Driverless vehicles are expected to appear on London’s roads later this year as Waymo moves from testing to public trials. While the technology has advanced rapidly, questions remain over how quickly autonomous cars can transition from the test phase to everyday transport in one of the world’s busiest cities—and whether the London rollout can serve as a model for other urban areas. Waymo, the self-driving car division of Google’s parent company Alphabet, has confirmed plans t

Oxford City Council has made progress on the long-delayed Oxpens River Bridge project, naming Jacksons Civil Engineering Group as the preferred contractor for the £14 million scheme. Construction is now expected to begin this spring, with the bridge scheduled to be craned into place in September and completion targeted for February 2027, according to Construction Enquirer. The bridge forms a central part of the council’s broader West End regeneration strategy, designed to pro

Construction is now in its final stages on a major new bypass in Leicestershire, with the council confirming that the road is receiving its “finishing touches” ahead of a planned opening later this year. The Melton Mowbray Distributor Road has been developed to reduce congestion in the town centre while accommodating increased traffic from new housing developments in the area. Stretching nearly 4.5 miles, it is the largest highways project ever undertaken by Leicestershire Co

On 29 January 2026, the UK rail freight sector saw a significant development with the official launch of Heavy Haul Rail Limited as an independent company. This follows the sale of Freightliner UK’s Intermodal Logistics division, allowing Heavy Haul Rail to concentrate exclusively on the bulk freight market and leverage over 25 years of operational expertise. As a standalone entity, Heavy Haul Rail now moves 17 million tonnes of bulk freight each year, serving industries suc

Last year at Highways UK, long‑term Re‑flow partner QMS unveiled a new, more sustainable approach to line marking: the new EcoRib™ and ColdMark™ [CW1]  machine. Headline benefits include improving the long-term performance of profiled edge line marking, while simultaneously cutting whole-life cost, carbon, and ocean microplastics – innovations that may well interest other businesses looking to boost their sustainability credentials.   “We’ve taken line marking to a whole new

With Nick Harris confirming his departure from National Highways, attention has turned to who might take the helm of the organisation that oversees the UK’s strategic road network. While the formal recruitment process will launch in the spring, a number of senior leaders in the highways and infrastructure sector are already being discussed as potential contenders. Below we explore four names frequently mentioned in industry conversations: Duncan Smith, Peter Mumford, Lizi Ste

Nick Harris, Chief Executive of National Highways, has confirmed he will step down after five years leading the organisation. He will remain in post during a short transition period while the Board finalises interim leadership arrangements, with recruitment for a permanent successor due to begin in the spring, but how will his time at the helm be judged. Upon Insight breaking news of his planned departure weeks ago, Harris initially issued a strong rebuttal, insisting he was

Warwickshire County Council has unveiled a pioneering initiative aimed at reducing inappropriate speeding on rural roads, with a focus on the historic Fosse Way. While only a portion of drivers exceed the speed limit, many accidents are caused by driving too fast for the conditions , particularly on bends and at junctions where visibility is limited. Rural roads account for 41% of all collisions in the county, making them a significant focus for safety improvements. A centra

National Highways is reviewing a new proposal to install temporary slip-roads at M6 Junction 38 after initial plans to partially close the junction for four years met widespread opposition. Under the original scheme, part of the northbound side would close for two years and the southbound side for the same period, as part of a project to replace the Lune Gorge bridges between 2027 and 2031. Residents and local businesses raised concerns about the potential disruption, pro

North Lanarkshire Council and NHS Lanarkshire plan to submit a planning application in early 2026 for sections of the East Airdrie Link Road (EALR) that will support the new University Hospital Monklands at Wester Moffat, Airdrie. The first application will cover the stretch from the hospital to A89 Forrest Street and will include a new Towers Road link connection . The scheme is designed to improve local traffic flow and active travel access to the hospital and surrounding

Embedding road safety into transport infrastructure projects can increase financial returns for investors, according to a new report from the Global Infrastructure Basel Foundation (GIB), supported by the FIA Foundation. The report argues that road safety should no longer be treated as a moral or regulatory “add-on,” but as a core investment metric alongside climate, resilience, and equity. With 1.2 million people killed on roads each year —equating to 1–3% of global GDP —th

Motorists are facing delays on the M1 in Bedfordshire this morning after an infrastructure defect led to lane closures in both directions. The closures are between junction 12 (Toddington) and junction 13 (Brogborough) . On the southbound carriageway , two lanes are closed , while on the northbound side , one lane is affected . The restrictions are expected to remain in place throughout the morning rush hour , according to National Highways . The problem first appeared on Tu

Transport for London (TfL) is exploring plans to establish a publicly owned bus company, which would compete with private operators across the capital. If created, it would be the first major publicly owned bus company in London for 30 years. TfL’s draft business plan , which outlines investment priorities for the remainder of the decade, states: "We will develop detailed proposals for a new publicly owned bus company. We will assess how this could support innovation, efficie

A new report from the Transport Committee calls on the Government to seize a “once-in-a-generation” opportunity to strengthen the UK’s transport manufacturing sector by nurturing the skills needed for future growth. The report focuses on the sector’s workforce needs and makes recommendations to attract new talent, retain existing employees, and particularly encourage more women into the industry. It highlights opportunities linked to the Government’s plans on bus and rail ser

Transport for London (TfL) has revealed plans to expand the London Overground network into the Home Counties, potentially extending services all the way to Stevenage. The move is part of TfL’s new business plan, covering 2026/27 to 2029/30 , which outlines key projects and spending priorities for the coming years. TfL aims to take control of the “inner” part of the Great Northern Railway network , creating a new Overground branch linking Moorgate with Stevenage , passing thro

Campaigners have criticised updated government guidance on floating bus stops, saying it fails to address safety concerns for blind and visually impaired people and should be withdrawn. Floating bus stops, also known as Shared Use Bus Borders (SUBBs) , place a cycle lane between the kerb and the bus stop, allowing buses to pull in while cyclists continue past. The Department for Transport (DfT) says the design aims to make boarding and alighting from buses safer without inter