Local Transport Today is the authoritative, independent journal for transport decision makers. Analysis, Comment & News on Transport Policy, Planning, Finance and Delivery since 1989.

Local election upheaval throws transport policies into doubt in many areas
Peter Stonham

 The major changes in the political map across England and Wales after last week’s elections have left transport policies in flux in many areas as the new controlling parties get to grips with their... continue

15 May 2026Local Transport Today News

Tugwell departs as head of re-trenching TfN
Peter Stonham

Chief executive of Transport for the North (TfN) Martin Tugwell is leaving after almost five years, in a seeming recognition of the body’s diminished role. He says he will be taking a “career break”. His deputy Katie Day will take over as Interim CEO on 12 June. TfN said the... continue

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15 May 2026Local Transport Today News

Road, rail and airport plans outlined in King’s Speech

The King’s Speech for the new parliamentary session this week announced several new pieces of legislation to support both airport expansion,the construction of privately financed road projects, and the northern rail plans. Other bills will address taxi and PHV regulation and provide for a... continue

15 May 2026Local Transport Today News

Greater Manchester political map re-drawn – and Mayor Burnham faces struggles to still get his way

While Metro Mayor Andy Burnham was not up for re-election, the shifting control of the ten constituent councils that make up the Greater Manchester Combined Authority will significantly alter the body’s internal decision-making balance, including how it addresses transport issues It serves as... continue

15 May 2026Local Transport Today News

King’s speech promises Bill to fund Lower Thames Crossing and completion of rail plans

The King’s Speech for the new parliamentary session this week announced several new pieces of legislation to support both airport expansion,the construction of privately financed road projects, and the northern rail plans. Other bills will address taxi and PHV regulation and provide for a... continue

15 May 2026Local Transport Today News

Guidance awaited on council pavement parking powers as legislation enacted

Powers to enable local councils to prohibit pavement parking in England are now on the statute book with Royal Assent to the English Devolution and Community Empowerment Act. An amendment included during the later stages in the bill will enable The Secretary of State to make regulations giving each... continue

15 May 2026Local Transport Today News

Election results mark dramatic change in political landscape – but how will it impact transport policies?

Labour’s results at last week’s local elections can only be described as catastrophic, with the loss of 1,498  seats across England, with 1,068  councillors remaining.  Meanwhile, the Conservatives saw support fall away in its heartlands. Many of these lost seats... continue

15 May 2026Local Transport Today News

Local elections leave London with dramatically altered political map
Deniz Huseyin

London’s political map has changed significantly in the wake of last week’s local elections. Across the 32 boroughs, Labour lost more than half of its councils (from 21 to 10), with the number of councillors dropping from 1,155 to 696. The Green party and Reform UK won control of London... continue

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15 May 2026Local Transport Today News

Seismic political change in Wales will have transport implications

The seismic political change in Wales after last week’s Senedd election could have a bearing on several aspects of transport policy. The headline change is that Labour is no longer in power, for the first time since devolution in 1999. Plaid Cymru is the largest party in the Senedd and... continue

15 May 2026Local Transport Today News

Civil servants await transfer into government of Scottish transport bodies

Civil servants in Scotland are awaiting details of the SNP’s plan to transfer national transport bodies into the Scottish Government, as part of a drive to reduce administrative costs.  Successful again in the national elections, the SNP’s manifesto had said: “As part of... continue

15 May 2026Local Transport Today News

More action called for to recognise neglected needs of pedestrians
Peter Stonham

All local authorities should be required to define strategic walking networks within their statutory Local Plans and Local Transport Plans, and mandate that new developments connect to and help deliver these networks, says a new transport policy paper written collaboratively by directors and... continue

15 May 2026Local Transport Today News

Walking, wheeling and cycling projects win shares of £1m ATE innovation fund

A dozen walking, wheeling and cycling projects have won shares of a £1 million Active Travel England innovation fund Shared cycle schemes, gamified walking campaigns and an accessible wheeling app are among the grants of up to £100,000 awarded to small businesses and community... continue

15 May 2026Local Transport Today News

Ministers agree urban transport and digital freight policy recommendations at ITF Summit
Peter Stonham

New policy recommendations on urban transport development and strengthening the use of digital systems in freight have been adopted by the Council of Ministers of Transport of the International Transport Forum (ITF) at its annual Summit in Leipzig last week The ITF brings together 72 governments... continue

15 May 2026Local Transport Today News

New toolkit measures the true value of zero emission buses, says DfT
Deniz Huseyin

An updated toolkit has been released by the DfT to help measure the value of zero emission bus (ZEB) investments. According to the department, the ‘greener bus tool’ will help decision-makers understand the “relative impacts” of the investment by quantifying the key costs... continue

15 May 2026Local Transport Today News

Buses at Glasgow depot charged when there is excess renewable energy

A trial is underway at an electric bus depot in Glasgow to charge buses when there is excess renewable energy on the UK’s electricity system. The trial at the First Bus depot in Glasgow is due to extend to the operator’s depot in Great Yarmouth, Norfolk, later in the spring. This is the... continue

15 May 2026Local Transport Today News

Flibco extends 24-hour Stansted coach service to north London
Deniz Huseyin

A 24-hour coach service serving Stansted Airport has been extended to Finsbury Park, providing a direct link to north London. Last April the operator launched a coach service connecting central London with Stansted after travel tech company Flix acquired a majority share in Flibco. Flibco... continue

15 May 2026Local Transport Today News

Premium trains ordered for Enterprise tri-mode fleet connecting Belfast and Dublin
Rhodri Clark

Level boarding at stations is coming to Northern Ireland as a result of Swiss manufacturer Stadler winning the contract for the new Enterprise tri-mode train fleet connecting Belfast to Dublin. It was operated with a fleet of diesel locomotives and coaches from 1997 until 2024, when service... continue

15 May 2026Local Transport Today News

Spring timetable change improves airport access and operating hours
Deniz Huseyin

Rail timetable changes to improve access to airports, enhance service frequencies and further extend the operating day on some lines will come into effect on 17 May. GWR will launch overnight services between Reading and Gatwick Airport. Currently, the last train of the day to Reading leaves... continue

15 May 2026Local Transport Today News

MPs’ ‘boom and bust’ rail investment claim rejected by Government
Deniz Huseyin

 The Government has refused to accept the key finding of a Transport Committee inquiry that rail investment has been subject to systemic ‘boom and bust’. In its response to the Transport Committee’s Rail Investment Pipelines report, the Government acknowledges that “the... continue

15 May 2026Local Transport Today News

Reviving Colne-Skipton line is ‘priority’, says Lancs authority
Deniz Huseyin

Lancashire Combined County Authority has stated that extending the East Lancashire rail route from Colne to Skipton is one of its priorities. The Colne–Skipton line extension has been the subject of a long campaign for the 12?mile TransPennine route, closed in the early  1970s. The... continue

15 May 2026Local Transport Today News

Work underway to re-open Portishead line and new stations
Deniz Huseyin

Three contracts have been awarded to deliver two stations and reinstate the Portishead railway line in the South West. This £200m project is funded by the DfT, the West of England Mayoral Combined Authority and North Somerset Council and will be delivered  by Network Rail. Construction... continue

15 May 2026Local Transport Today News

Continued lack of e-scooter legislation dismays shared mobility campaigners
Peter Stonham

An alliance of transport organisations has expressed disappointment that the Government has again failed to include legislation e-scooters in the King’s speech. It should stop “endless trials” that have left council and operators in “limbo,” they say. Collaborative... continue

15 May 2026Local Transport Today News

Councils offered e-bike fleet to replace car and van journeys

An e-bike manufacturer is offering councils and businesses a range of fleet options including folding, hybrid and cargo e-bike models to replace short car and van journeys. Hertfordshire-based company Estarli said organisations can avoid  upfront capital expenditure by paying monthly, with... continue

15 May 2026Local Transport Today News

Forest launches bike hire subscription model
Deniz Huseyin

E-bike hire operator Forest has launched a pilot subscription model in London. The ‘ForestFlex’ subscription, priced at £6.99 a month, gives riders access to 10-minute rides for £1 and up to 30 minutes for £1.70. Any additional time  is charged at Forest’s... continue

15 May 2026Local Transport Today News

Living near airports linked to health problems, study for Parliament shows
Deniz Huseyin

There is strong evidence linking airport noise to depression and anxiety, heart disease and children’s learning and behavioural problems, reveals a new ‘rapid response’ study produced for parliament. The study also revealed that airport noise can cause premature mortality, stroke... continue

15 May 2026Local Transport Today News

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