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

Saturday, 03 January 2026

BBC News

• Direct London trains 'could start in 2026'A new train company is hoping its proposals for new daily services from Shropshire to London Euston could begin towards the end of 2026.
• What will 2026 bring for West rail services?It is set to be a year of change for train services in the West of England.
• Motorway shut to demolish and replace rail bridgeDrivers are being diverted as a concrete railway bridge is demolished and a new steel crossing installed.
• Snow falling in parts of Wales as warnings issuedForecasters have cautioned that buses and trains may be delayed due to the weather.
• Trains cancelled and roads treacherous as heavy snow hits ScotlandVehicles including a snow plough have become stuck as snow blanketed parts of the north east, Highland and central areas.
• Nine out of 10 London car thefts are unsolvedLondon's police force is the worst performing in the country with 88.5% of car thefts unsolved, figures show.

Financial Times

• Tesla loses EV crown to China’s BYD Elon Musk’s carmaker delivered fewer fully electric models than its rival in 2025

The Guardian

• Uber rewrites contracts with drivers to avoid paying UK’s new ‘taxi tax’Hailing app will now act as agent rather than supplier outside London, avoiding VAT requirement Uber has swerved paying millions of pounds to the UK exchequer under Rachel Reeves’s new “taxi tax” after the ride-hailing app rewrote contracts with its drivers.The move came as rules announced in November’s budget took effect, which adjusted how VAT is payable on minicab fares and would have resulted in the whole Uber fare becoming subject to the 20% sales tax. Continue reading...

The Herald

• Glen Sannox ferry repair and maintenance bill revealedGlen Sannox ferry repair and maintenance bill revealed

The Independent

• The transport disruption to expect as Met Office issues weather warningWest Coast Main Line is closed in multiple locations, while Scottish ferries and flights are subject to cancellation

Times Online

• Passengers left waiting for Oxford to Milton Keynes line trains [subscription]The section of the long-awaited East West Rail link has carried only freight since opening in 2024, despite plans for passenger services last year

City AM

• Uber prices set to soar as ministers introduce VAT crackdown Prices on ride hailing apps like Uber are set to soar, after the government ploughed ahead with a promise to apply VAT to online mini cab companies despite warnings from the industry that the move would worsen the cost of living. From Friday, private hire vehicle operators in London will no longer be able to [...]

Daily Express

• Motorists face £2,500 fine if they forget to do one thing in snowy weatherA road safety expert has issued essential winter driving guidance

Daily Record

• Aberdeen airport flights cancelled and plane diverted mid-air in snow chaosAt least 10 flights to and from Aberdeen Airport have been cancelled or delayed as a result of the extreme weather on Friday.
• Scotland faces road closures amid amber snow and ice warnings as motorists told to 'be prepared' "If you need to travel, please drive to the conditions, be prepared for delays and allow extra time for your journey"

Mail Online

• Hiked Tube train prices and new congestion charges for electric cars come in today as Sadiq Khan's war on motorists continuesThe regular daily congestion charge for non-electrified vehicles has also risen for the first time in five years from £15 to £18.
• Calls for cops to crush e-bikes as number of seizures rocketsSoaring numbers of illegal e-scooters and e-bikesare being seized by police - leading to calls for officers to get strengthened powers to quickly crush them.
• Car hire giant Zipcar suspends UK operations after being hit by spiralling costs and London's Congestion Charge expansionBosses had warned the firm could bow out if Sadiq Khan pressed ahead with abolishing the Congestion Charge exemption for electric vehicles - which came into effect today.

Birmingham Mail

• Fresh Birmingham HS2 anger as major delay dubbed 'farcical pantomime'Birmingham's HS2 station is taking shape - but the project has been mired in controversy
• Petrol and diesel drivers face losing £260 at forecourts - and not for fuelRoad users and motorists could be spending an extra £260 a year at filling stations.

Birmingham Post

• From Bristol Airport to Rolls-Royce and Airbus: The South West aerospace sector is driving economic growth - reportIndustry giants are creating highly skilled roles while Bristol and Cornwall Airport are also playing a major role
• Bristol Airport blames Rachel Reeves' Budget for hike in car park chargesThe transport hub is hoping the increased price will discourage high volumes of people choosing to drop off and pick up

Bradford Telegraph & Argus

• Avanti West Coast Main Line trains start diverting onto Settle Carlisle lineWEST Coast Main Line passengers crossed Ribblehead for the first in more than ten years on New Year's Day.

Manchester Evening News

• Strike fears averted at Manchester Airport as pay deal agreedThe airport has issued a statement

Bucks Free Press

• Warning to drivers as busy bridge due to close for five nightsMotorists have been warned as a major town bridge is set to close overnight for almost a week.

Other Regional Press

• Discover the UK's new longest direct train journey: London to Fort William aboard the Caledonian SleeperThe UK's longest direct train journey was the historic 785-mile service from Aberdeen to Penzance, which was axed in 2025 - meaning a new route has taken the crown
• Major road closures announced across Oxfordshire road networkMajor road closures have been announced on the M3, A34, and A303 due to planned maintenance
• First big change to road layout unveiled soon as part of £10.8m transformationThe existing access to a popular shopping village closes on Tuesday, and a new route opens.
• New ‘meet and greet’ airport parking business launches near Bournemouth AirportA NEW ‘affordable and professional’ airport parking business has launched near Bournemouth Airport.
• Steam and diesel trains to launch railway’s special 50th anniversaryAn atmospheric steam and diesel ‘Winter Warm Up’ weekend is to be the first special event in the Swanage Railway’s special 50th anniversary year.
• HS2 latest as viaduct construction reaches a major milestoneEngineers worked through the Christmas period to reach a new major milestone