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

Wednesday, 08 April 2026

BBC News

• New railway stations open to the public Moseley Village, Kings Heath and Pineapple Road stations opened to passengers on Tuesday morning.
• Greens promise rent controls and £1 bus fares in Welsh election manifestoThe Greens' set of promises for the Senedd election also include free bus travel for under-22s.
• Welsh government wins Cardiff Airport legal battle against Bristol over £200m subsidyBristol Airport has lost a legal battle against its rival aviation hub near Cardiff over £200m in subsidy.
• Almost a third of CalMac's ferry fleet out of actionCalMac's chief executive says an "unprecedented situation" has worsened, with 10 vessels currently unable to sail.
• The US refinery now processing Venezuelan oilChevron is now importing 250,000 barrels of crude per day from Venezuela.
• Airlines cut flights and hike fares as fuel prices surgeAirlines have reduced services and lifted ticket costs as the Iran war weighs on jet fuel costs.

Financial Times

• Better public transport alone will not solve UK's growth dilemma'We need a tram' is a vote winner but skirts harder policy questions.

The Scotsman

• One third of CalMac fleet now out of action including fault-plagued Glen SannoxPassengers warned that 'significant disruption on multiple routes is unavoidable'

Times Online

• Ryanair pays staff to catch big cabin bags. It's working [subscription]A £2.50 bounty for intercepting large luggage has slashed the number of offenders, the airline boss Michael O'Leary says
• Glen Sannox out of action again as ferry woes deepen on west coast [subscription]Calmac has warned of 'significant disruption' to services with almost a third of fleet out of action
• Pedestrianised Oxford Street aiming to dodge pitfalls of La Rambla [subscription]Sadiq Khan's team are taking advice from their counterparts in Barcelona, whose famous avenue is undergoing its own ambitious, and disruptive, regeneration scheme

City AM

• Blackstone swoops on Senior in £1.3bn aerospace supply chain play Manufacturing giant Senior has agreed to a £1.3bn takeover by a consortium backed by Blackstone and Tinicum, marking the latest London-listed industrial firm to be taken private as overseas buyers target UK assets.

The Mirror

• Iran's humiliating 10 demands for Trump include £1 million-a-ship fee for Hormuz StraitPresident Trump has agreed to a two-week ceasefire with Iran to negotiate on their 10-point proposal, including lifting sanctions, guaranteed no attacks and permanent end to war

Birmingham Post

• Private jet facility goes on market for £10mSignature Aviation Private Jet Facility billed as 'critical component in the north’s private aviation industry'
• Welsh Government big win in legal challenge from Bristol AirportThe Competition Appeal Tribunal has ruled that the Welsh Government's £205m subsidy plans for Cardiff Airport are legal
• New Somerset train station plans remain 'on shelf' in WhitehallSomerset Council awaits Department for Transport approval of the business case

Bristol Live

• Proposed taxi licensing reforms 'could threaten public safety' warn South Gloucestershire councillorsThe Department for Transport has proposed major reforms

Nation. Cymru

• The next Senedd must make bus reform work for passengersAs Wales looks ahead to the Senedd elections in May, there is one test every party should be made to answer: how will you make buses quicker, more reliable and more attractive to passengers?

Newcastle Evening Chronicle

• £55 million Blyth Relief Road given green light by council plannersThe plans were approved despite concerns over whether it will actually alleviate the town's congestion issues

Wales Online

• Cardiff Airport wins huge battle after £205m Bristol Airport rowThe Competition Appeal Tribunal has ruled that the Welsh Government's £205m subsidy plans for Cardiff Airport are legal

Yorkshire Post

• Exclusive:Doncaster Sheffield Airport: Government urged to support rail link to boost passenger numbersThe boss of Doncaster Sheffield Airport is calling on the Government to use its integrated transport strategy to connect the site with the rail network.
• Doncaster Sheffield Airport: 'We don't think we should write a blank cheque' says Reform UK DoncasterThe reopening of Doncaster Sheffield Airport has been plunged into uncertainty after Reform UK Doncaster revealed it wishes to cancel a vital £57m loan to support the project.
• Grade II-listed Calderdale railway station could soon boast new taproomA Grade II-listed Calderdale railway station could soon boast a taproom selling beers from a local brewery and guests if they can gain a planning consent.

Other Regional Press

• Somerset could benefit from £165m fund to unlock new homesSomerset could benefit from a share of £165m of new funding designed to unlock housing developments near major roads in England.
• New bus service planned for busy Somerset railway stationA new bus service to one of Somerset's main railway stations could begin in the coming weeks upon the completion of a timetable review.
• Ember adds Inverness - Ullapool service to fast-growing Highland bus network with £2 fare during Scottish Government's pilot fare cap schemeEmber, which has already added Inverness - Thurso and Inverness - Oban connections to its Scottish portfolio will run buses between the Ullapool and the Highland the Highland capital from April 29 this year.

Highways News

• The Missing Link: Solving a 50-year transport challenge on today's Highways VoicesThe A417 Missing Link project in Gloucestershire has been covered quite often on Highways News, so now with construction work at a critical phase, Kevin Borras visited the project office in Birdlip to talk to National Highways, Kier Transportation and Prolectric about some of the unique and fascinating elements of the £460m road that, when it's finished, will link Brockworth and Cowley via a new, three-mile long dual carriageway.

Rail Advent

• West Midlands railway stations reopen after over 80 yearsThe West Midlands Railway have announced the opening of three new railway stations in South Birmingham to passengers from 7 April, marking the return of rail services to the Camp Hill Line after more than 80 years.

Rail Business Daily

• Andy Burnham meets community rail leaders as Government launches 'Better Connected' strategyLast week, the Mayor of Greater Manchester met with community rail leaders and volunteers as the Government unveiled its new Better Connected transport strategy, which shines a spotlight on the growing role of grassroots groups in shaping the future of transport.

Rail Magazine

• Chiltern Railways applies to run more London-Birmingham servicesChiltern Railways has formally applied to increase the number of services between London and Birmingham from December 2026.

Route One (Bus and Coach)

• Coach position in Local Transport Plan guidance is welcome shiftDirections to LTAs in England around coach needs is welcome - but is also only a starting point

The Business Desk

• Latest bus contracts awarded as Liverpool bus franchising plans progressLiverpool City Region Combined Authority has made further contract awards under its new franchised bus system. The awards follow the announcement in January of the operators for the core bus networks in St Helens and the Wirral.
• New 'flyer' bus link launched by Bristol Airport to encourage sustainable travelBristol Airport has fully funded a new hourly bus service linking it with towns and villages in North Somerset as it continues to take measures that make it easier for its passengers and staff to use public transport.

Other News Sources

• Integrated Transport Strategy PublishedThe Department for Transport has published Better Connected: A Strategy for Integrated Transport, setting out a long-term vision for a transport system that is 'safe, reliable, affordable and accessible' across England.
• HII Teams with GrayMatter Robotics to Integrate AI into ShipbuildingHII and GrayMatter Robotics (GMR) have signed a memorandum of understanding to explore the integration of GMR’s Physical AI into shipbuilding operations that could accelerate throughput.This will include bringing autonomous surface preparation…
• CK Hutchison's Panama Unit Files Arbitration Against MaerskHong Kong-based conglomerate CK Hutchison's Panama unit has launched an arbitration against Maersk after the takeover of two strategic ports near the Panama Canal which are at the center of a legal battle that has embroiled Beijing and Washington.In a statement…

News from Europe

• Trenitalia expands high-speed fleet in €260m deal with Hitachi RailTrenitalia has agreed a €260 million deal with Hitachi Rail to supply nine 'next generation' Frecciarossa high-speed trains, as the Italian rail operator continues to expand its fleet.