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

Saturday, 05 September 2026

BBC News

• Ticketless train travel trial extendedA trial for ticketless train travel that works by tracking passengers' locations is being extended for another year. East Midlands Railway (EMR) announced last September it would test pay-as-you-go technology, which uses the location data of app users' mobile phones to see where they have gone and charge them "the best fare at the end of the day".
• Railway station entrance scheme delayed furtherA much-delayed scheme to transform the entrance to Leeds station will begin opening next month, the city's council has said.
• Planes grounded at Gatwick after aircraft stuck on runwayGatwick Airport said the runway was closed "due to a technical issue with a departing aircraft".
• West Highland railway line to close in November for £13m upgradeThe scenic railway line, linking Glasgow to destinations including Oban and Mallaig, features the famous Glenfinnan Viaduct seen in the Harry Potter films.

The Independent

• GWR quietly cuts timetable due to unreliable train fleetGreat Western Railway is cutting its timetable in order to reduce cancellations caused by the unreliability of its fleet of trains.

The Scotsman

• Edinburgh Airport condemned as 'disorganised, unwelcoming shambles' by former MPThe disorganised, unwelcoming shambles of Scotland's busiest airport has been condemned by a former SNP MP whose family arrived back from holiday this week to endure long queues and baggage delays along with hundreds of other passengers.

Times Online

• Luton airport plans £4bn upgrade after green light for expansion [subscription]The forgotten player in London's airspace race could increase capacity by 70% and create 4,000 jobs in a town reeling from last year's Vauxhall plant closure
• Why a UK green tech founder accepted a £275m buyout [subscription]He founded GeoPura in 2019 to provide a clean alternative to diesel generators. It has a fleet of 75 hydrogen power units that run quietly and spew out water from their exhausts rather than toxic fumes. They supply the fuel for large construction projects, such as a six-year contract for the Lower Thames Crossing, as well as music festivals, film sets and data centres.
• Electric car sales reached 30% of UK market in August [subscription]Battery, hybrid and plug-in hybrid vehicles make up the majority of new car sales in Britain as the market share for petrol cars fell to 38 per cent
• 'Harry Potter' Highlands railway line to shut for £13m upgrade [subscription]The West Highland line that runs over the Glenfinnan Viaduct will close for nine days in November to protect it from extreme weather

Local Government

• First of new £150m, 560-strong bus fleet ready to hit the streets of Liverpool City Region ahead of network being brought back into public controlThe first of more than 560 ultra-modern, low-emission buses are ready to hit the streets of the Liverpool City Region.
• Study shows potential benefits of new railway station at ArdleyA new study has shown there is a credible basis for a new passenger railway station at Ardley to be developed.

Network Rail

• £110k committed to strengthen fight against cable theft and railway crimeA £110,000 investment is helping to tackle cable theft, vandalism and trespass on the East Coast Main Line through proactive security patrols.
• £13m upgrades planned for West Highland Line this NovemberThe West Highland Line, one of Scotland's most famous railway routes, will close for nine days this November while Network Rail carries out £13m worth of upgrades to help keep the line running safely and reliably.
• Community invited to drop-in event as Bristol Brabazon station enters final stages of constructionResidents are being invited to a community drop-in event later this month to find out more about progress on the new station at Brabazon- the new city district being built on the former Filton Airfield- and the next steps ahead of its opening this Autumn.
• West Coast Main Line to close between London Euston and Watford due to emergency bridge workPassengers are being urged to avoid travel if they can during major railway disruption on Sunday 20 September until 4pm when Network Rail removes Oxhey Grange footbridge near Watford in an emergency operation to keep the railway safe.

Bradford Telegraph & Argus

• New Craven College buses to support Lancashire studentsA NEW daily bus route is set to make college journeys easier for students travelling to Skipton from East Lancashire.

LBC

• Fake 'ghost' number plates that can't be seen by cameras face fresh crackdownThe government has launched a crackdown on fine-dodgers and criminal gangs using illegal number plates to commit fraud and other serious offences, including drug trafficking.

Manchester Evening News

• Apology over 'short-notice' closure of Manchester Piccadilly railway station car parkRail bosses have issued a warning - and an apology - to commuters over the closure of a car park at Manchester's main station. Manchester Piccadilly's long-stay car park,Rail bosses have issued a warning - and an apology - to commuters over the closure of a car park at Manchester's main station. Manchester Piccadilly's long-stay car park, on Broad Street, will close on Friday night for temporary repairs.

Sheffield Star

• Sheffield councillor slams 'lack of understanding' over closure of bus stops at AtkinsonsPassengers finding themselves at Moorfoot face a long walk to a suitable bus stop. This is a huge disincentive to visiting the Moor or travelling by bus.

Carlisle News & Star

• Carlisle Market Hall Bus Hub upgrade project continuesFunded by the Bus Services Improvement Programme, the project aims to create a more welcoming and accessible environment for passengers.
• Railway safety fears after incidents at Armathwaite stationCUSTODIANS of a Cumbrian railway station say they are increasingly concerned for young people's safety after witnessing repeated incidents of dangerous behaviour around the tracks.

My London

• Andy Burnham promises to get Croydon rail bottleneck plans 'back on track' after years of delaysThe Croydon Area Remodelling Scheme hopes to fix the bottleneck that has long caused delays for rail passengers travelling between London and Brighton

Other Regional Press

• Norwegian 'airport baggers' among those impacted by flight issues as MSP speaks outThe grounding of the flights between Stornoway and Benbecula today (Friday) due to technical problems has reinforced the need for reform of island air services, according to Donald MacKinnon MSP.
• Prime Minister Backs Scarborough Bus Builder During House Of Commons DebateDomestic bus manufacturers should be favoured over overseas companies, the Prime Minister has declared in Parliament, throwing his support behind Scarborough's Alexander Dennis factory.
• Leicester Buses celebrates Catch the Bus Month Writer: LM News LM NewsFamilies across Leicester can enjoy unlimited bus travel for just £6.40 a day at weekends this September, as Leicester Buses launches a special offer to celebrate Catch the Bus Month.
• 'Gaslighting' over tube trains 'screech'City Hall politician urges transport chiefs to tackle underground din disrupting residents' lives
• Bognor Regis and Littlehampton MP appointed Shadow Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for TransportBognor Regis and Littlehampton MP Alison Griffiths has been appointed Shadow Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Transport by Conservative Party leader Kemi Badenoch.
• Demand for Stonehenge to be cut off from drivers on A303Richard Holden, the shadow transport secretary, wrote to his government counterpart, Swindon South MP and Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander, asking for action on the A303 following the cancellation of the £2 billion Stonehenge Tunnel project.
• Transport chiefs need 'more time' to consider Forfar bypass junction closure three years after bid lodgedThe potential closure of Lochlands junction to northbound traffic is back on the agenda as part of an application for around 300 new houses at Westfield in Forfar.
• Railway stations across Pembrokeshire set to receive new Help PointsPLANS to fast-track hundreds of new homes in railway villages are 'unlikely' to affect Mid Cheshire communities as trains do not run often enough, it has been claimed.
• Railway stations across Pembrokeshire set to receive new Help PointsRailway stations across Pembrokeshire, including Tenby and Saundersfoot, will see new Help Points installed as part of a £1 million investment to provide live travel support.

Train Operators

• New railway station mural celebrates the rich heritage of Kingston upon ThamesA striking new mural has been unveiled at Kingston station, celebrating the rich heritage of Kingston upon Thames, its unique place in England's history, and Railway 200, the 200th anniversary of the railway.

Highways News

• Calls for new Severn Bridge intensify as 13,000 homes planned nearbyCalls for a new River Severn road crossing have emerged as councillors warn growing housing numbers in the Forest of Dean could add even more pressure to roads already causing headaches for drivers in Chepstow. The debate has been reignited by severe congestion caused by lane restrictions on the A40 at Over, near Gloucester, where National Highways is carrying out essential repair work, reports the South Wales Argus.
• Cheshire East to undertake further work to explore North West Crewe transport connectivityCheshire East Council is to carry out further work to explore how transport connectivity in and around the Leighton area of Crewe could be improved.

Rail Advent

• NEW Scottish railway station given authorisation to openThe station in East Renfrewshire is set to open on the 27th September 2026 and is located on the line between Neilston and Patterton.

Route One (Bus and Coach)

• Liverpool City Region set for franchising launch with new UK-made bus fleetAs the Liverpool City Region prepares to launch its franchised bus network on 6 September, the combined authority (LCRCA) has confirmed that it will be served by at least 668 new UK-made buses by the end of 2027.

Transport for London

• TfL trials new calm space at Ealing Broadway station to make the transport network more accessible and inclusiveTransport for London (TfL) has partnered with NOOK pod and the charity Autistica to trial the introduction of calm spaces at Ealing Broadway station and London Transport Museum in Covent Garden.

UKTram

• UKTram sets out priorities for faster, more effective mass transit deliveryUKTram has submitted its response to the Mass Transit Taskforce's call for evidence, outlining recommendations to help the UK deliver mass transit schemes more efficiently and sustainably.

Other News Sources

• Travel around Greater Manchester? Help improve road safety for womenResearchers at The University of Manchester, working with Greater Manchester Combined Authority, are looking for women who live, work or travel in Greater Manchester to take part in a survey about road safety and personal security. The study explores how safe women feel when travelling as pedestrians, cyclists, drivers, passengers and public transport users, with findings helping to shape future road safety policy and transport planning across the region.
• Shotton railway station to get new Transport for Wales Help PointIt is one of 48 stations across Wales sharing in a £1 million investment to install the devices, which connect passengers directly to a Customer Information Controller at the press of a button.