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

Wednesday, 11 March 2026

BBC News

• Glen Sannox ferry needs £3.2m repairs after one year in serviceA troubled Scottish ferry needs new propellors as part of multi-million pound repairs after just over a year in service, MSPs have heard.
• 'Defects' delay reopening of train station bridgeWork on refurbishing a railway station footbridge remains ongoing nearly three months after it was due to be finished.
• Pedestrian road deaths 'unacceptably high'Road safety commissioner Mat MacDonald reveals data showing that pedestrian deaths have increased.
• Croydon tram network hit by track blockagesCroydon trams face repeated delays as vehicles block tracks, causing widespread disruption.
• Glasgow Central's main station to remain closed until next weekA huge fire destroyed a neighbouring building but Network Rail staff believe the station has not been seriously damaged.
• Volkswagen to cut 50,000 jobs as profits dropEurope's largest carmaker said post-tax profits had dropped to their lowest level since 2016.
• Calls grow for Reeves to ditch fuel tax hike over IranReform UK has set out further detail of how it would cover the cost of scrapping September's planned rise.
• British Airways to suspend UK repatriation flights - latest on travel from Middle EastBA cancels more Middle East flights until 28 March, following Iranian strikes across the region in retaliation to US and Israeli bombardment.

Financial Times

• Short sellers target Wizz Air as Iran war wipes out profit Budget airline’s CEO says crisis is ‘more manageable’ than others after forecasting €50mn hit to its bottom line
• Soaring fuel prices to cast long shadow across US economyIndustries from farming to airlines face long-term higher costs and will raise customer prices in response
• Lloyd’s of London says it will still insure ‘basically anyone’ in the Gulf Insurance market responds to criticism over cancelled policies and higher prices for stuck ships

The Guardian

• Cheaper commuting: the best ways to save on the costs of your travel to workFrom railcards to route tweaks, here’s how to stop your daily train or car journey breaking the bankRevealed: new affordable commuter hotspots in Great BritainHomes for sale in new commuter hotspots in England – in picturesFor regular rail travellers, season tickets remain one of the biggest cost savers. A weekly, monthly or annual season ticket will work out much cheaper than paying daily fares, especially if you commute most days. Continue reading...

The Herald

• First look inside Glasgow Central after devastating fireNetwork Rail has shared the first footage from inside Glasgow Central following the fire on Union Street.

The Scotsman

• Cost of new propellers and repairs to Glen Sannox to prevent more hull cracks revealedRepairs to the hugely delayed and over budget ferry Glen Sannox will cost taxpayers another £3.2 million, Ferguson Marine shipyard chiefs admitted to MSPs on Tuesday.

Times Online

• Glasgow Central fire: Scotland's busiest station to remain closed for 'days' [subscription]Firefighters battled the blaze next to Scotland's busiest station. The fire started in a vape shop nearby and spread to the Forsyth building
• Glen Sannox needs new propellers a year after launch in £3m repairs [subscription]Ferguson Marine boss says design had only been tested on computer not in water after cracks appear in ferry's hull
• Londoners are 'quickest' to complain about hot Tube conditions [subscription]Complaints spike 27 per cent for every 1C increase in London, while New Yorkers have slower rates despite warmer temperatures, study finds
• Glasgow fire: We will rebuild and restore, vows John Swinney [subscription]The first minister has promised government cash for the Union Corner site as Network Rail prepares to reopen the station's lower level

National Audit Office

• Northern Powerhouse Rail - ReportThe north of England contains several large cities including Leeds, Liverpool, Manchester, Newcastle and Sheffield which are poorly served by transport connections. This creates a barrier to improved productivity as it is harder than it should be for people to travel between cities for work and for leisure.

The National

• Could e-scooters be a solution to Scotland's transport woes?RESIDENTS of three Scottish cities can now zip around on hired e-bikes, but can the success seen by Voi's fleet of red bikes be replicated in Scotland's smaller towns and cities?

Local Government

• £100m to be invested across county's road networkAround £100m is to be invested in improving Northumberland's vast transport network over the next three years.
• Moray Council's priorities for £6.8m transportation budget for 2026/27Moray Council's Economic Development and Infrastructure Services Committee on 10 March 2026 approved a £6.8 million programme of transport investment for 2026/27, supporting public transport, road safety, active travel and essential traffic management across the region.
• Major investment to fix more roads, improve Staffordshire's highways and boost transport connectionsA major programme of highways and transport investment designed to fix roads, tackle long-standing issues, improve safety, provide travel choices and keep Staffordshire Moving will be discussed next week.

LBC

• Heathrow records busiest February after 'bumper half-term'Some 5.8 million passengers travelled through its four terminals last month.

Manchester Evening News

• Northern Powerhouse Rail's promise of success hinges on government 'need'Earlier this year, the government issued a three-phase plan for better east-west rail connections across the north of England

Yorkshire Post

• Northern Powerhouse Rail needs Government to work with local authorities to ensure widespread benefitsThe success of Northern Powerhouse Rail (NPR) depends on central government and local and regional authorities working together.
• Northern Powerhouse Rail delay impacted mayors' investment decisions, NAO findsThe delay in the announcement of Northern Powerhouse Rail hampered mayors' abilities to make investment decisions and progress other projects, the National Audit Office has said.
• 'Essential safety feature' move plans for York Station to provide 'better visibility'Network Rail's plans lodged with City of York Council would see the OFF indicator between platforms one and three moved.

Cambridge News

• Tram and light rail among transport options to be considered for CambridgeA study has been launched to investigate possible transport options for Cambridge

Carlisle News & Star

• 'Exciting' AirLink development at Newcastle Airport underwayAN 'exciting development' that would deliver major benefits to the North East is underway at Newcastle International Airport.

Leeds Live

• Anger as Leeds City Council reveal 100 e-scooters coming to city's streets'Can't wait to get knocked down by one'

Oxford Mail

• Oxford Parkway station garden created by SEND studentsSEND students are helping to create a new garden at a railway station through a hands-on learning project.

Other Regional Press

• Millions quoted to fix Ledbury railway station accessA long-standing problem at a Herefordshire railway station could cost £10 million to put right.

New Civil Engineer

• Northern Powerhouse Rail: Watchdog queries governance, delivery, growth strategy alignmentThe government's Northern Powerhouse Rail (NPR) programme needs closer alignment with national and local growth plans and stronger

Rail Business Daily

• Northern Powerhouse Rail success dependent on better cross-government working and stronger ties to economic strategy The Government's flagship rail upgrade programme for the north of England must more closely align with national and local growth plans and involve better collaboration between central and local authorities to fully realise the benefits, according to a new National Audit Office (NAO) report.1
• Metro Control Room set for an 38.8m system upgrade The Tyne and Wear Metro Control Room is set for an £8.8m upgrade to key systems essential to the day-to-day operation of the system.
• More than tracks and trains: why a customer-focused railway is essential for the industry's futureJacqueline Starr, Executive Chair and CEO of Rail Delivery Group, representing train operators in Great Britain, writes about the importance of following customers' desire paths and to shape a system that responds to how people actually travel and live

Rail Magazine

• First solo test runs for GBRf '99s' as latest delivery arrives in UKAnother two of GB Railfreight's Stadler bi-mode Class 99s were delivered from Valencia to Portbury on February 18, when 99005/006 docked.

Railnews

• RMT announces strikes in four-day week dispute London Underground train operators who belong to the RMT are set to stage three pairs of walkouts in March, April and May in a dispute over four-day working, which would mean fewer but longer shifts. It is reported that ASLEF is not objecting to the idea, but the RMT says it is concerned about the possibilities of staff becoming tired, putting safety at risk, and that its members have also voiced objections about shift lengths and unacceptable working time arrangements.

Aviation Industry

• Heathrow reaches new heights with half term holiday boostHeathrow continues to deliver for passengers and the UK economy, recording its busiest ever February.

Other News Sources

• Chief Sec: We are exploring new models to leverage private investment [subscription]UK Infrastructure Pipeline is part of government?s process to work with investors and developers, minister tells Partnerships Bulletin
• Newcastle Airport to submit application for multi-million AirLink developmentNewcastle Airport intends to submit a planning application in the near future for a 620,000 sq ft development south of the runway, with provision for an additional cargo hub
• Boost for Blackpool bus routesBus passengers in Blackpool and surrounding areas can look forward to further service improvements from March 29th with a series of timetable changes.
• Updated Taxi Licensing Policy to Make Transport More Inclusive in North YorkshirePlans to improve the accessibility of taxis and private hire vehicles for passengers with additional needs across North Yorkshire are set to be considered by councillors.
• New Rail Timetable to Deliver Boost to North Wales and Summer Services in West WalesTransport for Wales will introduce one of the most significant timetable changes for North Wales in a generation this May.