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

Saturday, 10 January 2026

BBC News

• 'Plan ahead' for nine-day closure, rail boss saysA railway line will close for nine days over February half term for a £10m upgrade to the track, with passengers advised to plan ahead.
• Calls for direct Swindon to Oxford trainsThere are calls for a direct daily rail service to run between Swindon and Oxford, which could "boost commuting, tourism, and supply-chain links".
• Concerns over Bakerl0.0 line advertiser's rebrandSome signs at Bakerloo line Tube stations are changed as part of a Heineken 0.0 advertising deal.

Department for Transport

• New local powers to keep pavements clear for those who rely on them mostLocal councils will be given the power to crack down on problem pavement parking.

Financial Times

• How Chevron ended up at the heart of Trump’s Venezuela gambit Mike Wirth has built a massive advantage for the only US oil company on the ground in the Caribbean nation

The Guardian

• ‘Damage is piling up’: has the Netherlands forgotten how to cope with snow?Cyclists and others voice frustration as transport infrastructure descends into chaos amid increasingly rare cold snapA week-long winter cold snap that would once have been normal in the Netherlands has caused more than 2,000 flight cancellations, chaos on roads and railways, buildings to partially collapse, and a stream of angry cyclists asking why roads seem better gritted than cycle lanes.Since Saturday, up to 15cm of snow has fallen across the country, with temperatures of -10C (14F) including wind chill, sparking angry commentary over how some nations manage months of snow but the Netherl...

The Telegraph

• Record number of cyclists riding illegally on motorways [subscription]More than 1,000 people spotted riding bikes on UK's fastest roads in 2024, almost double the figure from 2022

Times Online

• ScotRail staff investigated over claims of 'backhanders' for contracts [subscrption]An independent investigation has been launched to examine claims of an 'unacceptable culture' at the state-owned operator
• TfL rebrands Bakerloo line for Heineken in money-spinning stunt [subscription]The transport network's revenue-raising campaign for the brand's alcohol-free lager coincides with Dry January and also renames Waterloo and Oxford Circus stops
• TfL has £283m on dormant cards [subscription]Contactless card payments are increasingly becoming commuters preferred choice when using the Transport for London network

Daily Express

• Incredible new £32.3m UK road cutting down journey times by 25%Motorists around Wiltshire are set to get a welcome boost by the end of 2026.

Mail Online

• Disabled charity criticises renaming of Bakerloo line stations for Heineken's zero alcohol products saying it'll create 'unnecessary confusion' for some passengersSigns along the London Underground's Bakerloo line will be rebranded as 'Bakerl0.0' and 'Waterl0.0' as part of a partnership with Heineken to promote its zero alcohol products.

The Mirror

• Drivers lost £3.6m in Dart Charge payments - and UK Government kept most of itDrivers lost more than £3.6million in unused Dart Charge payments in the last two years - with the Government keeping most of the funds.

Belfast Telegraph

• MLA hits out as Airport train funding not included in draft BudgetAn MLA has hit out at the "lack of ambition" from the Infrastructure Minister after funding for the reopening of the Knockmore trainline with a new station at Belfast International Airport was not included in the draft Budget announced by Finance Minister John O'Dowd on Monday.

Birmingham Mail

• Free bus pass rule change coming in 2026 for thousands of passengersState pension age which is set to increase from 66 to 67 next April.

Birmingham Post

• Swindon to Oxford direct train service to be debated if Labour motion passesSwindon councillors will vote on a Labour motion calling for a daily direct rail service between Swindon and Oxford, with the proposal likely to pass given Labour's large council majority

Bristol Live

• Bristol Airport accused of 'pure greed' over new parking chargesThe increased drop-off charge has sparked fierce debate among readers

London Evening Standard

• Hands off! Free travel is a well deserved perk for London's over 60sMy youthful colleague Ross Lydall has made the case for stripping, or at least curbing, the entitlement of London's over 60s to free public transport, what he decries as an unjustifiable and unaffordable 'freebie'.

Wales Online

• No trains will run on this key Welsh route for 11 daysBuses will replace trains for 11 days as refurbishment works are carried out at a viaduct near Swansea.com stadium, it has been announced. Network Rail has apologised for any inconvenience the works will cause.

South Wales Argus

• How much would bus fares cost if £2 cap introduced in Wales?Welsh Labour has pledged to introduce the cap across Wales as part of its campaign for the 2026 Senedd elections.

Other Regional Press

• Plans for 'tap on/tap off' at Wrexham General stationPLANS have been submitted for 'tap on/tap off' facilities at Wrexham General railway station.
• Plans to improve CCTV at Ilkley station to increase safetyNORTHERN Trains have applied to improve its CCTV system at the Grade II listed Ilkley Railway Station to improve passenger safety and prevent crime and vandalism.
• The major tunnel from Essex to Kent set to open in the early 2030sA previous version of this article said the road is delayed but the road is still planned to be open in the early 2030s. The article has been amended accordingly.
• Not good enough - Devon MP criticises rail funding delayA Devon MP has blasted as 'not good enough' plans to not consider funding for an essential Devon rail update until the next Parliament.
• Aberdeen ScotRail services to be diverted for eight days during electrification projectTrains between Aberdeen and Edinburgh will be diverted while teams work round the clock to electrify the stretch of railway between Haymarket and Dalmeny in Fife.
• East Kilbride services cancelled after vandalism of Glasgow trainA ScotRail train was taken off the tracks this morning after overnight vandals defaced the carriages with 'offensive graffiti'.
• Concern for Dorset-London transport link after service axedCampaigners are growing concerned for the state of rural coach links to major cities from Dorset after a London link was axed

Rail Magazine

• Rail Minister and Network Rail defend Railways Bill in final Select Committee sessionMinister for Rail, Lord Hendy as well as Network Rail's chief executive Jeremy Westlake faced questioning on January 7 as the House of Commons Transport Committee held its final oral evidence session on the Railways Bill.

Rail Technology Magazine

• Porterbrook strengthens West Midlands fleet partnership with acquisition of 404 vehiclesPorterbrook has completed a significant transaction to acquire 404 passenger vehicles from Corelink Rail Infrastructure Limited, underlining its continued long-term commitment to the West Midlands rail network.

Railway Gazette

• Porterbrook acquires Corelink multiple-unitsUK: Rolling stock financier 'Porterbrook' has acquired Corelink Rail Infrastructure Ltd, which owns diesel and electric multiple-units leased to operator West Midlands Trains.

Railway Technology

• Dartford Junction upgrade highlights importance of smart planning and whole network benefitsWith just over six weeks remaining, rail customers in south east London and Kent are being urged to plan ahead as Network Rail and its partners prepare to deliver a major upgrade at Dartford Junction during the February half‑term.

Transportxtra

• Devolved English bodies press for greater certainty in Railways BillFuture operation of Tyne & Wear Metro services between Pelaw and Sunderland is among the situations for which English devolved bodies are pressing for greater certainty from the Railways Bill over track access.

Other News Sources

• Lancashire County Council points to existing security measures at Preston Bus Station in response to women at night safety fearsTransport bosses say a raft of security measures are in place at Preston Bus Station after it was identified as the place in the city that is most feared by women at night.
• Cambridge bus drivers to still strike despite fresh pay dealAround 200 bus drivers in Cambridge are still going on strike today despite a pay rise being imposed.
• East West Rail events give businesses early view of route design changes

East West Rail is hosting a series of events across Milton Keynes and Bedfordshire to explain how its route design has evolved, giving local businesses early insight into one of the region's most significant infrastructure projects.
• Mark Robinson appointed CIO of DfT OperatorMark Robinson has been appointed chief information officer (CIO) of DfT Operator (DFTO) the government body bringing all privately-owned train operators into public ownership.