Costain chief executive Alex Vaughan has backed calls for major changes to UK infrastructure procurement after the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) recommended reforms aimed at improving efficiency and reducing costs across road and rail projects. The CMA’s recent report urged government and industry to adopt new approaches to infrastructure delivery that would strengthen competition, improve productivity and support long-term economic growth through investment in tra

Transport for London (TfL) has ruled out introducing bleed control kits at major bus stations and selected bus routes across the capital, despite growing political pressure and campaigning from knife crime prevention advocates. The decision follows a unanimous motion passed by the London Assembly in March urging TfL to work alongside the London Ambulance Service to install the emergency kits across the transport network. Bleed control kits are designed to help members of the

New survey findings have revealed that passengers from Asian backgrounds are significantly more likely to fear experiencing hate crime while travelling on London’s public transport network, raising fresh concerns over safety and discrimination on TfL services. Research commissioned by the Mayor of London’s office and carried out by YouGov in November found that almost seven in ten Asian respondents expressed concerns about becoming victims of hate crime while using Transport

Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) has confirmed a major new order for 125 electric buses as the Bee Network continues its transition towards a fully zero-emission fleet by 2030. The latest investment will see more yellow electric buses built by UK manufacturer Wrightbus introduced across Greater Manchester’s network, further accelerating the region’s wider decarbonisation strategy for public transport. Bee Network approaching electric fleet milestone The announcement fo

Work has started on strengthening a 132-year-old railway bridge in Leeds to maintain its safe and reliable use by trains and motorists. The £3.2 million investment at Pepper Road bridge will be delivered over six months, with sections of the Victorian structure being removed and replaced. Work is taking place during midweek days and weekend nights to minimise disruption to rail passengers. The bridge will remain closed to road users until the project is completed – expected t

Network Rail has highlighted new freight benefits emerging from its Midland Main Line Electrification programme, with infrastructure upgrades now allowing larger container trains to operate across key cross-country routes. The organisation said the improvements are increasing freight flexibility and strengthening one of the UK’s most important inland rail freight corridors connecting the Midlands with both the East and West Coast Main Lines. Strategic freight route receives c

Fresh criticism has emerged over Railtrack’s handling of the Hatfield rail disaster after a relative of one of the victims accused former chief executive Gerald Corbett of minimising the company’s failings in the years leading up to the fatal crash. Angela Smith, whose partner Robert Alcorn was among the four people killed in the October 2000 derailment, said recent comments by Corbett failed to fully acknowledge the scale of Railtrack’s responsibility for deteriorating track

Telford and Wrekin Council has launched a new highway maintenance programme focused on preventing road deterioration before major defects and potholes develop across the borough’s network. The surface dressing scheme, which is expected to run for approximately three weeks, forms part of the council’s wider strategy to extend the operational lifespan of local roads while reducing the need for more expensive and disruptive repairs in future years. Shift towards proactive highwa

Road safety organisation IAM RoadSmart has confirmed the appointment of Mark Armitage as its new chief executive, following several months in the role on an interim basis. Armitage officially succeeds Antony Kildare, who stepped down in September 2025 after three years leading the charity to become chair of Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust. Having overseen the organisation during the transitional period, Armitage will now take permanent charge as IAM RoadSmart continues its

Transport for London (TfL) and the Mayor of London have announced plans to extend the capital’s School Streets programme to cover around 200 additional roads as part of a broader push to encourage walking and improve public safety. The proposals form part of a new Walking and Wheeling Action Plan unveiled on Wednesday, aimed at making streets across London safer, more accessible and more pedestrian-friendly. Under the expansion, the number of schools operating School Streets

Somerset Council says extensive repair and resurfacing work is helping the county’s road network recover after a dramatic spike in pothole damage caused by one of the wettest winters in recent years. New figures released by the authority show that 19,277 potholes were reported between January and 8 May 2026 — a significant increase from the 11,908 defects recorded during the same period last year. The latest data represents a rise of almost 62%, highlighting the scale of dete

Tarmac has officially opened a next-generation asphalt production plant in Northumberland, introducing a range of low-carbon technologies designed to improve sustainability and cut emissions across its operations in the North East. Located at Barrasford, the new facility replaces the company’s previous asphalt plant on the same site and represents a major upgrade in efficiency, storage capacity and production capability. According to Tarmac, the plant has been engineered to s

HS2 Ltd has announced plans for a substantial interim maintenance and asset protection programme worth more than £1bn, as the high-speed rail scheme undergoes a major restructuring phase. A newly published procurement notice reveals that the organisation is preparing to appoint Interim Maintenance Contractors (IMCs) to manage and safeguard completed sections of infrastructure while the wider project delivery strategy is reassessed under the ongoing HS2 Reset. The framework is

WJ has successfully delivered a package of road marking and safety improvements on the A30 between Roseworthy and Hayle, working on behalf of National Highways. The works followed a full resurfacing of this busy section of the strategic road network, creating a good opportunity to use long-life materials that would complement the new surface, reduce future maintenance needs and deliver whole life cost value. The main longitudinal markings for the scheme, including the edg

Network Rail has taken a major step toward expanding digital signalling across Britain’s railway by launching the first stage of a large-scale programme to fit European Train Control System (ETCS) technology to more than 160 Turbostar trains. The infrastructure operator has issued a preliminary market engagement notice for a long-term contract covering the design, supply and installation of ETCS onboard equipment across the Alstom-built Turbostar fleet. The programme, estimat

The inclusion of the Northern Powerhouse Rail (NPR) Bill in the King’s Speech has been welcomed across the North of England, although industry leaders and regional politicians have expressed frustration over the time lost following the cancellation of HS2’s Manchester leg. The revised legislation, formerly known as the High Speed Rail (Crewe–Manchester) Bill, has now been repurposed to support delivery of part of the government’s Northern Powerhouse Rail programme. The bill w