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

Tuesday, 24 February 2026

BBC News

• 'One last chance' to create new train servicePlans for a new rail service in Wiltshire and Somerset could derail, unless crucial funding can be found in the coming weeks.
• MP warns of growing pressure on railway lineAn MP has warned that the planned Universal theme park and airport expansion could cause a railway route to exceed its capacity within five years.
• Victims 'devastated' by train CCTV failures that allow sex offenders to go untracedSex offenders on trains are escaping justice because of serious issues with CCTV on the rail network, a BBC investigation has revealed.
• MP asks for more time for school transport surveyA consultation on home-to-school travel has been extended after the timeframe to respond was criticised by an MP.
• Company director jailed over £7m airline parts fraudThe judge said the actions were a "more or less complete undermining" of rules designed to ensure passenger flights are safe.

Financial Times

• Ex-techno DJ jailed for global aircraft engine fraudJose Alejandro Zamora Yrala’s ‘utterly inexcusable’ actions put 60,000 suspect parts into the global aviation supply chain
• Panama hands canal ports control to Maersk and MSC after ejecting Hong Kong groupShipping companies to temporarily operate terminals after Supreme Court ruling against CK Hutchison

Times Online

• Failure to close taxi-licence loophole 'puts children at risk' [subscription]The union Unite criticises the government for not tightening the law to stop drivers operating in areas where they have not obtained a licence

Welsh Government

• Written Statement: A vision for rail across Wales and BordersThe launch of Transport for Wales's long-term plan for rail in Wales, 'Today, Tomorrow, Together: A vision for rail across Wales and Borders' on the 18th February 2026 marks a seminal moment for rail in Wales.

Local Government

• Consultation on new transport plans for east ReadingProposals to improve bus journeys and general traffic flows on a key commuter route into east Reading have been welcomed by Reading Council.

Network Rail

• Network Rail and South Western Railway continue their commitment to supporting heritage railways with The Watercress Line agreement and charitable donationNetwork Rail, South Western Railway (SWR) and the Mid-Hants Railway, affectionately known as The Watercress Line, celebrated the visit of the Railway 200 Exhibition Train by taking steps to work more closely together in the future.
• Cambrian Coast Line reopens after major track upgrade to boost resilience for the futureThe 9-day planned works saw Network Rail engineers deliver a major programme of track renewal and infrastructure improvements between Pwllheli and Dovey Junction.

Bradford Telegraph & Argus

• When will Bradford district station waiting room be repaired?Network Rail confirms when a Bradford district train station waiting room will reopen.

Holyrood

• Direction of travel: The next Scottish Government will have big transport challengesLast month, another person lost their life on the A9, this time in a collision between a van and a lorry. It is the most recent fatality in a long tally of deaths dating back decades on one of Scotland's most dangerous roads. With the Scottish Parliament election now less than three months away, the long-awaited safety improvements from dualling the A9 have become one of the clearest tests of the SNP's record on transport after 19 years in government.
• Connectivity: the role of transport in growing Scotland's visitor economyAt VisitScotland, we're committed to driving the visitor economy, growing its value to Scotland - and we recognise a successful tourism and events industry must be underpinned by strong infrastructure, transport and connectivity. To help support this, we work collaboratively with transport partners across many of our activities, to build demand for Scotland, develop memorable experiences for our visitors and grow strategic connectivity.

Manchester Evening News

• More Manchester Piccadilly disruption announced after nine-day closure saw 9,000 buses usedFurther disruption has been announced for next month following the major works

Newcastle Evening Chronicle

• Latest Northumberland Line station opens with link to Tyne and Wear MetroThe Northumberland Park station on the Northumberland Line has welcomed passengers for the first time. The station creates a vital link between the railway and the Tyne and Wear Metro.

The York Press

• Scarborough station clocktower in £14 million restorationA HISTORIC clocktower is getting a timely update thanks to a heritage restoration project.

Wolverhampton Express and Star

• Inspector rejects 'digital hub' and defibrillator outside Wolverhampton railway stationAn appeal over a decision to block a digital advertising board and defibrillator from being installed outside Wolverhampton railway station has been thrown out.

Other Regional Press

• Clwyd South MS on £14b government investment in Welsh RailThe recent announcement by the UK and Welsh Governments of £14bn of investment in Welsh rail is a generational commitment and nowhere is that clearer than here in North Wales.
• Trees to be chopped ahead of roundabout revamp in ColchesterEssex County Council is kicking off its revamp of St Botolph's Circus in the city centre by removing trees today. The council said it is in the final stages of appointing the lead contractor for the project and is beginning preliminary work.
• TfL's cycling revolution delivers 345km new paths in 10 years - many Londoners still feel unsafeNew research has found that 43 per cent of Londoners don't feel comfortable despite the huge investment in cycle lanes, junction redesigns and crossings
• December figures revealed for cargo boom at Prestwick AirportTHE cargo boom at Prestwick Airport is showing no signs of slowing down following the release of figures from the end of 2025.
• Council objects to 50% increase in flights at FarnboroughThe borough council has objected to a proposal to increase the weekend flights at Farnborough Airport by 50 per cent.
• Great Western Railway debuts magical Famous Five campaignThe railway provider's new campaign blends myth, nostalgia, and timeless adventure, featuring the enduring characters of the Famous Five as they travel across the GWR network in search of a dragon.
• Trains return to Manchester Piccadilly after major upgradeA £7.9 million upgrade to the tracks outside Manchester Piccadilly has been completed following a nine-day closure.
• Uber reveals how far it is from all-electric London targetJourneys in an electric Uber car cost the same as those in a standard UberX vehicle
• New fflecsi zone launches in Llanarmon to boost rural transportA brand new fflecsi zone serving Llanarmon, Denbighshire has been introduced this week, providing Transport for Wales (TfW) passengers with flexible, on demand transport journeys.
• War of words between Andrew Gant and Sir Keir Starmer over pothole commentsOxfordshire’s transport chief Andrew Gant has invited Sir Keir Starmer to come and visit the county’s potholes after criticism.

Business Live

• The verdict on the promise of £14bn of rail investment in Wales over the long-termProfessor Mark Barry of Cardiff University who created the vision for the South Wales Metro gives his verdict of the UK Government’s committed over the long-term to invest in rail enhancement projects across Wales

Rail Advent

• Greater Anglia announces 20 additional contactless ticket stations from 8 MarchGreater Anglia have announced that from Sunday, 8 March 2026, passengers will be able to enjoy pay-as-you-go contactless ticketing at an additional 20 stations along the line, making travel quicker, simpler, and more flexible.

road.cc

• Locals slam 'ridiculous' two-year closure of damaged cycle path as council takes alleged perpetrators of 'wanton vandalism' to courtNottinghamshire County Council has commenced legal action against the suspected perpetrators of serious damage to a popular cycle path, causing it to be closed to disgruntled locals for over two years.

Sustainable Bus

• Zero-emission buses reach 60% of EU city bus market in 2025Six out of ten new city buses registered in the European Union in 2025 were zero-emission vehicles, with battery-electric buses representing 56% and fuel cell buses 4% of the market, according to data released by Transport & Environment.

The Business Desk

• Bristol Airport to Portishead link will be among new bus routes starting in AprilA bus service linking several towns and villages with Bristol Airport is to launch in April From 5 April, the A2 service will travel from Portishead to Walton-in-Gordano, Clevedon, Tickenham, Nailsea, Backwell and Bristol Airport.

Other News Sources

• Hampshire County Council To Consider Active Travel Improvements In AndoverPlans to improve walking, wheeling and cycling routes in Andover are set to be considered by Hampshire County Council in early March.
• Relief for Stansted Airport travellers as contactless train ticketing arrives in MarchTravellers heading to Stansted Airport will finally be able to use contactless payments for train journeys from next month, after long-delayed approval was given to extend London's contactless system.
• University renews sponsorship of Bath Safe Bus, boosting night-time safety for studentsThe University is renewing its £10,000 sponsorship of the Bath Safe Bus, reinforcing its commitment to student wellbeing and night time safety across the city.
• Cenex Expo showcases the latest in mobility and sustainable transport technologiesCenex Expo gathers major stakeholders advancing road transport decarbonisation, connected automated mobility innovations, and scale-up for impact and economic growth. The event attracts influential contributors, ensuring a dynamic exchange of expertise and ideas to drive the future of mobility
• BUS FRANCHISING: IMPLICATIONS FOR COMMUNITY TRANSPORTThe Community Transport Association (CTA) has published analysis on new Department for Transport guidance for local authorities considering bus franchising in England.
• One-way changes and cycle lanes proposed for Fleet town centre roads with 'poor crash record'The proposals in Fleet are set to cost over £1.3m and include new crossings and cycle lanes

News from Europe

• Paris airports call for summer suspension of EU border system rolloutThe operator of Paris's main airports has urged the European Union to delay the full rollout of its new biometric Entry/Exit System, warning it could cause major congestion during the busy summer season.