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

Tuesday, 07 April 2026

BBC News

• Major works to shut one of UK's busiest rail linesMajor engineering works to improve the safety and reliability of one of the UK's busiest stretches of railway are planned, Network Rail has said.
• New railway stations open to the publicThree new railway stations have opened to the public in Birmingham as part of a £185m project to reinstate links to the city centre.
• New tram extension welcomes first passengersThe Metro tram service in Birmingham city centre now serves Albert Street and Millennium Point.
• Union angry at no 'social value' score in new shipbuilding contractProcurement for another new CalMac ferry begins but the GMB union says UK-based shipbuilders will struggle to compete with firms in "low-wage economies".
• Glen Sannox ferry out of action again with engine issueThe vessel, which sails on the busy Troon to Arran crossing, only returned to service last week following previous repairs.

The Herald

• Hundreds sign petition calling for removal of cycle lane in GreenockHundreds of people have thrown their weight behind a petition calling for cycle lanes to be removed from Greenock's main shopping street.
• Airports rationing fuel amid ongoing Iran war falloutOn Monday Brindisi airport in Italy was declared to be out of kerosene, with airlines urged to "load sufficient fuel from the previous airport to cover subsequent flights", with no refuelling at the Puglia hub until at least noon on April 7.
• 1,600 call for return of Scots railway line last used 60 years agoMore than 1,600 people have now signed a petition to reopen the Dunfermline to Alloa railway line.

The Independent

• Renaming Florida airport after Donald Trump is expected to cost more than $5 millionThe president's company trademarked the Trump name for use in airports before Florida passed the renaming bill Democrats have slammed Florida lawmakers for passing a bill renaming the Palm Beach International Airport after President Donald Trump - given it comes with an eye-watering $5.5 million cost.

The Telegraph

• This aircraft is predicted to transform long-haul travel. After flying in one, I have concerns [subscription]With the narrow-body Airbus A321XLR being snapped up by airlines, your next flight to America or Asia could feel like a tight squeeze

Times Online

• Jo Bamford: Put British buses first or lose everything to China [subscription]The UK bus industry is worth £11bn a year and employs 105,000 people. Yet we keep handing contracts to overseas firms

The Mirror

• E-bike and e-scooter fires reach record high amid online marketplace warningsE-bike and e-scooter fires reached a record high last year, an investigation has found, with concerns being raised over batteries sold through online marketplaces

Network Rail

• Footage released of major North West railway upgrades this EasterDrone and trackside footage has been released showing multi-million-pound projects which took place over the Easter weekend to improve rail journeys across the North West.

Belfast Telegraph

• Belfast Telegraph Business Awards: 'Success is about wider social and economic impact': Belfast City AirportAcross Northern Ireland, organisations are recognising that the most resilient and respected companies are those that contribute positively to the communities around them.

Birmingham Mail

• New rule for households in England without driveways with £500 payoutsUK households without driveways who want to install EV chargers can get £500 grants under a rule change from this month. Starting April 1, the Labour Party government has been boosting the Electric Vehicle Chargepoint Grant.

Bristol Live

• How Bristol's transport is falling behind Europe - and costing the economyCongested roads and subpar public transport are holding back the regional economy

Newcastle Evening Chronicle

• Inside Nexus Learning Centre in South Shields as we visit Metro simulatorTake a look behind the scenes at the transport provider's training base, where the 'immersive' virtual train is the star of the show

Yorkshire Post

• Doncaster Sheffield Airport reopening plans must not be derailed by u-turns: Peter KennanThere is a lot of attention on Doncaster Sheffield Airport at present, but what we have at the core of this project, is an experienced team going about their work, preparing a mothballed airport for reopening.

Carlisle News & Star

• West Coast Main Line disrupton ahead as works continueVital work to modernise Europe's busiest mixed-use railway is moving ahead as part of a £400 million improvement plan.

Oxford Mail

• Transport company announces major leadership appointmentCotswolds-based operator Pulhams has brought in Peter Graybrook as its new area engineering manager, following recent network expansion, fleet growth, and investment in electric vehicle technology.

Other Regional Press

• New overnight train launches from London Gatwick Airport this summerGreat Western Railway will trial overnight services between Reading and Gatwick Airport in a boost to holidaymakers and airport staff
• Much-loved LNER trains back on North East tracksAfter a more than five-year hiatus, rail customers in the North East have been reunited with a familiar sight as LNER reintroduces a daily passenger service operated by an InterCity 225 train.
• Officials vow to improve the reliability and frequency of public transport in rural areasMembers of the Greater Lincolnshire Combined County Authority's transport board (GLCCA) were told that the Rural Transport Group has held its first meeting with ministers and transport bosses to address the challenges in the county.
• Exeter passengers fed up with 35-year-old trains. This group is fighting to replace themSalisbury to Exeter Rail User Group: the passengers fighting for better trains on the Exeter to London Waterloo line
• Police board 255 Birmingham Airport flights over disruptive passengers since 2016West Midlands Police have boarded hundreds of flights at Birmingham Airport over nearly a decade, with 255 disruptive passenger incidents since 2016 - over half alcohol-related

Rail Magazine

• New operator for Dublin light rail chosen as losing bidder seeks legal adviceA contract worth almost €1.3 billion (£1.1bn) has been awarded to KeolisAmey to operate Dublin's Luas light rail system.

Railway Gazette

• 'Global first' in London tram track renewalsUK: In what supplier Sika says is a world first, contractor VolkerRail has installed polymer rail grout on a section of embedded track on the London Trams network using a machine instead of manual application.

Route One (Bus and Coach)

• New guidance on bus enhanced partnerships in England publishedDocument is second of three publications where bus enhanced partnership is avenue of reform

The Business Desk

• Chamber of Commerce fears Cornwall Airport at risk after London flights axedCornwall Airport Newquay faces questions over its long-term viability following the sudden cancellation of its daily service to London.
• £148m East Midlands transport overhaul approvedA £148m programme of transport investment across the East Midlands has been approved by members of the East Midlands Combined County Authority, covering a three-year pipeline of projects. The funding package includes upgrades to key road corridors, bus infrastructure and transport hubs, alongside investment in digital tools and active travel.

Aviation Industry

• Bristol Airport submits plans for bigger and better airportBristol Airport is looking to offer new destinations around the world under plans submitted to North Somerset Council, that will enable it to expand services to meet customer demand and support economic regional growth.

Other News Sources

• Campaigners rally to oppose airport expansion into Felton CommonActivists and campaigners are mobilising against Bristol Airport's expansion plans, which include relocating the runway threshold, encroaching onto Felton Common.
• LNER reinstates InterCity 225 services to NewcastleLNER has reintroduced a daily InterCity 225-operated service between London King's Cross and Newcastle from 30 March 2026, ending a more than five-year absence of the trains in the North East.
• Hitachi Rail unveils new luxury train projectHitachi Rail has been selected to manufacture rolling stock for a new premium restaurant train, Fine Dining Train vies, being developed with Seibu Railway in Japan.
• Stadler drops appeal over SBB train dealStadler has withdrawn its appeal against the SBB contract award for up to 200 double-deck trains, formally ending a high-profile procurement dispute with Siemens.
• The Green party's transport plan is pure madnessAs you may have noticed, we've seen rather more wokery than greenery from the Green party since Zack Polanski took the helm. If you're wondering why, a party policy document on transport, revealed by the Mail, might give you a clue.
• Over 1,600 sign petition for Dunfermline-Alloa railwayMORE than 1,600 people have now signed a petition to reopen the Dunfermline to Alloa railway line.