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

Thursday, 08 January 2026

BBC News

• Mayor defends Merseyrail performance in cold snapMerseyside's city region mayor has defended the performance of the Merseyrail network after icy conditions caused some delays and cancellations earlier this week.
• UK's second busiest passenger ferry port reopens after incidentIt is the second time in a year that the port has been fully closed to ferries.
• How the new road safety measures could affect youThe government is proposing lowering alcohol limits for drivers and regular eye tests for older motorists.
• US planes land at Scottish airport during operation to seize tankerThree U-28A Dracos - used by the US Air Force special operations command - stopped at Scottish -government owned Wick airport before heading north.
• 'Rail projects have to happen for homes to follow'The deputy mayor says London will struggle to build thousands of homes without two rail projects.

The Guardian

• Revealed: how aviation emissions could be halved without cutting journeysExclusive: Getting rid of premium seats, ensuring flights are near full and using efficient aircraft could slash CO2, analysis suggestsClimate-heating emissions from aviation could be slashed in half – without reducing passenger journeys – by getting rid of premium seats, ensuring flights are near full and using the most efficient aircraft, according to analysis.These efficiency measures could be far more effective in tackling the fast-growing carbon footprint of flying than pledges to use “sustainable” fuels or controversial carbon offsets, the researchers said. They b...

The Herald

• CalMac faces court threat over secret CEO exit packageThe publicly funded ferry operator CalMac broke transparency laws by wrongly hiding the full extent of a former chief executive's severance package after forcing him out, it can be revealed.
• John Swinney accused of 'bending the knee' to US militaryThe Scottish Government has been criticised by activists after an airport in the Highlands was used in the United States' seizure of a Russian-flagged vessel on Wednesday.

The Independent

• Storm Goretti live: UK braces for up to 30cm of snow as Met Office issues amber warnings for ice and windLarge swathes of the country will be under ‘danger to life’ warnings on Thursday

City AM

• Got an oyster card? Then you’d better get used to paying more for less If freezing rail fares is vital for cutting the cost of living, why are transport costs in London rising sharply? Asks James Ford; As part of his latest, desperate relaunch, beleaguered Prime Minister Keir Starmer has vowed to focus on cutting the cost of living for Britons this year. One of the key planks of [...]

Daily Express

• UK severe Storm Goretti amber travel warning as heavy snow expectedNational Highways and the Met Office have issued amber weather warnings for snow on Thursday and Friday, with up to 15cm forecast around major cities

Daily Record

• New car for Glasgow patients to have X-rays and ultrasounds at home 'will cut NHS wait times'Earlier pilot versions of the car reduced patient waiting times by four hours on average and freed up an equivalent of 9.3 hospital bed days per patient.

Mail Online

• The beautiful train journey that now starts in the UK and travels through three European countriesFor those considering a trip to Portugal this year, it's worth considering an alternative way of seeing the country - by hopping on a 15-day epic rail journey.

The Mirror

• Major UK route to be closed both ways as 'heavy snow' predicted amid Storm GorettiNational Highways said winter breakdowns on motorways and major A roads have risen by 21% over the last five years, as the traffic authority plans to close a major road through the Peak District

This is Money

• China stamps its footprint on UK car market selling nearly 200,000 vehicles in 2025 - is a full-scale takeover on the cards?With over a dozen different Chinese brands now on sale in the UK, we take a look at how they've already significantly disrupted the market.

Birmingham Mail

• Birmingham drivers urged to complete journeys and keep off roads from 6pm ThursdayDrivers across the East and West Midlands have been issued with an amber severe weather warning

Birmingham Post

• Progress continues 'at pace' on Transpennine Route Upgrade, bosses sayProject aims to improve journeys between journeys between Manchester, Huddersfield, Leeds and York

Bradford Telegraph & Argus

• Higher parking charges in Bradford to be introduced later this monthControversial new parking charges that will see motorists pay almost double the amount to park in some parts of Bradford will be introduced later this month.

Northern Echo

• Cycle route part of ambitious plans for key North East employment siteConstruction is beginning on a new cycle route in North East England, part of a £20 million Levelling Up Fund investment to boost travel and economic growth in Yarm and Eaglescliffe.

The York Press

• Better bus services for York in 2026 - 'they make a big difference to people’s lives'York Outer MP, Luke Charters, has promised to continue campaigning for better bus services for York in 2026.

Wales Online

• Call for government action over Welsh road that repeatedly floodsA petition calling for Welsh Government funding for a flood mitigation solution on the B4318 at Gumfreston has attracted more than 500 signatures

Cambridge News

• 3 more dates set for Stagecoach bus strikes as pay dispute continues There have been ongoing disputes over pay since December

Other Regional Press

• Renewed calls to slash fares by moving Watford into Zone 6Watford Liberal Democrats have demanded TfL rezone Watford stations to end “unfair” charges for the town’s commuters.
• Bus diversions to last end of week after water pipe burstsOxford bus route changes are expected until the end of the week after a burst water pipe closed a road.
• Delayed Oxford station scheme will cost taxpayers millionsDelays to improvements to Oxford rail station and the continued closure of Botley Road are costing the taxpayer millions of pounds.

Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport

• 2026 is the year for Zero-Emission Logistics: Start your journey now!Electric truck trials are evolving from technical experiments into structured decision-making tools for logistics professionals. As the industry looks into 2026, one thing is becoming increasingly clear: the question is no longer whether electric heavy goods vehicles will play a role in road freight, but how organisations can prepare their operations to deploy them at pace. For logistics and transport leaders, 2026 is shaping up to be a pivotal year. Regulatory pressure, customer expectations and vehicle availability are converging and organisations that delay early action risk being forced i...
• Rail sale returns with over 50% off millions of train ticketsPassengers across Britain will be able to purchase heavily discounted train tickets from 6 to 12 January 2026, as the Great British Rail Sale makes its fourth annual appearance. More than 3 million tickets will be available at discounted rates, with savings exceeding 50% on many advance and off-peak fares. The reduced-price tickets will be valid for travel between 13 January and 25 March 2026 on thousands of routes, with nearly all train operators in Britain participating. Among the offers, journeys from Portsmouth to London Waterloo will be available for ...

Construction Index

• £500m Derby tram network proposedThe Light Rail Transit Association has submitted a proposal for a tram network in Derby.

Rail Advent

• DFTO announces major plans for train operatorsThe Department for Transport Operator (DFTO) has announced major changes for publicly owned train operators during the coming year, with the seven train operators already in public ownership having bold plans for the year ahead.

Railnews

• Railway braces for another winter storm Train services have returned to normal after Network Rail’s major programme of engineering work over the Christmas and New Year break. However, more bad weather is likely to cause disruption again from tomorrow, as Storm Goretti arrives. Scotland is still dealing with the effects of heavy snow, and some trains on lines in the Highlands are cancelled today. The Met Office has issued snow warnings affecting much of England and Wales from 18.00 tomorrow until midday on Friday, with rain, snow and high winds forecast.

Other News Sources

• More than £52m secured to improve bus services across HampshireThe money will be used to improve services and encourage more people to travel by bus.
• Parking controls could be coming to these roads due to campervan and commuter issuesHundreds of people could be a step closer to having their roads included in a resident parking scheme.