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

Tuesday, 19 August 2025

Government

• Environmental reforms to break planning system gridlock Britain's broken planning and development system is rewired to accelerate infrastructure delivery and homebuilding while safeguarding the environment

BBC News

• Calls for 'rapid expansion' of city tram network"Rapid expansion" of Nottingham's tram network needs to be explored, a transport advisor has said.
• Trains cancelled after fires beside the mainlineRail commuters have faced delays and cancellations after "multiple" fires next to the line.
• Battery-powered train to attempt distance recordAn attempt to break the world record for the longest distance travelled by a battery-powered train will be held later.

Financial Times

• Rail renationalisation brings no respite for weary London commutersSouth Western’s return to state ownership fails to provide quick fix as operator grapples with long-running issues

The Guardian

• Bank holiday weekend travel disruption expected on British roads and railHeavy traffic expected on some roads, while rail passengers urged to check for engineering works

The Telegraph

• Almost £200bn of government projects face HS2-style crises [subscription]Frigate shipbuilding among schemes at risk of 'red' rating given to disastrous rail project

Times Online

• No electric vehicles eligible for government's maximum £3,750 grant [subscription]The 22 models selected for £650 million Department for Transport scheme qualify for less funding. Two models that may fall into higher band are unavailable in UK
• Environment secretary to monitor major infrastructure projects to stop delays [subscription]Steve Reed's new board will be used to spot potential challenges so better options can be explored earlier in the process Ministers have vowed to stop Heathrow's expansion being blighted by environmental over-regulation under plans to intervene earlier in major infrastructure projects.
• Trains forced to slow down after dry weather distorts rail lines. [subscription]The heat has caused clay embankments to dry out, which makes the tracks uneven

The Mirror

• South Western Railway journeys disrupted - because the UK weather is too drySouth Western Railway and C2C are among rail operators affected by the recent warm weather, part of what the Met Office believes will be one of the hottest summers on record

Birmingham Mail

• Rail passengers in England face 'outrageous' change from WednesdayTrain passengers and rail users say a potential 5.5% rise in England's train fares next year is 'outrageous'.

Bradford Telegraph & Argus

• More details of planned replacement for Bradford Interchange expected later this yearA report into how Bradford Interchange will eventually be replaced with a more modern station will be published later this year.

Daily Post (North Wales)

• Wales £1 bus ticket scheme set to start and it will benefit thousandsThe pilot is aimed at helping young people make cheap journeys for work, education and leisure

London Evening Standard

• Lower Thames Crossing first scheme with new environmental approach - ministerOther projects could also be made 'faster' by a drive to scrap and streamline environmental rules, Steve Reed said.

Newcastle Evening Chronicle

• North East mayor Kim McGuinness calls for new pay offer to end Stagecoach bus strikeHundreds of workers at bus company Stagecoach began strike action on Monday, having rejected an improved pay offer

Kent Online

• Lower Thames Crossing, connecting Kent to Essex, first scheme with new environmental approach, ministers announceThe Lower Thames Crossing is the first major building project where a new scheme to cut environmental red tape will be put to the test, ministers have announced.

Other Regional Press

• £1m deal for driverless Teesside Airport shuttles 'Driverless trains should be next'Teesside Airport has announced a pilot scheme for driverless shuttles which has prompted a heated debate from Teesside Live readers and social media users
• No CrossCountry trains to run this Saturday with strike action plannedSignificant disruption is expected on CrossCountry train services over the bank holiday weekend.
• MP dubs Virgin Trains’ cross-Channel rail bid ‘step in right direction’A Kent MP has welcomed Virgin Trains’ latest announcement as it edges closer to rivalling Eurostar through the Channel Tunnel.
• New mural and information board unveiled at railway stationWool station unveils new information board and mural by Maria Burns, promoting local attractions like Durdle Door and Lulworth Cove. Backed by PCRP and South Western Railway.

Business Live

• Landsec sells Westminster building to group bidding to lead Heathrow expansionThe sale of Queen Anne's Mansions, located in SW1, by Landsec marks a major step in the property firm's ambition to sell off £2bn of its office portfolio by 2030

Construction Enquirer

• McLaren lands Heathrow logistics dealHeathrow Airport has appointed McLaren Construction for the redevelopment of its Eastern Business Park to build a new 9,481 sq m logistics scheme.
• Lower Thames Crossing to lead green planning reformsNew environmental planning reforms will be tested on the Lower Thames Crossing.

New Civil Engineer

• Lower Thames Crossing to be sped up with assignment of lead environmental regulatorThe Lower Thames Crossing will be the first major UK infrastructure project to be assigned a single lead environmental regulator, in a move designed to speed up consents and cut delays to the country's largest roadbuilding scheme.

Railnews

• Campaigners urge complete rail renationalisationA campaigning group which opposes privatisation has launched a new report which calls on the government to complete renationalisation of the railways by abolishing rolling stock leasing companies, boosting rail investment and reversing the 'disaggregation' of the railways which was a major element of privatisation 30 years ago.

Other News Sources

• Freight volumes soar at East Midlands Airport after arrival of new airlinesEast Midlands Airport has recorded a surge in freight volumes over the past three months, underpinned by the arrival of new airlines.
• New lift could finally provide step-free access for stationA new lift could be installed at Lawrence Hill to finally make the train station step-free.