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

Monday, 31 August 2026

BBC News

• Paint analysed at 'world's oldest' stationAn analysis of the paint used at what is believed to be the world's oldest railway station is being carried out in a bid to identify the colour of its original decor.
• Trains delayed after signalling cables are stolenTrain services to London from Norfolk, Suffolk and Essex are facing delays due to the suspected theft of signalling cables.
• Flooding causes disruption to road and rail travelHeavy rain flooded Hall Green station, causing disruption on the line between Kidderminster/Birmingham Moor Street and Whitlocks End/Stratford-upon-Avon. Passengers were able to use their tickets on bus services, West Midlands Railway said.
• Former BBC journalist swaps newsroom for train cabA former journalist and radio presenter said she made a "brilliant" choice when she chose to swap careers to become a train driver.

The Guardian

• Train drivers secure 3.6% pay rise after threat of strikes on busy UK routesDeal agreed between Avanti West Coast and Aslef is first to be approved by Burnham government
• 'Without us, no wheel would turn': the unsung heroes keeping England's transport movingOn shift, but out of sight - from 'that person with the table tennis bats' on the airport tarmac to remote signallers managing rail traffic

The Scotsman

• Major repairs to historic Kelvin Aqueduct which sprung a leak will keep Forth & Clyde Canal closed for a yearOne of Scotland's major canals will stay closed for more than a year because of the scale of repairs needed to fix a significant leak in an aqueduct.

The National

• Glasgow's Subway undergoes 'major transition' on MondayGlasgow's Subway has undergone a 'major transition' over the past few weeks, with commuters told to expect several changes when it reopens tomorrow.

London Evening Standard

• Essex train derailed at 77mph and driver reported seeing 'kink' in track probeThe driver of a train that derailed in Essex while travelling at 77mph had reported seeing a 'kink' in the track, an investigation has found.

Nation. Cymru

• Options for user charging on private and public roadsCardiff Council has been considering some form of road user charging, whether based on time/distance use of the capital's roads, workplace parking or a city-centre zonal charge.

The York Press

• Blocked cycle lane to York Station a 'dangerous shambles' [Letter]CYCLING to York Railway Station from Blossom Street junction is now more dangerous than before, with a newly painted cycle lane completed but filled with signs saying 'cycle lane closed' and to 'use main carriageway'!

Wolverhampton Express and Star

• Cancelled trains blamed on West Midlands Railway staff shortageSome trains in the region are being cancelled due to a staff shortage at West Midlands Railway.

East Anglian Daily Times

• North Norfolk railway blasts Anglian Water traffic lightsA north Norfolk railway has blamed 'unnecessary' traffic lights for lost trade after queues prevented tourists from getting to the attraction.

My London

• The commuter railway station with direct link to London so rarely used there are no staffEssex is a popular choice for commuters, with towns such as Chelmsford, Billericay, Brentwood and Ingatestone attracting those looking for jobs in London but with tranquil suburban living.

Oxford Mail

• Wantage and Grove welcome new bus service next weekA new bus service connecting workplaces and communities is set to launch next week.

Plymouth Herald

• Fire on train between Liskeard and PlymouthGreat Western Railway posted about the incident shortly before 4pm on X, writing: "Due to a fire on a train between Liskeard and Plymouth, the line towards Plymouth is blocked. Train services running through these stations may be cancelled or delayed."

South Wales Argus

• Relief road is 'blindingly obvious' solution for M4 [Letter]In today's Argus (August 19) Mark Hooper says: 'no single solution to the M4 issues.'

Other Regional Press

• PCC calls on DVLA boss to back plans to ban 'ghost-plates'The West Midlands Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC), Simon Foster, has warned the so called 'ghost plates' are undermining the police's ability to prevent criminal activity, get justice for victims and keep road users safe.
• Flooding on West Midlands Railway line causes disruption to Birmingham trainsFlooding on a West Midlands Railway line has caused disruption to Birmingham trains.
• BUS TAKEOVER: You'll wait until 2028 for the public-run buses Wales promised for next yearWales is moving buses from private operators to public control, London and Manchester style, with Transport for Wales and councils setting routes, timetables and fares. South west Wales was promised the first franchised services in 2027. Papers before regional councillors on Wednesday now say spring 2028.
• PM must get his priorities right when it comes to CornwallIt's not often that a Prime Minister visits Cornwall nearly a month after taking the position, but a few weeks ago Andy Burnham did just that.
• £41m scheme could bring B3191 Cleeve Hill 'back to life'West Somerset residents have come together to demand the opening of a key coastal road as the government mulls over a £41m bid.

Rail Advent

• Siemens celebrates full opening of Denmark light rail networkSiemens Mobility, in conjunction with its partners, has celebrated the completion and full opening of the Greater Copenhagen Light Rail network in Denmark.
• More emphasis on practical training for trainee train driversA new framework has been developed to improve the practical on-the-job training undertaken by trainee train drivers.
• More emphasis on practical training for trainee train driversA new framework has been developed to improve the practical on-the-job training undertaken by trainee train drivers.

Other News Sources

• Edinburgh transport convener admits to 'Trumpian' moment after Princes Street fireEDINBURGH'S transport convener admitted to a moment of 'Trumpian weakness' after suggesting the fire-affected building be knocked down and its owners pay for the trouble.
• London Heathrow's shocking facilities revealedA huge 82 per cent of those surveyed said there had been problems with workplace facilities during the last 12 months. Poor facilities had also led to ill health for almost a third (30 per cent) of workers at Heathrow.
• Mayor Kim extends free travel scheme for care-experienced young peopleInitiative supports 18 to 25-year-olds with no-cost transport across North East
• Swindon bus interchange celebrates first anniversary with praise from operatorsFleming Way scheme hailed for enhancing passenger experience and service reliability
• Plymouth bus passes for disabled brought in line with Cornwall - as rules 'no longer stop at the Tamar'Almost 5,000 disabled bus pass holders in Plymouth are to get 24/7 bus travel from April 2027 - bringing the city in line with residents in Cornwall and ending the current provision 'stopping at the Tamar'.

News from Europe

• An increasing number of empty containers in Hamburg are shifting to rail transport in HamburgThe Hamburg Container and Chassis Repair Company is continuously expanding the transport of empty containers by rail. Whilst in 2025 around 20,000 standard containers were transported by rail from the Hamburg depot on Altenwerder Damm to the hinterland, this trend is set to further continue in 2026. Clients of the HHLA subsidiary are increasingly making use of this service to consolidate large quantities of empty containers at the HCCR depot and load them efficiently onto block trains.