announced he will relax rules around electric vehicles after carmakers were hit by Donald Trump's tariffs.

Bristol Live

• Starmer announces ban on new petrol and diesel cars - and hybridsThe new rules comes after Trump tariffs saw one major UK car manufacturer halt exports to the USA

London Evening Standard

• Silvertown tunnel opens - with car drivers paying up to £4 to use first new Thames tunnel for 58 yearsTfL watching to see whether Blackwall tunnel queues reduce - and whether drivers divert to Rotherhithe tunnel or Tower Bridge to dodge tolls
• Tube drivers reject TfL four-day week offer as threat of strikes growsMembers of the RMT union voted against the plans, claiming an extra day off could 'significantly impact' the working lives of staff

Manchester Evening News

• The massive motorway changes at Simister Island which would alter millions of journeys a yearPlans set to be decided on before mid-June include building a 'northern loop' at the junction which would provide a free flowing link with no need for many vehicles to use the current roundabout

Wolverhampton Express and Star

• Sandwell bus upgrades planned as part of ‘cross-city’ linkA number of upgrades including bus and cycle lanes are planned as part of plans to upgrade links between the Black Country and Birmingham.

Yorkshire Post

• North Yorkshire Council bosses defend plan to spend thousands on new car park signageCouncil chiefs have defended plans to spend several hundred thousand pounds replacing signs in council-owned car parks after criticism from opposition leaders.
• Huddersfield Railway Station: How far Huddersfield railway revamp has come as 30-day closure loomsHuddersfield's iconic railway station is a key component of the multi-billion-pound Transpennine Route Upgrade (TRU), and it's come a long way since work started around 18 months ago.

Other Regional Press

• MSP Neil Bibby on Labour's bid to scrap peak rail faresAS of April 1, all rail fares in North Ayrshire and across Scotland have risen by 3.8 per cent.
• Multi-million pound boost for Norfolk bus servicesCounty Hall officers say the money will mean more rural buses, increased evening services and up to 100 new bus shelters.
• The quiet Essex railway station only used for one thing that's only 25 years oldEssex is full of bustling train stations due to its proximity to London, making it a very popular destination for commuters. One tiny train station doesn't see anywhere near the traffic experienced in busier stations such as Chelmsford or Shenfield, and sees around 300 visitors each day.

Construction Index

• Four share £750m Wales & Western frameworkBalfour Beatty, M Group, John Sisk and MPH have been selected for a five-year Network Rail framework.

Modern Railways

• Relentless in the pursuit of a better serviceDirector General Rail Services Group Alex Hynes says the rail industry remains one of the most efficient and green modes of transportation that continues to evolve to meet the needs of today's public but warned: Passengers deserve a railway they can rely on where timetables are not mere aspirations, but commitments they can depend upon.

Rail Magazine

• Open access operator's frustration as year-long wait for decision continuesThe possibility of open access operator Wrexham, Shropshire & Midlands Railway (WSMR) being able to start running trains this year hangs in the balance, as the decision over its application drags on.

Railway Gazette

• SMEs call for action to remove blocks to rail innovationUK: The Rail Innovation Group has published a Skills Beyond Scale report highlighting the impact of SMEs in the rail industry and calling for government action to unlock the full potential.

Route One (Bus and Coach)

• Transport Made Simple grows EVM Cityline fleet with further 15Latest deliveries take to 34 the number of the low-floor minibus supplied to growing business

TaxiPoint

• TfL's Silvertown Tunnel opens, offering new Thames crossing and faster public transport Perry RichardsonThe new Silvertown Tunnel opened this morning, offering improved river crossing options in east London. The 1.4km twin-bore tunnel connects Newham with the Greenwich Peninsula, providing a long-awaited alternative to the frequently congested Blackwall Tunnel.

Other News Sources

• Better Buses for Strathclyde ramps up campaign amid SPT consultationAfter a busy session in Irvine, more public meetings are scheduled in Glasgow and Clydebank to advocate for bus network reforms
• Study finds airport boosts economy by £1 billionA new study has revealed that Newcastle International Airport contributes over £1 billion annually to the North East economy and supports more than 17,000 jobs.
• UK's 'largest' on-street EV chargepoint project announcedA project claiming to be the UK's largest installation of on-street electric vehicle (EV) chargers has been announced.
• Report finds Newcastle Airport boosts economy by £1bn and supports thousands of jobs Newcastle Airport generates more than £1bn annually for the North East, according to a new report, which also said that the site supports more than 17,000 jobs.
• Construction work on track at Kings Heath Railway Station - mayor visits the siteConstruction work is said to be on track at the new Kings Heath Railway Station, which is set to see the return of passenger services for the first time in more than 80 years.
• Big changes at busy airport will 'ease' passenger travelGatwick Airport has announced that it will no longer be necessary to remove electrical items or place liquids in plastic bags
• Huge project will see thousands of new electric vehicle charging points for cityBrighton is set to get 6,000 more electric vehicle charging points in what is being described as the UK's largest project to install them