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

Wednesday, 06 August 2025

BBC News

• Demolition of former bus depot '70% complete'The demolition of a bus depot where 70 homes will be built is more than 70% complete, according to the local council.
• Modern trains unveiled for Chiltern Railways routesThe rail company says the 13 new Mark 5A trains will be in service from spring 2026.

Financial Times

• Captain of convenience: how one man left a global trail of false flagsAuthorities have repeatedly targeted a mysterious figure who set up shipping registries in far-flung countries

The Independent

• Train operator brings back first-class carriages in ‘surprising’ moveThere’ll be more spacious seats and ‘improved connectivity’, but catering won’t be provided

The Telegraph

• Net zero may doom Heathrow's £49bn expansion plans [subscription]Airport's long-awaited proposals risk being grounded by Labour's environmental commitments

Times Online

• Should cabin bag charges be scrapped? [subscription]With airport staff paid to catch passengers out, oversized baggage fees are clearly lucrative, but airlines say they keep costs down for everyone else. We hear both sides

Birmingham Post

• Swissport creates 900 jobs as profits soar despite global economic pressuresThe Cheshire-headquartered UK arm of the aviation services giant has posted a pre-tax profit of £39.8m for 2024, up from the £10.5m it achieved in the prior 12 months

Bristol Live

• Work finally set to start on new train station just outside BristolWork is finally set to start on a long-awaited new train station in South Gloucestershire. Charfield is on the Bristol to Gloucester railway line. Planning permission was granted for the station in March 2023.
• Strikes to hit key Ryanair airport in Spain next weekThe two main unions representing Ryanair ground handling staff are planning 22 days of walkouts this year - full dates

Edinburgh Evening News

• Edinburgh trams: Consultation to help decide route of North-South tramline will launch on August 25It will help to decide the controversial issue of which route the new line should follow from Granton to the city centre - using the former railway, now cycle route Roseburn Path; or plotting a new route via Orchard Brae.

Northern Echo

• Railway in North Yorkshire launches fundraising campaign to 'secure its future'Wensleydale Railway has launched a fundraising campaign to "secure" its long-term future.

Wolverhampton Express and Star

• HS2 update on old Curzon Street Station as repairs could be set to be carried outRepairs could soon be carried out on the old Curzon Street Station building as works on the new HS2 city centre terminus continue.

Yorkshire Post

• The announcement on Northern Powerhouse Rail (NPR) - the long-promised high-speed line connecting Liverpool, Leeds and Sheffield - has been delayed, with the Government still 'working through' the funding detail.It was widely expected more detail would follow in the 10-Year Industrial Strategy the following week, however no firm announcement came.

Blackpool Gazette

• Blackpool's iconic tram service and buses up for top transport awardsOperators Blackpool Transport has been named among the front runners at the National Transport Awards, where it's been shortlisted for the title of Tram Operator of the Year for ensuring customers enjoyed maximum benefit from a multi-million pound extension to North Station.

Other Regional Press

• Planning approved for new train station near Bristol with direct routes to the cityPlanning and funding has been approved for a new train station at a village near Bristol, which will offer direct routes to the city.
• Bluestar to launch new night buses in SouthamptonBluestar has confirmed new night buses are set to be launched in Southampton at the end of August.
• Bus firm 'disappointed' at staff's planned three-week strike actionCardiff Bus has said it is 'genuinely disappointed' to hear that some staff will be going on strike later this month.
• Bus company to 'train' vulnerable people to use busesSwindon’s Bus Company is working with a local charity to provide bus travel training for local adults with learning disabilities. 

Train Operators

• Avanti West Coast joins rail industry to protect vulnerable young peopleAvanti West Coast teams up with rail industry colleagues to raise awareness of safeguarding issues affecting young people.

Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport

• Transpennine Route achieves 25% electrification milestone promising faster and greener northern travelElectrification, systems and bridge upgrades along the rail line between Church Fenton and York has been completed today ( 5 August 2025), as part of the government £11 billion Transpennine Route Upgrade (TRU) pledge. The Department for Transport (DfT) has described the completed project as a 'step closer' to more frequent and reliable trains across the North for thousands of passengers. The faster trains are expected to reduce journey times by 10 minutes between York and Leeds, and by between 42 and 50 minutes from Manchester and Leeds.
• UK launches £1,500 electric car discount schemeThe UK government has introduced a new grant scheme offering £1,500 discounts on electric vehicles, with the first eligible models announced today (5 August 2025). Four Citroën electric cars are now available with the discount: the ë-C3, ë-C4, ë-C5, and ë-Berlingo. The discount is applied automatically at purchase, requiring no additional paperwork from buyers.

Rail Business Daily

• Plans for a new transport hub at Bristol Temple Meads station submittedDetailed proposals for the new 'Southern Gateway' at Bristol Temple Meads station have been submitted as a planning application to Bristol City Council, in a major milestone for the Bristol Temple Quarter project.
• Luton North MP sees sustainable development carried by railLuton North MP, Sarah Owen, has shown her support for building new homes and using the railway as an alternative to carrying construction materials on local roads.

Rail UK

• Chiltern Railways secures modern trains to transform customer journeysIn a boost for regional growth, Chiltern Railways has today secured modern trains to transform customer journeys in Buckinghamshire, Oxfordshire, Warwickshire and the West Midlands.
• TfGM begins procurement of new multi-year Metrolink and rail infrastructure contractTransport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) has started a procurement process to deliver up to £1.6bn of infrastructure that will help to maintain and grow Metrolink- the UK's largest light rail network and improve rail accessibility within Greater Manchester.

Railnews

• Eurostar hit by French fault, while Scotland recovers from Storm Floris Eurostar services are returning to normal this morning after a power supply fault in France caused cancellations and delays between London and Paris. Meanwhile train services in parts of Scotland and the north of England are still disrupted this morning as Network Rail engineers carry out safety checks in the wake of Storm Floris.

Route One (Bus and Coach)

• First Bus London looks forward as turnaround plan continuesChange programme underway has already seen operator moving up the TfL performance tables
• Maintenance price hike drives 4% costs increase for bus operatorsInflation in both maintenance-related and staffing drove a 4% overall year-on-year increase in costs for bus operators, according to the latest edition of the Confederation of Passenger Transport (CPT) Cost Monitor.
• Transport Made Simple revamps senior leadership teamThe Transport Made Simple (TMS) group of operators has announced the formation of a new senior leadership team.

Transportxtra

• Turton gets West of England bus roleWest of England Mayoral Combined Authority has appointed Pam Turton new Director of Bus Operations.

Other News Sources

• Highways repair innovations reveal successTwo local authorities have successfully shown how highways repair can be more efficient and sustainable through using recycled carriageway material.
• Windsor and Maidenhead opposition to Heathrow runway plansThe MPs for Windsor and Maidenhead have continued to voice their opposition to a third runway at Heathrow Airport after expansion proposals were submitted but Slough's MP remains supportive.
• CPT Cost Monitor: Operating Costs Across Great Britain's Bus Sector Rise 4% Over the Past YearThe Confederation of Passenger Transport (CPT) has published the latest edition of its Cost Monitor, showing that principal unit costs across Great Britain's bus sector rose by 4% in cash terms between February 2024 and February 2025.
• Electrification and operational excellence core to First Bus London's strategy post-acquisitionFirst Bus London has placed electrification and operational excellence at the centre of its delivery strategy as it strives to become the capital's leading bus operator.
• final designs for Camborne Renew transport scheme completeThe final designs for the Camborne Renew transport scheme are now complete, with construction anticipated to take place in early October.
• Bournemouth Airport announces ambitious new phase of growthRegional & City Airports partners with ICG to accelerate Bournemouth Airport growth, expand regional aviation, and boost investment in sustainable UK airport operations.