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

Thursday, 05 June 2025

Government

• Biggest ever investment in city region local transport as Chancellor vows the 'Renewal of Britain'Working people in cities and towns from Sunderland to Solihull will benefit from the biggest investment in regional transport, as every part of the country prospers under Plan for Change.

BBC News

• New electric bus fleet to cut 'tonnes' of carbonA new fleet of electric buses is set to hit the roads in the West of England following a £59m project to upgrade two key bus depots.
• Five new Welsh stations could get Westminster moneyWales's railway minister says he is waiting to see if funding to build five stations around Cardiff and Newport will be confirmed in Westminster next week.
• Chancellor announces £15bn for transport projectsMoney will be spent on tram, train and bus projects in England across the Midlands, North and West Country.
• Silvertown Tunnel easing congestion, TfL saysThe new route has seen a fall in the number of drivers using the nearby Blackwall Tunnel, TfL says.
• How airline fees have turned baggage into billionsThe amount carriers now charge for luggage is raising the ire of politicians and consumer groups.
• US-Boeing crashes deal 'repugnant' - lawyer for victims' familiesThe plane maker has agreed to pay $1.1bn to avoid prosecution over two fatal crashes that killed 346 people.

ITV News

• Multi-billion pound investment in 'new economic model' - what does it mean for the Midlands?The West Midlands is to receive £2.4 billion for local infrastructure in the city. This will include: Buses, tram and local train improvements. Metro extension to Birmingham's sports quarter, delivering transit from East Birmingham to North Solihull. Hoped that the transport changes will unlock private investment from businesses down the line.

Financial Times

• Boeing reaches deal to avoid prosecution over 737 Max crashesAgreement with US justice department allows plane maker to withdraw an earlier guilty plea
• Panama port owner’s deal fuels fears of dominance by world’s top shipping groupCK Hutchison’s $23bn sale has raised worries of MSC’s increased control of global port infrastructure

The Guardian

• The Guardian view on Labour’s investment plans: sugaring the bitter pill of austerity | EditorialThe chancellor is right to be planning for the long term, but voters won’t be patient if change isn’t felt soonInequality between British regions is not a new problem and Rachel Reeves is not the first chancellor to want to close the gap. In 2014, George Osborne promised a “northern powerhouse” to rival the dominance of London and the south-east. He pledged devolution and investment in infrastructure to connect northern cities, to unlock productivity and growth.Since then, Britain’s economy has suffered multiple shocks, some external (the pandemic, inflation stoke...

The Telegraph

• Residents 'living in fear' as UK flight paths set for overhaul [subscription]A controversial airspace shake-up promises quicker, quieter flights but not everyone is convinced

Times Online

• British Airways: Business-class short-haul 'more popular than ever'The airline's CEO, Sean Doyle, says its Club Europe premium cabin has 'defied our best expectations' - despite offering no more legroom than economy
• Labour council ordered to remove 'unlawful' LTN in landmark case. [subscription]Lambeth council is facing calls to refund more than £1 million it received in fines from motorists in the low-traffic neighbourhood
• Tesla UK sales down 45% in new blow for Elon Musk. [subscription]Decline in May comes despite rising sales in wider EV industry, with the company's hopes resting on the revamped Model Y
• Transport investment in the North and Midlands is on right track. [subscription]Pragmatic improvement in cities across the country is a welcome change from the hubris and waste of HS2

Reuters News

• UK's Reeves approves $21 billion of public transport projects outside LondonBritish finance minister Rachel Reeves committed 15.6 billion pounds ($21.1 billion) on Wednesday towards transport projects in cities outside London that have long suffered from underinvestment.

The Mirror

• Newark Airport forced to ground all flights causing travel chaos for passengersNewark Airport departures are currently being grounded, with the Federal Aviation Administration's Air Traffic Control System Command Center saying staff shortages are to blame

The Sun

• CLOSED UP Major tunnel used by 25,000 vehicles a day to close for 17 nights throughout June just two months after grand openingA MAJOR tunnel used by some 25,000 vehicles each day is closing for 17 nights throughout June - just months after opening.

Birmingham Mail

• "This is great news for ALL of Birmingham"- positive reaction to mega millions tram line investmentThe much vaunted line will run from the city centre to the Sports Quarter, then later go on to Heartlands Hospital, Birmingham Airport, the NEC and the HS2 interchange at Arden Cross

Birmingham Post

• Government pledges billions to North West transport – with Stockport trams and new Everton and Anfield stadium links£15.6 billion transport package for mayoral authorities being announced today by Rachel Reeves
• Bristol mass transit network gets major boost as Government commits £800m to South West transportMass transit development between Bristol, Bath, South Gloucestershire and North Somerset has been given a huge funding boost

Bolton News

• Cyclists able to have bikes marked with anti-theft measures at Bolton eventsCyclists will be able to have their bikes marked with anti-theft measures at two events in Bolton next month

Bradford Telegraph & Argus

• Funding for new Bradford city centre bus station confirmed by ChancellorA NEW bus station will replace the ageing Bradford Interchange after new transport funding was announced by Chancellor Rachel Reeves today.
• Tram line and new Bradford bus station to benefit from £2.1 BILLION in fundingA TRAM line between Bradford city centre and Leeds and a new bus station in the city are among the transport projects that will benefit from £2.1 BILLION of funding being announced today.

London Evening Standard

• 12,000 drivers a day avoiding Blackwall and Silvertown tunnels following introduction of tolls, TfL revealsTfL has said that initial data shows there has been a significant increase in cross-river bus use at the Silvertown Tunnel and Blackwall Tunnel, while individual journeys have dropped
• Reeves to rip up 'pro-London' Treasury rules as she announces £15billion for transport outside South-EastThe Chancellor is set to rip up Treasury rules said to favour London and the South East as she announces billions of pounds of investment in public transport for other parts of the country.

Newcastle Evening Chronicle

• Tyne Bridge restoration’s missing £6m funding finally secured after Labour transport cash promiseThe remaining money needed to complete the Tyne Bridge's restoration will be drawn from a £1.85 billion transport funding pot for the North East, which was confirmed by Rachel Reeves yesterday

Cambridge News

• ‘Drastic action’ needed to protect financially unviable Tiger bus pass schemeThe pass lets children and people under 25 travel for £1 per journey

Other Regional Press

• Wakefield to get new bus station as a part of £2.1bn West Yorkshire transport boostWakefield is set to get a new bus station as part of a £2.1 billion funding boost for West Yorkshire transport.
• Sex crimes at North Wales train stations rose last yearSex crimes at North Wales train stations rose last year, according to the British Transport Police (BTP).
• West Midlands Metro to Solihull: We need tram extension with stops at NEC and HS2 station at paceSolihull Council's leader says she wants a metro tram extension that could bring significant benefits to residents across Solihull to be delivered 'at pace'.
• Funding boost for long awaited Carr Mill railway station in St HelensPROPOSALS for a railway station at Carr Mill that has been discussed for decades have been given a boost by the announcement for funding for the region's transport network.
• Watford ‘shifting gears’ to greener transport as ‘major milestones’ hitWatford has hit several "major milestones" in its drive towards greener transport options, the borough council has said.
• Stagecoach West announced as sponsor of Oxford PrideBus operator Stagecoach West has been announced as a sponsor of Oxford Pride 2025
• Level crossing petition backed by thousands presented in parliamentA petition calling for the London Road level crossing in Bicester to be kept open for vehicles has been presented in parliament.
• £1bn transport cash for Teesside confirmed for 'better roads, better stations and better links'Rachel Reeves will today unveil a £15.6bn transport upgrades package outside London and the South East with a chunk of the cash promised to the Tees Valley :: Conservative Mayor Ben Houchen says it's the 'right move'

Highways News

• National Highways and Historic England sign agreement to protect and promote the nation's heritageNational Highways and Historic England have signed a landmark agreement to protect and promote England's heritage, ensuring delivery of good outcomes for people and communities. ... The repair of Upminster Tithe Barn, owned by Havering Council, is a key example of this partnership working approach. The project was largely funded by National Highways as part of the Lower Thames Crossing scheme, which will run to the east of the site. The Lower Thames Crossing has a designated funding stream to support initiatives that deliver lasting benefits to communities and the environment in the vicinity.

Rail Advent

• WATCH: First electric train on newly-electrified line in Greater ManchesterFor the first time since the announcement that the line from Wigan to Bolton in Greater Manchester would be electrified, an electric train has operated over the whole route.
• HS2 tunnelling machine to be repurposed for a new missionA giant machine used to bore a tunnel for the new HS2 high-speed railway line is to be dismantled so that it can be repurposed for a new mission.

Railnews

• Chancellor confirms transport investment -- with more to come The chancellor Rachel Reeves has confirmed that 15.6 billion is to be invested in public transport for urban areas outside London over the next five years. She has also indicated that more rail investment is set to be announced next week.

Other News Sources

• TfL says Silvertown tunnel reduces Blackwall tunnel trafficTransport for London (TfL) has revealed that between April 21 and May 11, on average, 88,000 vehicles used the Blackwall and Silvertown tunnels. This marks a drop from before the new River Thames road crossing opened on April 7, when between 90,000 and 100,000 vehicles used the Blackwall tunnel every day.
• Chancellor unveils £15bn transport plan; private investment on horizonUK Chancellor Rachel Reeves has revealed investment of more than £15bn for local transport projects over the next five years, with private sector investment also expected to be part of the transport mix.
• Campaigner says a Surrey council is 'missing the point' 20mph speed limit idea scrappedResidents said they were scared and intimidated by HGVs driving 30mph
• Bus company to operate shuttles for summer festivals and eventsStagecoach South will operate shuttle services for major summer events across the region, including Goodwood, Farnborough, Wentworth, and Portsmouth, to ensure safe and sustainable transport for festival-goers.