Calls have been made to reconsider tilting trains as part of future rolling stock plans for HS2 and the West Coast Main Line (WCML), reigniting debate over how best to boost capacity and cut journey times. The proposal comes from rail industry figure Chris Gibb, who outlined his vision at an All-Party Parliamentary Rail Group meeting earlier this month. His plan suggests pairing the current order of 54 Class 895 HS2 trains with a new generation of longer, higher-capacity tilt

West Midlands Railway (WMR) has set a new benchmark in skills development after becoming the first train operator to achieve gold accreditation for its engineering apprenticeship scheme. The operator has been awarded ‘Excellent Employer’ status following a rigorous 12-month assessment led by Next Gen Makers, which evaluates training quality based on direct feedback from apprentices themselves. Investing in future talent Delivered in partnership with Birmingham Metropolitan Co

HS2 has reached another key milestone beneath London, with engineers completing all 34 cross passages along the Northolt Tunnel—marking significant progress on one of the project’s longest underground sections. The 8.4-mile tunnel, which runs between West Ruislip and Victoria Road near Old Oak Common, is a major part of the high-speed line into the capital. Built using four tunnel boring machines and reaching depths of up to 35 metres, excavation of the main tunnel was comple

The UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) has set out its draft decision on how early costs linked to Heathrow Airport’s expansion plans could be recovered—potentially unlocking up to £320 million to support initial development work. The proposal, now open for consultation, would allow Heathrow Airport Limited (HAL) to recover efficient costs incurred during 2025 and 2026, covering essential early-stage activity such as planning, design and preparation for a future Development Co

National Grid is supercharging its procurement strategy with a major £8bn partnership designed to accelerate the UK’s transition to clean energy and modernise how critical infrastructure is delivered. At the heart of the move is the newly launched Electricity Transmission Partnership (ETP), a programme focused on strengthening supply chains, speeding up delivery and embedding sustainability across projects in England and Wales. The investment forms part of National Grid’s wid

A major new partnership between E.ON Next, Glasgow City Council and the Wise Group aims to tackle child poverty by cutting household energy costs and improving living conditions for some of the city’s most vulnerable families. The initiative, described as a first of its kind in Scotland, combines targeted family support with advanced energy solutions, with the potential to reduce energy bills by up to 30%. It forms part of Glasgow’s wider Child Poverty Programme and supports

Plans to transform Glasgow’s Buchanan Bus Station into a modern, multi-use transport hub have been approved, marking a significant step forward for one of Scotland’s busiest travel gateways. Glasgow City Council has given the go-ahead to a masterplan developed by AtkinsRéalis, which sets out a vision to redevelop the site into a transport-led mixed-use destination. The decision, made on 21 April, will guide future development across the bus station and the surrounding Cowcadd

Public transport systems across the globe have taken centre stage as the first-ever World Public Transport Day was celebrated, shining a light on the vital role buses, trains, trams and shared mobility play in daily life. The initiative, launched by the International Association of Public Transport (UITP), took place for the first time on 17 April 2026, with organisations from Europe, Asia, the Middle East and the Americas joining in events and awareness campaigns. Designed a

MPs have welcomed a move by the government to formally include emissions from aviation and shipping within the UK’s climate targets, marking a shift towards greater accountability in how transport emissions are measured. In a letter published on 22 April, Climate Minister Katie White confirmed that legislation has been put forward to bring the UK’s share of international aviation and shipping emissions into future carbon budgets. The change follows recommendations from the Cl

Transport for London (TfL) has awarded a major £99.1 million contract to M Group Transport (Rail & Aviation) to maintain vital bridges and civil structures across the capital’s transport network. The agreement, confirmed earlier this year following a competitive procurement process under the Procurement Act 2023, will run for an initial five-year period from April 2026 to April 2031, with the option to extend the contract through to 2034. Covering a wide range of essential ma

Greater Manchester’s tram network has hit a new milestone, recording its busiest day ever as thousands flocked to the city for the Manchester Marathon. On Sunday 19 April, more than 200,000 passengers used the Metrolink system, with a total of 202,437 journeys made across the network. The surge in demand came as a record-breaking 42,000 runners took part in the marathon, alongside an estimated 150,000 spectators lining the route. Trams played a vital role in keeping the city

Motorists on the M4 were met with an unusual—and rather wasteful—sight after a collision between two lorries left thousands of bottles of prosecco scattered across the road. The crash occurred earlier today (27 April) between junctions 13 and 14, causing major disruption and forcing the closure of the motorway while emergency services dealt with the aftermath. According to Thames Valley Roads Policing, one of the HGVs lost its empty shipping container during the incident. The

Motorists filling up their cars in Edinburgh are being prompted to rethink their travel choices, as new digital screens highlight how switching to rail could cut journey costs by up to half. Train operator Lumo has teamed up with Smart Outdoor to install live advertising displays at petrol stations, showing real-time ticket prices and journey details for trips between Scotland and London. The initiative aims to reach drivers at the exact moment they are considering the cost o

UK Power Networks has reported a significant step forward in its sustainability efforts, achieving platinum certification after diverting 99.4% of its recoverable waste away from landfill. The certification, independently verified by Beyondly, reflects progress in reducing environmental impact and embedding circular economy practices across the organisation’s operations. The assessment covered 131 sites and a wide range of waste streams, demonstrating how large infrastructure

A new government-funded feasibility study will investigate how autonomous vehicle technology could be introduced to improve transport operations within UK airport airside environments. Airports currently operate a range of separate vehicle fleets—such as cars, minibuses and buses—each with its own dispatch and scheduling systems. This fragmented approach can lead to inefficiencies and added operational complexity. The study will examine whether these systems could be brought

Cranfield University has been chosen to play a central role in a new UK-wide research programme focused on better understanding the climate effects of aviation beyond carbon dioxide emissions. The university will coordinate the £30M Aviation Non-CO₂ Research Programme, a multi-year initiative supported through the Aerospace Technology Institute and competitions led by the Natural Environment Research Council (NERC). Funding and oversight for the programme are shared between t