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

Monday, 08 December 2025

BBC News

• Call for rail plan clarity as HS2 deadline loomsThe government needs to set out its intentions to address rail capacity issues north of Birmingham, an MP has said, as powers linked to building HS2 are due to expire shortly.
• Diesel trains to run on new £144m electric lineA quarter of the trains on the newly-electrified line between East Kilbride and Glasgow Central will still be diesel initially.

Financial Times

• Ukraine’s Black Sea attacks trigger surge in shipping insurance pricesRussian-linked oil tankers and bulk carriers face steepest increases, broker says

The Guardian

• Active travel groups call for clear targets on walking and cycling in EnglandMore than 50 groups connected to transport and public health have urged the transport secretary, Heidi Alexander, to set specific targets for levels of walking and cycling in England, warning that plans as they stand are too vague.
• Train plan derailed by messy humans - LettersHow disappointing that the rail regulator has caved in to the moaning minnies and reinstated the 7am Manchester to London as a passenger service
• Zipcar’s demise means people such as me are back in the slow lane – and stuck needing their own costly car | Phineas FinnThe impending collapse of UK carsharing is an embarrassment for a government attempting to curb the dominance of carsZipcar, the world’s largest carsharing club, is leaving the UK. The company, which operates about 3,000 shared vehicles in Britain, has announced plans to shutter its UK operations at the end of the month.

The Telegraph

• Labour urged to delay petrol car ban as EU 'pushes EV target to 2040' [subscription]EU car industry successfully lobbies to push back all-electric targets amid mounting backlash

Times Online

• Everyday noise is damaging our health. But what can be done to fix it? [subscription]Jet engines, the neighbour's lawnmower, traffic all of it is proven to cause heart disease. How bad is your area and what can be done to fix it
• Over-confident Londoners 'more likely to crash on rural roads [subscription]Country folk have a new reason to hate Londoners: drivers from the capital are significantly more likely to be involved in collisions on rural roads.

City AM

• Airbus to rescue UK jobs after striking Boeing deal The world's biggest aircraft marker, Airbus, is set to announce the rescue of 2,750 UK manufacturing jobs after striking a long awaited deal with rival Boeing.

Labour List

• 'Time is running out for HS2 in the North' - Connor NaismithThe future of our railways in the North still hangs in the balance, with less than 60 sitting days for Parliament to extend legal powers to purchase land for Phase 2a of HS2 between Birmingham and Crewe.

Birmingham Mail

• DVSA set to make major driving test change after backlog hits 600,000The government is set to make a major DVSA driving test change - as over 600,000 wait for exams. The Labour Party government looks set to make major changes to driving test rules as part of plans to reduce waiting lists.

Birmingham Post

• Ryanair adds sixth aircraft to Liverpool John Lennon Airport for summer 2026The airline says the move is part of a $600m investment in the North West

Manchester Evening News

• Metrolink tram driver strikes over Christmas party season and New Year's Eve back on, says union'Drivers have said it's not a case of if an accident will occur, but when'

Cambridge News

• The former Roman road ideal for a winter walk recently refreshed with a cycle bridgeThe road once ran for 75 miles but now only a short stretch remains as a footpath

Other Regional Press

• York and North Yorkshire mayor welcomes £41m bus fundingYork and North Yorkshire's mayor has welcomed almost £41 million in Government bus funding over the coming years but said a lack of increases to meet rising demand was disappointing.
• £157 million boost for East Midlands bus servicesThe East Midlands is set to enjoy faster, cheaper, and more reliable bus services thanks to a new £157.4 million investment announced by the Government.
• Mid Cheshire in line for multi-million-pound bus boostMID Cheshire is in line for a multi-million-pound boost to bus services according to an announcement by central government.
• Work on £3.7m transport hub in Taunton to start after ChristmasOutside the building will be a pedestrianised area with outdoor seating and planting, with bicycle parking and new pedestrian crossings
• Fresh cash call to bring back lost West Wales rail lineCampaigners fighting to bring back the long‑lost Carmarthen to Aberystwyth railway have launched a crowdfunding appeal warning that without urgent action the line could be lost forever.
• Direct rail route to London would 'unleash untapped growth potential' for Shropshire, says council leaderThe approval of a proposed direct rail link between Shropshire and London would "unleash untapped growth potential" in the region, a county leader has said.
• Noisy construction work in Botley Road is almost completeNoisy construction work in Botley Road to prepare for the installation of a new rail bridge is almost complete

Calling All Stations - The Transport Podcast

• Budget unbundled plus where next for walking, wheeling and cycling?Christian and co-presenter Mark Walker discuss the full range of transport-related items in the UK Chancellor of the Exchequer's Budget statement issued on 26 November 2025 [1:38]. With the UK Department for Transport consulting on England's walking, wheeling and cycling strategy, Christian explores with leading writer in the field Laura Laker whether the thinking is ambitious enough [26:02]. In his final thought from the departure lounge, Christian draws lessons from the fiasco of the Manchester to London ghost train [47:20].

Rail Advent

• Concerns over repeated East Coast Main Line overspeeding after latest incidentThe Office of Rail and Road is meeting industry leaders to discuss overspeeding after another incident on the East Coast Main Line.

Rail Business Daily

• Railway industry urges Government to grasp the opportunities around rail reformThe Railway Industry Association (RIA), which champions a dynamic UK rail supply sector, has today (8 December) called on the Government to grasp the opportunities around rail reform. The call comes ahead of the Second Reading of the Railways Bill in the House of Commons tomorrow (9 December).

Rail Industry Association

• Railway industry urges Government to grasp the opportunities around rail reformThe Railway Industry Association (RIA), which champions a dynamic UK rail supply sector, has today (8 December) called on the Government to grasp the opportunities around rail reform. The call comes ahead of the Second Reading of the Railways Bill in the House of Commons tomorrow (9 December).

Rail Magazine

• Government "committed" to Ely upgrade but still no funding availableThe Government has said it remains committed to the Ely rail upgrade but only when future funding becomes available.
• Final week for Great Western Railway's remaining HSTsDecember 13 will be the last day of HST operation on the Western Region after 49 years of use. The last workings for the remaining 'Castle' sets will be in Devon and Cornwall.

TaxiPoint

• Government outlines core 'push and pull' factors driving private hire licence applicants to out-of-area authorities Perry RichardsonAn MP and transport minister discussed the pressures pushing taxi and private hire applicants away from their home authorities and the incentives pulling them toward areas with more favourable licensing regimes.

RMT

• Rail unions warn BTP funding crisis is putting staff and passengers at riskThe warning comes as frontline officer numbers have fallen to unsafe levels amid rising crime across the rail network. In a joint letter RMT, TUC, Aslef, TSSA and Unite, say years of cuts have pushed BTP officer numbers to the limits of safe headcount reduction, with over 500 posts due to disappear by the end of 2025/26 and stations already closed, reducing visibility and frontline capability.

Other News Sources

• Government launches consultation on autonomous vehiclesThe Department for Transport in conjunction with the Centre of Connected and Autonomous Vehicles, and Simon Lightwood MP have launched a consultation to gather views from road users, industry and disability groups to help shape the rollout of autonomous vehicles.
• Call to bring back lost railway line linking Gloucester, Ross-on-Wye and HerefordA new transport strategy should look at reopening the historic Hereford - Ross-on-Wye - Gloucester railway to boost travel to the rest of the country, a local representative has urged.
• Orsett Farmhouse owner seeks approval for homes ahead of LTC land saleTHE owner of a property earmarked for compulsory purchase to make way for the £10 billion Lower Thames Crossing has applied for permission to build two homes on the site in a bid to establish its value.
• CATL Unveils "Ship-Shore-Cloud" Electric Vessel SolutionContemporary Amperex Electric Vessel (CAEV), a subsidiary of CATL, officially launched the world's first and only "ship-shore-cloud" zero-carbon shipping and integrated smart port solution at Marintec China 2025.The solution is designed to increase vessel electrification.Su Yiyi…