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

Thursday, 07 August 2025

BBC News

• Airport runway reopens after emergency landing 00:39Thousands of people travelling to and from Birmingham Airport have been hit by delays and cancellations after a light aircraft made an emergency landing on its runway.
• 'Vital' bus route returns after community campaignResidents of a town that lost a key bus service due to funding problems have won their campaign to reinstate it.
• Most rail robbery suspects are children, data showsNearly two-thirds of suspects linked to robberies on Britain's rail networks are children, figures from the British Transport Police (BTP) show.
• Rail replacement bus disruption 'unacceptable'Calls have been made to address "unacceptable" issues with a rail replacement service that has left passengers stranded.
• Six day rail line closure for track upgradesA rail line is to shut for six days to allow tracks along the route to be upgraded or replaced. Work will take place on the North Cotwolds line, between Worcester Shrub Hill and Moreton-in-Marsh, from 18 to 24 August to "maintain a safe and reliable railway," Network Rail said.
• Work to start on town's new £3.6m transport hubWork will start next week on building a transport hub in the centre of Grimsby.
• 'Successful' overnight test of tram extensionWest Midlands Metro trams reach Millennium Point in Birmingham after overnight tests.

Financial Times

• Why Europe’s flag carriers are flying higher than big US airlinesOld-timers are leading the charge, with Air France shares doing better than Ryanair, investors’ usual airline of choice

The Guardian

• Planes, trains and more missteps from LabourReaders respond to a piece by Polly Toynbee in which she reflects on the government's green agenda and question the need for a third runway at Heathrow

The Independent

• 'We're falling behind': Heathrow expansion sparks backlash over UK's 'outdated' travel infrastructureMany were rattled by renewed plans for a third runway at Heathrow, arguing the focus is 'detrimental' as the UK falls behind Europe on roads, railways and airports

Local Government

• Next Stop: Better Buses for Cumberland Bus Operators Invited to Get On BoardCumberland Council has taken a significant step toward transforming local public transport, with the official launch of the procurement process for a major expansion of bus services across the region.

Office of Rail and Road (ORR)

• Strong appetite to invest in rail but barriers hold back marketORR review reveals strong appetite for rail infrastructure investment, with work now underway to remove barriers and streamline the investment process to support economic growth.

Birmingham Mail

• Birmingham Airport passengers 'moved to NEC and face 180-minute wait' after runway closurePassengers on one flight have reportedly been offered £3 compensation after facing a 180-minute delay

Birmingham Post

• Works starts on second phase of £100m Leeds Bradford Airport transformation projectThe new phase will see a refurbishment of the airport’s original terminal which first opened in 1968

Bradford Telegraph & Argus

• Frustration over timeframe for long-awaited railway stationFRUSTRATION at the time it is taking to see a new £25 million railway station built in West Yorkshire was voiced in a questions to Cabinet councillors session.
• First phase of £100m LBA expansion one of firm's 'most complex but rewarding' schemesThe first phase of Leeds Bradford Airport's £100m expansion has been described as "one of the most complex but rewarding" projects a firm has undertaken.

London Evening Standard

• How London's biggest bus firm is fighting back against delays and declining passenger numbersGo-Ahead unveils centralised control centre, giving live performance data for its 170 routes in the capital

Newcastle Evening Chronicle

• £2.1 million spent on new metro barriers passengers ask ‘who’s going to pay for that?’The first new ticket barriers to be installed on the Tyne and Wear Metro network for a decade should be in action before the end of the year, transport chiefs say. But Chronicle Live readers are not convinced

The Press and Journal (Aberdeen)

• 'Millions in fines' could be used to refund bus gate drivers if council loses court caseCouncil finance bosses revealed they could use the cash from bus lane fines as a safety net if they end up on the losing side in November.

Other Regional Press

• Why Cheshire East Council is urging more people to travel by busCheshire East Council is encouraging more people to hop on board local buses so it can continue to increase its passenger numbers and get more government grants to improve services. The council has been allocated more than £5.4 million in a local bus grant for 2025/26 from the Department for Transport.
• Full steam ahead for £48 million Penistone Line rail upgrade says Kirklees CouncilKirklees Council says its £48 million upgrade for the Penistone Line is still on track after the latest Government confirmation that funding remains available.
• Cotswold Airport strengthens commitment to safetyCotswold Airport has become a member of the Airport Fire Officers Association

Highways Magazine

• Lord Blunkett chairs Lower Thames Crossing green taskforceA new skills taskforce for the Lower Thames Crossing (LTC) has been launched by Lord David Blunkett to 'help develop the green skills needed' to meet the project's low-carbon targets.

Highways News

• Planning permission approved for expansion of St Helens transport interchangePlanning permission has been granted for a state-of-the-art transport interchange in the heart of St Helens town centre, marking the latest major milestone in the town's ambitious vision for growth and regeneration.
• Breaking Barriers: How the Highways Sector can turn innovation ambition into actionWhat's really holding back innovation in our sector, and how do we finally break through?
• DfT hails Rotherham signal upgrades as model scheme for national upgradesThe Department for Transport's Head of Roads Infrastructure Technology has praised the value of DfT funding to upgrade and improve traffic signals across the country, as a new portal is launched for authorities to report information about work they have undertaken.
• Lord Blunkett to chair new Lower Thames Crossing Skills TaskforceA Lower Thames Crossing Skills Taskforce has been launched to help develop the green skills needed to meet the project's ambitious low-carbon targets and support the construction industry's drive toward net-zero, with a focus on new jobs, skills and business opportunities for the local community.

New Civil Engineer

• Lord Blunkett to chair new Lower Thames Crossing skills taskforceA new Skills Taskforce, chaired by former Home Secretary Lord Blunkett, has been established to support the Lower Thames Crossing project, one of the largest infrastructure developments in southeast England. The group aims to address local and industry-wide labour shortages, promote green skills and ensure

Rail Business Daily

• How perceptions of PPE in the rail industry are changing for the betterThe rail sector's relationship with PPE is undergoing a quiet revolution. Clair Weston, Head of Marketing at uvex, examines this shift and highlights why comfort, ergonomics, and task-specific design are redefining safety standards across the industry.

Rail Magazine

• Delay to next Northumberland Line stations explained as 500,000 journeys are made on routeThe leader of Northumberland County Council says huge engineering challenges have had to be overcome to get the final stations ready on the Northumberland Line.

The Business Desk

• Judge rules against legal challenge to major transport schemeA £12m project to improve Harrogate town centre and encourage the use of public transport is set to proceed to the next stage after a High Court judge ruled in favour of North Yorkshire Council.

Other News Sources

• 'Not acceptable': Campaigner fears for Bluestar bus routeA campaigner has met with a councillor in a bid to save a bus services in Knightwood and Valley Park that is facing the cut by Hampshire County Council.
• Rail Forum relocates to Derby's 'Station Quarter'Rail Forum has announced it has relocated its headquarters to Derby's 'Station Quarter' in advance of ambitious regeneration plans.
• Luton MP backs rail freight to deliver homes and cut road congestionLuton North MP Sarah Owen praised Breedon Group's use of rail freight to supply construction materials, reducing HGV traffic, emissions, and supporting sustainable housing development.
• Major rail disruption in Dartford as key junction to close for £10m upgradeNetwork Rail is warning of a large rail closure through the Dartford area next February as it carries out work on the main railway junction in the area.
• Real-world use cases for zero-emission trucks: Heavy tractor-trailers for goods transport in the European UnionHeavy electric trucks for regional distribution and long-haul transport are still mostly in the pilot phase, and there is little data of how those vehicles perform in real-world operation. However, evidence on key vehicle performance indicators such as operational range, energy consumption, and total cost of ownership (TCO) is crucial to understand the potential and limitations of the current ZET market.
• British Transport Police appoints new Deputy Chief ConstableThe British Transport Police Authority (BTPA) has announced that Stuart Cundy has been appointed as the new Deputy Chief Constable of the British Transport Police (BTP).
• US Container Port Volumes Grow 1.7% YoY While Exports Dwindle“During the first half of 2025, volumes at the nine largest US container ports grew by 1.7% year-over-year to 16.9 million TEU. Import volumes grew 4.3%, influenced by preloading in anticipation of tariff increases, while export volumes declined by 4.2%…
• World’s First Green Ammonia Bunkering Operation Completed in DalianSinobunker, one of COSCO Shipping’s subsidiaries, has completed the world’s first green ammonia bunkering operation at COSCO Shipping Heavy Industry’s Dalian terminal.The ammonia was sourced from the world’s largest green hydrogen and ammonia…