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

Saturday, 03 May 2025

BBC News

• Station escalator repairs took nearly two yearsAnti-social behaviour and misuse led to escalators at a Liverpool railway station being out of action for nearly two years, a city council report has revealed.
• Train and Tube closures in London over Bank HolidayThere will be no Southeastern trains to London Victoria station this weekend due to engineering work, Network Rail has said.

The Guardian

• Test delays and pricey lessons: how the cost of learning to drive in the UK is acceleratingFrom rising prices for lessons to insurance cover, we break down the hefty charges learners now faceLearning to drive – and the sense of freedom and independence that comes with it – is a milestone many look forward to. But for today’s learners, the journey to getting on the road is proving longer, more uncertain and more expensive than ever.What was once a fairly straightforward process, from lessons and the theory test to the practical exam, now involves record waiting times, rising costs and having to compete with automated software bots to secure a test slot. Continue rea...

The Herald

• Airline launches five new routes from Scottish airportAn airline is forging ahead on a "trajectory of growth" in Scotland with the sweeping launch of five new destinations.

Times Online

• KPMG resigns as auditor of P&O Ferries [subscription]The Big Four accounting firm says it would be unable to complete its work on the 2023 accounts to the 'required standard'

City AM

• Ministers urged to seek tariff exemption for aircraft and engines Ministers have been urged to seek an exemption from US tariffs for civil aircraft and engine parts as the aerospace industry grapples with how to handle Donald Trump's levies. ADS, which represents members of the UK's aerospace supply chain, warned disruption to an already-under-pressure supply chain would impact aircraft deliveries in the coming months. Manufacturers [...]
• Rolls-Royce celebrates 100 years of its flagship Phantom The Rolls-Royce Phantom celebrates an important birthday this month, 100 years after the luxury saloon was first introduced. Now into its eighth generation, the Phantom has long been the flagship of the British marque’s range. It has also earned an important place in automotive history.Although the Rolls-Royce Phantom saw breaks in production during the [...]

Daily Express

• The incredible 46-hour train journey linking two beautiful African countriesFrom the comfort of their seats, passengers can see warthogs, baboons and guinea fowl in their natural habitat.

Mail Online

• Rail company boss built himself secret apartment in train station using embezzled public fundsA California rail company boss has been found guilty of using embezzled public funds to build himself a secret apartment in a train station.

This is Money

• Petrol prices fall to four-year low ahead of massive bank holiday weekend getawayPetrol prices have dropped to a UK average of 134.06p a litre - the lowest since July 2021. But 17m drivers this weekend are warned they'll be fleeced at motorway services.

Birmingham Mail

• ‘Headphone dodgers’ on public transport 'should face £1,000 fine'The Liberal Democrats are calling for a crackdown on 'headphone dodgers' who play loud music on public transport, saying a majority of passengers are too intimidated to confront them
• New speed cameras confirmed for Midlands' main roadsCameras will be rolled out on busy and high-risk roads

Bolton News

• Northern issues travel advice ahead of Super League Magic WeekendNorthern has shared guidance about routes being affected by engineering works during the early May bank holiday weekend.
• Buses driving on pavement and parking on double yellows - traffic issues near schoolConcerns have been raised after parking on double yellow lines and buses mounting the pavement near a school

Bradford Telegraph & Argus

• Motorists warned of road closure as work on huge civil engineering project continuesMOTORISTS are being warned of an upcoming weekend road closure as work continues on "one of the biggest civil engineering sites in the country."

Bristol Live

• Bristol named one of the most expensive cities to learn to driveYoung Bristolian learners are being priced off the roads

Metro

• Major London Tube station finally becomes step-free after reviving historic featureA major central London Tube station has become step-free thanks to a century-old feature - but a campaign group says it's 'four years' too late.

Wales Online

• New trial planned for electric vehicle owners in Neath Port TalbotIt comes as the use of electric vehicles becomes more widespread and the demand for charging options grows, particularly for people with no driveway
• Drivers warned of road and lane closures in Wales over bank holiday weekendThere are a number of potential disruptions you should try to avoid this weekend

Other Regional Press

• Cruise ship set to dock in city for first time after 12 years of sailingA cruise ship that has never come to Southampton in its 12 years of sailing the globe is set to arrive in the city in May
• Taxi drivers hit out as airport increases 'atrocious' drop-off chargeHackney cab drivers have hit out at Southampton Airport for increasing its drop-off fees yet again
• Bike group's annual survey reveals town's key successesThe findings of a bike group's annual survey have been revealed.
• Change of leadership for Oxfordshire Community Rail PartnershipA change of leadership has taken place at the Gloucestershire and Oxfordshire Community Rail Partnerships as the organisations enter a new chapter.
• Divisive transport chief Andrew Gant keeps his seat in electionsOxfordshire transport chief Andrew Gant has held on to his seat despite efforts from anti-LTN independents to dethrone him.
• ‘Nightmare’ continues as major road closure extended for gas repairsPeople are having to contend with sewage leaks, power cuts and tight squeezes with HGVS after the closure of a major route.
• Cruise ship with low carbon footprint and 'polar spa' calls into portA cruise ship with a low carbon footprint and polar spa has called into Portland this morning, the first of a busy month of stops for the port
• Birmingham Airport announces major refurbishment with £76.5m cash injectionThe cash injection will be used to open new lounges, shops and restaurants, alongside terminal refurbishments

Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport

• TfL unveils plan to halve fare evasion across all servicesTransport for London (TfL) has unveiled plans to expand its team of professional investigators as part of a comprehensive strategy to tackle fare evasion across its network. The new approach aims to halve fare evasion rates to 1.5 per cent or less by 2030, down from the current rate of 3.4 per cent. While this current figure is significantly lower than other global cities like New York, which reports 13 per cent evasion, fare dodging still costs TfL approximately £130 million annually. According to TfL, the expanded team will initially focus on the Elizabeth line and London Overgr...

Railnews

• Trains return to Ryde pier in time for holiday weekend Trains have returned to Ryde pier today, after the latest in a series of engineering possessions which have disrupted Island Line services for several years. The latest work meant that the Victorian pier, which provides a link with ferries to the mainland, had been closed since September.

Other News Sources

• Arriva makes bid for cross-country serviceNewcastle to Brighton link restores for service lost in 2008   The proposal would form part of Arriva’s Grand Central open access operation Arriva has submitted an open access application to the Office of Rail and Road (ORR) for a new rail service stretching almost the entire length of England, running directly between Newcastle and Brighton via Gatwick Airport. The proposal would form part of Arriva’s Grand Central open access operation and aims to begin operations in December 2026, with five trains per day in each direction. Arriva says it has identified spare...
• 7 speed camera myths debunked that all drivers need to be aware ofHere are some speed camera myths you might want to consider when next out travelling on the roads.

EIN News Subscription

• Ryanair Warns Boeing: $30 Billion Deal at Risk Amid U.S.-China Tensions and COMAC Threatto its growth strategy across Europe. But in a letter to a critical margin for a budget airline. Ryanair isn’t known for Hong Kong. EASA certification in Europe is likely at least three , could raise red flags among European regulators and investors. O’Leary
• More flights, parking and bigger duty-free as Cork Airport launches ambitious €200m planCork Airport has become a critical component of our national transport infrastructure ambition of becoming a major European city in terms of size ambition of becoming a major European city of size and scale
• UK seaside resort's new 293-mile train line linking two cities and major airportReading, Wokingham, Guildford, Redhill, Gatwick Airport, Haywards Heath and Brighton. The The direct connection to Gatwick Airport is particularly significant for communities of a wider European strategy to promote sustainable transport and regional