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

Saturday, 26 April 2025

BBC News

• Rail bridge to be restored, not replaced - bossesRail bosses have moved to reassure people over their plans for a historic footbridge in a Cheshire town.
• Operator bids to run Newcastle to Brighton serviceA rail operator has submitted plans to run direct train services between Brighton and Newcastle.
• Intoxicated person plan needed on Tube - coronerThe recommendation follows the death of Sarah Cunningham, who was hit after stepping on the track.
• Ferguson shipyard misses out on Clyde ferries contractWestern Ferries names Cammell Laird, based at Birkenhead, as the preferred bidder to build the vessels.
• Gatwick to accept 'stricter limits' on plane noiseGatwick has responded to the Secretary of State's request for feedback on additional conditions.

Financial Times

• Gatwick chief urges ministers to speed up approval of second runway Current October deadline for final decision on expansion plans is too long a wait, says airport boss

The Independent

• Heathrow's highest airport charges in the world blamed on unique challengesAirport says constrained area, expensive building costs and prevalence of long-haul flying make high fees inevitable

The Telegraph

• Gatwick plots higher parking fees to secure second runway [subscription]Airport plans to charge more for car drop-off in effort to increase public transport use

City AM

• More airlines flying from Gatwick than ever before as long-haul drive continuesMore airlines flew from London Gatwick Airport than ever before last year as the Sussex hub continues to drive expansion of its long-haul offering.
• Mobico: National Express owner’s school bus deal leaves much to be desired National Express owner Mobico has at long last agreed a deal to flog off its struggling North American school bus division. The London-listed bus and coach firm on Friday unveiled plans for a £457m sale to the US infrastructure investor, I Squared Capital. Its school bus segment had weighed on shares since the pandemic amid [...]

Derby Telegraph

• Derby praised as 'natural' home of Great British Railways on fact-finding visitDiscussions revolved around maximising the benefits of being the HQ of the country's new publicly owned rail authority

Manchester Evening News

• New footage released of epic £20m project to replace 67-year-old railway bridgeHundreds of engineers have completed the 'first main phase' of an epic project to replace a 67-year-old railway bridge.

Northern Echo

• Plans for direct rail link between Newcastle and BrightonProposals to operate direct train services between Newcastle and Brighton have been announced.

Yorkshire Evening Post

• Doncaster Sheffield Airport is 'number one issue' of mayoral electionThe prospective operators of Doncaster-Sheffield Airport have been selling the project to airlines at a huge aviation festival in Spain, with the issue set to dominate next week's election.

Other Regional Press

• TfL tackles increased graffiti on London Underground trains after carriages covered 'from end to end'Transport for London (TfL) has introduced further resources to tackle graffiti on the Tube network after carriages were spotted covered in tags from 'one end to the other'. Labour's Bassam Mahfouz AM said that the acts of vandalism were an 'affront' to passengers' eyes.
• New bus routes announced and changes made for summerFirst Bus in Dorset has announced its summer plans for bus services and passengers will be pleased to hear of a new route.
• Passengers warned of major Coventry bus changes to 'improve efficiency'Changes will be coming into effect on Sunday

Bloomberg

• London Gatwick Seeks Faster Approval of Plan to Build New RunwayLondon Gatwick Airport is seeking expedited approval for its plan to open a second runway after accepting key conditions set by UK officials

Train Operators

• Arriva Group submits open access rail application to connect Newcastle and Brighton, via London GatwickArriva Group has today announced it is submitting an open access application to the Office of Rail and Road (ORR) to introduce a new direct rail service between Newcastle and Brighton, via London Gatwick, providing vital connectivity for underserved communities along the route.

Railtech

• Solar panels under a train? Switzerland starts testing first rail-mounted solar power plantSwitzerland has launched what's billed as the world's first removable solar power plant on an active railway. Installed in the relatively unused space between the rails, the solar panels were initially rejected by authorities. But start-up Sun-Ways made technical changes, so starting Monday, the system will undergo a three-year trial on a regional line to test its safety, durability, and impact on maintenance.

Railway Technology

• Hitachi Rail consortium deploys first ARGOS digital interlocking system in FranceThe ARGOS system aims to enhance rail operations by centralising real-time information management, supported by decentralised field controllers.

TaxiPoint

• TAXI TOUTS: Unlicensed and uninsured drivers found working for hire and reward at Bristol Airport Perry RichardsonA joint operation by Avon and Somerset Police, DVSA, and licensing officers from several local authorities has uncovered multiple vehicles operating illegally around Bristol and its airport.

Aviation Industry

• NATS signs strategic partnership with Bristol AirportNATS has signed a strategic partnership with Bristol Airport that will see it provide air traffic services at the Airport until at least 2036.

Other News Sources

• Heathrow Airport Helps Black Country Manufacturers Grow GloballyBlack Country manufacturers are being encouraged to tap into the capacity of Heathrow Airport in a bid to boost global opportunities.

News from Europe

• Finland invests in future rail link to Norwegian SeaFinland is under pressure to switch its rail to the standard European gauge. In the first phase, a planned train line is to run between Kemi and Haparanda, Sweden.