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

Thursday, 24 July 2025

BBC News

• Nurse campaigns for 'urgent' train ticket reformA Surrey NHS worker has launched a campaign calling for urgent train ticket reform after revealing she spends more than £200 a month commuting to her job at a London hospital.
• Airport loses appeal over night-time flights limitLeeds Bradford Airport has failed in its appeal against a decision to limit the number of night flights it can operate.
• Rail research firm bought by councilThe organisation operates the Very Light Rail National Innovation Centre, administrators say.
• Call to bring back blue light status for engineersLondon's Transport Committee says vehicles being used by engineers in emergencies should have blue lights.
• Work starts on new £18m train station in BarrheadThe station will have two platforms with lifts, waiting shelters, cycle storage and an 80-space car park.
• Heathrow boss 'frustrated' at being asleep during fireThomas Woldbye said it wasn't normally the way he acted as a power outage disrupted 1,300 flights.
• Tesla pledges to make cheaper cars as issues mountElon Musk's carmaker says a more affordable Tesla model is coming as it reports a steep drop in revenue.
• UK vehicle making hits lowest level since 1953Data shows a slump in car and van production as the industry trade body hopes a UK-US tariff deal will bring "confidence".

Financial Times

• Musk warns ‘rough quarters’ ahead for Tesla after Trump cancels EV incentivesElectric-car maker reports 23% drop in profits as sales suffer amid greater competition and consumer backlash
• Heathrow third runway ‘won’t be cheap’, says chief executiveThomas Woldbye defends expected high price tag of expanding Europe’s busiest airport

The Guardian

• Heathrow fire cost airport tens of millions of pounds, says CEOThomas Woldbye speaks of damages claim as a possibility and expresses caution over a third runway
• UK car manufacturing slumps to lowest level since 1953 barring CovidNew vehicles declined 12% in first six months of this year as Trump’s tariffs caused chaos, SMMT figures showBritish car and van manufacturing slumped in the first half of the year to its lowest since 1953 outside the Covid pandemic, as Donald Trump’s US tariffs caused global industry chaos.UK vehicle manufacturing declined by 12% to 417,200 units in the first six months of the year, figures from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT), a lobby group, show. Continue reading...

The Telegraph

• Elon Musk warns of 'rough' times for Tesla after worst quarter in a decade [subscription]Shares in the electric carmaker fell after revenue dropped more than expected and the billionaire said the company was in a weird transition period
• Heathrow willing to build shorter runway after airline outcry over cost [subscription]BA and Virgin have objected to expansion plan that could see departure fees swell to as much as £100
• Labour's great rail revival has already hit the buffers [subscription]The decision to relaunch just one defunct train line has sparked anger and frustration across Britain

Times Online

• EV grant confusion 'means carmakers could miss targets' [subscription]Manufacturers are 'operating in a fog' as they try to comply with the government's electric vehicle mandate, industry body says
• Fire near Heathrow costs airport tens of millions of pounds [subscription]Chief executive reveals the financial impact of closing the airport for nearly 20 hours and reports a sharp drop in profits, driven by higher costs

Network Rail

• Opening event celebrates Derbyshire station accessibility scheme's successful completionThe completion of Alfreton station's £6.75 million accessibility upgrade was celebrated with an official opening event today (Wednesday 23 July).
• Network Rail announces Jeremy Westlake as new Chief ExecutiveNetwork Rail has today announced the appointment of Jeremy Westlake as its next Chief Executive, replacing Sir Andrew Haines who will be retiring. Jeremy, who is currently Chief Financial Officer, will formally take up the role in October following a transition period alongside Sir Andrew. In this role, Jeremy will oversee the amalgamation of Network Rail with Great British Railways to bring together track and train to deliver benefits for passengers and communities across the country.

Birmingham Post

• 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
• Rolls-Royce's profits soar as super-rich buyers rush to personalise their motorsRolls-Royce Motor Cars said the rise in demand for its bespoke offering - which lets buyers tailor their car to their exact requirements - helped boost its profit in 2024

Bristol Live

• Bristol Airport expansion up in the air with demands of 'better access' neededMany have shared their views, raising concerns about transport, the environment, politics, and the airport's role in the area
• Bristol Airport expansion up in the air with demands of 'better access' neededMany have shared their views, raising concerns about transport, the environment, politics, and the airport's role in the area
• M4 motorway services named among best in UK but not everyone will agreeThere's plenty for drivers to do there, with 13 different dining and drink options and five shops

Manchester Evening News

• Train tickets made cheaper in the North thanks to public ownershipRail fares have already been made cheaper and simpler in the North of England thanks to public ownership, the government has said.

Yorkshire Post

• Leeds Bradford Airport: Campaigners welcome results of public inquiry into night flightsAirport campaigners have welcomed a public inquiry decision which will limit the number of night-time flights allowed in and out of the city.

Bucks Free Press

• Chiltern Railways delays due to speed restriction on defective trackThere are delays on the Chiltern Railways trains due to a speed restriction over defective track at Harrow-On-The-Hill.

Other Regional Press

• Road restrictions in place around Prestwick AirportA NUMBER of road restrictions are now in force around Prestwick Airport ahead of President Donald Trump landing on Friday.
• Network Rail announces appointment of new CEONetwork Rail has announced the appointment of a new CEO.
• More than 1,000 flock to 'special train' at Kent stationA special exhibition train attracted more than 1,000 visitors during a two-day stop to mark the 200th anniversary of Britain’s first railway.

Train Operators

• New garden provides boost for wildlife at Battlesbridge stationA disused area of Battlesbridge station has been transformed into a new wildlife area thanks to a community rail project.

New Civil Engineer

• How Belfast Transport Hub set new benchmarks on collaboration, engagement and social valueIn autumn 2024, the new Belfast Grand Central Station also known as the Belfast Transport Hub (BTH) welcomed its first passengers onto trains and bus services, bringing streamlined travel to Northern Ireland and enhancing connectivity with Dublin.
• Construction begins on new £18.3M station in BarrheadStory Contracting's construction of the £18.3M Balgray railway station to serve Barrhead in Scotland has begun.

Rail Magazine

• A project in Germany makes the Euston chaos look tidyDon't think that we are the only country where mega-projects go wrong.

Railnews

• New Network Rail chief executive named Network Rail has announced that Jeremy Westlake will be its next chief executive, after Sir Andrew Haines retires later this year. Mr Westlake is currently chief financial officer, and he will take over in October after a period of working alongside Sir Andrew.

Aviation Industry

• Edinburgh Airport lifts 100ml liquids rule after major security upgrade with new scanning technologyPassengers at Edinburgh Airport can now carry liquids up to two litres without removing them at security checkpoints.
• Heathrow's $81 Billion Gamble: Will A Shorter Third Runway Solve Expansion Woes?London Heathrow Airport is preparing to submit updated third runway expansion proposals to the government by the end of this month. The airport has confirmed it is open to building a shorter third runway to help reduce costs and avoid the most disruptive construction elements of earlier proposals.

Other News Sources

• Industry pushes for HS2 revival to unlock freight capacityBritain's manufacturers are urging the Government to reconsider the cancelled second phase of HS2, arguing that restoring high-speed rail links to Leeds and Manchester is essential for unlocking freight capacity, reducing emissions, and improving logistics efficiency.
• Substation fire that shut Heathrow Airport to cost it ‘tens of millions’Heathrow was forced to close in March this year after a substation fire