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

Wednesday, 16 September 2026

BBC News

• Suspected sabotage causes major Netherlands rail disruptionParts of the Netherlands, including Amsterdam, were hit by major rail disruption after suspected sabotage to the tracks on Tuesday morning, the country's railway infrastructure operator said.
• Is battery power the future of the UK's rail network?A near 31bn investment will see the UK's first battery-electric trains for long-distance main line services built in Derby, which Prime Minister Andy Burnham has said will "bring faster, more reliable journeys to the north".
• Third Heathrow runway should only go ahead if airlines pay for cleaner flying, say advisers The government's climate advisers say Heathrow's third runway cannot be approved under current climate policies.

The Guardian

• Bristol becomes first British city to ban advertisements for fast fashionGreen-run council also curbing ads for airlines, cruises, fossil fuels and SUVs on its billboards and bus shelters. Bristol has become the first British city to impose a ban on the advertising of fast fashion, in new restrictions that will also curb ads for SUVs and airlines.The ban is part of moves by the West Country city, known for its radical political scene, to impose sweeping bans on advertising for polluting industries.
• Expect even more potholes on UK roads after summer heatwaves, says RACExtreme weather has made brittle road surfaces more likely to crack, increasing strain on infrastructure. The UK’s dilapidated roads are expected to get even worse, with motorists warned to expect a jump in the number of potholes as result of the country’s hottest summer on record.Potholes are commonly assumed to be caused by cold or wet weather, but long periods of heat can also create long-lasting damage on the roads, according to the RAC.

GB News

• Labour could give fresh powers to private firms to launch tolls on new roadsUpdated rules could soon be introduced that could see tolls installed on new roads across the country, at a time when millions of people are struggling with the cost of living crisis.

The Mirror

• Netherlands trains chaos after 'act of sabotage with pipes attached to tracks'Rail travel has been massively disrupted in the Netherlands after 'materials' were placed at multiple locations on the tracks, the railway operator ProRail has said

Network Rail

• West Coast Main Line passengers urged to check before travelling in OctoberPassengers travelling on the West Coast Main Line are being advised to plan ahead and check before they travel as railway improvements will mean changes to journeys across two weekends in October.

Birmingham Mail

• Department for Transport hits back over reports of new toll road rule under Andy BurnhamThe Department for Transport has hit back at claims Andy Burnham's government is plotting a major change to toll roads. The new Highways (Financing) Bill was put forward earlier this month by Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander.

Birmingham Post

• Going underground by 2050 Inside ambitious plans for travel in Greater ManchesterBev Craig says 'We've started planning for what future is possible, and that means going underground'

Northern Echo

• Northern expands mobility scooter access across entire train fleetPassengers with mobility scooters can now travel on all train types across Northern's fleet with a free permit, it has been announced.
• New track work brings Redmire train return a step closerA major new phase of work is under way to restore passenger train services to one of North Yorkshire's most scenic railway routes.

Yorkshire Evening Post

• Northern trains confirm travel changes for mobility scooter usersPassengers with mobility scooters will now be able to travel on all of the different types of trains in Northern's fleet with a free permit after the train operator updated its rules to allow smaller mobility scooters on Class 158 trains.

Carlisle News & Star

• Councillor urges review of DR1 bus stop in CarlisleA COUNCILLOR is claiming that residents' lives are in danger because they need to cross a busy road to get to a bus stop used by a Cumberland Council funded bus service.

Daventry Express

• Full list of all rail firms covered by major rule change applicable in daysRail passengers whose trains are cancelled will be able to use another operator's service without paying again under a major new Government rule change. The new arrangements will come into force from Sunday, allowing passengers with a valid ticket to board another company's train if their original service is cancelled.

South Wales Argus

• Fresh calls for urgent action on M4 Newport congestionFresh calls have been made for urgent action to tackle long-standing congestion on the M4. Jason O'Connell, Reform Wales' shadow economy and transport minister, has criticised the Welsh Government for still failing to make a decision on the M4 around Newport, more than 100 days into the new administration.

Other Regional Press

• £3.6m boost for safer walking and cycling routes between Llanfoist and AbergavennyRESIDENTS travelling between Llanfoist and Abergavenny are set to benefit from safer and more accessible walking, wheeling and cycling routes.
• Rail consultant didn't Tarry with ferry quangoA Yorkshire railway consultant who was appointed by SNP Ministers to the board of CMAL in preference to four island candidates has quit after less than a year, leaving the troubled quango two non-executive directors under strength.​
• Fife MPs demand action on promised £2 bus fare capFife's Labour MPs are demanding urgent action from the Scottish Government on a long-promised £2 bus fare cap.
• Step forward for step-free access at Tameside railway stationsTWO TAMESIDE railway stations are set to receive major accessibility improvements after a nationally known firm was handed a key contract.
• £60m funding to reopen Bransty Tunnel and treat mine waterA £60million investment has been secured to resolve a long-running environmental and transport issue.
• Birmingham Airport apologises to passengers after significant baggage disruption in AugustThe airport said it was 'proud' to have reached record passenger numbers in August, but 'sincerely apologised' to those affected by the baggage fault that left some travellers flying without their luggage

Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport

• £1 billion investment in battery-electric trains to transform British railwaysThe government has announced that passengers across the North of the UK will benefit from faster and more reliable journeys following a £1 billion investment towards battery-electric trains.

Construction Enquirer

• HS2 closes in on final two civils contract resetsHS2 is closing in on deals to reset its final two major cost-plus main works civils contracts in a move chief executive Mark Wild said could avoid up to £2bn of future cost risk.

New Civil Engineer

• HS2: Renegotiation of remaining civils contracts expected to continue for another two to three monthsThe two remaining civils contracts for the construction of the high-speed line could take two to three more months to renegotiate, HS2 Ltd chief executive Mark Wild has revealed.

Rail Business Daily

• Magellan to deliver more than 200 new ticket vending machines for SoutheasternMagellan will deliver more than 200 new Ticket Vending Machines (TVMs) across Southeastern's network, supporting the train operator's major programme to modernise the way customers buy tickets at stations.
• £7m rail investment between Newcastle and Scotland begins this weekendPassengers are reminded that a £7.1 million package of railway improvements starts this weekend, affecting journeys between Newcastle and Scotland.
• UK train operator calls in librarians to hush noisy techWith tech-related noise becoming an increasingly common frustration for railway passengers, a UK train operator has restored calm by enlisting the ultimate experts in shushing a team of librarians.

Rail Magazine

• GWR plans long-term future for East West Rail diversionsGreat Western Railway is gearing up for diversions along East West Rail (EWR) and the West Coast Main Line (WCML) after almost 18 months of planning.

Route One (Bus and Coach)

• Bus franchising rollout in Liverpool City Region takes lessons from ManchesterA 'modest' transition to franchising was crucial in allowing Liverpool City Region Combined Authority (LCRCA) to begin to take back control of bus services on 6 September on time and ahead of the original schedule.

RMT

• NO DRIVER-ONLY OPERATION ON EAST WEST RAIL PROTESTRAIL union RMT will hold a demonstration outside Marylebone Station, London next Monday (September 21) at 9am against driver-only operation (DOO) on East West Rail services planned to be run by Chiltern Railways.

Other News Sources

• Spalding-Pinchbeck Active-Travel Scheme Continues Alongside Enterprise Way RepairsConstruction is continuing on Lincolnshire County Council's £1.8 million active-travel scheme linking Spalding and Pinchbeck. The project is intended to improve walking, wheeling and cycling connections between the two communities through upgraded shared and segregated routes, crossing improvements and associated highway changes.
• Top 10 countries with the highest use of public transportationPublic transportation plays an important role in helping millions of people move around cities and countries without relying entirely on private cars.
• Construction firms invited to tender for £1.94 billion A9 Dualling Delivery Framework AgreementTRANSPORT Scotland has formally invited tenders for its £1.94 billion A9 Dualling Delivery Framework Agreement, which will be used to procure the remaining sections of the A9 dualling programme between Perth and Inverness.
• GOVERNMENT REAFFIRMS PLANS FOR TAXI AND PRIVATE HIRE VEHICLE BILLThe Government has reaffirmed its intention to introduce a draft Taxi and Private Hire Vehicle (PHV) Bill, with improved accessibility for disabled passengers identified as a key objective.
• One in four UK households now without a car as car ownership hits 10-year lowNew Government figures show 25% of households in England had no access to a car or van in 2025, while motoring remains by far the country's most popular form of transport.
• Network Rail to carry out more refurbishment work on the footbridge at Chiswick Rail Station'Final phase' of work on the footbridge due to be carried out 14 - 25 September
• Rail reform: The Passengers' Council A new watchdog for rail passengersThe Railways Bill introduces the Passengers' Council (commonly referred to by the Government as the Passenger Watchdog), a statutory body designed to serve as an independent champion for rail passengers in Great Britain1. Established under Chapter 2 of Part 2 of the Railways Bill, the Council will be built from the existing Transport Focus organisation, inheriting its expertise and passenger-focused culture, whilst receiving additional powers under the new legislative framework.
• Rail operator extends ticketless train travel trialEast Midlands Railway has said it is extending a ticketless train travel trial for a further 12 months. The train operator, operated by Transport UK, first introduced the pioneering Digital Pay As You Go trial, which runs between Derby, Nottingham and Leicester, in September last year.

News from Europe

• EU freight rail goes against its target: Four years of decrease, while road gains groundEuropean rail freight lost another 1.8% of transport performance in 2025, extending a decline that has now lasted four consecutive years. With 368.2 billion tonne-kilometres, EU rail freight is now roughly 10% below the 410 billion tkm reached at the 2018 peak.