The long-running debate over a proposed M4 relief road around Newport has resurfaced ahead of the Senedd election, with political parties divided over whether the scheme should finally move forward. First proposed in 1991, the relief road was intended to ease chronic congestion around the Brynglas Tunnels—one of the busiest and most constrained sections of motorway in Wales. However, the project was scrapped in 2019 by former First Minister Mark Drakeford due to concerns over

Commercial vehicles are keeping the UK moving in record numbers with almost 700,000 vans, pickups, 4x4s, HGVs, buses, coaches and minibuses in use across the country, SMMT’s latest Motorparc data for 2025 shows. Given these vehicles are quite literally a driver of the UK economy, forming the backbone of our supply chains, public services and transport networks, it is critical that Britain continues to sustain a robust and capable fleet. Light commercial vehicles (LCVs) rose b

More than half of UK drivers believe standard “road ahead closed” signs are failing to provide enough information, according to new research from the RAC. The poll found that 57 per cent of motorists consider the widely used red and white signs to be uninformative, with many saying they lack essential details needed to make informed decisions while driving. Lack of detail undermines trust Among those who criticised the signage, 60 per cent said the signs do not specify which

Transport workers in London are facing escalating levels of violence and abuse, with unions calling for urgent action to improve safety across the network. New figures show there were 10,493 reported incidents of work-related violence and aggression against transport staff in 2023/24—equivalent to around 200 incidents every week. The data, presented to the London Assembly, also highlights a sharp rise in recent years, with incidents against rail staff up 35 per cent and bus d

Transport for London (TfL) has come under increasing criticism over its approach to step-free access, with campaigners and local politicians accusing the authority of neglecting stations on the edges of the capital. Currently, 94 of the Tube’s 272 stations offer step-free access, with around 40 more either undergoing feasibility studies or in the design phase. TfL has previously committed to making around half of the network accessible by 2030. However, Liberal Democrat repre

The long-awaited “reset” of the HS2 project has been delayed again, with no clear timeline for its publication as costs continue to rise and key questions remain unanswered. Originally promised for 2025 by HS2 Ltd chief executive Mark Wild, the reset has yet to materialise. With Parliament now in recess and pre-election restrictions limiting major announcements, any update is unlikely in the immediate future. A recent statement from Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander offered

The government has rejected claims that rail investment in England and Wales is characterised by “boom and bust” cycles, despite concerns raised by MPs and industry stakeholders about funding volatility and its impact on the supply chain. In its response to a February report from the Transport Select Committee, the government acknowledged that parts of the industry perceive uneven funding and procurement cycles. However, it said it “does not accept” that overall rail investme

Avanti West Coast has been recognised at the PRmoment Awards 2026 for a campaign aimed at raising awareness of vulnerable young people on the rail network. Delivered in partnership with charity Railway Children and creative agency Mischief, the initiative—titled Your Presence Is Presents Enough—was named Leisure and Travel Marketing Communications Campaign of the Year. The campaign centred on a five-minute short film designed to help passengers identify the signs of a runaway

A fundamental rethink of how infrastructure is planned and delivered is needed across the UK and Ireland, according to a new report from engineering firm Egis. The white paper argues that the current project-by-project approach is no longer fit for purpose, warning that maintaining the status quo is leaving critical networks increasingly vulnerable to growing pressures. Titled From projects to programmes: how infrastructure can keep pace with a changing world, the report draw

A major £5.4 million safety improvement scheme is now underway on the M5 near Exeter, with work having started on 1 May to upgrade vehicle restraint systems along a key stretch of motorway. The year-long programme covers the section between junction 29 at Sowton and junction 31 at Pearce’s Hill—an important route for traffic heading into Exeter as well as wider journeys across Devon and Cornwall. National Highways has confirmed that more than 12,000 metres (around 7.5 miles)

East West Railway Company (EWR Co) has set out updated plans to electrify key sections of the route and increase capacity, as it launches a fresh public consultation ahead of its Development Consent Order (DCO) application in 2027. The proposals include electrification of the Marston Vale Line and the stretch between Bedford and Tempsford, meaning around half of the Milton Keynes to Cambridge route will be fully electrified once complete. The scheme also aims to significantly

Ambitious plans to secure the future of Blackpool’s iconic heritage trams are continuing to progress, as preparations ramp up for a series of summer tours featuring the historic fleet. Blackpool Transport has outlined a long-term vision that includes establishing a permanent home for the town’s vintage trams, alongside the return of regular seafront services aimed at boosting tourism and preserving the resort’s transport heritage. The initiative is being driven by the company

Significant improvement work between Huddersfield and Leeds is now underway, with passengers being urged to check before travelling as disruption continues across the route. Since Saturday 2 May, intensive engineering activity has been taking place as part of the Transpennine Route Upgrade (TRU), with teams working around the clock to deliver a major package of track and infrastructure improvements. Across this phase, 56 engineering trains are being used to renew 6.2km of tra

Heather McStay has been appointed Group Procurement and Commercial Director at Transport for London (TfL). She has led the directorate on an interim basis since January, after Patrick Doig took up the role of Chief Finance Officer. Her role sees her responsible for the teams leading on TfL’s procurement and commercial processes, driving innovation and efficiencies through robust specification, tendering, negotiations and contract management to unlock critical savings which su

LNER has partnered with clean energy specialist Treeva to trial a new form of renewable energy generation on the UK rail network, using wind created by passing trains. The pilot project, believed to be the first of its kind in the UK, has seen three small-scale turbines installed alongside the East Coast Main Line at Hitachi Rail’s Craigentinny depot in Edinburgh. The units, each around six feet tall, are made using repurposed materials and have been positioned to capture air

Virgin is planning to enter the cross-Channel rail market, with proposals to begin operating international services from London St Pancras as early as October 2030. A draft track access agreement, submitted to the Office of Rail and Road (ORR) in partnership with London St Pancras Highspeed (LSPH), outlines initial plans for six daily return services between London and Paris. This would increase to ten the following year, rising to 13 by October 2031. Further expansion is als