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

Monday, 19 May 2025

BBC News

• Busy commuter rail line re-opens after four months£140m of work has been carried out to the track since January, affecting signalling systems, bridges and overhead line equipment.
• Minister 'pushing' for deal over use of EU passport e-gatesThe deal could form part of negotiations taking place between the UK and EU on Monday.
• UK driverless cars unlikely until 2027 - but Uber says it's ready nowThe previous government had said autonomous vehicles were "set to be on the road" by 2026.
• £40m rail upgrades for new city station completedA £40m project to upgrade the railway infrastructure around a city's new station has been completed.

The Guardian

• Weakening of UK EV sales rules ‘likely to result in significantly more carbon emissions’Analysis suggests there could be 500,000 additional plug-in hybrid electric cars on Britain’s roads by 2030The UK government’s weakening of rules on electric car sales is likely to result in significantly more carbon emissions as sales of plug-in hybrids rise, according to analysis.Relaxed rules could result in as many as 500,000 additional plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs) on UK roads by 2030, according to modelling by T&E, a campaign group on transport and the environment. PHEVs combine a small battery with a polluting petrol engine and tend to be much more pro...

The Herald

• The new £144m electric rail line without enough trainsSOMETIMES I sit and ponder some of the biggest questions that exist, such as is there life after death and how deep is the sea. Actually I made that bit up as the questions that I usually find myself thinking about are how long does it take to build a CalMac ferry and will the A9 ever get dualled? Recently. I've been pondering another big question, namely what can you buy for £144 million?

Times Online

• Bring back private finance initiatives, construction firm urges [subscription]Wates envisages a new 'alliance investment model' for schools, hospitals and infrastructure with co-ownership and better oversight to avoid past failures
• The end of railway signal failures? A digital plan points a way [subscription]A £1.4 billion project eliminates trackside signals, promising a 33 per cent reduction in delays

Birmingham Mail

• 20mph limit Birmingham streets here to stay - and boss wants even moreBirmingham City Council declared a road safety emergency last year and is exploring the possibility of introducing more 20mph limits

Bradford Telegraph & Argus

• New rail platform - with more direct trains to London - to open on MondayThe new Platform 0 at Bradford Forster Square Rail station will officially open on Monday when the first new direct services to London arrive.

Wolverhampton Express and Star

• Major progress on new Birmingham railway stationsSix lift shafts have been installed as long-awaited new railway stations in Birmingham move closer to completion.

Yorkshire Post

• School transport: Councillors to vote on potential u-turn on controversial policyA row between parents and North Yorkshire Council over changes to school transport is set to reach a crescendo this week as councillors prepare to vote on a potential u-turn.

Other Regional Press

• Rural operators in Wales 'petrified' by bus reformsRural bus operators are petrified by the Welsh Government's plans to introduce a London-style bus network in Wales, the industry warned.
• Bus contracts renewed in New Forest, Fareham, Gosport and moreMore than 20 bus contracts have been renewed for the next four years for a value of £13.5 million.
• What is happening with Elland Train Station: New Calderdale railway station will welcome six-car trainsSix-car trains will still be able to use a new £25m Calderdale railway station when it opens - despite the station only being able to fit five.
• Farnborough Airport: FlightSafety International will expandA global leader in aviation training will expand its facilities at Farnborough Airport.
• Wakefield Council welcomes new White Rose Rail Plan for YorkshireYorkshire's Plan for Rail sets out a credible and affordable package of investment in new and accessible stations.

Modern Railways

• More subsidy for TfW Rail despite revenue growthTfW Rail has been awarded a further increase in subsidy despite recent growth in revenue. One of the reasons cited is that Core Valley Lines (CVL) electrification and capacity enhancement have increased the number of assets requiring maintenance.

Rail Advent

• New Investment Will Make Rail Replacement Services More AccessibleAs part of the Department for Transport's Plan For Change initiative, they will be improving accessibility for disabled people on rail replacement coaches.
• Greater Anglia Railway Station Receives Wildlife Friendly AccreditationFollowing the work that the local community has carried out at Rochford station, it has received a new accreditation.

Rail Business Daily

• PM urged to support more cross-Channel rail services at EU-UK SummitCampaigners have written to the Prime Minister to urge him to place international rail firmly on the agenda as a symbol and a tool of a revitalised UK-EU relationship at Monday's (19 May) EU-UK Summit.

Rail Magazine

• Guest Comment:Emma Partlow, Director of Consumer Engagement and Policy for Transreport, explains how technology is transforming rail accessibility.

Railway Gazette

• Collaboration to strengthen rail industry skillsUK: Rail Forum and the Chartered Institution of Railway Operators have agreed a partnership bringing together their respective expertise in industry engagement and professional development.

Railway Supply

• Thermal Drones to Monitor Tracks in North East This SummerThermal Drones will return to patrol the Durham Coast Line and the Bishop Line this summer as part of efforts to prevent trespassing and protect lives during the school holidays. This is reported by the railway transport news portal Railway Supply.

Route One (Bus and Coach)

• What should come next after the bus fare cap scheme in England?The government-supported bus fare cap initiative is set to end in December. With a view on 2026, we asked the industry whether such schemes are the best way to spend limited funding available for bus
• Enviro400 pair are first new double-deckers for Faresaver BusesFaresaver Buses of Chippenham has taken delivery of its first new double-deckers in the form of two Alexander Dennis Enviro400 models. Another pair will follow in late-2025.
• Enhancing the coach and bus passenger experienceAccessibility and safety are two important aspects for coach and bus operators to consider when it comes to passenger experience

Aviation Industry

• Flights cancelled for second day at Paris Orly airport after technical issueUp to 15% of flights are set to be impacted, with 40% cancelled yesterday evening

Other News Sources

• London City Airport enlists crisis and corporate comms supportLondon City Airport has hired an agency for crisis and corporate communications.
• 'Immediate prohibition' for firms caught flouting rail safetyTwo firms have been rapped over safety failings near Hereford railway station.

News from Europe

• Semi-autonomous trucks tested for deliveries to German drugstores. Iveco says it's a successIveco has announced the successful completion of joint testing of its pioneering technology with AI-based autonomous driving software provider Plus. The months-long project culminated in trials under real-world conditions.