East Midlands Railway (EMR), operated by Transport UK, has opened applications for its 2026 Community Fund, offering £100,000 in grants to support projects that benefit communities across its network. The fund is available to non-profit organisations within 15km of an EMR-managed station, with a focus on initiatives that promote wellbeing, inclusion and opportunity. The scheme is designed to help grassroots groups turn ideas into impactful local projects. Applications must be

Doncaster Sheffield Airport has moved closer to a potential reopening following the arrival of a Boeing 727 as part of a programme of operational readiness assessments. The aircraft, operated by 2Excel Aviation, landed at the airport in late April, marking the first time a large jet has touched down at the site since it closed in November 2022. The Boeing 727—commonly used for specialist roles such as oil spill response and aerial monitoring—is being deployed to test key aspe

Innovate UK has announced two new funding competitions aimed at accelerating the development of aviation technologies that can be used across both civilian and defence applications. The programmes, which open for applications in early May, reflect increasing government focus on strengthening the UK’s capabilities in areas such as autonomous systems, advanced air mobility and counter-drone technologies. In total, up to £15 million will be made available across the two competit

Concerns about the safety of slip roads on the A34 at East Ilsley and Beedon have been acknowledged by the Government following a meeting between a local MP and the roads minister. Olivia Bailey, MP for Reading West and Mid Berkshire, met with Roads Minister Simon Lightwood to discuss issues raised by residents about the junctions. The meeting followed significant local feedback, with hundreds of constituents responding to a survey highlighting safety risks. Residents have ca

Thousands of drivers in the UK could be impacted by proposed changes to driving licence rules affecting Ukrainian nationals. The Government has launched a consultation on plans to extend the period Ukrainian licence holders can drive in Great Britain, increasing the current allowance by an additional 24 months. Under the proposals, the existing eligibility period would rise from 36 months to 60 months for some drivers, while others could see their entitlement extended from 54

Nottinghamshire County Council has unveiled two new machines designed to improve the speed and quality of pothole repairs across the county. The equipment, known as the JCB Pothole Pro, weighs around 13 tonnes and is designed to cut out sections of damaged road to enable cleaner and more durable repairs. According to the manufacturer, the machines can operate up to four times faster than traditional repair methods. The council has purchased the machines at a cost of £66,000 e

Moto Hospitality has unveiled plans to significantly grow its electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure across its UK motorway service areas, with a particular focus on supporting electric freight. The operator intends to quadruple the number of charging bays available across its estate in the coming years, as part of a wider push to meet rising demand from both passenger vehicles and heavy goods transport. Moto currently operates more than 60 motorway service locations n

GB Railfreight (GBRf) is set to accelerate the introduction of its new Class 99 bi-mode locomotives after securing network acceptance from Network Rail. The operator received Network Rail Summary of Compatibility (NRSC) approval for the Stadler-built electro-diesel fleet on 30 April, marking a significant step forward in bringing the locomotives into operational service. With compatibility now confirmed, the Class 99 fleet is no longer restricted to testing and can be deploye

Great Western Railway (GWR) and Network Rail have taken a further step towards closer collaboration by bringing the management of London Paddington station under a single leadership structure. A new role of Integrated Station Lead has been created, with Lauren Clancy appointed to oversee operations across both organisations. The move is part of wider efforts to align track and train functions more closely, with a focus on improving the passenger experience. The appointment re

TransPennine Express (TPE) has introduced new Passenger Assistance meeting points at stations across its network, aimed at making journeys easier and more accessible for customers who require additional support. The designated meeting points provide clearly marked, easy-to-locate areas where passengers can meet staff for assistance at the start of their journey. The initiative forms part of TPE’s wider Passenger Assistance service, which supports customers with tasks such as

Siemens Mobility has brought together regional leaders and businesses at its Derby site to discuss skills development, apprenticeships and future transport investment across the East Midlands. The roundtable was attended by East Midlands Mayor Claire Ward, Rt Hon Alistair Burt, Vice President of the Enterprise Forum, and representatives from around 20 local companies. Discussions focused on the challenges facing young people in the region and how collaboration between industr

An opposition MP has secured Government support for new measures aimed at tackling fly-tipping, in what he described as a significant step forward for rural communities. South Shropshire MP Stuart Anderson has backed proposals to give police additional powers to penalise offenders, including the introduction of penalty points on driving licences for those caught illegally dumping waste. The move follows pressure from Conservative MPs, with the Government agreeing to adopt the

Plans for a potential overnight tourist levy across Bristol and Bath, stronger connections with North Somerset, and enhanced public transport across the South West have been outlined as key priorities by the West of England’s mayor. Labour’s Helen Godwin, marking her first year leading the West of England Combined Authority (WECA), has set out her ambitions for the region’s next phase of growth and development. Elected last May with 25% of the vote, Ms Godwin oversees Bath an

Birmingham City Council has confirmed the appointment of four consultancies to lead the next phase of its highways and infrastructure programme under a framework valued at £400m. The eight-year Transportation and Infrastructure Professional Services Framework will be delivered by AtkinsRéalis, Jacobs, Mott MacDonald and Pell Frischmann, who will provide a broad range of design and advisory services. Their work will span key areas including highways engineering, urban planning

SRL Traffic Systems has announced the appointment of Paul Lewis as its new Chief Executive Officer, marking a significant step in the company’s continued growth and strategic development. Lewis brings more than two decades of experience leading large, operationally intensive service businesses. He joins SRL from VPS Group, where he most recently served as UK and Ireland Divisional CEO. Throughout his career, he has built a reputation for delivering sustainable growth through

Kent County Council (KCC) has appointed Ringway to deliver a major highways maintenance contract worth £50 million annually over a 21-year period. The new Highways Term Maintenance Contract (HTMC) will see Ringway take responsibility for a broad range of essential services across the county. These include road repairs, winter gritting, drainage maintenance, bridge inspections and upkeep, as well as providing a 24/7 emergency response service. Ringway will replace Amey, which