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

Wednesday, 20 May 2026

BBC News

• Council U-turn over canal towpath school routeA school will continue to get free school transport after its local authority dropped suggestions that children could walk to school alongside a canal instead.
• Congestion charge pays for some cheaper bus travelPeople who work at schools or for the NHS in Oxford will get free or discounted bus travel, and free parking at the city's park and rides, under plans agreed by Oxfordshire County Council's cabinet.
• HS2 delays and costs a 'bitter pill to swallow'The project could now cost up to £102.7bn, while the top speed of trains will also be reduced.
• China confirms it will buy 200 Boeing jets after Trump-Xi summitThe two sides will also work towards an extension to the tariffs truce they agreed in October, China's Commerce Ministry said.

ITV News

• HS2: More than double the cost, slower trains and less than half the size - what went wrong?A report in 2019 warned these costs risked hitting £88 billion, with a further warning in 2020 that this could reach as high as £100 billion, as ITV News Political Correspondent Carl Dinnen reports

Department for Transport

• Transport Secretary ends 'era of neglect' on HS2 with thorough resetTransport Secretary sets out new HS2 costs and timelines after a full review, taking control of the project to cut waste, speed up delivery and save billions.

The Guardian

• HS2 bill could rise to £102bn with first trains delayed until 2039, government admitsTransport secretary Heidi Alexander blames Conservative government for 'obscene increase in times and costs'

The Independent

• From the channel tunnel to HS2: building Britain for 40 yearsIn an industry where reliability, safety and expertise are non-negotiable, longevity speaks volumes.

Times Online

• Speed of HS2 trains reduced to control 'obscene' £100bn bill [subscription]Heidi Alexander, the transport secretary, told the Commons that the London-to-Birmingham project might not be completed until 2040

Sky News

• HS2: World's 'most expensive' high-speed rail line to be slower and cost moreA high-speed train line between London and Birmingham will be more expensive, take longer to make and go slower than previously announced.

Yorkshire Post

• HS2 failures are a damning indictment of Britain's approach to transport infrastructureThe failure of the HS2 project is a damning indictment of this country's inability to deliver meaningful infrastructure to spec, on time and on budget. While neighbouring countries in Western Europe have been building high speed rail at pace, HS2 has been nothing short of an abject failure.

North Wales Live

• P&O passengers could be denied entry to cruise ships if 1 key task isn't doneHolidaymakers preparing to board a P&O cruise have been warned to double-check the rules before travelling - otherwise they could face disappointment at the terminal and be denied boarding

Other Regional Press

• Ealing MP urges earlier opening of Elizabeth line at Old Oak CommonEaling Central and Acton MP Dr Rupa Huq has urged the Government to consider opening the Elizabeth line station at Old Oak Common earlier, after fresh delays pushed the arrival of HS2 services at the major transport hub between East Acton and North Acton back until at least 2036.
• Leaked plans to rebuild Euston stationA new rail link between Bewdley and Stourbridge is being 'actively explored', the West Midlands Rail Executive has confirmed.
• Somerset bus tickets could be simplified under 'Project Coral'Bus ticketing across Somerset could be greatly simplified in the coming months under a planned national roll-out of the 'Project Coral' scheme.
• Plans put forward for installation of digital advertisements at Eastbourne bus stopsThe new advertisements will be double-sided and installed at the stops in High Street and opposite the railway station on Terminus Road.
• Bus service covering Powys and borders to be axed this yearA BUS service covering eastern Powys is to be withdrawn later this year, raising fresh concerns about rural transport connections.
• British Airways announces reduced flights to 7 destinations this summer amid Iran warThe airliner cited the 'ongoing situation' with tensions rising in the Middle East as its reason to scale back operations to the region

Bus and Coach Buyer

• Weaver Network chooses local moquette supplierHuddersfield-based Camira Fabrics will make the moquette for the new buses required by West Yorkshire's franchised Weaver Network, combining its 200 years of transport textile expertise with a patchwork design inspired by the people and places of West Yorkshire.

Bus-News

• Electric Buses Play Growing Role in Improving Air Quality, Report FindsA new report from the Clean Air South network has outlined the role that cleaner transport and zero-emission buses play in improving air quality across the south of England.

Rail Magazine

• Mark Wild: HS2 changes Reducing the speed of HS2 and removing Automatic Train Operation (ATO) will help reduce the project's cost but not reduce potential capacity enhancements, HS2 Ltd has said.

Rail UK

• Transport Secretary promises end to 'era of neglect' on HS2Transport Secretary, Heidi Alexander, has declared an end to an 'era of neglect' on HS2 as she set out plans to reset the project, delivering the railway as quickly as possible and at the lowest reasonable cost.

Route One (Bus and Coach)

• Workplace culture: what does it mean for coach and bus?Defining a workplace's culture is not easy and nor is bringing forward meaningful adjustment
• First welcomes speed hike thanks to Bristol bus laneFirst Bus has hailed the success of a new bus lane near Bristol after a report from North Somerset Council found its installation coincided with a 4.7% decrease in bus journey times along the route.
• Camira to produce franchised Weaver Network bus moquetteLocal supplier will deliver fabric for seats in buses used on franchised network in West Yorkshire

Aviation Industry

• IAG, Virgin Atlantic bosses back alternative Heathrow expansion planAviation heavyweights IAG, Virgin Atlantic and IATA have backed an alternative plan for Heathrow's third runway after the Arora Group this week submitted a new, phased proposal for the airport's expansion.

Other News Sources

• Leaked plans to rebuild Euston stationEuston, we have a capacity problem. The much-derided London railway station, famous for its 1960s concrete design and travellers sprinting down ramps at the last minute, is due to become the terminus of the long-awaited High Speed 2 railway from Birmingham.
• Rival Heathrow runway bid revised as talks continue - 'most pragmatic path to expansion'The group behind a rival bid to add a third runway at Heathrow without diverting the M25, as the airport's own plans dictate has shared further details on its revised proposal.
• Liquid hydrogen likely 'to be the future' of H₂ transport: Omani energy ministerCritics of liquefied H₂ say the technology required is too complex and expensive
• Zenobe works with Go-Ahead on bus electrificationZenobē has funded more than 280 electric buses under a committed finance framework agreement (CFFA) with bus operator Go-Ahead.
• 'Further HS2 delays frustrating but project must be kept on track - ChamberBusiness leaders in Greater Birmingham are hopeful that new leadership and a 'more rigorous' approach to costing and delivery will keep HS2 on track.
• Government plans for 3,000 homes near Gatwick Airport to be decided by councilHomes England has submitted plans for 3,000 homes, but would like to build as many a ten thousand in the area
• Cruise ship rules for 2026 that could see passengers fined or bannedSeveral cruise lines have updated their policies for 2026 to keep passengers safe on board - and breaking the rules could see you fined, banned or removed from the ship entirely