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

Sunday, 08 November 2026

BBC News

• Could giant hands hold key to unlocking city's railway dreams?Giant hands holding up a railway viaduct, enormous horses' heads and massive spinning jenny structures inspired by a proud industrial heritage.
• 'Cliffs are enemy not the sea' for railway says MPFresh concerns have been raised about rail services out of Devon and Cornwall, with MPs warning crumbling cliffs could block the track.
• New Bristol railway station opening date announcedThe opening date for a new railway station in Bristol designed to serve the new town Brabazon and the future Aviva Arena has been announced.
• Call made to pause installing floating bus stopsThe scheme has prompted safety concerns from partially sighted, older and disabled Londoners.

The Guardian

• Great British Railways: new dawn for a new network but with plenty of old problems to fixExperts predict a baptism of fire for GBR in 2027, with likely issues ranging from clapped-out trains and track to extreme weather-related stress. The glad tidings brought by the minister were that the wait was almost over: the establishment of Great British Railways could be wrapped up by Christmas, at least in law. But with a renationalised industry facing fresh storms in 2027, some in the railway world are wondering if they should be careful what they wish for.

The Independent

• Andy Burnham's 10-year plan, like the nationalised trains, is running lateThe document setting out the prime minister's vision has been delayed, which may reflect deeper problems, writes John Rentoul
• London Bridge Tube station evacuated and closed over fire alertTransport for London (TfL) announced the closure on social media on Saturday evening London Bridge underground station was closed as authorities responded to a fire alert on Saturday evening.

The Telegraph

• Buses to be driven by teenagers as operators face staff shortagesLicensing overhaul would let 18- and 19-year-olds transport passengers on school trips and weddings

Times Online

• UK flight chaos to double in coming years, air traffic controllers warn [subscription]Leaked talks reveal alarm at Nats over inadequate training and investment, meaning holidaymakers must brace for 'several years' of increased delays
• How did Britain's railways become the safest in Europe? [subscription]In the decade before Labour came to power Britain had Europe's safest rail network. Its death rate of 65 per billion train-miles was less than half Spains

Mail Online

• Cabinet locked in bitter row as Ed Miliband and key ally try to block £49billion plans for third runway at HeathrowA bitter Cabinet row has broken out over the proposed expansion of Heathrow airport. Sources have told The Mail on Sunday that the Transport Secretary, Chancellor and Business Secretary are all in favour of the £49billion project.

Network Rail

• This weekend: Major upgrades for West Highland Line get underwayMajor upgrades to the West Highland Line will get underway this weekend, as Network Rail prepares to deliver essential improvements aimed at making the railway more reliable.
• Batley station gets step-free access for the first time following TRU improvement worksBatley station in West Yorkshire has become the latest station to realise the benefits of the Transpennine Route Upgrade, which is transforming journeys across the North through upgraded stations, improved accessibility and a faster, more reliable railway.
• Railway reopens after four-week £3.5m Merseyrail tunnel upgradesMerseyrail's Northern Line has fully reopened after major engineering work to strengthen and waterproof four underground tunnels in Liverpool.

London Evening Standard

• Final call for Heathrow's third runway - will Andy Burnham be on board?The airport's chief says a decision must be made by December, business and unions back it, but will the PM defer to Londoners, whose mayor is against the expansion, asks Chris Blackhurst

Nation. Cymru

• Donated rails boost for Welsh heritage railwayA Welsh heritage railway has received its first delivery of donated rails from disused industrial sidings in Cheshire to help replace worn track.

Yorkshire Evening Post

• 'Structurally substandard' Wakefield railway bridge to be replaced over Christmas periodA railway bridge in Wakefield is set to be demolished and replaced over the Christmas period.

Carlisle News & Star

• Everything we know about plans for Carlisle AirportCarlisle Lake District Airport has set out its clearest roadmap in years for the future of the site as calls grow for commercial passenger flights to eventually return.

South Wales Argus

• Newport leader's M4 Relief Road support claim questionedNewport Conservative leader, Councillor Matthew Evans MBE, accused the Welsh Government of being 'hell-bent on squandering millions on useless active travel schemes.'
• Labour backs M4 relief road after Drakeford abandoned it [Letter]Whilst it's commendable that with Drakeford now gone, Labour are backing the call for an M4 relief road, a motion passed by the Senedd, it does mean Plaid need to take that on board.

Other Regional Press

• New taxiway could be built at Solent Airport in FarehamA new aircraft taxiway could be built at an airport as part of newly submitted plans.
• Terminal 4 rebuild leads Heathrow's £1.3bn spending plan for 2026Heathrow will spend £1.3bn in 2026 on a revamp of Terminal 4, a dedicated baggage system for Terminal 2, new accessibility facilities and camera-based monitoring of aircraft stands, the airport said on 6 November.
• Direct trains to London could soon be back on trackA WHOLE host of schemes - including extending the platforms at Barnsley Interchange to bring back a direct train to London for the first time in decades - have been put forward by South Yorkshire Mayor Oliver Coppard.

The Business Desk

• £26m upgrade approved for A38 corridor in SomersetThe Department for Transport has confirmed £26m in funding for improvements along the A38 corridor between Barrow Street junction at Barrow Tanks and the Edithmead Roundabout.

Other News Sources

• Councillors blast rail chiefs after week of East Yorkshire train chaosRail users in East Yorkshire have faced severe travel disruption over the past week, with more than 20 services being cancelled in a single day.
• Siemens opens new state-of-the-art rail infrastructure technology and innovation center in ChippenhamUK Prime Minister Andy Burnham and UK Secretary of State for Transport Heidi Alexander official open rail infrastructure facility
• London named Europe's best capital for nightlife and travelThe study, titled London After Dark, was released to mark 10 years since the launch of the Night Tube and explores how London's night-time economy has evolved over the past decade.

News from Europe

• High-speed railway construction begins in PortugalIn Portugal, work has officially started on the first section of the long-awaited Porto-Lisbon high-speed railway, marking a major step towards transforming rail travel between the country's two largest metropolitan areas.