Public Transport news

• Was Heathrow’s response to fire at a substation really the best it could do?

  24-03-2025 19:32
  
  Given the airport had uninterrupted power from two other substations, did it have to shut down for long?Transport secretary says she’d ‘struggle to sleep’ after report Heathrow boss went to bed amid crisisThe 10-page risk report within Heathrow airport’s latest annual report does not mention North Hyde substation, or even substations in general, but it does describe the company’s approach to managing risks.Heathrow rightly has “no appetite” for safety ri
  
  Read more

• Thousands of jobs ‘could go as part of UK government’s rail shake-up’

  24-03-2025 16:21
  
  Reports suggest cuts in Great Britain would include removing ‘duplication’ of teams, as well job losses at HS2Thousands of jobs could go as part of the government’s planned shake-up of Britain’s railway industry, according to a report.Under Labour’s plans, a state-owned company, Great British Railways, will run the railway and take every train operator into public ownership as existing contracts expire. Continue reading...
  
  Read more

• Heathrow fire: transport secretary says she’d ‘struggle to sleep’ after report airport boss went to bed amid crisis

  24-03-2025 13:34
  
  Heidi Alexander declines to say she has confidence in Thomas Woldbye after airport chaos at the weekendNils Pratley: Was Heathrow’s response to fire at a substation really the best it could do?The UK’s transport secretary has said she would “struggle to sleep” if she had been running Heathrow airport, amid reports that its chief executive slept during the early hours of an unfolding crisis on Friday.A fire at a nearby electricity substation caused chaos on Friday as the a
  
  Read more

• Motability: is it true that the disability scheme is taking UK taxpayers for a ride?

  24-03-2025 10:20
  
  Understanding the rightwing backlash over the government scheme helping people with serious disabilities get carsThis article is an extract from our First Edition newsletter. Sign up hereMotability really ought to be a boring subject: a government scheme helping people with serious disabilities get a car by using a portion of their benefits to pay for the lease. But over the past week, anyone who had never heard of Motability would have got a more lurid impression.First reported in the Daily Mai
  
  Read more

• Advertisement

• Ministers may siphon off stalled £950m fund for motorway chargers

  24-03-2025 07:00
  
  Talks to take place with operators about the scheme, announced in 2020, which has failed to make any grantsMinisters are considering diverting money from a £950m scheme to install rapid chargers for electric cars on the UK’s motorways, announced five years ago, after it failed to make a single grant.Much of the cash allocated to the rapid charging fund (RCF) could be redirected to investments in other charging schemes, or to support the transition to electric vehicles more broadly, a
  
  Read more

• Wrightbus hydrogen bus trial could lead to zero emissions travel for Sizewell C workers

  24-03-2025 01:00 via loveballymena.online
  
  Other News Sources - Sizewell C workers could be taken to work by Wrightbus hydrogen buses for the entirety of the nuclear power station?s construction, if a new trial launched this week is successful.
  
  Read more

• Work starting soon on Blackheath Bus Interchange

  24-03-2025 01:00 via blackcountryradio.co.uk
  Other Regional Press - Work is set to start on the Blackheath Bus Interchange Project, marking a major milestone in the regeneration of the town.
  
  Read more

• Traffic lights to change for buses in town centre

  24-03-2025 01:00 via bbc.co.uk
  
  BBC News - A smart traffic system which prioritises buses at traffic lights is being introduced in a town to encourage more people to use public transport.
  
  Read more

• Advertisement

• Thousands of jobs to be axed in great rail shake-up subscription

  24-03-2025 01:00 via thetimes.com
  
  Times Online - Most of the cuts are expected to be in back-office roles where staff are not members of the most active transport trade unions
  
  Read more

• There was power available to keep Heathrow running, says National Grid subscription

  24-03-2025 01:00 via thetimes.com
  
  Times Online - Two substations were always available despite the fire, each one sufficient to meet the airport?s needs, insists chief executive
  
  Read more

• The £200m that's being wasted on the wrong train line

  24-03-2025 01:00 via heraldscotland.com
  
  The Herald - You may have heard Chancellor Rachel Reeves saying the other day that the world has changed and more cuts are coming on top of the cuts shemp;#39;s announced already. But if only the world had changed a little bit more than it has. If only we lived in a world where we werenmp;#39;t still spending millions of pounds on the wrong things.
  
  Read more

• The ?200m that?s being wasted on the wrong train line

  24-03-2025 01:00 via heraldscotland.com
  
  The Herald - You may have heard Chancellor Rachel Reeves saying the other day that ?the world has changed? and more cuts are coming on top of the cuts she?s announced already. But if only the world had changed a little bit more than it has. If only we lived in a world where we weren?t still spending millions of pounds on the wrong things. I?ll give you an example.
  
  Read more

• Thameslink apologises after MPs raise concerns about "underperforming" operator

  24-03-2025 01:00 via railmagazine.com
  
  Rail Magazine - Govia Thameslink Railway (GTR) has apologised after MPs heard how it was ?underperforming? on two key routes.
  
  Read more

• Thameslink apologises after MPs raise concerns about

  24-03-2025 01:00 via railmagazine.com
  
  Rail Magazine - Govia Thameslink Railway (GTR) has apologised after MPs heard how it was mp;#39;underperformingmp;#39; on two key routes.
  
  Read more

• Swindon bus boulevard project 'on track' for summer opening

  24-03-2025 01:00 via swindonadvertiser.co.uk
  
  Other Regional Press - Progress continues on a multi-million-pound construction project in Swindon's town centre.
  
  Read more

• Supertram: Work to start on new Magna station and Sheffield faces track replacement

  24-03-2025 01:00 via thestar.co.uk
  Sheffield Star - Work on a new supertram station is set to start next week - along with major track works.
  
  Read more

• Sort 'pothole plague' or lose cash, councils warned

  24-03-2025 01:00 via bbc.com
  
  BBC News - Councils in England will be asked to publish reports on their repairs or miss out on funding, but critics say long-term thinking is needed.
  
  Read more

• Rhymney valley railway line set for major improvements

  24-03-2025 01:00 via southwalesargus.co.uk
  
  South Wales Argus - A South Wales railway line is set to experience ?major infrastructure improvements? by the end of this month.
  
  Read more

• Regent Centre leads £208 million transport plan

  24-03-2025 01:00 via bdaily.co.uk
  
  Other News Sources - A major investment in North East transport will see Regent Centre Metro station, in Gosforth, become the first in a decade to get new ticket gates, improving security and reducing ticket fraud.
  
  Read more

• Prove how many potholes you've fixed or lose cash, councils told

  24-03-2025 01:00 via news.sky.com
  
  Sky News - The government is telling local councils they must publish data on how many potholes they have fixed or risk losing their share of an extra mp;amp;amp;#163;500m set aside for fixing roads.
  
  Read more

• Private train operators' advocacy body Rail Partners closes

  24-03-2025 01:00 via railwaygazette.com
  
  Railway Gazette - UK: The Rail Partners association of train operatorsmp;#39; parent companies closed on March 21, having decided to wind up after being unsuccessful in persuading the government to retain a role for the private sector in the operation of Department for Transport controlled passenger services.
  
  Read more

• PM tells councils to prove action on pothole plague to unlock extra cash and reveals ?4.8 billion for major roads

  24-03-2025 01:00 via gov.uk
  
  Department for Transport - The Plan for Change is tackling the pothole plague, building vital roads and ensuring every penny is delivering results for the taxpayer.
  
  Read more

• Plans for increased rail services through Spalding could be implemented later this year

  24-03-2025 01:00 via lincsonline.co.uk
  
  Other Regional Press - Plans for increased rail services through Spalding are on track.Proposals to run an additional four trains every Saturday and an extra one each weekday are currently on the table, it can be revealed.
  
  Read more

• Plans approved to unlock Wellington railway station site as town awaits government ruling

  24-03-2025 01:00 via somersetlive.co.uk
  
  Other Regional Press - Plans to unlock the planned site of Somersetmp;#39;s newest railway station have been approved by local councillors ahead of a final decision by central government. Cherwyn Developments secured planning permission in May 2024 to deliver 200 homes on Nynehead Road in Wellington, with the development providing access to the planned site of a mp;pound;15m railway station to serve the town.
  
  Read more

• Planning permission granted for new Huddersfield Bus Station as cost rises to £28.7 million

  24-03-2025 01:00 via huddersfieldhub.co.uk
  
  Other News Sources - The cost of the new Huddersfield Bus Station has risen againto mp;pound;28.7 million.The new cost for the much-delayed bus station has emerged as Kirklees Council has granted planning permission.
  
  Read more

• New rail service could bring trains to the Waterside

  24-03-2025 01:00 via dailyecho.co.uk
  
  Other Regional Press - A new rail service could soon link Marchwood directly with Southampton and London Waterloo.
  
  Read more

• National Grid confirms Heathrow never lost access to power

  24-03-2025 01:00 via bbc.com
  
  BBC News - Heathrowmp;#39;s boss previously said the shutdown was not for lack of power but to reboot complex systems.
  
  Read more

• National Grid chief says Heathrow had ‘enough power’ despite fire shutdown

  24-03-2025 01:00 via ft.com
  
  Financial Times - Airlines raise questions about scale of flight disruption after substation blaze
  
  Read more

• National Grid boss says Heathrow could have stayed open despite substation fire

  24-03-2025 01:00 via theguardian.com
  
  The Guardian - Two other substations available to supply airport with electricity, according to chief executive John PettigrewThere was enough power for Heathrow to remain open during the entire period it was shut down on Friday, the head of National Grid has said.Speaking for the first time since a fire forced North Hyde substation to close, the National Grid chief executive, John Pettigrew, said two other substations that serve Heathrow were working and could have supplied the airport with all
  
  Read more

• National Grid boss claims Heathrow had 'enough power' despite shutdown

  24-03-2025 01:00 via news.sky.com
  
  Sky News - The chief executive of National Grid has claimed that Heathrow Airport had enough power from other substations despite Fridaymp;#39;s shutdown.
  
  Read more

• MP calls for urgent action on transport connectivity in North West

  24-03-2025 01:00 via warrington-worldwide.co.uk
  Other Regional Press - WARRINGTON South MP Sarah Hall has called for greater investment in transport infrastructure in the North West, warning that towns like Warrington risk being left behind due to years of underfunding and delayed projects.
  
  Read more

• Ministers may siphon off stalled £950m fund for motorway chargers

  24-03-2025 01:00 via theguardian.com
  
  The Guardian - Talks to take place with operators about the scheme, announced in 2020, which has failed to make any grantsMinisters are considering diverting money from a mp;pound;950m scheme to install rapid chargers for electric cars on the UKmp;#146;s motorways, announced five years ago, after it failed to make a single grant.Much of the cash allocated to the rapid charging fund (RCF) could be redirected to investments in other charging schemes, or to support the transition to electric vehicl
  
  Read more

• Mayor's Birthday Buses pass 100,000 passengers

  24-03-2025 01:00 via westofengland-ca.gov.uk
  
  Local Government - Over 100,000 people in the West of England have taken up the offer of a monthmp;#39;s free travel throughout their Birthday month.
  
  Read more

• Hundreds of angry residents march to protest controversial bus gate

  24-03-2025 01:00 via dailyecho.co.uk
  
  Other Regional Press - Hundreds of angry residentsmp;nbsp;marched down Portswood high street to protest against a controversial bus gate scheme
  
  Read more

• Heathrow slams National Grid boss who claims airport had 'enough power' despite shutdown

  24-03-2025 01:00 via express.co.uk
  
  Daily Express - John Pettigrew, the chief executive of National Grid, claimed that Heathrow Airport had enough power from other substations despite Fridaymp;#39;s shutdown
  
  Read more

• Heathrow Airport slams National Grid boss who claims it had 'enough power' despite shutdown

  24-03-2025 01:00 via mirror.co.uk
  The Mirror - The National Grid CEO John Pettigrew said Heathrow Airport had enough power to avoid Fridaymp;#39;s shutdown, but the airport has hit back saying it was an mp;#39;unprecedented incidentmp;#39;
  
  Read more

• Haxby Railway Station: Call to secure Haxby Station funding after mayor says public transport is priority over A64

  24-03-2025 01:00 via yorkshirepost.co.uk
  Yorkshire Post - North Yorkshire's mayor should secure funding for a planned rail station at Haxby after saying he is prioritising public transport over dualling the A64
  
  Read more

• Grand Central begins application process for new rail service

  24-03-2025 01:00 via insidermedia.com
  Other News Sources - Grand Central has launched the application process to run direct rail services between Cleethorpes, Grimsby, Habrough, Scunthorpe and London.
  
  Read more

• Funding refusal frustrates volunteers after years of campaigning to Northern and Network Rail

  24-03-2025 01:00 via railmagazine.com
  
  Rail Magazine - Volunteers have been left in limbo after funding for refurbishment of a former station building was pulled at the last minute.
  
  Read more

• Council highlights crucial issues with next phase of East West Rail project

  24-03-2025 01:00 via bucksfreepress.co.uk
  
  Bucks Free Press - Buckinghamshire Council has pinpointed crucial local issues for consideration in the next phases of the East West Rail (EWR) infrastructure project
  
  Read more

• Changes to airport drop-off zone payment rules

  24-03-2025 01:00 via bbc.com
  
  BBC News - The airport says the camera-based scheme will be in place at pick-up and drop-off areas.
  
  Read more

• £9 MILLION BOOSTS BUS NETWORK IN WEST SUSSEX

  24-03-2025 01:00 via v2radio.co.uk
  Other News Sources - mp;pound;9 million has been given to West Sussex County Council to enhance the bus network.The Department of Transport has provided the grant.
  
  Read more

Follow @PublicTrnsprtUK on Twitter!