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

Thursday, 03 July 2025

BBC News

• Boeing set to take over some Spirit operations in BelfastTalks to find another buyer for some Spirit operations in Belfast have reportedly not progressed.
• Brexit could see less choice for new car buyers, warn dealersSome of NI's top car dealerships have warned MLAs of possible job losses in the sector.
• Heathrow considering legal action against National Grid over fire that caused shutdownAn investigation finds National Grid had been aware of a problem at a substation since 2018.
• Five things we now know about the fire that shut Heathrow downA report into a fire that resulted in Heathrow Airport shutting down for nearly a day has been released - what are the key findings?

Financial Times

• Qantas hit by cyber attack after FBI alert on Scattered Spider groupAustralian airline investigating whether hacking group that targeted M&S is behind customer database breach
• National Grid bosses claim they were not told of fire risk defect at Heathrow site Official review finds blaze caused by ‘catastrophic failure’ at local substation

The Guardian

• Air pollution linked to lung cancer-driving DNA mutations, study findsResearch finds that the higher the levels of air pollution in a region, the more cancer-promoting mutations are present Air pollution has been linked to a swathe of lung cancer-driving DNA mutations, in a study of people diagnosed with the disease despite never having smoked tobacco.The findings from an investigation into cancer patients around the world helps explain why those who have never smoked make up a rising proportion of people developing the cancer, a trend the researchers called an “urgent and growing global problem”. Continue reading...

The Telegraph

• The Heathrow fire report is not just damning for National Grid [subscription]The regulator should be monitoring standards, not just issuing fines after things go wrong

City AM

• Regulator blocks Richard Branson's bid to bring back Virgin trainsRichard Branson's bid to bring Virgin trains back to the UK has suffered a crushing setback following a ruling from the rail regulator.

Network Rail

• Major 30-day closure of Huddersfield Station set to transform rail travel across the NorthAs part of the multi-billion-pound Transpennine Route Upgrade (TRU), Huddersfield Station will undergo a major transformation this autumn with a 30-day full station closure taking place from Saturday 30 August to Sunday 28 September 2025.

Sky News

• 'Catastrophic failure' led to Heathrow power outage - with chances missed to prevent itTwo opportunities were missed to take action that could have prevented the failure, including in 2018, according to a new report.

Wired Gov

• LGA - Council spending on SEND home to school transport soars new LGA researchSpending by councils on home to school transport for children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) is predicted to reach nearly £2 billion this year (2025/26), according to new analysis published at the Local Government Association's Annual Conference today.

Bradford Telegraph & Argus

• EV charging bays could be installed in city centre car parkELECTRIC Vehicle charging points could be installed in a historic area of Bradford city centre if new plans are approved.

Nation. Cymru

• Transport secretary accused of securing 'literally nothing' in railway investment west of Cardiff from UK GovernmentThe Welsh Government has been accused of securing 'literally nothing at all' in railway investment west of Cardiff from the UK Government's recent spending review.

Wolverhampton Express and Star

• Midland Metro depot project costs go up by more than £7.6 millionThe cost of a major project to expand the Midland Metro depot to cater for increased tram services has risen by more than £7.6 million.

Get Surrey

• Substation fire that shut Heathrow Airport was preventable, says watchdog reportThe airport was plunged into chaos after a 'complete loss of supplies' forced it to close

Other Regional Press

• £3.5m investment sees electric buses serve airportElectric buses are now serving East Midlands Airport following a £3.5 million investment, helping to improve air quality along the route and around the site.
• Major blow as new proposed direct rail service from Shropshire to London is rejectedThe proposal, from the Wrexham, Shropshire & Midlands Railway Company Limited (WSMR), was one of three applications turned down by the regulator, the Office of Rail and Road (ORR).
• South West regional transport plan considered for approvalEnsuring buses and trains provide a practical and affordable alternative to travelling by car is a key priority for the South West Wales regional transport plan.
• MP slams Government’s reply to level crossing petition as 'moving the goalposts'An MP has described the re-introduction of a pedestrian footbridge as an option for when London Road Crossing closes as 'shameful'.

Rail Business Daily

• New Permanent Secretary announced at Department for Transport The Cabinet Secretary, with the approval of the Prime Minister, has announced the appointment of Jo Shanmugalingam as the new Permanent Secretary of the Department for Transport (DfT).

Rail Magazine

• "Insufficient capacity": All three West Coast Main Line open access applications rejectedThe Office of Rail and Road (ORR) has rejected all three open access applications for the West Coast Main Line. Bids by FirstGroup, Virgin and Wrexham, Shropshire and Midlands Railway (WSMR) to run services into London Euston have been turned down by the regulator due to insufficient capacity.

Route One (Bus and Coach)

• CPCA bus franchising delivery approach for independent reviewProcess will be an early step in developing 'clear and deliverable plan' for rollout of reregulation

Other News Sources

• Dartford Crossing HGV charges to rise by 40%Hauliers will pay significantly more to move goods between Essex and Kent after the Department for Transport (DfT) confirmed the first Dartford Crossing toll charge increase since 2014. From 1 September 2025, the one-off payment for vehicles with more than two axles (Class D) the category covering most articulated and multi-axle rigid HGVs will climb from £6.00 to £8.40, with the pre-pay account rate rising from £5.19 to £7.20.

News from Europe

• 'Velvet Trains' rolls out Private High Speed Competition in FranceSomething different was unveiled by Alstom in France. A train rollout is normally nothing out of the ordinary. But it seems the first of Proxima (a private entity which wishes to operate high-speed trains on the French Rail network) has unveiled its first train and its branding.