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

Friday, 23 January 2026

BBC News

• 'Heathrow runway change will make our village unliveable'The noise is loud and very distinct. It is the sound of jet engines. Longford could be a village anywhere in the country - that is until you hear the noise. It is in the shadow of Heathrow and is the nearest village to the west London airport.
• HS2 plans approved for listed station buildingProposals by HS2 to restore an old station building in central Birmingham have been approved, but the government has been urged to "get on with the high-speed railway".
• East West Rail criticised for lack of informationBedford Borough Council leaders have said they have not received enough information about the potential disruption caused by the East West Rail project (EWR).
• Electric buses unveiled at Arena eventA new fleet of 29 electric buses has been unveiled amid promises of cleaner and quieter streets.
• HS2 plans approved for listed station buildingArchitecture linked to the old Curzon Street Station is set to be preserved as HS2 draws closer nearby.

Department for Transport

• Northern Powerhouse Rail compact agreementsThese compact agreements establish how government and mayors across the North will collaborate to deliver the next stage of Northern Powerhouse Rail (NPR).

The Guardian

• Spanish train drivers call three-day strike after deadly railway crashesUnion is demanding better safety standards for workers and passengers after two collisions this week killed 46Spain’s largest train drivers’ union has called a three-day nationwide strike to demand measures to guarantee the safety of railworkers and passengers after two deadly crashes this week killed at least 46 people, including two drivers.
• Spanish train drivers call three-day strike after deadly railway crashesUnion is demanding better safety standards for workers and passengers after two collisions this week killed 46Spain’s largest train drivers’ union has called a three-day nationwide strike to demand measures to guarantee the safety of railworkers and passengers after two deadly crashes this week killed at least 46 people, including two drivers.

The Telegraph

• Overworked staff to blame for ghost train fiasco, says regulator [subscription]Overworked staff were to blame for a timetabling blunder that left empty ?ghost trains? running from Manchester to London, the head of Britain?s rail regulator said...

Times Online

• Bus company puts brakes on London routes in blow for Sadiq Khan [subscription]The Go-Ahead Group has withdrawn from parts of the capital after Labour's tax rises and speed restrictions make operations 'unsustainable'
• Tower Hamlets decision to scrap low-traffic zones is ruled unlawful [subscription]Court of Appeal says Lutfur Rahman's proposal, backed by voters, should be quashed because it fails to follow the London mayor's transport strategy

Local Government

• New agreement puts Northern Powerhouse Rail on track for deliveryLiverpool City Region Mayor Steve Rotheram and Secretary of State for Transport Rt Hon Heidi Alexander MP came together at Liverpool Lime Street station today to sign a new agreement strengthening their commitment to deliver Northern Powerhouse Rail (NPR).
• Confirmation of access improvements at Yeovil Junction railway station is welcomedA Government‑funded scheme to improve passenger access at Yeovil Junction railway station has been welcomed as a 'vital step forward'
• Norfolk's bus service improvements deliver record growth and faster journeysNorfolk County Council's ambitious Bus Service Improvement Plan (BSIP) has transformed public transport across the county, driving a 26% increase in passenger numbers since 2022 and making Norfolk a leading national example for sustainable travel.

London Evening Standard

• Revealed: More bike lanes than bus lanes in London as TfL is accused of being 'pro-cyclist'London has 400km of cycle lanes and 300km of bus lanes - despite there being four times more bus passengers than cyclists

Manchester Evening News

• Transport secretary praises Andy Burnham's 'commitment' to Manchester amid renewed speculation of his parliamentary return'Andy is completely committed to this city and this region'

Northern Echo

• Key agreement signed in plans to reopen Leamside LineA key agreement to reopen a regional railway line has been signed by the Government.

Wolverhampton Express and Star

• Council leader calls for urgent meeting following announcement of plans to run rail line from Birmingham to Manchester through StaffordshireStaffordshire County Council was not consulted about plans for a new rail line between Manchester and Birmingham before they were announced by the Government, the authority's acting leader has said.

Other Regional Press

• Record numbers at Edinburgh AirportEdinburgh Airport has announced that almost 17 million passengers travelled through the airport in 2025, the first time ever at a Scottish airport.
• Fresh calls to reopen Stoke-on-Trent train stationFresh calls are being made to reopen a mothballed Stoke-on-Trent train station. Meir Station was closed in 1966 as part of the infamous Beeching cuts.
• Mayor David Skaith welcomes funding to upgrade York StationFUNDING to regenerate York Station as part of Government plans to improve northern railways will be absolutely vital to unlocking economic growth, according to the city's mayor.
• 'Essential' new bus depot planned to improve city's public transport networkPlans are due to be put forward to locate the facility at Wakefield Council's former transport depot at Newton Bar.
• Community launches crowdfunder in campaign to keep level crossing openA community has launched a crowdfunder after it was announced that the Government would not fund a motorised underpass at London Road crossing in Bicester, which is set for closure.
• Reversal of Woodstock Road bus lane made permanent despite objectionsChanges to a bus lane Woodstock Road in Oxford will become permanent, despite residents witnessing “more accidents and narrowly avoided collisions daily”.
• Plans for Stagecoach 'depot of the future' including gym and think tank approved by Stockton CouncilStagecoach North East asked for permission to build a new depot with three-storey office building including a staff gym, canteen and roof terrace
• Huddersfield bus station branded ‘a disgrace’ as council gives updateA question was raised at last night's (January 21) Full Council meeting

Train Operators

• Director appointed to deliver up to 450 new trains that will transform travel for Northern customersJames Howard, who has taken charge of Northern's plan to buy hundreds of new trains, said they will transform travel for millions of customers, by providing more reliable and comfortable journeys.

Bus-News

• Go North East Launches 20 New Electric Buses in Light Show ExtravaganzaThis past Wednesday; Go North East transformed Newcastle's Utilita Arena in order to offer a totally unique experience as the company launched a fleet of 29 brand-new electric buses.

Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport

• Oxford Street Pedestrianisation: A CILT perspective on getting the balance rightThe proposed pedestrianisation of Oxford Street West represents one of the most significant changes to London's transport and public realm in a generation.

New Civil Engineer

• HS2 tunnelling to Euston station set to begin next weekSkanska Costain Strabag (SCS) JV will begin tunnelling the Euston link of the HS2 project from Old Oak Common next week.

Rail Advent

• Publicly-owned train operators report growth in passengers using their stationsTrain operators which have been brought back into public ownership have published information about their passenger numbers, which shows significant increases.

Route One (Bus and Coach)

• Pailton in mission to end musculoskeletal injuries to bus driversMusculoskeletal injuries to bus drivers are a serious issue and must be tackled, says supplier
• London Superloop limited-stop network grows with SL11 additionRoute takes to 12 the number of Superloop services, with four more having been consulted on

Aviation Industry

• Heathrow becomes world's second-busiest international airport in 2025New aviation data underscores Heathrow's continued recovery and global importance as passenger demand rebounds and expansion plans remain under consideration
• Heathrow Completes £1bn Tech Upgrade to Deliver Its Fastest, Smoothest Security YetPassengers travelling through all terminals at Heathrow no longer need to remove liquids or electronics from their hand luggage, or juggle plastic bags at security. The UK's hub has become the largest airport in the world to fully roll out next-generation CT security scanners a move that promises faster queues, less stress and a smoother start to journeys for millions of travellers.

Other News Sources

• Sadiq Khan's 'innovative' plan to pay for London Underground extension and new Overground lineThe Mayor of London has highlighted how recent London transport projects were funded in a similar way rather than relying on 'tax-based' money
• Aena To Acquire 51% Of New Holding Company That Owns And Manages 100% Of Leeds Bradford Airport And 49% Of Newcastle Airport For €309 MillionThe Council of Ministers has approved the agreement authorising Aena to purchase a controlling majority, directly or indirectly, in companies in the United Kingdom for the acquisition of shares in the English airports of Leeds Bradford and Newcastle, the financial portal Bolsamania.com reported
• DfT invests £12m in national analytics platform to help spot transport crisesThe Department for Transport has signed a multimillion-pound deal to implement a major new data platform intended to help government better predict and prepare for crises affecting transport in the UK.
• DfT launches independent review into National Highways speed camera faultAn independent investigation has been launched by the Department for Transport into a technical fault affecting variable speed cameras operated by National Highways, after thousands of drivers were potentially fined incorrectly.
• UNIVERSITY SIGNALS SEARCH FOR NEW TRAIN STATION ARTWORKThe University of Salford and Network Rail wish to commission a major new artwork for Salford Crescent railway station, to be ready in September 2026. .
• Three quarters of retailers at South Western Railway stations are now independent businessesINDEPENDENT businesses now make up three quarters of retailers at South Western Railway (SWR) stations, as the number of these small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) grows across the network.
• WYCA progresses bus ownership plansPlans to bring West Yorkshire' buses under public control include creating a hub in a yet-to-be-chosen location, which would coordinate the region's 400+ routes and integrate it into the Weaver Network.
• Go North East puts clean travel centre stage with electric bus launchOn Wednesday, Go North East transformed the Utilita Arena Newcastle into a concert venue with a difference, launching 29 brand-new electric buses in an event unlike anything the region has seen before as part of North East Mayor Kim McGuinness' drive to create a world class public transport system.
• TfGM and Salford announce improved 50 bus route plansTransport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) and Salford City Council have revealed proposals to improve public transport and active travel along the 50 bus route between Salford Crescent railway station and MediaCityUK.
• Scottish government delivers 'masterclass' in incompetence over removal of free bus passes from loutsThe Scottish government has been accused of incompetence after a minister failed to bring forward promised legislation to remove free bus passes from young people involved in antisocial behaviour.
• Massive potential for York as minister pledges to end second rate transportTransport Secretary Heidi Alexander was in York today and said the city has massive potential