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

The Road Safety Trust has confirmed nearly £280,000 in funding for a series of new initiatives focused on improving safety across the UK’s road network. A total of seven projects have been selected through the Trust’s Autumn 2025 Small Grants programme, which supports both research and practical interventions designed to reduce road danger and ultimately save lives. This funding round introduced a revised two-stage application process for the first time, providing early feedb

The English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill has officially become law after receiving Royal Assent, marking a major shift in how transport and local governance are managed across England. Now enacted as the English Devolution and Community Empowerment Act, the legislation places transport reform at its core, handing greater responsibility and decision-making powers to local authorities. Stronger Powers on Safety and Enforcement One of the most significant changes is

BUKO Group announced the launch of BUKO Digital in the United Kingdom. This innovative digital service, delivered in the UK by BUKO Traffic & Safety, will be available to all temporary traffic management clients as a complementary solution to traditional physical measures, enhancing safety, efficiency, and sustainability on UK roads. BUKO Digital represents a new digital approach to managing traffic flow and road works. Following its proven success in the Netherlands and a re

Transport for London (TfL) is considering trialling Auracast Bluetooth technology on its bus network as part of ongoing efforts to improve accessibility for passengers. Auracast enables a single audio source to connect to multiple devices simultaneously, allowing users with compatible hearing aids, headphones or earbuds to receive announcements directly—without the need for traditional Bluetooth pairing. The technology has already been introduced in several major venues world

Civil engineering firm Crown Plus has entered its second decade with a change in leadership, appointing Jenny Moten as its new Managing Director. Moten, who joined the company as Executive Director in September 2025, has quickly made an impact, taking on the top role in under a year. Her promotion follows a period of rapid growth for the business, during which revenue has doubled, the workforce has increased by 40%, and more than £2 million has been invested in new plant and

Motorists in Surrey are being urged to plan their journeys carefully as major repair works at a busy A3 junction are set to continue for the rest of the year. National Highways has warned that congestion is likely while essential maintenance is carried out at the Dennis Roundabout in Guildford, as well as along the stretch of the A3 between the roundabout and Woodenbridge footbridge. The scheme is due to begin on 11 May, starting with a series of overnight closures. Initial w

A newly constructed bridge over the M4 in South Gloucestershire is due to reopen this summer, bringing relief to communities and road users following nearly two years of disruption. The A432 Badminton Road overbridge, which spans one of the busiest sections of the motorway, was closed in July 2023 after inspections revealed structural damage, including cracking and deterioration. Authorities determined that demolishing the original structure and building a replacement would b

Motorists have been warned that abusive behaviour towards highways workers and actions that put them at risk will not be accepted, following a rise in incidents across Staffordshire. Staffordshire County Council reported an increase in dangerous and unacceptable behaviour at roadworks sites, including drivers ignoring traffic management measures and attempting to bypass closures by mounting pavements. In one recent case, a roadworker was knocked off balance after being struck

The number of electric vehicles on UK roads has exceeded two million for the first time, marking a significant step forward in the country’s transition to cleaner transport. According to the latest figures from the Department for Transport (DfT), there were 2,012,000 zero-emission vehicles licensed in the UK by the end of December 2025. Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander described the achievement as a “landmark moment” in the shift towards electric mobility. The total repres

Tributes have been shared following the death of Professor Tony Ridley, a highly influential engineer credited with transforming public transport in the North East and beyond. Prof Ridley, widely regarded as the driving force behind the creation of the Tyne and Wear Metro, passed away at the age of 92. His work helped shape one of the UK’s most significant urban transport systems and left a lasting legacy both nationally and internationally. Originally from Sunderland, Ridley

Electric vehicle (EV) charge point operator (CPO) Believ has partnered with the Big Ideas Programme, a Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths (STEM) competition-based initiative aimed at developing creative solutions for sustainability, to support young people in Suffolk to address local and global environmental challenges. Delivered by social enterprise, Solutions for the Planet, the year-long programme, runs from October 2026 to June 2027, and will engage secondary sch