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

Wednesday, 06 May 2026

BBC News

• Derailed freight train causes commuter disruptionA derailed freight train has caused widespread disruption with cancellations and service changes expected to continue all day. The train came off the tracks at low speed near Bilbrook in the Wolverhampton area, West Midlands Railway (WMR) said, damaging overheard wires and affecting multiple routes.
• What's happening to UK petrol and diesel prices?Motoring group RAC has said prices at the pump could keep rising if there is no resolution to the Iran war.

Department for Transport

• Nearly £50 million government backing to power up drone and flying taxi tech and crack down on illegal dronesFunding will help develop a numberplate ID system for drones, helping police better protect UK skies and prosecute illegal users.

Financial Times

• Spirit's demise spurs finger-pointing as rivals survey remainsDonald Trump's administration and Democrats are pointing fingers to avoid economic and political blame from the collapse of Spirit Airlines

The Guardian

• Totally grounded. How the jet fuel crisis could change our holidays and world historyJet fuel has doubled in price since the start of the war on Iran. How bad will the disruption get and could this accelerate the route to jet zero?
• Trump puts 'Project Freedom' on hold, saying he hopes to finalise a deal with IranUS president says he is pausing US effort to guide stranded vessels out of the strait of Hormuz but blockade remains

The Scotsman

• Cycling and walking groups' alarm at 60% funding cut: 'I don't know how long we can all survive'Major reduction in Scottish Government's revenue spending despite drive to increase 'active travel'

The Telegraph

• Nissan to close Sunderland production line and slash jobs in Europe [subscription]Nissan has announced plans to close a production line at its Sunderland factory and cut 900 jobs in Europe as part of fresh restructuring efforts.
• US operation to guide ships out of Strait of Hormuz paused [subscription]Project Freedom halted barely a day after it began in abrupt u-turn Donald Trump said the US navy would pause its operation to escort vessels out of the Strait of Hormuz to allow more time for a peace deal with Iran.

Times Online

• Chinese brands drive UK car sales close to pre-pandemic levels [subscription]Relatively unknown producers outsell traditional marques such as Ford, BMW and Mercedes as stiff competition lifts April new car sales by 24%
• Ban the early morning pre-flight pint, Ryanair boss urges [subscription]Michael O'Leary says his airline is being forced to make almost daily flight diversions because of drunk and aggressive passengers

The Mirror

• Ryanair boss Michael O'Leary wants to BAN early morning pints before boarding flightsMichael O'Leary, who has served as Ryanair CEO since 1993, said his airline is being forced to divert flights almost daily because of drunken, aggressive passengers

Yorkshire Post

• Doncaster Sheffield Airport: 'No legal basis' response issued to ReformPart of a Reform motion set to determine the future of Doncaster Sheffield Airport next week has 'no legal basis', officers have said.

Blackpool Gazette

• Why we took action over train station at Blackpool's famous Pleasure Beach ResortA vibrant community-led transformation has brought new life to Blackpool's Pleasure Beach train station.

Cambridge News

• Passengers warned as Stansted Airport trains face disruption soonEngineering works mean that buses will replace trains on some routes

Doncaster Free Press

• Councillors meet with Reform UK deputy leader to discuss airportThe city's Reform UK councillors have met with the party's deputy leader as negotiatons regarding the re-opening of Doncaster Sheffied Airport continue - with officials insisting they are backing DSA for take-off.

Lancashire Telegraph

• New Blackburn railway station and Colne-Skipton extension prioritisedThe creation of a new railway station in Blackburn with Darwen and the long‑awaited extension of the East Lancashire line from Colne to Skipton have been identified as priorities for the new Lancashire Combined County Authority.

Oxford Mail

• Oxford Bus Company launches new service near hospitalPatients, visitors, and staff now have easier access to improved hospital transport.

Plymouth Herald

• Sceptics pile in over Laira railway station reopening plansReaders have raised concerns over parking, traffic and past broken promises

South Wales Argus

• Stronger action to improve bus services across WalesA transport group is calling for stronger action to improve bus services across Wales.

Other Regional Press

• Monthly column: East West Rail - Bedford Borough must be heard clearly, but decisions are not made locallyEast West Rail is one of the most significant infrastructure projects in Bedford Borough in a generation. It has generated strong and often deeply divided views across our communities, particularly around the proposed Route E alignment.
• Heathrow neighbours facing years of uncertainty, new research showsTHOUSANDS of households near Heathrow Airport face years of more uncertainty, with the schemes meant to support them falling short of their intended purpose.
• What next for Dundee Airport as London Heathrow flights axed?The Courier looks at the challenges facing commercial flights from the city after Loganair's decision.
• Experts issue Ryanair, easyJet and BA baggage warning It comes amid rising fuel costs stemming from the Middle East conflict. As it places pressure on airlines and threatens holidays, the price of baggage and the probability of being charged for overweight items are likely to increase.
• £25m transport boost for west Wales with major upgrades planned in CarmarthenshireFunding to improve roads, public transport and active travel links across the county
• RAIL: Transport for Wales wants to run trains to Bristol and it could mean direct services from Milford Haven, Swansea and CarmarthenTransport for Wales has applied to run new direct services between west Wales and Bristol Temple Meads - potentially serving Milford Haven, Swansea, Neath, Carmarthen and Bridgend - with a September 2026 target launch date subject to regulatory approval.
• Jaguar Land Rover could have moved UK car production overseas without £380m dealThe government has given a £380m grant to Tata Sons, JLR's owner, and its new business Agratas, which is building a UK battery gigafactory in Somerset to supply electric vehicle manufacturers including Jaguar Land Rover.

Coach and Bus Week

• Slow buses a deterrent, CPT survey findsSlow buses are deterring people from using public transport in Wales, according to new polling for CPT Cymru. A Wales-wide poll found that approximately a third of respondents (32%) would use public transport more often if journey times by bus were faster, whilst 51% of those aged under 30 said they would use buses more if they were faster.

Highways News

• TfGM chooses Yutraffic FUSION to deliver 'smarter, greener mobility' across the regionTransport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) has selected Yutraffic FUSION, Yunex Traffic's adaptive traffic control solution, to optimise traffic flow and enhance more sustainable public transport modes across the region. The move underpins TfGM's ambition that by 2040, 50% of all journeys will be made by public transport or active travel, with no net growth in motor vehicle traffic.
• Cybersecurity: Study shows auto industry ransomware attacks more than doubled in 2025Ransomware attacks more than doubled in the automotive industry last year, with latest research suggesting they accounted for 44% of all publicly reported cyber incidents across the industry.
• Birmingham City Council appoints £400m highways design teamBirmingham City Council has named the four-strong consultant line-up that will drive its next tranche of highways and infrastructure schemes as part of a £400m framework.
• Wiltshire secures £206m for transport upgradesWiltshire Council has announced that it has secured more than £206m in government funding through the Department for Transport's Integrated Transport Fund and Bus Services Fund, covering the period from 2026-27 to 2029-30.

New Civil Engineer

• Four contractors selected for £200M Birmingham transport and infrastructure frameworkAtkinsRéalis, Jacobs, Mott MacDonald and Pell Frischmann Consultants have been selected by Birmingham City Council as suppliers for the Transportation and Infrastructure Professional Services Framework Agreement.

Aviation Industry

• Teesside Airport to Host Feasibility Study for Autonomous Freight VehiclesCenex, in collaboration with the International Centre for Digital Trade and Innovation (iC4DTI), has announced its participation in the Feasibility Studies 2 competition, which forms part of the UK Government's Connected and Automated Mobility (CAM) Pathfinder programme.

Other News Sources

• Economic case made for Great British Railways HQ to be located at BecketwellLocating the headquarters of Great British Railways at Becketwell in Derby city centre could generate up to £151m in economic value and support more than 1,200 jobs, said an economic impact assessment prepared by CBRE.
• First Bus and Combined Authority shuttle showcases sustainable travel at UKREiiF 2026First Bus is partnering with West Yorkshire Combined Authority to support the sustainability goals of UKREiiF 2026, the leading UK regeneration and infrastructure conference taking place in Leeds from 19-21 May.
• Whitehall pledges £50m to fast-track flying taxis and clamp down on rogue dronesWhitehall has thrown nearly £50 million behind Britain's drone and flying taxi ambitions, in a move ministers say will accelerate commercial eVTOL operations from 2028 and rein in the operators behind a growing tide of 'faceless' rogue flights.
• Plan B revival looms as Heathrow seeks new pathExpensive and disruptive third runway proposal could be sent back to the drawing board
• Heathrow Airport revenue up but outlook uncertain in Q1 updateLondon Heathrow has reported overall revenue of £844 million (US$1.14 billion) for the first three months of 2026, up +2.3%, supported by higher passenger numbers, a favourable travel mix, and continued growth in premium services and F&B. Retail revenue rose +5.3% to £179 million (US$243 million).
• New bus gate to support public transport around George SquareA new bus gate will soon come into force to support public transport as the transformation of George Square moves into its next phase.
• Consumer preferences turning to greener transport, says EYMaria Bengtsson said that the impact of the increasing fuel prices will likely dissuade consumers from buying ICE vehicles.

News from Europe

• Carmakers demand electricity tax cuts to boost electric car uptakeAs petrol and diesel prices surge on US-Iran crisis, industry group demands 'clear signal' from policy makers