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

Friday, 04 July 2025

BBC News

• Tram depot expansion costs increase by £7.65mWest Midlands Combined Authority is increasing the total budget for the Wednesbury scheme to £76m.
• Shipyard needs urgent investment to survive, MSPs warnA Holyrood committee says a lack of orders and reputational damage need to be overcome for the Ferguson Marine yard to prosper.
• Ryanair cancels flights for 30,000 passengers due to French strikeAirlines and France's transport minister has condemned the strikes as unacceptable, at the start of summer holidays.
• Direct Wrexham to London rail link rejectedPlans for a direct rail service between Wrexham and London have been rejected by the regulator, the Office of Rail and Road.
• Plans for new park and cycle facility approvedA project to turn vacant land at a Cornish railway station into a new park and cycle facility has been granted planning permission.

Financial Times

• Air France-KLM to take majority stake in Scandinavian AirlinesMove comes as Franco-Dutch carrier contends with increased competition

The Guardian

• TfL faces legal action over licence delays for Uber and other private hire driversUnion representing minicab drivers claims livelihoods have been damaged and calls for ‘systemic change’Transport for London is facing an “unprecedented” legal challenge from the union representing Uber and other minicab drivers over claims that delays in issuing licences have damaged their livelihoods.TfL has previously apologised for delays in licensing but drivers and their union, the Independent Workers’ Union of Great Britain (IWGB), say they are launching the legal action because of systemic and continuing problems with licensing for this group of drivers. Co...

City AM

• More West End streets to be pedestrianised under Crown Estate plans Plans to pedestrianise more streets in London’s West End have been proposed via a partnership between King Charles’ property firm and a local authority. The Crown Estate and Westminster City Council intend to turn Regent Street St James’s into a traffic-free space while greatly enlarging the pedestrian area at Piccadilly Circus. The proposals also include [...]

The Mirror

• Harrow fire: Piccadilly Line chaos as 100 firefighters tackle huge blazeLondon Fire Brigade is tackling a blaze on near Roxeth Green Avenue in South Harrow, northwest London, which has delays and suspensions to services on the Tube's Piccadilly Line

Local Government

• Earlier starts, later finishes for York's Park and RideFirst Bus and City of York Council have announced extended hours for all six of York's Park and Ride services to support residents, commuters, visitors and York's hospitality industry.

Office of Rail and Road (ORR)

• Rail regulator rejects West Coast Main Line applications due to insufficient capacityThe Office of Rail and Road (ORR) has rejected applications from three companies seeking track access contracts with Network Rail to run services on the West Coast Main Line (WCML).

Bristol Live

• Metrobus service used by 50,000 a week could be extended into South Bristol suburbThe express bus route could soon start serving new communities next year

London Evening Standard

• TfL chief denies £3bn new fleet of Piccadilly line trains are delayed because they 'don't fit in tunnels'Andy Lord admits introduction of new Tube fleet is challenging and the trains 'require modification'

Wales Online

• E-bikes to replace Nextbike scheme in CardiffCardiff Council has announced a new scheme from next year which could yet include e-scooters in the future

Plymouth Herald

• Skyrocketing cost of Plymouth's Royal Parade bus scheme explainedThe cost of Plymouth's delayed Royal Parade Bus Improvement Scheme skyrocketed by £2.5m after a new contractor was brought in, PlymouthLive can reveal. Work finally starts on the project on Monday (July 7) - six months after it was originally planned.

Other Regional Press

• New 'game-changing' partnership to support future 'thriving' tram network in West Yorkshire - and North KirkleesKirklees Council is preparing to take a major step towards transforming public transport across West Yorkshire.
• South West Wales to pilot new bus franchising schemeTransport for Wales (TfW) is inviting the public to share their views on proposed changes under the scheme, which forms part of a wider effort to improve bus services across Wales.
• Axing of 65 Bus will create social isolation says Glasgow MPThe 'disastrous and scandalous' axing of a vital bus route will create social isolation, a Glasgow MP has warned.
• Council 'frustrated' by 'lack of progress' on accessibility improvements at Wellington Railway StationIn 2019, Wellington Station was chosen as one of 73 across the country to benefit from a £300 million government fund.
• Lake District: MP shares update on work by Network RailA local MP has expressed disappointment over further delays to reopening a footbridge at a station in the Lake District.
• Major rail upgrades planned at Padeswood to boost Wrexham-Liverpool linePlans to upgrade the railway line between Wrexham and Liverpool have been confirmed, with major work at Padeswood cement works marking the first significant step in improving services and freight handling.
• Major plans approved for transformed Liverpool to Wrexham train lineThe existing Borderlands line will now be known as the Wrexham to Liverpool line, with upgrades on the line at Padeswood confirmed as the first major step toward more rail services between the two cities.

New Civil Engineer

• Network Rail admits 'significant challenges' maintaining sliding canal bridge after recent failuresNetwork Rail has discussed the 'significant challenges' in maintaining a unique sliding bridge over a Lincolnshire canal as it has suffered multiple recent failures despite extensive works in 2024.
• St Pancras Intl capacity expansion moves forward with agreements and architect appointmentLondon St. Pancras Highspeed and Eurostar have signed a letter of intent outlining a phased plan to boost capacity and improve the passenger experience at London St. Pancras International station amid growing demand for sustainable international travel.

Rail Magazine

• Comment: Driverless taxis and the madness of a 28,000 jobs claim - Christian WolmarRegular readers will know I have an obsession with driverless cars, so you will have to forgive me going off-message on a topic that has little direct relevance to rail - although the government research money being poured into the driverless fantasy is another way that money is being diverted away from far more worthwhile schemes.

Rail UK

• Eurostar and London St. Pancras Highspeed join forces on major expansion to double station capacityLondon St. Pancras Highspeed and Eurostar have today signed a letter of intent, marking their joint ambition to take significant steps to expand the capacity at St. Pancras International. The project aims to futureproof one of Europe's busiest international rail hubs and support growing demand for sustainable cross-border travel.

Railway-News

• Rolling Stock for High-Speed Rail: Is US Manufacturing Ready to DeliverAfter decades of underinvestment, the United States is now inching closer to developing high-speed rail networks. Yet, with billions of dollars being invested in ambitious projects from California to the Northeast, it calls into question whether the rolling stock manufacturing sector is ready to deliver.

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
• Transport Committee: New rules needed on street worksLack of coordination between utility companies, and the 'emergency' permitting system need to be addressed, an inquiry has concluded
• Transdev debuts Mercedes-Benz Citaro hybrid for Flyer routesHybrid package in Citaro platform delivers 8.5% fuel saving over the conventional diesel product
• Bee Network SME greater involvement focus draws ALBUM praiseTfGM aims to build SME presence in re-procurement of first tranche small and school contracts
• Oxford bus operators back temporary congestion charge proposal'Congestion emergency' in city during long-term road closure needs urgent action, firms agree

Other News Sources

• Draft Island Transport Plan outlines priorities for Isle of Wight's transport networkA new long-term transport strategy for the Isle of Wight is set to be discussed by councillors at County Hall next week.
• Leeds Bradford Airport ranked in UK's top 10Leeds Bradford Airport has been ranked among the top 10 in the UK. That's according to travel experts hoppa who have ranked the UK and Europe's best and worst airports.
• Electric bus and coach supplier secures additional HSBC UK backing - a 'very significant step' for the businessA truck and bus supplier has secured additional funding from HSBC UK to increase the supply of electric buses and coaches across the UK.
• KleanDrive converts vehicles for First BusKleanDrive has announced the conversion of 30 Wrightbus Streetdecks for operator First Bus.