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

Friday, 04 September 2026

Government

• UK summons Russian Chargé d'Affaires after reckless attack on Leipzig airportThe Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office has summoned the Russian Charge D'affaires to condemn the recent drone attack in the strongest terms.

BBC News

• MP calls for 'failing' rail firm to lose contractAn MP has called on the government to transfer operation of a "failing" rail company's service to the planned Great British Railways (GBR). Lee Barron, Labour MP for Corby and East Northamptonshire, wrote to the transport secretary over his constituents' complaints about the reliability of East Midlands Railway's (EMR) services.
• Electric bus operator concerned about 'slogan' £2 fare capEmber, which operates between cities across Scotland, says it supports cheaper travel but is worried about how the scheme will work.

Department for Transport

• Independent regulatory review of the Office of the Rail and Road (ORR)Independent regulatory review of the Office of the Rail and Road (ORR) report produced by Dr Richard Judge.

The Guardian

• How 20mph on our roads benefits everyone | LettersThe advantages of 20mph speed limits are celebrated by Rod King, while John Hopkin says drivers who speed won’t be deterred unless tougher action is taken against themThanks to Christian Wolmar for his insightful article on a 20mph limit and how it would be a good thing for Birmingham (Dear culture-war motorists, look to the future. We’ll all be driving at 20mph soon, 28 August). He is right to identify that the world has changed from when the car was king and we planned our city mobility almost exclusively around automobiles.At 20’s Plenty for Us we have seen our movement de...

The Scotsman

• How far £2 could get some bus passengers when Scottish fare cap is extended on MondayWest of Scotland follows the north with £2 maximum fare
• Scots business backs Heathrow expansion as Sadiq Khan opposesScotland's largest business organisation has backed Heathrow's third runway, warning the UK's only hub airport is critical to Scotland's international trade and economic competitiveness as London Mayor Sir Sadiq Khan formally opposed the expansion.

The Telegraph

• Passengers warned of 'accelerated cyber attacks' at airportsAir travel is a key target for cyber criminals. Many passengers are affected by online attacks at one remove: when criminals launch a digital assault on an airline or airport.
• Airport chaos looms as EU prepares to enforce fingerprint rules [subscription]Airlines warn controversial Entry/Exit Scheme will cause travel misery without ability to resort to passport stamps

Times Online

• I rode in London's new driverless taxi. Here's what you need to know [subscription]nce the headquarters for British military operations, the Old War Office on Whitehall was the place where prime ministers and intelligence officers were briefed on the latest technological advancements in warfare. The building is now a luxury hotel, but this week the site became the hub for a groundbreaking moment in UK tech: the launch of the country's first autonomous taxi.
• Heathrow trade boast is gilded with fool's gold [subscription]The London airport's claim that it handles over a quarter of all UK trade by value, in support of its third runway plans, overlooks a crucial fact

The Mirror

• Berlin airport evacuated over 'security issue' - emergency services rush to sceneTerminal 1 at Berlin Brandenburg Airport was evacuated after a woman walked to a service point and claimed to be carrying a dangerous substance, police said

The National

• Which Glasgow bus firms have signed up to £2 fare cap and which buses?THE First Minister announced this week that bus fares across the Strathclyde Partnership for Transport (SPT) area will be capped at £2 for single journeys from Monday.

Local Government

• Station Gateway: planned October openingThe Leeds Station Sustainable Travel Gateway is expected to begin opening in October.
• Live departure information now at all 6,700 West Midland bus stop polesThousands of smartphone users now have access to reliable, advert-free, up-to-the minute bus departure information at their fingertips following the installation of 6,700 QR codes at bus stop poles.

Office of Rail and Road (ORR)

• Independent review of ORR: supporting our future roleToday the Department for Business, Industry, Science and Trade has published Dr Richard Judge's independent review of the Office of Rail and Road.

Birmingham Post

• Jet2 says summer bookings are up 8.8% and it is on track for a stronger winterThe company, which says it is the UK's biggest package holiday provider and the third-largest airline, updated investors on its summer trading and announced plans to move to the London Stock Exchange main market

Bristol Live

• How poor public transport in South Gloucestershire is stopping new homes being builtA row over how much residents can rely on seldom-running bus services keeps popping up

Newcastle Evening Chronicle

• Kemi Badenoch’s office says Tories will ‘endeavour’ to set out position on A1 duallingThe party did not commit to the scheme but said it was "not relaxed" about transport in the north

Carlisle News & Star

• Candidate calls for return of commercial flights at Carlisle AirportA CANDIDATE in the upcoming Cumbrian mayoral election has said she would 'advocate' for the return of commercial passenger flights to Carlisle Lake District Airport.

Doncaster Free Press

• Officials 'pleased' with Doncaster Sheffield Airport consultation, but uncertainty still looms over leaseThe airspace consultation has received responses from over 1,000 individuals, but uncertainty remains over the reopening's future beyond September 2026.

Other Regional Press

• Keith Brown MSP calls for driving-test powers to be devolvedKeith Brown MSP has called for Scotland to take control of driving tests, as learners face waits of up to six months for a practical test.
• Robotaxis are welcomed by Swindon MP Heidi AlexanderTransport Secretary and Swindon South MP Heidi Alexander has welcomed the move as a "major milestone for the future of transport."
• A Wigan township's first railway station in six decades is expected to be open by spring 2028There is light at the end of the tunnel as a completion date is given for a Wigan town's new railway station
• Newhaven bus lane and transport improvement work beginsWork is set to begin on a transport improvement scheme aimed at boosting bus reliability and safety.
• Bus stop art trail celebrates Littlemoor's past and futureA community art exhibition transforming bus stops in an area of Weymouth into displays of local memories has been hailed a success by the organisation behind it.
• 'No credible scenario' for Heathrow third runway to meet climate targets, report saysClimate scientists and activists have claimed there is 'no credible scenario' where Heathrow's third runway can go ahead 'without blowing a hole' in the UK's legally binding climate targets.
• Heathrow expansion debate deepens as consultation closesA major public consultation on the future of Heathrow Airport has drawn to a close, triggering fresh debates between local authorities, airport bosses and campaign groups over the economic and environmental impacts of a potential third runway.
• Coventry bus drivers trained to spot signs of violence against women as bosses say 'play our part'Stagecoach Midlands is one of only six UK bus operators rolling out specialised driver training to prevent violence against women and girls on Coventry buses

Train Operators

• Sheringham rail station receives 'Wildlife Friendly Station' statusAbove: Station adopter, Sheila McGinley, with James Hogg, Norfolk Wildlife Trust, at Sheringham rail station. Credit: Greater Anglia

Rail Advent

• Northamptonshire railway launches £25,000 appeal ahead of £250,000 projectThe Northampton & Lamport Railway's goal of building a permanent, authentic station building at Pitsford and Brampton has taken a big step forward as an appeal for the project has been launched.

Rail Business Daily

• Opening date set for new station entrance at Temple MeadsThe new eastern entrance at Bristol Temple Meads will open from 4pm on Monday 7 September, marking a significant milestone in the transformation of one of Britain's busiest and most historic railway stations.

Railnews

• Councils step up their campaign for Eurostars at Ashford Ashford Borough Council and Kent County Council have stepped up their campaign to secure international trains at Ashford by launching a survey, and almost 14,000 people have already responded. Eurostars have not called at Ebbsfleet or Ashford since 2020, but the councils say direct trains to mainland Europe are a 'top priority'.

Route One (Bus and Coach)

• Go North West gains two Bee Network contracts under retenderingGo-Ahead business bolsters franchised position with Bolton and Leigh awards from March 2027
• National Express trials eCitaro on Stansted Airport car park shuttleDemonstrator used on long-stay service to evaluate its performance in an airport environment

Other News Sources

• Barrow Train Station improvements to make it more welcomingImprovements are being made to Barrow Railway Station so that it can become 'more welcoming' for commuters.
• Mace Consult team lands key role on Luton Airport expansionArcadis also part of group appointed to project, cost and commercial management work
• Heathrow runway plans incompatible with UK climate targets, study findsThere is no 'credible scenario' where an expansion to Heathrow Airport can go ahead without making it extremely difficult for the UK to meet its legally binding climate targets, researchers have said.
• Heathrow expansion could revive plans for Elizabeth line extension to StainesAn extension of the Elizabeth line to Staines-upon-Thames could be back on the cards after a call for expanding Heathrow Airport to come with improved public transport links.

News from Europe

• What makes a destination coach-ready? Sweden has some answersA beautiful landscape, a historic town or a unique visitor attraction does not automatically attract coach groups. What does? We asked Anna Grönlund, Deputy Managing Director of the Swedish Bus and Coach Federation (Sveriges Bussföretag) and Vice President of IRU.