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

Thursday, 14 August 2025

BBC News

• Train access problems leave some 'disenfranchised'A lack of accessibility at a railway station in Cornwall which stops a disabled man catching some trains makes him "disenfranchised", he says.
• The UK car industry is at a tipping point - can it be saved?Tariffs, Brexit, pandemic havoc... All of this caused short-term disruption - but the impact concealed a deeper problem for the UK automotive industry
• Gatwick baggage screeners to strike on bank holidayThe airport is dismissing claims by Unite that the strikes will affect every outbound flight.

Department for Transport

• Joint declaration of intent to develop direct rail passenger services between the UK and GermanyDefines how the UK Department for Transport and the German Federal Ministry of Transport will cooperate to develop direct rail services between the two countries.
• ORR train operator revenue protection review: Transport Secretary accepts recommendationsLetter from the Secretary of State for Transport to train operating companies about the Office of Rail and Road's review of revenue protection practices.

Financial Times

• Train operators told to stop using unqualified prosecutors against fare dodgersTransport secretary Heidi Alexander tells rail companies to protect revenue in “cost effective but lawful way”
• Air Canada cancels flights as strike looms after pay talks failMore than 10,000 flight attendants from country’s largest carrier to walk out from Saturday

The Guardian

• Labour to revive Northern Powerhouse Rail projectExclusive: Starmer and Reeves expected to announce move before Labour conference, with aim of boosting backbench morale

The Independent

• Starmer 'set to revive Northern Powerhouse Rail plan' to boost UK infrastructurePM will announce details before the Labour Party conference next month

The Telegraph

• Rail bosses could face jail over ticket dodger prosecutions [subscription]Company directors warned they may be 'criminally liable' for letting non-lawyers act as court prosecutors against passengers

Times Online

• Balfour Beatty boss bows out as turnaround is tainted by US woes [subscription]Leo Quinn's last results show revenues up 10 per cent and a record order book, but US construction arm falls into the red

Daily Record

• Scotland's airports ranked as Edinburgh and Glasgow miss out on top spotScotland's major airports have been ranked from best to worst. Coming in at number one on the list is one of the country's smallest international airports.

Local Government

• Essex County Council plans sustainable transport appEssex County Council is planning to launch an app for demand responsive transport in the county. It has appointed ECR Solutions, part of the HopOn Group for mobility solutions, to develop an app that would enable users to plan, book and pay for journeys by smartphone or computer

Birmingham Post

• Border stations on Wrexham-Merseyside Borderlands Line to receive £1.8m upgradeTransport for Wales inviting bids for upgrades to 13 stations

Wales Online

• Railway journey in Wales named among best attractions in the world The Vale of Rheidol Railway in mid Wales continues to wow passengers with its 'incredible views' and the service provided by staff and volunteers
• Four 20mph roads in one part of Wales could revert to 30mphThe council said 20 roads were mentioned during the Welsh Government listening phase last year on 20mph and it's now consulting on four of these having assessed the roads against the revised guidance

Other Regional Press

• North Tyneside unveils £11m Seafront Sustainable Route linking Tynemouth and Whitley BayThe two-day event celebrated the completion of the flagship five-mile scheme, which has transformed the borough's coastline and created safer, greener ways to travel between Tynemouth and Whitley Bay.
• Teesside Airport signs £1m deal for driverless vehicles to carry bags and passengersThe groundbreaking technology will start landside at a new test centre mapping out routes and completing trial runs before moving airside
• Major change to improve safety at Coventry Railway StationIt is hoped the new Network Rail initiative will improve safety at Coventry Train Station

Calling All Stations - The Transport Podcast

• 3/19 Past glories and future prospects for Britain's railwaysChristian and co-presenter Mark Walker pick up on some of the issues around driverless cars from the visit to Bosch in Stuttgart covered in episode 3/18 [1:30]. With the UK's Rail200 celebrations in full swing, our hosts discuss 'The Greatest Gathering' in Derby [7:12] and Mark reports back from an unforgettable journey to the event on 'The Belmond British Pullman' [10:32]. Looking to the future prospects for rail in the UK, Christian interviews the Chief Executive of on of its largest trade associations, Darren Caplan of the Railway Industry Association [26:21]. In his thought from the departure lounge, Christian wonders what lessons can be learned from Norway on the propensity of electric vehicles to encourage greater car use [40:56].

Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport

• DPD successfully tests electric tug as part of fleet sustainability driveParcel delivery company, DPD has announced that testing of its Terberg YT203-EV electric tug has been a success after being put through its paces by DPD drivers at its giant Oldbury hub. DPD run a fleet of over 50 tugs to perform all trailer movements across its five centralised sorting hubs in Oldbury, Smethwick and Hinckley. The company is keen to understand how the electric vehicle could help as part of the move to a more sustainable HGV fleet in the longer term.  Located in Benschop, Holland, the Royal Terberg Group specialises in the development, production and modification of...
• Heathrow reports record passenger numbers as third runway plans advanceHeathrow Airport handled 7.9 million passengers in July 2025, marking its busiest month on record, with passenger demand continuing to grow year-on-year. The milestone comes as the airport pushes forward with expansion plans to meet increasing capacity demands. The airport recorded its busiest single day ever on 1st August, with 270,869 passengers passing through its terminals. Annual passenger numbers from August 2024 to July 2025 reached 83.9 million, representing a 2.1% increase.  North American traffic alone rose 0.9% in July compared to the previous year, driven by heightened ...
• HS2 unveils interior design concepts for new high-speed trainsHS2 revealed the interior design concepts for its Class 895 trains for the first time, as part of railway celebrations marking 200 years of modern rail transport. The designs were showcased at Alstom's "The Greatest Gathering" event in Derby over the weekend from 1-3 August where visitors were able to tour a life-size model carriage fitted out to illustrate the concept design for HS2’s Class 895 train.  The interior concepts have been developed through what organisers describe as the most extensive user development exercise ever conducted for a ne...
• Just Group invests £20 Million in M6 Toll RoadFTSE 250 retirement specialist Just Group has completed a £20 million investment in the M6 Toll Road through a refinancing deal with Midland Motorways Group. The 22-year loan represents part of the company's broader commitment to UK productive finance initiatives. The investment will support upgrades to the motorway infrastructure, including smart motorway integration and modernised tolling systems. Environmental improvements are also planned, with proposals to expand electric vehicle infrastructure building upon greenhouse gas emission reductions achieved since 2019.&n...
• Government backs autonomous container transport trial at Port of TyneA consortium led by the North East Automotive Alliance has secured Government funding to develop the UK's first autonomous container transport system at the Port of Tyne. The P-CAL (Port-Connected and Automated Logistics) project will deploy fully autonomous terminal tractors and secure mesh communication networks to move containers between dockside and storage compounds, representing a significant advancement in UK port automation. The initiative is funded through the Centre for Connected and Autonomous Vehicles' CAM Pathfinder – Enhancements programme, part of a b...

Rail Business Daily

• Birmingham City University wins funding to help UK transport tackle climate changeResearchers at Birmingham City University (BCU) have been awarded nearly £50,000 to develop AI-powered strategies that will make the UK's transport systems both greener and more resilient to the impacts of climate change.

Railway Gazette

• Swiss light rail line prepared for automatic operationSWITZERLAND: Automatic operation on the Waldenburgerbahn is scheduled to begin in September, with conversion to fully driverless operation envisaged for 2030.

Railway-News

• Historic Smelter Paves the Way for the First Hydrogen-Based Rail at the Donawitz SiteThe last press release announced a significant milestone: the installation of the world's first hydrogen-based rail at Linz Central Station.

The Business Desk

• People: Leeds Bradford AirportLeeds Bradford Airport (LBA) has appointed Declan Maguire as its new aviation director.

Aviation Industry

• New Aircraft Separation System At London Heathrow Has Reduced Delays & Carbon EmissionsLondon Heathrow has introduced a new aircraft separation system that air traffic control provider National Air Traffic Services (NATS) says is already improving punctuality and cutting carbon emissions. The system was deployed in December 2024 as part of Heathrow's existing Intelligent Approach arrivals spacing tool.

Other News Sources

• Busiest July ever at Birmingham Airport amid record summerBirmingham Airport has reported its busiest ever July amid a record-breaking summer for passenger volume.
• Battery technology gains ground in the race to decarbonise railRailway batteries are transforming transport by reducing diesel use, supporting hybrid and electric trains, and enabling cost-effective electrification across global rail networks.
• Virgin orders 12 new Alstom trains in bid to challenge Eurostar from 2030Virgin Trains has agreed a deal with French manufacturer Alstom for 12 new high-speed trains as part of its plan to compete with Eurostar on cross-Channel routes from 2030.
• CPT responds to Transport Committee report on 'Buses Connecting Communities'The House of Commons Transport Committee has published a report this morning on 'Buses Connecting Communities'.
• Everyday concerns: What people want from transportTransport has a key role to play in achieving the UK government's missions and improving lives.