While sewage spills often dominate headlines, a quieter but equally significant threat to the UK’s waterways is gaining attention—polluted runoff from roads. With hundreds of thousands of miles of highway across Great Britain and billions of vehicle journeys each year, rainwater washing over road surfaces is carrying a complex mix of pollutants into rivers and streams. As climate change brings more intense rainfall, the scale of this issue is only increasing. A growing enviro

An 81-year-old bus driver from Merseyside is proving that passion for the job doesn’t come with a retirement date—after clocking up an incredible 60 years of service and still going strong. Merfyn “Taff” Williams, believed to be one of the oldest working bus drivers in the UK, first stepped onto a bus in St Helens in 1966—and six decades later, he’s still part of the daily operation at the very same depot. A lifetime on the buses Originally from Colwyn Bay in North Wales, Taf

An 81-year-old bus driver from Merseyside is proving that passion for the job doesn’t come with a retirement date—after clocking up an incredible 60 years of service and still going strong. Merfyn “Taff” Williams, believed to be one of the oldest working bus drivers in the UK, first stepped onto a bus in St Helens in 1966—and six decades later, he’s still part of the daily operation at the very same depot. A lifetime on the buses Originally from Colwyn Bay in North Wales, Taf

National Highways is calling on innovators across multiple disciplines to help tackle one of the most persistent challenges in bridge engineering—understanding how cracks form and spread within critical concrete structures. As part of its Structures Moonshot programme, the organisation has opened a new call for ideas focused on improving how engineers detect and analyse internal cracking in half joint bridges—a known weak point in ageing infrastructure. A real-world testing g

Balfour Beatty is preparing to begin construction on the £54 million Middlewich Eastern Bypass after receiving the official go-ahead from Cheshire East Council. The scheme, secured through the SCAPE framework, will deliver a 2.5km single carriageway route to the east of Middlewich, designed to ease congestion and improve connectivity in the area. Major infrastructure upgrade The project includes the construction of two key junctions, along with significant structures such as

Plans to redevelop Coventry Airport into a large-scale battery manufacturing and clean energy site have progressed following the approval of detailed proposals by Warwick District Council. The scheme, known as GreenPower Park, will transform the existing airport into a major “gigafactory” complex focused on battery production, advanced manufacturing and low-carbon technologies. It is being brought forward through a partnership between Coventry City Council and the Rigby Group

Carnell has marked a significant milestone in its commitment to health and safety, achieving its 17th consecutive RoSPA Gold Award and securing the highly respected Order of Distinction. The recognition places the organisation among an elite group of companies that have consistently demonstrated excellence in workplace safety over many years. It also reflects a deeply embedded culture where safety is not just a policy—but a daily practice lived by teams across the business. A

A major new £100 million link road connecting the A1 to the A46 near Newark has officially opened, marking the completion of a project aimed at easing congestion and unlocking future development. The Newark Southern Link Road, also known as Middlebeck Way, stretches for around three miles (4.8km) and has been under construction for nearly three years. The route runs through a wider 700-acre development area, forming a key part of plans for a new 3,150-home community. Boosting

Nottinghamshire’s battle against potholes is about to get a high-tech upgrade, with new JCB Pothole Pro machinesexpected to hit the roads within weeks. The county council confirmed the specialist equipment—designed to carry out rapid and permanent road repairs—will be in operation within the next two weeks, following a procurement decision earlier this year. A faster fix for failing roads The machines, which cost between £150,000 and £200,000 each, have already been trialled

Somerset Council is gearing up for future winters with a £2.3 million investment in new gritting lorries, ensuring the county’s roads stay safe when temperatures drop. The authority has agreed a deal with Romaquip to supply 14 new gritters over the next four years, with an option to purchase up to five additional vehicles if needed. Replacing an ageing fleet The move comes as much of Somerset’s existing fleet begins to show its age. Of the current 23 gritters, many are now mo

Hull City Council has approved an ambitious £96.8 million highways investment programme, setting out plans to upgrade major roads, bridges and infrastructure across the city over the next three years. The cabinet signed off the multi-year plan on 27 April, with £38.7 million allocated for 2026/27 and further indicative funding outlined through to 2028/29. The programme targets schemes valued at over £500,000, focusing on maintaining and improving critical transport links. Key

Wiltshire Council is bringing stakeholders together in a new bid to shape the future of travel across the county, with the launch of the Wiltshire Sustainable Transport Forum. The initiative creates a county-wide partnership, uniting transport providers, businesses, community groups and public sector organisations to collaborate on how transport is planned, funded and delivered. The focus is firmly on cleaner, safer and more sustainable travel options, including active travel

Plans for a new sustainable transport corridor in Rhondda Cynon Taf (RCT) have been formally submitted, marking a major step forward in long-standing efforts to ease congestion and improve connectivity in south Wales. The proposed Llanharan Sustainable Transport Corridor will deliver a 2.4km bypass, linking key sections of the A473 and helping divert traffic away from busy համայնտ roads through Llanharan, Dolau and Bryncae. Two routes, one goal The scheme is split into two m

Drivers of plug-in hybrid vehicles could soon find themselves paying for every mile—regardless of how often they actually use electric power—as the Government pushes ahead with a new pay-per-mile tax. Under the plans, plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs) will be included in the upcoming electric vehicle excise duty (eVED) scheme from 2028, with motorists charged 1.5p per mile—half the rate applied to fully electric vehicles. Reality vs expectations The move comes despite

A celebration event was held today (Friday 24 April) to mark the transformation of Beeston station following more than £7.6 million of investment. Network Rail has completed a £1.36 million project to completely refurbish the waiting shelters and a historical canopy at the 19th century station. East Midlands Railway has also carried out a £250,000 project which included resurfacing and remodelling the forecourt, adding a new cycle shelter and planters, and installing new ligh

The government has agreed to provide greater clarity on the rollout of the Railways Bill, but has once again resisted calls to amend key elements—particularly around how rail capacity will be managed under Great British Railways (GBR). In response to a report from the Transport Select Committee, ministers confirmed they will publish a forward plan outlining key decisions, documents and consultation timelines ahead of GBR’s launch next year. The move is intended to give Parlia