National Highways is calling on local and mayoral combined authorities to put forward proposals for a new £165m fund aimed at removing transport barriers to development. The Growth and Housing Accelerator (GHA) Fund, announced as part of the government’s third Road Investment Strategy, will support schemes where a lack of transport infrastructure is preventing housing or employment sites from progressing. The focus is on locations on or near the strategic road network where t

National Highways’ fleet of 530 gritters covered more than one million miles across England’s motorways and major A-roads during the winter. Crews have been out 16,500 times, spreading more than 91,000 tonnes of salt to help keep motorists moving safely and the country connected.Last winter is on track to have the second lowest amount of salt spread since the 2013/2014 winter season where 94,372 tonnes of salt was used. This is due in part to the country experiencing higher r

TransPennine Express (TPE) is set to introduce round-the-clock train services to and from Manchester Airport as part of its upcoming timetable changes. From Sunday 17 May, the operator will add eight new services, creating an hourly connection between Manchester Piccadilly and the airport throughout the day and night. The move is designed to better support passengers travelling at off-peak times, particularly those catching early morning or late-night flights at one of the UK

Govia Thameslink Railway (GTR) has introduced a new Sustainability Academy for staff, marking Earth Day with a focus on embedding environmental responsibility across its operations. The initiative is designed to support the company’s wider sustainability strategy, which aligns with the rail industry’s Sustainable Rail Blueprint and sets targets around emissions, environmental impact and social responsibility. GTR operates Southern, Thameslink, Great Northern and Gatwick Expre

Alliance Rail has accused Network Rail (NR) of consistently obstructing its proposal to introduce open access services between Marchwood, Southampton and London Waterloo, claiming the infrastructure operator is “abusing its position” during the approval process. The application, submitted to the Office of Rail and Road (ORR) in late 2024, remains under review, with both Network Rail and the Department for Transport (DfT) raising concerns about its impact. Network Rail has arg

Great Western Railway (GWR) has raised objections to Transport for Wales’ (TfW) plans to introduce new rail services linking West Wales with Bristol, citing concerns over capacity, competition and potential impacts on existing projects. TfW is proposing a two-hourly service—amounting to nine trains per day—with initial departures from Cardiff and others originating further west. The operator submitted its application to the Office of Rail and Road (ORR) last year, with ambiti

Berlin-based start-up Nox Mobility has raised €2 million in early-stage funding as it looks to bring a new wave of overnight rail travel to Europe. The pre-seed investment, led by IBB Ventures with additional backing from Italian investor Tommaso Lucca and industry specialists, will support the development of the company’s concept and preparations for its first routes, expected to launch in 2027. Founded in 2025, Nox Mobility aims to reinvent night train travel by combining t

Oxfordshire County Council is set to revisit proposals for a £4.2m investment programme linked to its temporary congestion charge, with cabinet members requesting further detail before making a final decision. The revised plans, due to be discussed in May, include updates to the city’s park and ride offer. Among the options being considered is a £3 combined ticket, potentially available until the end of December 2026, alongside additional support for key workers such as NHS a

The 2026 Active Travel Challenge has officially opened for registration in Northern Ireland, encouraging people to swap car journeys for walking, cycling, running or public transport throughout June. The free initiative, led by the Walk Wheel Cycle Trust in partnership with organisations including Translink, the Public Health Agency and local councils, aims to promote healthier lifestyles while reducing travel costs and carbon emissions. The challenge builds on a highly succe

Plans to overhaul the West Midlands bus network have received a boost after auditors gave a favourable assessment of how the transition is being managed. An internal audit report, due to be reviewed by the West Midlands Combined Authority’s (WMCA) Audit, Risk and Assurance Committee, found that the move towards a franchised bus system is being handled with “substantial assurance” in terms of governance and oversight. The reform programme, a key priority for Mayor Richard Park

A London Underground driver has been suspended after footage emerged appearing to show him making an antisemitic remark about passenger safety. The video, shared on social media by the Campaign Against Antisemitism (CAA), allegedly shows the Bakerloo line driver at a protest while holding a union banner. In the clip, he is asked whether Jewish passengers are safe on the line, to which he appears to respond: “Not when I’m driving.” The CAA condemned the comments, describing th

Accessible, reliable and affordable public transport plays a vital role in shaping everyday life across the North East. The quality of these services is closely tied to wider living standards, influencing access to jobs, education and essential services. At the heart of the region’s network is the Tyne & Wear Metro, which carries around 37 million passengers annually across more than 48 miles of track. It remains a cornerstone of connectivity and economic activity—but there i

A significant step has been completed in a major infrastructure programme aimed at strengthening water supplies across the North East, with over 30km of new pipeline now in place. The first phase of Northumbrian Water’s Project Pipeline: County Durham and Tees Valley—valued at £92.5m—has been successfully delivered, marking a key milestone in the wider scheme. Once complete, the project will provide a total of 57km of pipeline, linking water treatment facilities in Upper Tees

Greater Anglia has continued to rank among the UK’s most reliable train operators, maintaining strong punctuality levels for more than three consecutive years. Latest figures for the 12 months to 31 March 2026 show the operator achieved a Time to 3 (T-3) score of 91.84%, meaning the vast majority of trains arrived within three minutes at every station they serve. This places Greater Anglia just behind c2c as the second most punctual operator nationally under this stringent me

Pinewood Studios has been honoured with a national award celebrating its efforts to promote greener and more active travel. The Buckinghamshire-based film studio was named Business Site of the Year at the Modeshift National STARS Summit, held at the Royal Society in London on 18 March. The award highlights organisations that demonstrate strong commitment to reducing car dependency and encouraging sustainable transport choices. The recognition follows the rollout of Pinewood’s

Plans for a new £60m zero-emission bus depot in Wakefield have been welcomed by a local passenger advocacy group, highlighting its potential to improve public transport across the region. The West Yorkshire Combined Authority (WYCA) has submitted proposals for a purpose-built facility as part of its wider ambition to modernise and decarbonise the area’s transport network. The development would include space for up to 125 buses, along with charging infrastructure to support a