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

Wednesday, 18 June 2025

BBC News

• Opening of HS2 line set to be delayed beyond 2033The opening of HS2 will be delayed beyond the target date of 2033, the BBC understands. Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander is expected to tell Parliament on Wednesday that there is "no reasonable way to deliver" the railway line on schedule and within budget - but is not expected to say when the route will finally start operating.
• Victorian viaduct to undergo £7.5m upgradeA landmark railway viaduct spanning a Derbyshire valley is set to undergo a 37.5m refurbishment.

Department for Transport

• Transport Secretary draws line under HS2 'mismanagement' with bold reset planAll recommendations from the James Stewart review into HS2 to be accepted by government as Mike Brown takes over as HS2 Ltd Chair.
• Resetting the High Speed Two (HS2) programme - Oral StatementA statement outlining the future of High Speed Two (HS2), including new management and a bold reset plan.

The Guardian

• Reviews show Tories wasted billions of pounds on HS2, transport secretary to sayHeidi Alexander to reveal overspends due to poor management, badly negotiated contracts and design changes

The Herald

• Transport Secretary to draw 'line in the sand' over HS2 as she reveals failingsThe Transport Secretary is set to lift the lid on the lack of oversight that contributed to the spiralling costs of HS2.

The Telegraph

• I was sacked for blowing the whistle on HS2 - it shows our political system is broken [subscription]Stephen Cresswell cleared his name and won over £300,000 in compensation from HS2 - but the battle damaged his health, and left him angry
• Starmer to delay HS2 after 'litany of failure' revealed [subscription]Deadline of 2033 to be missed as report highlights errors that increased costs by £37bn

Times Online

• HS2's 'litany of failure' goes on as line faces two-year delay [subscription]The transport secretary says the previous Tory government failed to prevent costs spiralling out of control and the project has made the UK a 'laughing stock'

Network Rail

• Footage released of East West Rail's first commercial freight trainThe first commercial freight train has travelled along the East West Rail line as part of its journey into a new strategic rail freight interchange in Northampton.
• Network Rail using drones to expand proactive surveillance in battle against crimes like trespassProactive drone patrols are boosting Network Rail's fight against crime and helping to identify other issues on its East Midlands route.
• Network Rail to begin tree and vegetation management on iconic West Highland LineNetwork Rail is set to undertake an extensive programme of vital tree and vegetation management work, which will also open up even more incredible views on one of the world's most scenic routes.

Sky News

• Government to announce another delay to HS2Heidi Alexander will blame the Tories for "wasting billions" as official reports reveal a "litany of failure" over the troubled project.

Yorkshire Post

• Dream of a 'Northern Super Region' can become a reality through mayors, money and rail masterplan: David PrescottLast week I wanted to travel the 100 miles from Hull to Manchester by train for a timely debate on English devolution and what it meant for the North. The train I had to take would have taken me 2 hours and 46 minutes, with a change at Halifax. But if I wanted to head 200 miles south to London, I could get a direct Hull Trains service and arrive five minutes earlier.

Other Regional Press

• Wrexham: Transport plan to help young people in job marketAMBITIOUS plans to transform public transport in North Wales will help people like a young woman who faces a nightmare four-hour daily commute to work.
• Transport Secretary to draw 'line in the sand' over HS2 as she reveals failingsThe Transport Secretary is set to lift the lid on the lack of oversight that contributed to the spiralling costs of HS2.

Highways News

• Egis appointed to £120m Transport for Greater Manchester FrameworkEgis will be able to provide professional advice and services related to the design and engineering of fixed track transport systems, including high speed rail, light rail, metro and busways.

New Civil Engineer

• A much-needed wake-up call: why resilient infrastructure is no longer optionalDisruption to national infrastructure is generally expected from time to time, but the last few months have seen a notable increase in the scale and frequency of high-profile incidents, all due to power failures. A fire at one of the substations supplying power to Heathrow Airport brought the entire operation to a halt

Rail Advent

• WATCH: First commercial freight train runs along East West RailA milestone in the construction of East West Rail was met yesterday when the first commercial freight train travelled along the line as part of its journey.

Rail Magazine

• Railway 200: exhibition train nearly ready as its dedicated '66' receives new liveryRailway 200's four-coach exhibition train Inspiration is close to completion at Derby's Loram workshops, ready for its official launch at the Severn Valley Railway on June 27.

Railnews

• First freight train travels along East West RailA freight train has used the restored section of East West Rail between Bicester and Bletchley for the first time since the route was completed in October last year.

Other News Sources

• Better Transport Week 2025 begins!Monday 16th June marks the beginning of Better Transport Week 2025, which officially launched at Leeds City Station.
• Next Steps Underway for Cardiff Parkway Transport and Economic HubCardiff Parkway Developments has said that 'extensive work is taking place' to bring the railway station and business park to fruition.