Customers travelling with LNER will find it easier than ever to locate an available seat or wheelchair space, thanks to new smart sensors being introduced across the Azuma fleet. Following a successful trial, LNER is installing more than 36,000 “SeatSense” sensors. The small devices will be fitted above all seats and wheelchair spaces and will detect and show instantly whether they are available or occupied, providing real-time updates. This marks a significant shift from pre

East Midlands Railway has not ruled out diesel options for a new fleet of trains, following last year’s cancellation of the Midland Main Line electrification project. RAIL understands that EMR had initially planned to order nearly 80 three-car battery-electric multiple units (BEMUs), to replace its current fleet of Class 158s and Class 170 Turbostars. Currently, both diesel multiple unit (DMU) fleets cover regional routes on the EMR network, with the ‘158s’ mainly operating a

New trains for TransPennine Express are likely to deploy onto Hull-Manchester Piccadilly services and two of the four hourly trains planned through Manchester Victoria. TPE made the revelation to a meeting of stakeholders in Manchester on January 30 as it unveiled its likely service pattern from 2027 onwards when work to remodel Huddersfield is complete. The company’s managers said the plan was not yet a done deal. The service pattern comprises: 2tph (trains per hour) from L

South Lanarkshire Council has outlined the steps it is taking to encourage children to travel to school in more active and sustainable ways, as new figures show progress remains mixed. Members of the Road Safety Forum were presented with an update on the council’s school travel programmes at a meeting held on February 3. While initiatives are in place to promote walking, cycling and other forms of active travel, the latest data shows car journeys to school remain high and par

Councils name top eight barriers to EV charging rolloutCharge point operator (CPO) Believ says new report shows more advice and training should be signposted to local authorities and that administrative delays hindering the LEVI tendering process need addressing.   Local authorities say constrained budgets and slow access to government funding are the biggest barriers to installing public electric vehicle (EV) charge points, according to a new national survey.  The research, 

Marlborough Highways has confirmed the continuation of its long-standing relationship with the London Borough of Newham following the start of a new Highways Works Contract this month. The new agreement significantly broadens Marlborough’s role within the borough. Alongside the ongoing upkeep and improvement of roads, pavements and associated infrastructure, Marlborough’s teams will also be responsible for delivering most of Newham’s public realm works on the public highway d

Floating bus stops have been criticised for making roads less safe for the visually impaired. Hyde Park is set to get floating bus stops and new segregated cycle paths are in an effort to make the public space "safer." The plans also include new pedestrian and cycle crossings. A floating bus stop, or bus stop bypass, is a design where the bus stop and shelter are located on an island, separated from the main pavement by a dedicated cycle track. This layout keeps cyclists away

Infrastructure Minister Liz Kimmins has confirmed that Graduated Driver Licensing (GDL) will be introduced on 1 October 2026, marking a major step forward in improving road safety across Northern Ireland. The scheme aims to reduce the high number of serious and fatal accidents involving new and younger drivers. Under the new system, a restructured framework for driver and motorcyclist training, testing, and post-test requirements will be introduced. The initiative forms part

Arcadis has announced the appointment of Peter Hogg as Country Director for the United Kingdom and Ireland, succeeding Simon Bimpson, who will continue in his role as President of Arcadis Advanced Manufacturing. With 28 years at Arcadis, Peter brings a wealth of experience in the built environment, a strong record of civic engagement, and an enduring commitment to improving quality of life. Alongside his new role, he will continue to serve as London City Executive. Throughout

The major motorway junction upgrade on the notorious Simister Island will be boosted by the approval of plans for a new compound. Five lanes of traffic and a new link road will be created at Junction 18 in a bid to ease congestion, following official confirmation by the Department for Transport (DfT) last year. Simister Island interchange, which connects the M60, M62 and M66 motorways, has long been earmarked for a massive change under National Highways proposals. The scheme

A section of coastal road in a beauty spot has washed away after being battered by storms. Part of the A379 between Torcross and Slapton, Devon, broke apart overnight after sea defences protecting the road were damaged in storms last month . The Start Bay Inn in Torcross said on Facebook, external it was "a mess, like a bomb has gone off". Dan Thomas, cabinet member for highways at Devon County Council, said: "A section of the road has washed away from constant battering due

Four years after updates to the Highway Code were implemented to make roads safer for people cycling and walking, Cycling UK is calling for an awareness campaign to ensure all road users understand and follow the new rules. New Highway Code rules came into force on 29 January 2022, with the aim to make roads safer for vulnerable road users.  The updated Highway Code introduced the hierarchy of road users, strengthened guidance on safely overtaking cyclists, horse riders and p

Getting locked in, malfunctions and safety are the top passenger concerns as autonomous taxis start operating in London Following the London launch of a fully autonomous SUV this January, Go.Compare Car Insurance has conducted new research revealing how the nation feels about riding in a driverless taxi – and not everyone is excited at the prospect. In January, fully autonomous Jaguar I‑Pace SUVs started operating in London as part of a new government-backed pilot scheme to

A new road connecting a housing development with Newark has moved into its "final phase". Work on the Southern Link Road, which will connect the A1 to the A46, began in 2023 and was scheduled to be completed in the first half of 2025. Designed to serve new houses and businesses, the project has cost an estimated £100m. The developers said the "main construction elements are now largely complete", and the opening of the road has been brought forward from September to "early su

The theft of traffic cones and road signs put road workers at risk, police have said. Norfolk Police said a man in a hi-vis jacket pulled up on the A47 near Terrington St John and loaded 85 cones and three road signs into a van on 19 January between 19:00 and 21:00 GMT. The force said the removal of the signage and cones left contractors working on the road "at risk" as they were no longer protected from traffic. Officers are appealing for anyone with information about the th

A road sign has been rewritten as "Wheel Wrecker Way", highlighting the problem of potholes. The sign on Old Bridge Way in Shefford, Bedfordshire, had previously been changed to "Welcome to Potholesville" before it was removed by council workers. It is not known who has twice defaced the sign put up by Central Bedfordshire Council. The authority's executive member for highways, John Baker, said that part of "the road is not an adopted public highway so does not fall under our