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

Thursday, 06 November 2025

BBC News

• Plans for new £50m biofuel plant approvedA new £50m biofuel plant that will help power the Lower Thames Crossing Project, one of the largest road projects in Britain, has been given the green light.
• End of an era as semaphore signals are taken downA railway historian says he believes the traditional semaphore signals removed from a rural railway station could have been the last in use in the entire Eastern region.
• City's £22.5m cycle route plan set for approvalThe 6km link from the city centre to Longbridge is expected to be safer and help cut car dependency.
• Details of Translink late-night buses pilot announced The pilot scheme will begin on 28 November 2025 with late-night buses running on Friday and Saturday evenings.

Department for Transport

• Rail reform and Great British Railways - written statementThe Railways Bill will help create Great British Railways (GBR) a new, publicly owned company that prioritises passengers and their experiences.

Financial Times

• EU pushes to cut time of cross-border train trips by up to 8 hoursBrussels launches €345bn high-speed rail plan to compete with planes
• UK transport secretary says full electrification of railways ‘not affordable right now’Heidi Alexander says focus will be on other projects such as HS2
• US to cut flights 10% at 40 airports because of government shutdown Transportation secretary Sean Duffy says reductions will start Friday to keep air travel safe
• China’s flying taxi leader aims to launch airport services within 3 yearsEHang says its uncrewed electric aircraft could carry passengers into major Chinese cities for as little as $30

The Independent

• Does Great British Railways really signal a new era for passengers?Train Talk: How can we feel confident that these plans will translate into more reliable train journeys and fares that are value for money?

The Telegraph

• Labour faces two clear options on its plan to renationalise railways [subscription]In the interests of taxpayers, passengers and the regions, let's hope ministers have chosen a model for growth, quality and value for money

Times Online

• Tube driver pay to hit almost £80k as union strikes deal with TfL [subscription]The RMT said the three-year salary deal for London Underground workers was a clear demonstration of the effectiveness of strike action
• Sales up at BYD and down at Tesla as electric cars hit 25% of market. [subscription]Electrified vehicles overtake diesel-only counterparts in October, according to the SMMT trade body, as automotive manufacturers near government target
• Electric vehicle drivers likely to be hit with pay-by-mile tax in budget [subscription]Rachel Reeves believed to be considering a 3p-per-mile charge to make up for falling revenue from fuel duty
• Men are more confident drivers but cause most big crashes [subscription]Department for Transport figures for 2024 show men accounted for 76% of UK road deaths yet a study found 86% of male drivers feel safe behind the wheel

Transport Committee

• Railways Bill: Transport Committee launches new inquiry into Govt's landmark legislationThe Transport Committee will scrutinise the new legislation to enact the Government's landmark reforms to the rail sector, which includes the long-awaited establishment of Great British Railways.

Mail Online

• Rachel Reeves set to hit drivers with road charging tax in the Budget as Chancellor chases fuel duty shortfallRachel Reeves is expected to announce that EVs will be charged 3p per mile on top of other road taxes, as Treasury sources disclosed to the Mail yesterday.

Birmingham Mail

• All EV drivers risk having to pay £694 to keep cars on road next yearFresh research shows that drivers could pay just £694 to charge their electric car at a public charging station for a year

Birmingham Post

• Trainline raises its end of year guidanceTicketing app saw half-year profit surge to £93m
• New car market grows 0.5% as share of battery electric cars hits a quarterThe Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders said the new car market grew by 0.5% last month

Bradford Telegraph & Argus

• Rail users call for direct routes to transform journeys across BradfordCampaigners believe a new train service linking Bradford, Halifax, and Sheffield could revolutionise rail travel across West Yorkshire.

Derby Telegraph

• Publicly owned Great British Railways with Derby HQ to be created officially in ParliamentGreat British Railways, which will be headquartered in Derby, is set to create a simpler, more unified railway

Northern Echo

• Newcastle Airport awarded international accreditationNewcastle Airport has been awarded international accreditation for accessibility.

The York Press

• National Express operates UK's largest Christmas travel network for YorkshireNational Express is helping bring families together across Yorkshire this Christmas after announcing the UK's biggest festive services.

Wolverhampton Express and Star

• The 25 destinations you can travel to on Christmas Day via Birmingham on a National Express coach as bookings rise 50%National Express has released all the coach routes it is operating on Christmas Day via Birmingham as rail services are suspended for the festivities - with a surge in bookings already

Yorkshire Post

• Rail improvements needed in the here and now across YorkshireRail connectivity isn't just about links between cities but the many towns that come in between. Rail travel should be the lifeblood of transport for many of these towns. It should be the primary mode of travel but as Halifax and District Rail Action Group (Hadrag) points out services are clearly lacking.

Other Regional Press

• Doncaster Sheffield 'Robin Hood' airport faces one final hurdle after 3175m SYMCA funding acceptedPolitical leadership of the City of Doncaster Council have voted to accept hundreds of millions in public funds to reopen Doncaster Sheffield Airport (DSA).
• Historic England Reveals Heritage At Risk In London-Are We Losing Our Heritage Sites?Upminster Tithe Barn, a scheduled monument on the outskirts of London, has been saved for future generations following repair and restoration work including a new thatched roof. The medieval barn has been removed from the Heritage at Risk Register after essential repairs were completed with funding from National Highways, via the Lower Thames Crossing scheme, and Historic England.
• Wales to benefit from £445m rail investment under new UK Railways BillLandmark legislation that will transform Britain's railways is being introduced today (5 November), paving the way for a simpler, more reliable network which puts passengers before profits.
• Major changes to Oxford's bus network announcedBUS passengers in Oxford are set to benefit from improved services and better hospital connections
• Closing level crossing to vehicles 'would kill town centre', warns business ownerClosing London Road Crossing to vehicles would 'kill' Bicester town centre, a business owner has warned.

Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport

• Government’s Rail Reform Vision Announcement Must Deliver “Clarity and Cooperation”, say industry expertsThe Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport in the UK (CILTUK) welcomes the Governmen's plans to simplify and improve the rail system of Great Britain through Great British Railways (GBR) announced today, but says success will rely on clear leadership, accountability, and strong collaboration across the industry.
• Great British Railways Update – Message from Anna-jane Hunter, CILT(UK) ChairDear Member, The Government has announced its vision for rail reform through the creation of Great British Railways (GBR) - a major step intended to simplify and improve how our rail system operates. Some of you may have already seen our initial response in the CILT(UK) bulletin and on our website. As Chair, I want to share my perspective and outline how CILT(UK) will play a key role in supporting this next phase of change.
• Government scraps plans to trial free bus passes for under 22sAccording to the BBC, the UK government has rejected a proposed trial offering free bus passes to under-22s in England, calling it 'unaffordable' until at least 2028-29.

New Civil Engineer

• Introduction of Great British Railways legislation heralds 'transformative' time for supply chainThe Government will today, 5 November, introduce legislation to create a single, publicly owned body to run Britain's passenger rail network, in a major overhaul of the industry designed to simplify ticketing, improve reliability and give passengers a stronger voice.

Rail Magazine

• HS2 Ltd Construction of HS2's Handsacre Link, which connects the high-speed line with the West Coast Main Line, has been paused for a further four years.

Railnews

• Peace on the Underground after RMT agrees pay deal The RMT has accepted a three-year pay agreement for London Underground staff, following ‘sustained negotiations’ with Transport for London. The union said it has also managed to secure commitments in connection with work-life balance, including ‘fatigue friendly’ rosters, further discussions on staff travel, and a consistent Boxing Day payment of £400.
• Government introduces 'landmark' Railways Bill The text of the Act of Parliament which will create Great British Railways will enter Parliament today. The Department for Transport said: ‘GBR will be accountable to passengers, freight customers and taxpayers and will drive a relentless focus on responding to their needs. Responsible for co-ordinating the whole network: from track and train, to cost and revenue. GBR will deliver lasting change.’
• ScotRail issues procurement notice for new suburban trains ScotRail has taken the next step towards ordering new trains for suburban lines in the central belt by issuing a contract notice on the Procurement Contracts Scotland website. Potential suppliers are being invited to tender, and the new rolling stock should enter service in the early 2030s.

Urban Transport Group

• Railways Bill is 'once in a generation' opportunity to reshape rail systemThe Urban Transport Group is today welcoming the introduction of the Railways Bill into Parliament - the legislation that will create Great British Railways (GBR).

Other News Sources

• Lower Thames Crossing FA soughtThe Department for Transport and National Highways is seeking a financial adviser to work on the £10bn Lower Thames Crossing project financing.