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

Tuesday, 19 May 2026

BBC News

• Summer buses to tourist attractions announcedThree new bus routes serving a county's tourist attractions will run on weekends and bank holidays this summer, it has been announced.
• Airport design 'breathes' local culture, says mayorDoncaster Sheffield Airport will offer a terminal that "looks, feels and breathes our local culture" when it reopens, Mayor Ros Jones has said.
• Avanti West Coast to cut services to save moneyOne-in-seven rail services will be cut on Avanti West Coast's busiest routes following a government request to reduce expenditure, the operator has said.
• Is the UK's once favourite car coming back as an EV?The company has announced plans to build seven new models in Europe including a small electric hatchback.

Financial Times

• British Airways seeks up to £10mn from Heathrow after baggage system chaosBritish Airways is seeking up to 310mn in compensation from Heathrow after a slew of recent baggage system breakdowns including an incident last weekend

STV

• Councillor hits out at plans to replace high-speed fleet with 'old trains'ScotRail said a more modern fleet of Class 222 trains would run on InterCity routes - but will undergo £67m refurbishment first

The Guardian

• Avanti West Coast to cut one in seven trains on its busiest intercity routesTrain operator says passenger demand will still be met as it trims summer timetable at government's behest
• HS2: Heidi Alexander to set out true cost of rail project and when trains will begin to runTransport secretary to give budget details of troubled high-speed line, which backers hope will stay well below £100bn
• Belfast harbour operator to invest £1.3bn as NI economy growsPort has upgraded offshore wind facilities and is to expand quays, ferry terminals and cruise ship services. The operator of Belfast harbour plans to spend £1.3bn over the next 25 years to take advantage of strong economic growth in Northern Ireland, in what would be one of the largest non-governmental investments in the region’s history.The Belfast Harbour Commissioners said the money would be spent on upgrading the port, with the possibility of residential property developments that could add another £750m in investment on top.

The Scotsman

• Exclusive:Bus industry alarm over lack of progress towards SNP's planned £2 fares cap in 100 days timeThe SNP's bold pledge to cap bus fares at £2 for nearly half the Scottish population within 100 days of being re-elected has triggered alarm bells among operators who remain in the dark about how it will work.

The Telegraph

• British Airways demands £10m from Heathrow over baggage fiasco [subscription]British Airways (BA) is demanding £10m from Heathrow after 20,000 bags failed to make it onto flights over the weekend.
• Obsession with speed blamed for HS2 failure [subscription]Spiralling costs linked to 225mph line have crippled progress, says former national security adviser

Times Online

• Ryanair dismisses fears of jet fuel shortages and airfare rises [subscription]Michael O'Leary is set to lead Europe's busiest airline until he is 71 as the budget carrier reports a 40 per cent rise in annual profits to £2.26bn
• Fewer, pricier London train seats due to HS2 plans, says expert [subscription]A former Virgin Trains executive says the focus on speed in HS2 planning has overshadowed broader questions about capacity and service design
• Edinburgh council's £222m tram claim settled out of court [subscription]The deal ends legal action connected to the city's tram construction contract and follows years of scrutiny over delays and escalating costs
• BA demands millions from Heathrow over latest baggage failure [subscription]Sean Doyle, chief executive of British Airways, wrote to the airport's chief executive after a Terminal 5 technical fault left 20,000 bags stranded last Friday

City AM

• Hotel tycoon Arora launches revamped Heathrow runway proposalThe hotel tycoon behind a rival bid to build Heathrow's third runway has tabled a fresh proposal backed by British Airways and Virgin Atlantic that would build the mega-project in two distinct stages in an effort to keep a lid on costs.
• Tube strikes called off in last-minute U-turn This week’s round of London tube strikes have been called off in a last-ditch reversal by the drivers’ union. The strikes were due to cover two 24-hour periods later this Week, from 12pm on Tuesday and 12pm on Thursday.

i News

• HS2 to cost more than Nasa's Artemis Moon missionThe Transport Secretary is expected to announce further delays and higher costs for the beleaguered HS2 project on Tuesday, as the high-speed link is set to become the most expensive rail line in the world.

The Mirror

• Ministers won't set HS2 completion date after missed deadlines - 'three-year range' announced insteadMinisters will not set an exact target date for the completion of HS2 after the final deadline for the long-delayed project was repeatedly missed
• Tube strikes cancelled: TfL 'shifts position' but new strike dates revealedLondon's Tube drivers will no longer strike this week, the RMT union has said, after TfL 'shifted its position' on some issues - although the union stressed the 'dispute is not over'
• Double red lines introduced to clamp down on motorists 'ruining' Peak District beauty spotsDouble red lines have appeared in a number of popular hiking areas around the Peak District for the first time after badly-parked cars caused nightmares for locals and hampered emergency services
• Ryanair, EastJet and others issue travel updates ahead of busy summer holidaysOil prices have risen sharply since the start of the Iran conflict and the short-term ceasefire remains fragile, raising concerns over jet fuel prices heading into the summer holidays

This is Money

• Air fare rises fall off as customers avoid booking holidays on jet fuel shortage fears, Ryanair saysIn its annual results, the Irish budget airline said prices were 'now trending broadly flat' for the July to September period as inflation also weighed on travellers' budgets.
• Ford fights back against Chinese car makers with five new 'rally-bred' models 'made in Europe for Europe'Ford has announced five new cars arriving by 2029 in a bid to win over European customers again. A mix of EVs and electrified vehicles, they'll be rallly and off-road inspired.

Local Government

• Telford & Wrekin Council extends bus fare capAs part of its ongoing commitment to improving public transport, Telford & Wrekin Council has extended its £2 adult and 31 under 19 fare cap to more bus routes across the borough.
• Daily direct services between Bristol, Bath and Oxford return after 23-year absenceDirect services between Bristol Temple Meads, Bath Spa and Oxford will run every two hours from today (Monday), providing daily links between the three destinations for the first time in more than 20 years.

Bradford Telegraph & Argus

• Resident raises concerns on tree felling for railwayA RESIDENT has said work to clear "thousands and thousands of trees" from alongside several railway lines are "an absolute travesty".

Bristol Live

• New York, Dubai and Orlando could be among the list of new Bristol Airport destinations Five cities have been highlighted in the US and the Middle East
• Bristol company Aeralis hoping to replace Red Arrows jet collapses, with loss of 30 jobsIt was vying to develop a replacement jet for the RAF's famous stunt aircraft
• Bristol pothole plague: Why a £10m investment still won’t fix our crumbling roadsThe percentage of roads in good condition has been falling

Daily Post (North Wales)

• North Wales rail overhaul could have been expanded further readers sayTransport for Wales introduced a new timetable this week with a direct Llandudno to Liverpool train service among the key changes - here's what North Wales readers think
• Weekend of train service disruption on North Wales main lineNext month will see buses replace trains on a large section of the North Wales line
• North Wales rail overhaul could have been expanded further readers sayTransport for Wales introduced a new timetable this week with a direct Llandudno to Liverpool train service among the key changes – here's what North Wales readers think

London Evening Standard

• 'Gold plating' HS2 resulted in railway's woes, major report due to sayA report will criticise the 'original sins' in the decision-making behind the multibillion-pound rail project.

Newcastle Evening Chronicle

• 'Something has to be done' - Public demand action as North East e-bike safety concerns growThe Local Democracy Reporting Service has spoken to people in Newcastle city centre to get their thoughts on e-bikes

The York Press

• TransPennine Express to install 41 CCTV cameras at Scarborough StationA RAIL company's plan to install dozens of security cameras at a listed station in North Yorkshire has been given the green light.

Yorkshire Post

• HS2 review to find focus on achieving 'highest possible speeds' was major faultTransport Secretary Heidi Alexander will set out the findings of the review in the House of Commons later, as well as new costs and a timetable for the stripped back version of HS2.

Cambridge News

• Drivers face new MOT rule which could see points on licenceThe government has been carrying out a consultation on its Road Safety Strategy with a key deadline last week - with new penalties planned

Leeds Live

• Leeds water taxis return - here's when you can hop on for freeTaxis trips across the water will be free for a limited period

Other Regional Press

• Trafford A56 scheme wins North West transport awardsTrafford Council, along with partners Amey, G Cox, and Transport for Greater Manchester, received two commendations from the Chartered Institution of Highways and Transportation (CIHT) at their North West awards for work along the A56 corridor.
• New A435 cycleway to be officially openedGloucestershire County Council is inviting residents to a free drop-in event to mark the official opening of the A435 Cheltenham to Bishop's Cleeve Cycleway.
• Yorkshire airport to reopen with commercial flights launching in 2028A UK airport that shut down three-and-a-half years ago is poised to reopen following the resolution of a funding dispute this week. Doncaster Sheffield Airport (DSA) near Finningley in Doncaster was formerly a significant regional aviation centre known as Robin Hood Airport, operating flights from 2005 to popular destinations including Alicante, Majorca, Paris, and various other locations.
• First Swindon to Oxford train in 23 years makes journeyThe first uninterrupted rail journey from Swindon to Oxford in decades has been celebrated.
• TfW launches contactless tap in and tap out rail travel in North East WalesTransport for Wales (TfW) has today launched its contactless pay as you go rail travel in North East Wales and borders, making journeys simpler and more flexible for customers across the region.
• Aberdeen co-leader hits out at ScotRail replacing 'very old trains with old trains'The departure of the high-speed trains is going to be regretted by many because they are very popular. And just confirming that what's actually happening, despite the refurbishment, is that very old trains are being replaced with old trains

Highways News

• Tag: Active Travel Network MapA public consultation on a 15-year plan to improve routes for walking, wheeling and cycling in Cardiff has begun. Residents, businesses and community groups across the city are being asked to give their views by 3 August, says Business News Wales.

New Civil Engineer

• MPs 'not convinced' Heathrow's £49bn third runway will be financed entirely with private fundsHeathrow's expansion is a private sector project and the government have been clear that it must be privately financed

Rail Advent

• One million Merseyrail journeys with Tap and GoMore than one million journeys have been made using Tap and Go across the Merseyrail network, marking a significant milestone for smart ticketing in the Liverpool City Region.
• Mid Cornwall Metro services bring most frequent service in 60 years - with more come!The first Mid Cornwall Metro services started this morning, with locals welcoming the new enhanced train service.

Rail Magazine

• Avanti West Coast cutting 12% of services over summer to save moneyAvanti West Coast is cutting services by almost 12% this summer following a request from the Department for Transport to find operational cost savings.
• Transport for Wales tweaks Bristol planTransport for Wales has tweaked its plan for direct services between West Wales, Cardiff Central and Bristol Temple Meads.

Aviation Industry

• Arora Group reveals updated Heathrow West third runway development proposalThe group behind the Heathrow West expansion plan for the UK hub airport has released further details of its proposal ahead of submitting a formal plan next year.
• Airlines welcome alternative two-phase plan for third Heathrow runwayAirlines and aviation bodies have welcomed revamped plans from Arora Group for its alternative Heathrow expansion plan, which includes a new western terminal and a phased third runway.

Other News Sources

• MPs Question Whether Heathrow's £49bn Third Runway Can Be Fully Privately Funded Questions are mounting over how Heathrow Airport plans to finance its proposed third runway, with MPs warning that taxpayers could ultimately face some of the financial burden despite government assurances of private investment.
• Arora Group pitches phased 'Heathrow West' plan to fast-track third-runway capacityUK hospitality and property conglomerate Arora Group has unveiled fresh details of its privately funded Heathrow West expansion proposal, arguing that a modular approach could deliver extra runway capacity years earlier and at lower cost than Heathrow Airport Ltd's own master-plan
• MPs 'not convinced' Heathrow's £49bn third runway will be financed entirely with private fundsMPs have expressed doubt that Heathrow's planned third runway will be funded with private finance considering, the price tag put on the infrastructure works and the amount of debt the airport is currently in.
• TfL eyes Heathrow Express takeover as 2028 deadline loomsEver since the Elizabeth line opened, there's been a simmering question about the long-term future of the premium Heathrow Express service, and TfL is eying up the route.
• Global Britain starts at DoverThe Port of Dover is driving smart, seamless and sustainable trade and is primed to be a flagship for the UK on the world stage
• Sainsbury's Smart Charge has partnered with the Department for Transport on a series of in-store EV events taking place from 21st to 23rd May. The events are supported by Nissan and Alphabet.Members of the public will have the opportunity to see electric vehicles up close, book test drives, experience ultra rapid charging and learn more about how electric vehicles work, including details of the government's Electric Car Grant.
• HS2 is the future and must be delivered as planned TSSA - the union representing staff directly employed by HS2 (High Speed 2) - has called on the Labour government not to back down on the planned timetable of getting trains running by 2033.
• Historic Edinburgh train given special send-off after timetable overhaulA historic Edinburgh train service was given a special send-off on Monday morning following a major timetable overhaul.
• Wansford Railway Station has been relocated to Peterborough despite A47 dual carriageway being scrappedA dismantled railway station has been rebuilt a few miles away despite the dual carriageway project that prompted the relocation hitting the buffers.