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

Friday, 29 August 2025

BBC News

• Plans in place as station shuts for a monthRail passengers are being warned of disruption when Huddersfield Station closes for 30 days as part of a major project to improve transport across the north of England.
• Electric cars eligible for £3,750 discount announcedThe Puma Gen-E and e-Tourneo Courier are two Ford models drivers can purchase under the government scheme.

ITV News

• Bedford businesses' anger after finding out on Facebook that their buildings could be demolishedBedford Borough Council said it was "shocked and disgusted" after being told on Tuesday that East West Rail plans to demolish an additional 10 properties near the town's station.

Financial Times

• How long can Airbus keep its edge over Boeing?As its US rival has stumbled, the company has established a lead in the market for commercial single-aisle aircraft. But both are eyeing Chinese competition
• European imports of Asian jet fuel hit record during peak summer seasonChinese refineries step up trade to the west as country shifts to electric vehicles
• Qantas plots a tricky course between profit and politicsAustralia flag carrier trades at multiple of operating profit that’s lower than its three US peers

The Guardian

• How Met Office could help more British trains run on timeIt is hoped deal with Network Rail to speed up research into extreme weather events will cut cancellations and delays

The Herald

• Calls to re-open lost Dumfries to Stranraer rail linkCalls are being made to re-open a railway line shut 60 years ago as concerns grow that transport links in Dumfries and Galloway have become a key cause of depopulation.
• Swedish firm Voi to operate Glasgow's cycle hire schemeA Swedish firm has been confirmed as the new operator of Glasgow’s cycle hire scheme.

The Independent

• Bus strikes to cause travel disruption across the UKAround 7,500 bus drivers will be heading on strike throughout August and September potentially causing travel chaos for passengers across the country.
• Why more people are travelling to coastal areas than ever beforeThere had been a large uptick in people travelling to coastal stations this summer compared to 2024, a report found

Times Online

• The £80bn debacle: HS2 symbolises British political failure [subscription]In Off The Rails, Sally Gimson investigates our most disastrous infrastructure project - the country that gave the world the railways now can no longer build one

Local Government

• Passengers set for upgraded journey thanks to new bus sheltersImproved bus shelters are leading the way to improving bus journeys for passengers.
• Hull Bus Alliance announces new and enhanced services for the city The Hull Bus Alliance has announced a number of changes to bus services, as of Monday 1 September 2025, designed to improve punctuality and reliability while introducing new routes that make bus travel a more accessible and attractive option for residents across the city.

Network Rail

• High Peak rail journeys secured after New Mills landslip repairsThousands of tonnes of stone has been used to secure moving land beside the Sheffield to Manchester line to secure future journeys for passengers and freight.
• Midlands Rail Hub looks to the future with preferred alliance partnersThe biggest railway upgrade in the Midlands has taken a huge step forward after four companies were identified as preferred partners for the scheme.

Birmingham Mail

• Ryanair passengers slam 'disgusting' new crackdown before boardingRyanair boss Michael O'Leary revealed the airline's incentive for staff to catch out holidaymakers with oversized bags.

Birmingham Post

• Exeter Airport launches virtual tour in bid to make 'travel easier'The immersive experience took a year to make and is aimed at making the transport hub more accessible to passengers

Bradford Telegraph & Argus

• Leeds Bradford Airport has welcomed over three million passengers so far in 2025Leeds Bradford Airport has welcomed more than three million passengers so far in 2025.

Yorkshire Evening Post

• Leeds Bradford Airport has busiest month ever - and is hoping to break more recordsMore than three million passengers have travelled through Leeds Bradford Airport so far this year - with airport chiefs hailing it as a significant milestone.

Other Regional Press

• Three-year bus wait revealedLONG-AWAITED plans to bring buses back under public control will take an estimated three years to come to fruition, documents have revealed.
• Bath MP says freeze rail faresWith ticket prices set to increase again next year, Bath's MP, Wera Hobhouse, has called for a rail fare freeze.
• ‘It makes me mad’: Huddersfield passengers' fury over month-long closure The 30-day closure of Huddersfield station is meant to deliver a “greener, more reliable railway”, but some fear the disruption will come at a cost

British Trams Online

• Network Rail launches new Tram Train Learning HubOne of the key points of the UK Tram-Train pilot between Sheffield and Rotherham was that it would provide knowledge for future projects to ensure they could go-ahead with much hitch. To that end Network Rail have recently launched their enhanced Tram Train Learning Hub.

Construction Enquirer

• Quartet wins £1.75bn Midlands Rail Hub upgrade dealNetwork Rail has named the preferred alliance to deliver the £1.75bn Midlands Rail Hub scheme, the region's biggest rail upgrade in decades.

Highways Magazine

• Scotland falls behind on road safety targetsTransport Scotland has fallen behind on key national road safety targets due for delivery in 2030.

New Civil Engineer

• Pragmatic approach needed to expand ageing road and rail assets' lifespanFaced with budgetary constraints, emissions targets and climate change, rail and road operators in the UK and beyond are finding new ways to secure the longevity of ageing assets.

Rail Business Daily

• Utility trials begin at the Coventry Very Light Rail trackA set of trial demonstrations for utility companies are now underway at Coventry's Very Light Rail (CVLR) demonstrator track on Queen Victoria Road.

Rail Magazine

• LNER considering shortening Mk 4 rakes to save running costsIndustry sources have suggested LNER may be looking at reducing its Mk 4 sets to just seven vehicles, plus a Driving Van Trailer, to save costs on running the elderly trains.
• No end in sight for Hull Trains strike but ASLEF still defiantThere is no end in sight currently for strike action at Hull Trains with an impasse currently in place between itself and the drivers' union ASLEF. However, a defiant Mick Whelan (ASLEF's General Secretary) told RAIL that industrial action will continue until a resolution has been reached.

Railway Technology

• Hitachi Rail renews partnership with Powering FuturesThis strategic collaboration focuses on bridging the gap between education and industry, particularly encouraging women to explore careers in engineering.

Aviation Industry

• UK Aviation Growth Continues with Record Passenger NumbersAviation has shown significant growth reaching the highest ever number of passengers between April and June. In the first half of the year, 141m passengers travelled through UK airports, ahead of a record-breaking summer which will see numbers increase further.

Other News Sources

• UK air passenger figures beat pre-pandemic record for April-JuneBritish airports experienced a surge in passengers. The numbers surpassed pre-pandemic figures. Eighty-one million passengers travelled between April and June. The Civil Aviation Authority shared the data.
• Bournemouth Airport expansion plans approvedBournemouth Airport has received approval by BCP Council to expand its terminal in a huge £50million investment.
• Webuild-led consortium bags £1.4bn rail and tunnelling job in southern ItalyWebuild has been selected to lead a consortium on another construction contract for the new high-speed Salerno-Reggio Calabria railway line.
• Free Winchester bus service to be axed by SeptemberA free park and ride bus service in Winchester is set to be axed by the end of August.