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

Monday, 26 October 2026

BBC News

• Council leader to challenge party bosses over NPRBradford's Reform UK council leader said he hoped to change his party's mind over its opposition to the Northern Powerhouse Rail (NPR) project.
• A Tees Valley transport plan worth £1.3 billion includes plans to improve gauging for freight trains and station enhancements.Plans to bring international rail services to Stratford International station have been backed by the mayor of London, who says the move could boost jobs, investment and tourism in east London.
• Line reopens after work to replace flooded tracksA busy railway branch line has reopened following work to replace about half a mile of tracks.
• Rail line to close temporarily for £3m upgradeA railway branch line in Derbyshire is set to close for nine days as part of a project to replace sections of track.
• From A to Z: An ABC of Oxfordshire's transport troublesIf you're a regular visitor to the Oxfordshire section of the BBC News website, then you'll have noticed that there is one topic that seemingly dominates the local agenda. Transport.
• No timeline set for fixing hole under tram routeThere is no timeline for when a suspended Sheffield tram route will be able to be reopened, authorities have said.
• Rest and Be Thankful plans will be 'economically catastrophic' for ArgyllA convoy of tractors and haulage trucks drove along the mountain road in objection to a new transport plan.

The Guardian

• All aboard the TrainTok trend: spotters and staff boost rail content onlineNumber of videos about British trains doubles in three months as creators find audiences interested in workings of railwaysThey are not just gathered at the end of your local train station platform any more. Now they are on your social media platforms too.Trainspotters have played a part in more than doubling the number of videos about British trains on TikTok in the last three months. According to the platform, the rise in rail content is also down to more people seeking information on cheap tickets, facts about the London Underground and tales from train staff. Continue reading...
• The Guardian view on Oxford Street’s pedestrianisation: cities should be designed around people, not cars | EditorialThe transformation of Europe’s busiest shopping street should be a case study in making cities greener, less congested and more inviting places to liveSadiq Khan has been trying to pedestrianise Oxford Street since he first became the mayor of London in 2016. On Monday, after numerous setbacks, his plan will finally come to fruition. The busiest stretch of the nation’s famous shopping street will be closed to traffic in a scheme designed to improve the area and make it more attractive to pedestrians.
• We’ve made Oxford Street traffic-free – and that’s just the start. Soon there’ll be green spaces for arts and music too | Sadiq KhanWe’ll revive the in-person shopping experience with a transformation of the area, inspired by the John Lewis and Selfridges founders who first set up thereSadiq Khan is the mayor of LondonAt around 8pm on Sunday evening the last car made its way down Oxford Street, marking the start of a momentous new era for our nation’s high street. Today, after decades of discussions and deliberations, the action we’ve taken means almost one kilometre of Oxford Street is now officially traffic-free – just in time for Christmas.

The Independent

• British Airways plane encounters drone 'the size of four toasters' after Heathrow take-offThe drone flew around 50 feet above the plane's right wing at 12.08pm, BA pilot told air traffic control

The Telegraph

• Labour gives railway trade union activists a 'blank cheque' [subscription]Minister confirms no limits on taxpayer funding of paid time off for RMT, TSSA and Aslef representatives during working hours

Times Online

• Police right to focus on drivers not cyclists, says former Olympian [subscription]Police forces across the country are right to prioritise enforcing driving offences over law-breaking cyclists, the country's active travel commissioner has said.
• On Oxford Street on four wheels for the last time before pedestrianisation [subscription]More than 300 million people visit annually. Will a £150m plan to ban vehicles and cycles help or hinder the top London destination?

Mail Online

• Rayner claims 'honest conversation' about returning to EU free movement will 'bring the country together' - but Labour accused of 'betrayal' and 'hammer blow' to jobless BritonsThe Housing Secretary insisted Andy Burnham was not trying to re-run the arguments of the 2016 referendum despite wanting a new relationship with the EU.

The Mirror

• Oxford Street fully pedestrianised as first images released of London's iconic attractionOxford Street has been officially pedestrianised as the first images reveal London's transformed car-free shopping street, with almost a kilometre of the iconic West End destination now closed to traffic ahead of Christmas

This is Money

• Car engines are 29% more powerful than 30 years ago despite shrinking sizesCarmakers are squeezing more horsepower out of ever-shrinking engines so the average power output today matches many legendary performance cars of the past.

Birmingham Mail

• A34 Stratford Road congestion scheme in Solihull delayed 18 monthsThe £810,000 scheme has been hit with an 18-month delay, pushing it back to September 2028

Bristol Live

• Readers demand action on facilities as Bristol Airport plans £500m expansionBristol Live readers have been sharing their views on the most recent development, with Bristol Airport urging the public to provide additional feedback on its contentious £500m expansion proposals.
• Readers demand action on facilities as Bristol Airport plans £500m expansionBristol Airport wants to increase passenger numbers to 15 million a year

Nation. Cymru

• A tale of two roadsTwo major road projects are now being considered by Mark Hooper, the minister responsible for transport. These are, of course, only two of the many national highway improvement schemes and, following comparative evaluation, Mr Hooper may decide that the funding he has is better spent on other schemes with greater priority.

Get Surrey

• Surrey communities near railway stations under threat from new planning laws, MP warns'The removal of protections for land within 800 metres of well-connected railway stations is particularly concerning, as it can apply even to small village stations such as Chipstead, Earlswood and Kingswood.'

Other Regional Press

• Southern Rail reports 59 per cent drop in bike theftsPassengers travelling with Southern, Thameslink, Great Northern and Gatwick Express are seeing fewer incidents of theft, vandalism and graffiti, thanks to Greater Thameslink Railway's (GTR) Antisocial Behaviour Improvement Plan.
• Gatwick Airport residents fear 'concentrated flight paths'Campaigners have warned that the modernisation of Britain's airspace could channel aircraft over narrower areas of Sussex, while leaving affected communities without an accessible way to challenge decisions.
• Southend Victoria Shopping Centre escalator repaired in 2027A broken escalator outside a shopping centre in Southend which has been out of use for months will not be repaired until next year.
• Work to improve access at Wellington railway station starts in NovemberWork to improve access at Wellington railway station will begin on Thursday 5 November, with new lifts and a footbridge set to make the station more accessible.
• Glasgow could get publicly-run bus company under new transport plansGlasgow could get a publicly-run bus company as part of plans to bring the citys transport network under greater public control.
• Northumberland considers cutting faith school transportHexham MP Joe Morris has raised concerns over proposals to end council-funded transport for new pupils attending faith schools in Northumberland, urging residents to take part in a consultation on the plans.
• Two months of roadworks to deliver new Taunton bus gateSomerset motorists will have to contend with roadworks for two months to allow a crucial bus gate to be delivered in Taunton by Christmas.
• Stansted Airport power cut causes chaos with 'two-hour queues' and baggage delaysA power outage at London Stansted Airport has caused major disruption, with passengers facing long queues at security and immigration and delays to baggage handling

Rail Advent

• Essex level crossings made saferNetwork Rail has revealed that GBR Anglia has finished work to upgrade two level crossings in Essex to make them safer.

Rail Magazine

• Don't cut jobs before Great British Railways transition, union leader tells PMA union leader has called on the Prime Minister to ensure no rail industry jobs are cut in the transition to Great British Railways (GBR).
• Improvements for freight services and stations part of £1.3bn Tees Valley transport planA Tees Valley transport plan worth £1.3 billion includes plans to improve gauging for freight trains and station enhancements.

Aviation Industry

• Our proposals for Heathrow expansionWe'll soon invite views on our latest proposals for Heathrow expansion. From 27 October, you'll be able to explore the proposals, access the consultation materials and share your views on this page.
• Brussels Airport to expand border control as EES delays persistBrussels Airport plans to add eight border control positions at arrivals by December 2026 and six additional e-gates in early 2027 as it works to reduce queues linked to the European Entry/Exit System (EES).
• BIRMINGHAM AIRPORT EXPANSION PROPOSALSBirmingham Airport unveiled a 15-year £2bn master plan on October 9, 2026 with proposals for enlarging its terminal complex, increasing the number of aircraft stands and upgrading facilities.

Other News Sources

• Kier to lead design of Heaton Park Metrolink stop refurbishmentTransport for Greater Manchester has appointed Kier to lead the design of improvements to Heaton Park stop on Metrolink's Bury line.
• Cumbrae ferry committee demands say over 2027 timetableTHE Cumbrae Ferry Committee is demanding islanders get a meaningful say over the summer 2027 timetable after renewed disruption on the route.
• Heathrow opens its own third runway consultation tomorrowHeathrow opens its consultation on a third runway tomorrow, giving Putney until 22 December to have its say on a plan that could halve its daily break from planes. This one is Heathrow's own, on its plans for the airport, not a rerun of the government's consultation in the summer.
• Burnham hands EV targets decision to Haigh over wife's industry linksThe prime minister has stepped aside from the ZEV mandate decision because of his wife's EV charging links, as ministers split on cutting the 2030 target.
• Overcrowding on Nuneaton to Coventry trains to continue as new platform stallsOvercrowding on Nuneaton to Coventry trains is set to continue as new platform plans have stalled again.