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

Sunday, 13 April 2025

BBC News

• Rail minister admits using phone while driving vintage busLord Hendy has apologised in full for the "error of judgement" and will reportedly accept the sanctions.

The Guardian

• ‘As an environmental scientist, I’m horrified’: Should supersonic passenger travel be making a comeback?Twenty years after Concorde was grounded, a new wave of ‘quiet’ supersonic aircraft are in development – but not everyone welcomes the return of this costly, carbon-intensive technologyWhen I call Blake Scholl from New York, he says it’s a shame we couldn’t have met at his office in Colorado. If only there were a supersonic jet that could cruise at 1.7 times the speed of sound, and get me there two hours quicker than the typical JFK-to-Denver route.There soon might be. Scholl is the CEO of Boom Supersonic, a company betting that ordinary civilians want to shoot ac...
• Rail minister reports himself to police after using phone while driving a busLord Peter Hendy apologises after being spotted texting behind wheel of vintage Routemaster in LondonThe rail minister, Lord Peter Hendy, has reported himself to the police after he was spotted using a mobile phone while driving a vintage Routemaster bus in London during a charity tour.The former Transport for London commissioner apologised for what has been described as an “error of judgment” after a passenger saw him texting behind the wheel of the double-decker last month. Continue reading...

The Herald

• Charging prices 'a huge unknown' in watershed moment for electric car driversThe responsibility for administering more than 3,000 public electric vehicle charge points across Scotland will no longer rest with the government agency set up 12 years ago

The Independent

• Government announces extra help for businesses hit by US tariffsThe Chancellor said thousands of businesses would benefit from a move to expand UK Export Finance’s backing for firms by £20 billion.

Times Online

• Transport minister texted while driving double-decker bus at rush hour [subscription]Lord Hendy of Richmond Hill reported himself to the Met for using his phone while taking passengers on a charity tour in his Routemaster

Daily Express

• The world's 'craziest city' where trains run through houses and maps are uselessThe 'crazy city' even has lifts for cars to help navigate the confusing streets.
• Historic 130-year-old UK train station reopened after incredible new ?10m upgradeServices began at the stop in 1885 and the building was showing its age
• Rachel Reeves announces £20billion boost for UK exporters hit by Trump tariffsFirms hammered by Donald Trump's tariffs will get help to continue exporting across the world

Birmingham Mail

• Jaguar Land Rover unease 'in new world' of tariffs - what we know after big week for car marker We digest a big week for the West Midlands car maker after it paused all shipments to the US in the fallout of Donald Trump's automotive tariffs
• Drivers urged to check seven-digit code which shows if they owe DVLA £150The WeBuyAnyCar number plate checker lets drivers and motorists realise how much they owe the DVLA in car tax.
• Ford is handing thousands of drivers £0 fuel bills for 10,000 milesEV motorists are set to benefit from home chargers, which will give motorists and road users as many as 10,000 free miles.
• DVLA makes change to vehicle tax 'to make it easier for drivers'The motoring agency is set to introduce a "quick and simple" change for road users who need to renew the tax.

Bristol Live

• Motorists could be fined up to £5,000 and nine points for being 'too careful' when drivingDrivers could be at risk of serious legal consequences for being too safe of a driver

Daily Post (North Wales)

• Full list of 20mph roads in Wales which could become 30mphPublic consultations have been run by local authorities with hundreds of roads under consideration

Newcastle Evening Chronicle

• Drivers warned over 'backwards step' new rule for petrol, diesel, EV motoristsNew Vehicle Excise Duty rates came into force earlier this year, with fears that new charges could deter motorists from ditching combustible engines for EV models

The York Press

• Boarding passes and check-ins at airports could be axed in change to rulesNew airport rules could see boarding passes and check-ins scrapped in what would be the biggest change to aviation in 50 years.

Wales Online

• Drivers warned of major road and lane closures in Wales today - Sunday, April 13There could be a number of potential disruptions you should try to avoid this weekend - here are the details we know so far

Leeds Live

• Parking banned on certain Leeds streets despite residents' fears over spacesThey say householders will be unable to park where they live

North Wales Live

• 'Don't film in these airport spots' as TikTok trend could spark serious troubleYou could be fined, questioned by authorities or even blacklisted from some parts of the airport

Other Regional Press

• Petition launched in support of controversial Portswood bus gate trialA petition has been launched to stop a controversial bus gate trial from being cut short due to backlash.
• Chiltern Railways offering £20k grants to organisations on its networkChiltern Railways has launched its Community Investment Fund for 2025/26.
• Parents' anger after 'gagging' over school transport 'mess'Campaigners have vowed to protest outside a key meeting on home-to-school transport amid claims parents have been 'gagged' from speaking at the event

Other News Sources

• Call for action to stop people being 'trapped' at level crossing for 15 minutesThere are calls for a footbridge to be built over Worthing level crossing because pedestrians are sometimes having to wait more than 15 minutes.