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

Wednesday, 23 July 2025

Government

• Next steps for self-driving vehicles as future passengers help shape self-driving vehicles lawHave your say on the proposed automated passenger services permitting scheme until 28 September 2025.

BBC News

• Cut-price bus fare scheme is saved after voteYoung people will continue to receive cut-price bus fares after a popular scheme was extended.
• Free weekend bus travel announced for AugustPeople are being offered free bus travel on new routes across Leicestershire during weekends next month.
• Airport's new £60m transport hub officially opensA new £60m transport interchange has been officially opened at Bristol Airport.
• New look transport for TfL's silver anniversaryEight transport services have been given a new look by Transport for London (TfL) to mark its 25th anniversary.
• County lines arrests and seizures in rail operationPolice visit stations in Birmingham, Wolverhampton and Coventry to disrupt county lines operations.
• Pilot journey begins for NI's first driverless busThe driverless electric shuttle bus will cover a one mile route for commuters and tourists.
• 'Side Quest' sightseeing cycle routes for LondonThe route generator offers themed self-guided cycle tours taking in some of London's hidden gems.
• Bus to heritage railway withdrawn after 20 yearsCampaigners have criticised a decision to scrap a bus to a heritage railway station after 20 years due to low passenger numbers.

The Guardian

• Eurostar calls for ‘credible’ Channel rail strategy as monopoly decision loomsOperator says if rivals are allowed to squeeze into existing facilities it could jeopardise its investment. Eurostar has urged the UK government to choose a “credible long-term strategy” for international rail or risk “falling behind” the rest of Europe, before a crucial decision by the regulator that could end its cross-Channel monopoly.The high-speed train operator warned that a “premature” ruling from the Office of Rail and Road (ORR) to allow competitors to squeeze trains into existing facilities could jeopardise its planned investment and expansion.

The Herald

• Public funding row bus firm Alexander Dennis may get more millionsBritain's biggest coach builder may receive more millions of public funding as part of a rescue plan - having already received £90m of taxpayer cash as it looks to move operations to England.

The Telegraph

• If one green energy plant costs £38bn, there's no hope for net zero [subscription]Nuclear power doesn't have to be so expensive. But Britain is currently smothered in red tape

Times Online

• CalMac ferry MV Caledonian Isles could be out of action all year [subscription]The operator's boat woes continue as the largest passenger ferry in its fleet will need at least eight weeks off the water
• EV grant brings 'chaos and confusion' for makers and drivers [subscription]Manufacturers say they face masses of paperwork to find out if cars qualify for the payment, in which buyers get up to £3,750 to switch

Transport Committee

• How to build a thriving transport manufacturing sector: Transport Committee launches new inquiryThe Transport Committee has launched a new inquiry into how the Government can support transport manufacturing in the UK by planning and investing in the skills of its workers.

Daily Record

• Heathrow Airport celebrates East Kilbride signage supplier in WestminsterMerson Group design, manufacture and install signage that ensures all of Heathrow's passengers are kept on the right path and in the right direction.

Mail Online

• Locals' fury as dockless e-bike bay in affluent London area is overrun by 'careless' cyclists who dump their bicycles on road and pavementThe e-bike bay in Chesterfield Gardens, Mayfair, has been a 'nuisance' ever since its installation in June as an army of bikes regularly pile up and block the entrance to a busy cul-de-sac.

The Sun

• DIGGING DEEP Jaw-dropping £9BILLION plan for UK's longest motorway tunnel that will cut journey times in half is unveiled in picsThe Lower Thames Crossing includes 14.3 miles of new road and Britain's longest road tunnel

Local Government

• Plan progressed to make walking, cycling and wheeling safer in Three RiversCycling and walking is set to be easier, safer and more enjoyable after the council took an exciting step towards improving routes through the district.
• Kent County Council launches special summer bus services across KentKent County Council (KCC) is encouraging residents and visitors to take advantage of special bus services running over the summer holidays.

Birmingham Post

• Construction on Middlewich Bypass set to start in matter of monthsThe government has agreed to fund the Middlewich Bypass, with construction set to start in spring 2026 and the road completed in 2028, according to the council
• Teesport owner PD Ports sells 49% stake in business to Spanish investment fundBrookfield has agreed to sell almost half of PD Ports to Pontegadea, which was founded by one of the world's richest men

Wales Online

• The roads changing back to 20mph in a Welsh cityAfter the Welsh Government ordered a review, Newport council has listed the roads which will change back

Wolverhampton Express and Star

• Wolverhampton business celebrated as Heathrow praises strength of its nationwide supply chainWolverhampton based Zaun Fencing, the UK's sole in-house manufacturer of mesh fencing systems, has been praised as a crucial pillar in Heathrow Airport's extensive nationwide supply chain.

Bucks Free Press

• HS2 update as lighting and totem approved for Bucks town vent shaftNew lighting and a signage totem have been approved for the HS2 Amersham Vent Shaft by Bucks Council.

Cambridge News

• Cheap bus journeys through £1 Tiger pass will continue into next yearThe local bus fare cap will end early to allow the £1 Tiger bus pass, which offers affordable travel for young people, to extend into next year.
• Two at risk Cambridgeshire bus services now set to be savedFunding has been agreed following a 1,500-strong petition

Other Regional Press

• State pensioners bus travel 9.30am limit update as Department for Transport gives statementThe Department for Transport has given an update on whether or not the free bus travel scheme for the elderly and disabled could be extended to include travel before 9.30am
• Transport Secretary commits to solution over Isle of Wight ferries issueTransport Secretary Heidi Alexander has acknowledged the glaring problem with the Isle of Wight's ferry travel and has issued a commitment to doing all she can to find a 'solution'.
• Sustrans project reveals almost half of disabled people have said transport isn't affordableUK-based walking, wheeling and cycling charity Sustrans has launched a project with Transport for All called Transforming Mobility to understand how to better include disabled people in transport planning.
• Bristol Airport gives first look at £60m transport hub after 19-month buildThe interchange's main purpose is to improve the flow of buses and coaches to and from the airport, with 16 coach and bus stands accommodating around 250 public transport arrivals and departures each day.
• MP Rachel Gilmour forces Government official to probe No 28 bus service complaintsA GOVERNMENT-level meeting with First Bus has been set up by West Somerset MP Rachel Gilmour as she battles for improvements with the No 28 Minehead to Taunton service.
• Slough cabinet members back bus service investmentSlough Borough Council's cabinet has approved more than £900,000 of capital spending as part of a £2.2million investment to improve bus services across the area.
• Land bridge takes shape in 'significant milestone' for £23m Stockton Waterfront developmentA construction company carrying out the urban park development has unveiled the 47 new bridge beams, the base of a 'seamless public realm open space'
• New summer evening service launches on Swanage RailwaySwanage Railway launches heritage diesel 'Sunset Shuttle' evening service for summer 2025, connecting Swanage, Corfe Castle & Purbeck events. Tickets £10.

Highways Magazine

• DfT consults on plans for driverless transport regulationThe Department for Transport (DfT) has launched a consultation on its plans for regulating future self-driving taxi, private-hire and bus-like services.

Highways News

• Transport to receive £2.4 billion boost as West Midlands Mayor unveils major plan to 'turbocharge' economyWest Midlands Mayor Richard Parker has unveiled his plans to reboot the region's economy, raise living standards, and improve transport network infrastructure.

Rail Business Daily

• Parliamentarians urge transport and construction sectors to prioritise diversity and inclusionA cross-party group of parliamentarians and transport leaders have issued guidance that recommends a greater focus on inclusive workplaces to improve health and safety on transport construction sites.
• West Yorkshire Mayor: Creating a public transport that is iconicThe Mayor of West Yorkshire hopes there will be spades in the ground by 2028 for an ambitious plan to bring trams back to West Yorkshire and deliver a multi-billion- pound boost to the economy.

Railnews

• Open access bids continue to meet hurdles Competition to provide more trains between Bradford and London is being stepped up, as Grand Central continues to lobby for paths to provide two extra London trains a day from Bradford Interchange.

Route One (Bus and Coach)

• Northstar continues bus growth with two Metrocentre routesSME bus operator Northstar has continued its growth in north-east England by introducing two express services linking Chester-le-Street and Stanley with the Metrocentre in Gateshead.

The Business Desk

• New £60m public transport hub at Bristol Airport to be formally opened todayThe latest phase of Bristol Airport's ongoing expansion a 360m public transport interchange is being officially opened this morning.

Transport Scotland

• Northern Isles Ferry Services contract consultation opensThe public consultation on the next iteration of the Northern Isles Ferry Services contract (NIFS4) is now open.

Aviation Industry

• UK fuels green flight future with £63m for clean aviationThe UK government has announced a new £63 million funding package to support the development of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF), with 17 UK-based companies set to benefit.

Other News Sources

• RHA Future Forum to tackle the 'big issues' facing the sector, says MDRHA's Future Forum event, which is taking place at The Vox in Birmingham on 9 September, will explore the many challenges the industry faces and the opportunities that businesses can seize as technology evolves at pace.
• Transport Secretary addresses Isle of Wight ferry Secretary of State Heidi Alexander MP has said the Department for Transport are "doing everything they can to find a solution" about the Isle of Wight ferries.
• UK transport industry is not achieving gender equalityThe UK transport industry is failing to make progress on gender equality, according to the 2025 Women in Transport Equity Index.
• Improving optical transport economics with thin transpondersIn the ever-evolving world of optical networking, where capacity demands are skyrocketing and operational efficiency is paramount, a new class of technology is quietly reshaping the landscape: the thin transponder. It's not just a buzzword it's a strategic innovation that's poised to improve the way communications service providers (CSPs) utilize the next technology wave in their networks.
• Stagecoach leads UK transport sector in climate engagementStagecoach has set a new standard in climate action within the transport sector. It is the only UK and European operator to achieve the prestigious 'A' grade on the CDP Supplier Engagement Assessment (SEA) for 2024, marking a significant milestone in the company's sustainability journey.