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

Tuesday, 22 July 2025

BBC News

• Wedgwood statue returns to rail station frontageA bronze statue of Josiah Wedgwood has been moved to a new position outside Stoke-on-Trent rail station.
• Waterloo signal issue fixed but delays to continuePassengers are likely to face continued disruption at London Waterloo station as services return following a major signalling failure.
• DLR timetable reduced due to delayed new trainsDocklands Light Railway services will be reduced until new trains are introduced, TfL confirms.
• Ryanair mulls bigger bonus for spotting oversized bagsThe airline says it is "determined to eliminate the scourge of oversized bags" on its planes.

Financial Times

• BYD executive labels UK EV subsidies ‘stupid’ as carmaker expandsCompany EVP Stella Li pledges to create more than 5,000 jobs in Britain through dealerships by next year
• Ryanair weighs registering new Boeing planes in UK to avoid tariffsBuoyant demand for European travel helps budget carrier raise fares and boost profits

The Independent

• Ryanair boss reveals exact bonus staff get for catching oversized bagsRyanair boss Michael O’Leary has revealed the bonus his staff receive for identifying oversized bags before they reach the plane - and is weighing up increasing it.

The Telegraph

• Ryanair plotting to use UK-US trade deal to escape Brussels tariffs [subscription]Irish airline could redirect orders of American-made planes via Britain to avoid Trump's duties on EU

Times Online

• Ryanair profits double on higher prices and increased demand [subscription]Europe's largest airline said sales were boosted by a rise in ticket prices and more people wanting to travel
• Vauxhall owner Stellantis warns of £2.3bn loss as US tariffs bite [subscription]The owner of Vauxhall and Fiat has warned that it expects to swing to a £2.3 billion loss over the first six months of the year, after booking heavy restructuring costs and struggling with the impact of President Trump's global tariffs.
• Boeing 737 Max 8: which airlines use the plane and is it safe? [subscription]Everything you need to know about the aircraft's safety record following a string of Boeing incidents that began in 2018

City AM

• Elizabeth Line and Thameslink boss steps down after less than two years The chief executive of Go-Ahead, the group which operates London’s Thameslink, Elizabeth Line and Gatwick Express, has stepped down after less than two years in the role. Miguel Parras has resigned from his role at the Newcastle-headquartered group to 'pursue other opportunities' after 20 months.

Network Rail

• Pics: New Devon station takes shape after six months of progressNetwork Rail has released new aerial photos showing the first six months of progress on Okehampton Interchange station, which is set to open in 2026.

Office of Rail and Road (ORR)

• Annual Assessment of National Highways' performance: end of the second road period April 2020 to March 2025This year's assessment of National Highways' performance and delivery covers the year 2024 to 2025 and the whole of the second road period (RP2, 2020 to 2025). This year I would like to take the opportunity to reflect on the evolution of the framework that governs the strategic road network (SRN), and the circumstances that have characterised the wider operating environment over the road period.

Sky News

• 'Major disruption' as London Waterloo station hit by 'signalling failure'South Western Railway has apologised for the disruption, while passengers are being warned to expect more delays and cancellations.

Wired Gov

• ORR: National Highways must lock in the good progress of last decade as it gears up to deliver next Road PeriodNational Highways has delivered significant improvements for road users in the second road period (RP2 2020 - 2025), says the Office of Rail and Road (ORR), but the company must learn lessons from missed commitments to deliver better performance in the next Road Period.

Bradford Telegraph & Argus

• Northern to name train in honour of Leeds Rhinos' Rob BurrowA train is set to be named in honour of rugby league legend, Rob Burrow.
• More trains from Bradford Interchange to London are plannedMore trains to and from London are expected to arrive at Bradford Interchange from December, along with extra services between the capital and Bradford Forster Square.

Bristol Live

• EV charging row looms as locals predict 'fights on the terraced streets'Bristol City Council is planning a trial

Northern Echo

• Northstar launches new X22 and X43 Metrocentre bus routesPassengers will soon be able to reach the Metrocentre in less than half an hour from two County Durham towns thanks to new express bus routes.

Other Regional Press

• Residents split over Lower Thames Crossing plans as Thurrock could be 'cut in half'They are on the doorstep of plans for a huge new crossing and an electricity project. Residents in an Essex town have been split by plans for two huge infrastructure projects. Linford, a few miles from Tilbury, is on the door step of plans for the Lower Thames Crossing and the Norwich to Tilbury electricity project.
• Swindon bus station: Mixed reactions to Fleming Way reopeningNews of the long-awaited opening date for the £33 million redevelopment of Fleming Way sparked a lot of discussion among Adver readers.
• New cycle tracks linking Coventry city centre with airport to get green lightMeeting to consider latest boost for cyclists travelling along key route
• Locals 'left struggling' to access transport after Coventry bus route axedConcerns have been raised about the loss of the what was the Everdon Road Bus Service in Holbrooks

Business Live

• Ryanair profit soars as it benefits from higher air fares and later EasterThe low-cost carrier reported a four per cent increase in passenger numbers to 57.9m, at a load factor of 94 per cent
• CEO of North East transport giant Go Ahead Group steps downThe company has announced that Miguel Parras is set to pursue other opportunities
• Sir Richard Branson-backed electric vehicle charging network cuts jobs as losses balloonGridserve has reported a pre-tax loss of £82.7m for its latest financial year, according to new accounts filed with Companies House
• Work on Wellington train station spine road may not start until ChristmasThe road leading to the planned railway station was originally due to be completed in April 2026
• Metro Mayor Steve Rotheram slams critics and 'sets record straight' over new Glider plansThe bus rapid transit system - similar to the Glider system in Belfast - is being trialled across the six boroughs this month
• Newcastle Airport's 15-year masterplan includes longer runway and hundreds of new jobsThe airport wants to almost double its passenger numbers to nine million a year by 2040, which would see it contribute £1.9bn each year to the local economy
• Flexjet: Private jet giant valued at £2.9bn after huge funding roundThe US-based company's latest funding round has been led by private equity giant L Catterton - which itself is backed by luxury group LVMH

Construction News

• National Highways urged to 'learn lessons' as nearly half of targets missedThe regulator that oversees National Highways has told the organisation it must 'learn lessons' after failing on a number of key commitments. In its latest update, the Office of Rail and Road (ORR) found that the government-owned company had missed, or is likely to miss

New Civil Engineer

• ORR praises National Highways' RIS2 despite 11 missed enhancements and resilience issuesThe Office of Rail and Road's (ORR's) assessment of National Highways' second road period (RIS2) highlights significant efficiency savings and key project deliveries, but flags missed targets, delays and safety concerns.

Rail Magazine

• Government confirms HS2 eastern leg land sale but no decision on western legSafeguarding protections for the land surrounding the eastern leg of HS2 will be sold off, the Government has confirmed.
• Alternative funding options being considered to finance new ScotRail fleetThe Scottish government is 'actively considering' using public green bonds and non-profit borrowing options to finance a new fleet of trains
• Study for potential South West freight terminal under wayA feasibility study for a potential freight terminal in the Avonmouth area is under way.
• Avanti West Coast at risk of losing extra Liverpool paths after track access appealAvanti West Coast is at risk of losing the paths for its recently reintroduced Liverpool services.

Rail UK

• Biggest ever rail passenger satisfaction survey launches nationwideThe biggest passenger satisfaction survey in the history of Britain's railway has launched. The Rail Customer Experience Survey marks another important step in putting customers at the heart of the railway.

Railway Gazette

• Croydon tram bogie and brake overhaul contract awardedUK: Yellow Rail has been awarded a contract to undertake a turnkey overhaul of the bogies and brake systems on London Trams' 12 Stadler Variotram vehicles.

Railway-News

• TransLink Introduces Additional Language PinsFrontline transit workers across the TransLink system have now begun to wear pins indicating the languages they are able to speak in addition to English.

Route One (Bus and Coach)

• West Yorkshire CPO fall-back for bus franchising large depotsCommercial negotiations on sales going 'positively' but CPO to serve as contingency, WYCA says

Other News Sources

• MTR Considers New Loan To Fund Hong Kong Rail ExpansionMTR is in talks with banks about a possible new loan to help fund the first phase of Hong Kong's Northern Link rail project, which is set to connect major lines in the New Territories by 2034.