Tag: Department for Transport

The press release issued by the Department for Transport on 25 March 2026.

The Zero Emissions Truck and Van grants and the Depot Charging Scheme aim to help businesses make the switch to electric vans and trucks.

• £1 billion boost for British businesses to roll out clean trucks and vans and install new EV chargers at depots – helping to build resilience against fuel price uncertainty
• companies will save up to £81,000 off the heaviest zero emission trucks – covering up to 40% of the cost – and up to £5,000 off new zero emission vans, cutting costs, supporting jobs, and slashing emissions
• Businesses and public authorities will also save up to £1 million when installing chargers for vans, coaches, and HGVs

Businesses across the UK are being backed to roll out electric vans and trucks with £1 billion of funding – saving them cash, cleaning up millions of journey miles, and helping hauliers become more resistant to global price changes.

The Zero Emissions Truck and Van grants and the Depot Charging Scheme (DCS) aim to tackle two of the biggest barriers to businesses making the switch – upfront costs and access to charging.

Global fuel price uncertainty is challenging for businesses, and these grants will support industry to switch to electric, helping to reduce exposure to fuel price uncertainty.

The truck grant will offer savings of up to £81,000 off the heaviest zero emissions trucks, covering up to 40% of the cost. The van grant will continue to offer discounts of up to £5,000 off the cost of electric vans.

On top of that, businesses and public authorities could save up to £1 million, covering up to 70% of the cost, when installing charging infrastructure for vans, coaches, and eHGVs, thanks to a £170 million boost to the government’s Depot Charging Scheme.

Aviation, Maritime and Decarbonisation Minister Keir Mather, said:

This £1 billion investment cuts cost for British businesses, supports jobs, cleans up our roads, and gives operators protection against shifting global fuel prices.

The logistics sector is the backbone of the UK economy, worth £170 billion and supporting 2.7 million jobs. We’re helping them expand and decarbonise their fleets whilst saving them cash, driving growth up and down the country.

The new funding comes after the government announced an £18 million uplift in January to slash up to £120,000 off the cost of green lorries, making it cheaper for businesses to go electric, with companies like M&S and Wren Kitchens and Bedrooms taking advantage of funding to decarbonise their fleets and reduce operational costs.

Lee Holmes, Transport and Logistics Director at Wren Kitchens and Bedrooms, said:

Government investment gives businesses like Wren the confidence to accelerate fleet decarbonisation while maintaining operational stability, even in periods of economic uncertainty.

With this support, we’ve brought a number of 44-tonne e-trucks into our fleet alongside a rapid charging infrastructure, reducing our reliance on traditional fuels and strengthening resilience and reliability against ongoing market volatility.

Julian Bailey, Head of Group Transport at M&S, said:

In 2021, we set ourselves the ambitious target of becoming a net zero business across our value chain by 2040. Since then, we’ve made some great progress, which includes the onboarding of 24 battery electric vehicles across our transport fleet.

We welcome this investment which serves as a reminder of the importance of the logistics sector in the UK and its role in decarbonisation.

Alongside support for operators, the government is also helping families make the switch through the Electric Car Grant which has helped over 80,000 drivers buy an EV, by saving them up to £3750 in the process. This is tackling upfront costs which is one of the biggest barriers to EV adoption.

With 1 in 4 cars sold now electric, it’s crucial to expand the UK’s charging infrastructure and so the government is spending over £600 million to rollout hundreds of thousands of EV chargers across the country, giving drivers the confidence they’ll be able to charge up whether at home, at work or on the go. This will build on the over 118,000 chargers already available.

Toby Poston, BVRLA Chief Executive said:

The Depot Charging Scheme is playing a vital role in helping fleet operators and rental companies to install affordable, reliable charging infrastructure at their depots.

The vehicle rental sector faces one of the most challenging paths to decarbonisation, and this additional support for depot charging will play a major role in building confidence. It will encourage more rental operators – particularly SMEs – to electrify at scale, reduce costs, and contribute to the UK’s net zero goals.

The press release issued by the Department for Transport on 27 January 2026.

Taking the HS2 railway into central London is crucial to unlocking its full potential to create more jobs, more homes and to boost the British economy.

• the first of 2 HS2 tunnel boring machines begins its journey from Old Oak Common to Euston station
• key step on a major milestone in the government’s commitment to bring the new, high-speed rail line into central London
• delivering HS2 to Euston supports the government’s mission to kickstart economic growth, with recent estimates showing development at Euston could add around £41 billion to the UK economy by 2053

High Speed Two’s (HS2’s) journey into central London is a stop closer today (27 January 2026), after a huge tunnel boring machine started its passage from Old Oak Common in the capital’s west, to Euston station, marking a key milestone in the government’s commitment to deliver the new, high-speed rail line to the city centre.

Taking HS2 to Euston is essential to unlocking the project’s full economic potential, with estimates from Camden Council suggesting a mix of new homes and commercial development at Euston could add £41 billion to the economy by 2053 and support 34,000 new jobs. Today’s tunnelling in Old Oak Common is part of wider progress on HS2 and follows the completion of 23 miles of tunnels, 19 bridges and 2 viaducts along the rail line’s route from central London to Birmingham.

The Chief Secretary to the Prime Minister, Darren Jones, and the Rail Minister, Lord Hendy, visited Old Oak Common station alongside the Chief Executive Officer of HS2 Ltd, Mark Wild, and Transport for London (TfL) Commissioner, Andy Lord, to switch on the 1,624-tonne tunnel boring machine, which will excavate a 4.5-mile tunnel between the 2 stations.

The machine works by both excavating and constructing the tunnel as it goes, slotting concrete segments into place to build the structure through which HS2’s trains will travel. It is the first of 2 tunnel boring machines that will construct the 2 parallel tunnels to Euston and is named ‘Madeleine’ after the former president of the Women’s Engineering Society, Madeleine Nobbs.

Rail Minister, Lord Hendy, said:

It was brilliant to switch on the tunnel boring machine at Old Oak Common today – not just because it’s an engineering marvel – but because it brings HS2’s journey to Euston another step closer to reality.

We’re putting HS2 back on track, and taking the railway into central London is crucial to unlocking its full potential to deliver more jobs, more homes and a long-term boost to the whole British economy.

Chief Secretary to the Prime Minister, Darren Jones, said:

There’s nothing boring about tunnel boring. Today’s launch was a brilliant moment for the UK’s railways, building on 6 major rail tunnel and road milestones completed ahead of schedule last year.

We’re boosting the links between our big cities across the country to create more opportunities for people to trade, meet and socialise with each other, turning the corner on years of decline.

HS2 Ltd CEO, Mark Wild, said:

On my first day at HS2, I unveiled the Euston TBMs as they were being prepared to build the Euston Tunnel. Just over a year on, we’re beginning to excavate the tunnel – a show of confidence that HS2 will be built into central London and kickstart economic growth.

Over the past 12 months, I have been leading a comprehensive reset across HS2 to get it back on track and I am confident that we’re on the right path to delivering HS2 safely and efficiently. The start of tunnelling here today is a part of the strong foundations we can build upon to completing HS2 and deliver better journeys for rail passengers.

With over 33,000 people currently working to build the high-speed railway, HS2 is estimated to add £10 billion to the west London economy over the next decade, including 22,000 more homes and almost 19,000 new jobs. Once complete, HS2 will mean faster, better train travel for passengers between London and Birmingham and beyond.

Andy Lord, London’s Transport Commissioner, said:

Today marks a significant milestone in the journey towards bringing high-speed services into Euston, unlocking faster journeys and delivering greater connectivity, as well as supporting growth in jobs and homes in the heart of the capital.

At TfL, we’re working closely with our partners to ensure the best possible experience for customers interchanging between London Underground, London Buses, HS2 and National Rail services at Euston.

Jules Pipe, Deputy Mayor, Planning, Regeneration and the Fire Service, said:

Today is an important and exciting milestone for HS2 as this much-needed new high-speed rail line into central London gets another step closer to completion.

It will boost the UK economy by £41 billion and support 34,000 new jobs, while delivering 22,000 more homes for Londoners over the next decade.

The mayor and I will continue working closely with government and partners to unlock the full economic potential of our transport network as we build a better, more prosperous London for everyone.

Today’s milestone comes as HS2 Ltd’s CEO Mark Wild leads a comprehensive reset of HS2 to ensure the new railway is delivered safely between London and Birmingham at the lowest reasonable cost. Despite HS2’s challenges, the project supports the government’s mission to kickstart economic growth by creating jobs, homes, and unlocking much-needed rail capacity, with over 33,000 people currently working to build the high-speed railway.

The delivery of the government’s plans for Euston will be taken forward by a new body, the Euston Delivery Company. Once established, the company will lead delivery of an affordable and integrated transport hub – including the new HS2 station, the redevelopment of the existing station, and upgrades to the London Underground station – along with commercial development across the Euston campus.

More broadly, the government is delivering landmark legislation to overhaul the railway and bring it together under Great British Railways, a new body which will be owned by the public and deliver for the public. The government is also making fares cheaper through the first fare freeze in 30 years, which is putting money back in millions of passengers’ pockets and easing the cost of living for hard-working people.

Leader of Camden Council, Councillor Richard Olszewski, said:  

Euston holds a once-in-a-century opportunity to boost the national economy, build much-needed affordable homes, and create new jobs for people in Camden and beyond. 

The start of tunnelling brings us a step closer to that future, adding new momentum and even-greater confidence in Euston’s potential to be a driver of national growth. 

In Camden, we stand ready to lead the next chapter of Euston’s vibrant history through a new, locally led development corporation – working with the GLA and government to make Euston a place that delivers for the country, the capital and our communities.

Richard Adams, Managing Director of Skanska Costain STRABAG joint venture, said:  

We are delighted to be commencing our final TBM drives to build the 2 4.5-mile tunnels to Euston. During this work, our TBMs will remove over 1.5 million tonnes of excavated material and place more than 8,000 pre-cast rings, built in a dedicated facility in Hartlepool. 

Our tunnel segments and excavated material will all be transported by rail and managed through our state of the art logistics hub. This will remove over 70,000 lorry journeys from the local road network, emphasising our commitment to being a good neighbour and greener construction. 

SCS JV has already driven 8.4 miles of twin-bore tunnels under London, from West Ruislip to Old Oak Common and our expert teams on site will work 24/7 to deliver these final HS2 tunnel drives with the highest levels of safety and productivity.

The press release issued by the Department for Transport on 15 January 2026.

Our 10 new Aviation Ambassadors will help encourage more young people to see the UK aviation sector as a place where they can build rewarding, long-term futures.

• 10 industry professionals appointed to inspire young people into aviation careers in the industry, futureproofing the sector and upskilling young Brits 
• next cohort of volunteers will start this month, including a former Red Arrows Chief Engineer and Operations Director of East Midlands Airport, to shine a light on the wide range of aviation jobs and to encourage recruits from diverse backgrounds
• supports government’s mission to deliver growth and opportunity, helping young people into skilled jobs and furthering the UK’s world-leading reputation in aviation

Thousands of young people across the UK will be inspired to pursue exciting and rewarding careers in aviation as the government confirms the next cohort of Aviation Ambassadors today (15 January 2026).

The ambassadors are successful aviation professionals who promote jobs, skills and training in the sector by going into schools, hosting workshops, and using social media to reach primary, secondary and college students across England. 

From ground handling and airfield safety to commercial flying, customer service, and aviation law, the Aviation Ambassador programme raises awareness of the breadth of career paths available to suit every skill set and every passion. 

Aviation Minister, Keir Mather, said: 

Aviation is full of exciting opportunities and fulfilling career paths and we’re determined to encourage more young people to see the sector as a place where they can thrive and build rewarding, long-term futures. 

Our Aviation Ambassadors are key to making that happen – sharing their own journeys, helping to break down barriers and showing the sky really is the limit. By broadening horizons, we’re helping to secure the future of UK aviation while delivering regional growth, jobs and skills.

A key part of the ambassadors’ role will be inspiring young people from disadvantaged backgrounds who may not have previously considered the opportunities or career paths the industry offers.

Among the new ambassadors are: 

• Former Red Arrows Chief Engineer, Ross Priday, from South Wales, who will inspire young people by sharing his wide range of experiences and bridging the gap between aviation and aerospace careers.
• Lauren Turner, airport Operations Director. Lauren has risen through the ranks at East Midlands Airport from Security Officer to overseeing the entire airport operation in 13 years, becoming a self-led aviation success story who will champion apprenticeships and support pathways into aviation.
• Miguel Cabrera Vivas, London-based aviation influencer and former Heathrow internal progression lead, also known as The Aviation Mentor. Miguel uses social media and in-person sessions to promote aviation as an accessible career choice.

Other new ambassadors include Marcus Sellars, who graduated from Newcastle University last year into a role delivering automation and digital transport integration across the airfield at Teesside International Airport, and David Gardner, a senior firefighter and medical lead for the airport’s first responder scheme at Luton Airport. 

Ambassadors deliver a range of outreach activities, including giving talks in colleges, supporting industry events and promoting aviation careers through online platforms and traditional media. This engagement has reached thousands of people who may never have considered aviation as a career option, including those in underrepresented communities. 

The initiative is part of the Generation Aviation programme, which sees government and industry working together to help build an aviation workforce fit for the future and to attract diverse, talented people. 

The new ambassadors will start their roles on 28 January 2026. 

Ross Priday, former Chief Engineer for the Red Arrows and new Aviation Ambassador, said: 

Aviation gave me a career I could never have imagined, and I want others to see the incredible opportunities this industry offers. Whether someone is fascinated by engineering, drawn to the skies as a pilot, or interested in roles like air traffic control, ground operations or aviation law and insurance, there truly is something for everyone.

What’s exciting is that there are so many ways in. School leavers, apprentices, graduates, and those looking for a change from other industries can all find their path into aviation. Through my Aviation Ambassador role, I want to show people not just that these exciting careers exist, but exactly how to access them.

Lauren Turner, Operations Director at East Midlands Airport and new Aviation Ambassador, said: 

I’m proud and excited to be an aviation ambassador and to share my journey at East Midlands Airport. Aviation is an innovative, fast-moving industry with opportunities for people from all walks of life, and I hope that by sharing my personal career story, I can encourage young people across the region to see it as a career where they can thrive and grow.

Alice Goodwin, former Aviation Ambassador, said: 

Congratulations to the new cohort of Aviation Ambassadors!

This programme is a fantastic opportunity for industry professionals to inspire the next generation, showcase the diverse careers aviation offers, and champion the sector as role models.

By engaging with schools, speaking at events, and sharing their passion, these ambassadors will play a vital role in closing the aviation skills gap and shaping the future of this exciting industry.

Karen Dee, Chief Executive of AirportsUK, said:

Airports and aviation offer a wealth of excellent career opportunities, and it is great to see the next set of sector ambassadors have been appointed to help inspire the next generation.

Jobs in this sector will not only provide young people with fulfilling and highly skilled careers but will directly contribute to growing the UK economy and help keep our friends, families and businesses connected with the world.

We wish the new ambassadors the best of luck with their new responsibilities and look forward to exploring how we can work with them to increase awareness of the chances offered by aviation.

Tim Alderslade, Chief Executive of Airlines UK, said: 

Airlines UK welcomes the appointment of the new Aviation Ambassadors. Our world-class sector depends on a steady pipeline of skilled young people choosing careers in aviation, and this programme plays a practical role in highlighting the varied and exciting range of careers available. By connecting real aviation businesses with schools and colleges, the scheme supports growth, resilience, and the future competitiveness of our fantastic industry.

The new ambassadors are:  

• Emma Garnham – Training and Compliance Director for DHL, a ground handler, based in London
• Abdullah Bin Sajid Butt – Customer Operations Coordinator at Jet2.com, based in Bradford
• Ross Priday – CEO of a business delivering aviation safety risk advisory services to industry. Previously served as Chief Engineer for the Red Arrows, based in Wales
• Sigourney Ansah – an aspiring commercial pilot, who has previously worked for British Airways and Virgin Atlantic at their head offices, based in London
• Sam Higgins - student outreach manager for British Airways, based in London
• Ken Eckersall – director of KenEck, a company which delivers aviation outreach to schools and colleges through portable flight simulators, FlightDeck PC, based in Wigan
• David Gardner – aviation fire fighter and medical lead for Luton Airport’s first responder scheme, based in Luton
• Lauren Turner – Operations Director at East Midlands Airport, based in the Midlands.
• Miguel Cabrera Vivas – former Service Recovery Manager at Heathrow and founder of ‘The Aviation Mentor’ social media channels with 177,000 likes and 6,000 followers, based in London
• Marcus Sellars – Aviation Automation and Digital Transport Integration Lead at Tees Valley Combined Authority, based in the Darlington

The press release issued by the Department for Transport on 14 January 2026.

Major rail plans will unlock North West’s economic potential, including a new rail route between Liverpool and Manchester and improved connections across the region.

• brand new rail line between Liverpool and Manchester unveiled, via new stations at Manchester Airport and Warrington Bank Quay Low Level
• part of new government vision for growth in the North to unlock the region’s economic potential and boost living standards – growing the productivity of 5 largest cities to the national average would add up to £40 billion a year to UK economy 
• plans boost frequency and reliability of services across the North, as well as boosting job opportunities and generating thousands of new homes

People across the North West are set to benefit from a brand new line between Liverpool and Manchester as major new government plans are unveiled to unlock billions of pounds of economic potential.

Plans for Northern Powerhouse Rail (NPR) have been set out today (14 January 2026), including a new rail route between Liverpool and Manchester, running via Manchester Airport and Warrington and improved connections across the Pennines between Manchester, Leeds, Bradford and Sheffield. Leeds, 

The scheme is part of the major government drive to boost growth and living standards across the north, helping to unlock around £40 billion of economic potential – growing the productivity of the 5 largest cities to the national average would add up to £40 billion a year to the UK economy.  

The second phase of NPR will include 3 new stations at Manchester Airport, Manchester Piccadilly and Warrington Bank Quay Low Level along the route, with delivery starting in the 2030s.

Improvements to busy stations, Liverpool Lime Street and Liverpool Central, are also being considered alongside the work the government is undertaking together with Liverpool City Region to look at options for a major regeneration scheme in the city centre.

This will follow phase one which will see upgrades across routes between Leeds, Bradford, York and Sheffield. The third phase will focus on improved connections between Manchester and Sheffield, Manchester and Leeds and explore options for Manchester to Bradford.

Transport Secretary, Heidi Alexander, said: 

For too long, the North has been held back by underinvestment and years of dither and delay – but that ends now.    

This new era of investment will reignite the economy across Liverpool and Manchester, helping their iconic sport and cultural industries to thrive, and cementing Manchester Airport as the gateway to the North.   

This exciting new line will not only speed up journeys, it will open up new jobs and homes for people, making a real difference to millions of lives.

Huw Merriman, Chair of Liverpool-Manchester Rail Partnership Board, said:

This is superb news for the North and for the entire country. NPR is a project I’ve long championed, as a former Chair of the Transport Select Committee, Rail Minister and now Chair of the Liverpool Manchester Railway Board, so it is excellent to see the government backing it in full from the outset, enabling proper planning and delivery that learns the lessons of HS2, as well as keeping options open for addressing North–South capacity on the West Coast Mainline.

The strong partnership between government and regional leaders will ensure the project reaches its full potential, with new rail infrastructure unlocking the region’s next chapter of growth and acting as a catalyst for new homes, jobs and skills

I look forward to working with the government and regional mayors to deliver on NPR’s potential ambition to better connect the UK and drive economic growth.

The current direct journey from Liverpool to Manchester Airport is one hour and 25 minutes, stopping 21 times over a distance of just 29 miles, meanwhile, Reading to London Paddington takes 22 minutes, covering 35 miles.   

The new direct line from Liverpool to Manchester Airport will give a huge boost to holiday-makers, commuters and businesses.   

To add more capacity at Manchester Airport sooner, plans have today been approved to lengthen platforms at the existing station to accommodate longer and more frequent trains, backed by £115 million.  

Meanwhile, there are only 2 fast trains an hour between Leeds and Manchester, which is a hugely popular route and suffers from severe overcrowding.

This landmark upgrade to rail travel is one of the central building blocks of a plan for the North – to be published in the spring. This will include plans for a northern growth corridor from Liverpool to York – which has the potential to be one of Europe’s great economic powerhouses. It will also include plans to make the most of economic opportunities right across the North, including in clean energy, defence and advanced manufacturing.  

The NPR plans are in addition to the Transpennine route upgrade, which will cut journey times between York and Manchester and Manchester and Leeds, create over 5,000 jobs, and support the development of 6,500 new homes in the region.   

This Northern Powerhouse Programme will unlock immediate benefits for residents, with new skilled jobs in the planning, development, design and construction of the project. The government is working closely with employers and local leaders to help fill local skills gaps and local colleges across the country will receive £570 million to expand their training facilities.

A funding cap of £45 billion will be set for the programme, including £1.1 billion over the current Spending Review period allocated from existing budgets first. Learning lessons from HS2, the government will work closely with local partners to ensure planning processes are carried out efficiently, and approvals are streamlined to reduce delays and prevent projects going over budget.   

The city regions of the North have huge untapped economic potential.   

Places like Sheffield and Newcastle have grown roughly twice as fast as the UK average since 2019, whilst Manchester has grown over 4 times as fast. Whilst Liverpool’s Knowledge Quarter is the home to the future of life sciences, supporting over 400 businesses, hospitals, and universities in the city, driving pioneering business and research.   

Leeds and West Yorkshire are emerging as the ‘Northern square mile’ for financial services, while South Yorkshire is at the cutting edge on defence and advanced manufacturing and Newcastle’s growing research and innovation sector.   

To maximise NPR’s benefits and secure Britain’s future growth, the government is also setting out a long-term objective to see a full new north-south line from Birmingham to Manchester. This will ensure sufficient capacity and better connectivity on the West Coast Main Line, but it won’t be a revival of HS2 Phase 2. Instead, the government will launch a feasibility study, working with local partners on what will be delivered, when and to what specifications.

This will be an incremental programme, with improvements in the Northern growth corridor prioritised first and land already purchased between the West Midlands and Crewe will be retained in the meantime.

The government is working with mayors, other local leaders and businesses to announce a wider plan this spring for taking advantage of these strengths, firing up productivity and prosperity across the North. 

 This plan brings in existing work to unlock immediate benefits for residents, including work to help fill local skills gaps across the country, and will build on this with further policies to improve connectivity, revitalise cities and towns, support people with the skills to access new opportunities and support businesses to innovate and grow.

The press release issued by the Department for Transport on 14 January 2026.

Northern Powerhouse Rail plans announced to grow productivity, with faster rail commutes across Yorkshire, better journeys to the North East and route upgrades.

• government launches new growth plan for the North to unlock the region’s economic potential and boost living standards – growing the productivity of 5 largest cities to the national average would add up to £40 billion a year to the UK economy
• faster frequent and reliable trains across Yorkshire, better journeys to the North East, and progressing Leamside Line proposals in plans to vastly improve travel and open up job opportunities
• Northern Powerhouse Rail will see upgrades to lines between Leeds, York, Bradford and Sheffield first in the 2030s, with better connections to Manchester in later phases

People across Yorkshire and the North East will benefit from faster commutes, greater job opportunities and increased investment as part of major Northern Powerhouse Rail plans launched today (14 January 2026).

The new major government growth plans will boost economic potential and living standards across the North, with more reliable and more frequent trains across major cities in the regions. The Northern Powerhouse Rail (NPR) plans unveiled today will drastically improve how people travel for work, education and leisure – growing the productivity of 5 largest cities to the national average would add up to £40 billion a year to UK economy.

The first phase will prioritise upgrades and electrification between Leeds-Sheffield, Leeds-York and Leeds-Bradford to transform commutes, set to be delivered in the 2030s. In the North East, work on the business case for the Leamside Line will be taken forward, as part of ensuring NPR services reach Newcastle.

With £1.1 billion to progress planning and development work as soon as possible, plans include improvements for Leeds, Sheffield and York stations – supporting significant regeneration plans to unlock tens of thousands of homes and jobs. The plan also includes pressing forward with work on Bradford Station, putting a young, dynamic city of 500,000 people at the heart of the northern network.

Over £11 million of local transport funding has now been agreed for South Yorkshire to develop a new Rotherham Gateway station, which spells an end to slow journeys to Leeds and support the ambitious regeneration plans for the town.   

The North East will also benefit from regular services onwards to Newcastle via Darlington and Durham. This follows recent investment of £4 billion in the East Coast Mainline which has seen 60,000 extra seats weekly through the new timetable.

Transport Secretary, Heidi Alexander, said:

For too long, the North has been held back by underinvestment and years of dither and delay – but that ends now.

This new era of investment will not just speed up journeys, it will mean new jobs and homes for people, making a real difference to millions of lives.   

The exciting improved stations across Leeds, Sheffield, York and Bradford will reflect the prestigious place rail holds in the northern economy, and regenerate vibrant, bustling districts in these cities.

The first phase of Northern Powerhouse Rail will prioritise upgrading rail connections across Yorkshire and progressing work on the business case for the Leamside Line as part of ensuring services reach Newcastle, improving opportunities across the region.

Councillor Tom Hunt, Leader of Sheffield City Council said:

This is great news for Sheffield. Being included in the first phase of the Northern Powerhouse Rail plans means that the early stages of delivery will provide better, faster trains to Leeds and Manchester, upgrades to capacity at Sheffield station and an important commitment from government to work with us on our tram-train expansion.

Outdated transport infrastructure has held Sheffield back for too long. Thanks to the Labour government this will change. This is a very positive announcement and a sign of the government’s commitment to the North.

Faster, more reliable journeys will help businesses in Sheffield and give people access to more opportunities. The investment will help us unlock new opportunities for homes and jobs around Sheffield station and across our city.

Sheffield or Bradford to Manchester can take up to 54 minutes, despite both cities being around 30 miles away – meanwhile Reading to London Paddington takes 22 minutes covering 35 miles. There also are only 2 fast trains an hour between Leeds and Manchester, which is a hugely popular route and suffers from severe overcrowding.

It can take up to 1 hour 23 minutes to get to Manchester airport from Leeds or Sheffield, even though they are around 40 miles away.   

The second phase of NPR will build a new route between Liverpool and Manchester, running via Manchester Airport and Warrington, following in the 2030s. The third phase will focus on improved connections between Manchester and Sheffield, Manchester and Leeds, and explore options for Manchester to Bradford.   

This landmark upgrade to rail travel is one of the central building blocks of a plan for the North – to be published in the spring. This will include plans for a northern growth corridor from Liverpool to York via West and South Yorkshire and bespoke plans for the North-East to make the most of opportunities in clean energy, AI, innovation and city centre regeneration.

Not only will plans improve travel connections, the redevelopment of stations and surrounding neighbourhoods will bring in new homes, jobs and local businesses. Regeneration of Leeds Station will include exciting plans for the South Bank, while development around the new Bradford Station and York Central will add new housing in the bustling city centres. The Advanced Manufacturing Innovation District spans 2,000 acres along the Don Valley corridor, linking Rotherham and Sheffield, with the potential to enable thousands of new homes and jobs.

Lord Blunkett said:

I am very pleased that as a consequence of the White Rose Agreement, signed last March, and the Rail Plan for Yorkshire – which I was pleased to chair – an essential first step is now to be taken to recognise the critical importance of the cities and towns east of the Pennines.

It is essential that following the initial investment, the Spending Review in 2028 accelerates the development of a rail system to be proud of, and the connectivity of cities across the North to unlock the talent and the growth fundamental to future success.

Yorkshire, with a population greater than Scotland, has long been neglected and this announcement starts the process of putting right years of neglect.

The NPR plans build on the £11 billion Transpennine route upgrade, between York and Manchester, via Leeds and Huddersfield, which is already delivering more efficient journeys for people across the north.

A funding cap of £45 billion will be set for the programme, including £1.1 billion over the Spending Review period allocated from existing budgets first. Learning lessons from HS2, the government will work closely with local partners to ensure planning processes are carried out efficiently, and approvals are streamlined to reduce delays and prevent projects from going over budget.    

The city regions of the North have huge untapped economic potential. Leeds and West Yorkshire are emerging as the ‘Northern square mile’ for financial services, while Sheffield and South Yorkshire are at the cutting edge on defence and advanced manufacturing, York’s thriving and dynamic cultural and visitor economy, and Newcastle’s growing research and innovation sector.

The government is working with mayors, other local leaders, and businesses to announce a wider plan this spring for taking advantage of these strengths, firing up productivity and prosperity across the North.

This plan brings in existing work to unlock immediate benefits for residents, including work to help fill local skills gaps across the country, and will build on this with further policies to improve connectivity, revitalise cities and towns, support people with the skills to access new opportunities, and support businesses to innovate and grow.

The press release issued by the Department for Transport on 13 January 2026.

The Rail Accident Investigation Branch has launched an investigation into an incident of overspeeding at Cambridge Junction, Hitchin, Hertfordshire, 11 December 2025.

At 10:39 on 11 December 2025, train reporting number 1T20, the 10:12 London Kings Cross to Ely service, operated by Great Northern (a trading name of Govia Thameslink Railway Ltd), was involved in an overspeeding incident at Cambridge Junction.

At the junction, the train was routed from the Down Slow line over points for a diverging route. These points have a permanent speed restriction of 25 mph          (40 km/h). CCTV evidence shows that the signals for this route displayed the expected indications; however, the train traversed the points at 56 mph (90 km/h). This caused the train to lurch sideways, with several passengers falling out of their seats as a result. The permissible speed for a train remaining on the Down Slow line is 75 mph (121 km/h).

No injuries were reported as a result of the incident and no damage was caused.

We have undertaken a preliminary examination into this incident. We have also reviewed the circumstances of two similar incidents which took place at Grantham South Junction on 25 February 2025 and 26 September 2025, as well as two previous RAIB investigations into overspeeding events that occurred at Spital Junction, Peterborough on 17 April 2022 (report 06/2023) and 4 May 2023 (report 10/2024).

As these previous investigations still have open recommendations, RAIB has decided to publish a safety digest for this incident.

The press release issued by the Department for Transport on 12 January 2026.

Richard George and Sir Andrew Haines bring extensive experience to help improve passenger experience and operational performance we will see under Great British Railways.

• Secretary of State appoints new chairs of Network Rail and DFTO at pivotal time for industry  
• appointees will draw on their significant industry experience to deliver for passengers  
• this marks next chapter for railway as government moves closer to establishment of Great British Railways

Two key rail leaders have been appointed to oversee the railways at a monumental time for the industry today (12 January 2026).

Richard George has been appointed Chair of Network Rail, the public body that owns, operates, maintains and develops Britain’s railway infrastructure.

Sir Andrew Haines will become Chair of Department for Transport Operator Limited (DFTO), the government body bringing all currently privately-owned train services into public ownership ahead of the creation of Great British Railways (GBR).

With significant experience in the rail industry, both appointees will support the government’s mission to bring together track and train – delivering a better service for passengers.

Richard has 45 years of experience operating at the most senior level in the UK transport industry and is the current chair of DFTO. His extensive career includes roles as Managing Director of Great Western Trains and HS1 Project Director for Eurostar, as well as an advisor to DfT on matters relating to rail performance and investment in the north of England. Prior to privatisation, Richard had 20 years of railway management experience with British Rail.

Sir Andrew has overseen rail and transport at the highest level, most recently as CEO of Network Rail between 2018 and 2025, where he maintained a strong focus on putting passengers first and driving improved performance. Prior to this, Sir Andrew had a wide-ranging career in the rail industry, including roles as Managing Director of South West Trains and Managing Director of the Rail Division for First Group plc.

Their new positions will take effect on 2 February 2026.

Transport Secretary, Heidi Alexander, said:

With legislation now making its way through Parliament, we’re making good progress with our ambitious programme of rail reform. When Great British Railways is established, it will help us to deliver a network which is run for the public, owned by the public.

Richard and Sir Andrew both bring a wealth of experience, helping to improve passenger experience and operational performance, supporting the integration of our railways and building towards the world-class railway we will see under Great British Railways.

I’d like to thank Mike Putnam for his work overseeing Network Rail at this pivotal time. I’m pleased we will continue to benefit from his knowledge and skills as he remains part of the Network Rail board.

Sir Andrew Haines said:

I am delighted to be joining DFTO at this pivotal time, as it focuses on its mission of successfully bringing more services into public ownership, improving passenger experience and helping create Great British Railways.

I look forward to working closely with so many talented colleagues from across the publicly owned train operating companies, Network Rail, the Department for Transport and the wider rail industry.

Richard George said:

I am delighted and honoured to be appointed Chair of Network Rail. The rail reform journey we are on towards the creation of Great British Railways is an exciting one with changes across all railway organisations, including Network Rail, as we work to create an integrated railway fit for the 21st century.

But those changes must never be at the expense of safety and operational performance, and the whole system relies on Network Rail to deliver that. I am excited to be a part of this, leading Network Rail, alongside DFTO and the publicly-owned train operators, to improve performance on the railway and drive rail reform.

The new appointments come as legislation to establish Great British Railways goes through Parliament, marking the next phase of the Government’s bold rail reforms. Great British Railways will build a simpler, more unified railway that delivers reliable, safe and more affordable journeys.

The press release issued by the Department for Transport on 11 January 2026.

New map rates how record government pothole funding is being used.

• new red, amber, green ratings let public see which local highway authorities are fixing potholes effectively
• government’s record £7.3 billion funding announced at budget is helping councils get on with fixing nation’s roads
• record investment will drive real improvement, saving drivers money by preventing costly repairs and restoring pride in communities

Drivers across England can now see how well their local highway authority (LHA) is tackling the pothole plague thanks to a new traffic light rating system published by the government today (11 January 2026).  

The new ratings – the first of their kind – grade 154 local highway authority (LHA) as red, amber or green based on current road condition and how effectively they are spending the government’s record £7.3 billion funding to fix potholes and invest in long term measures to maintain roads.

The interactive map shows every LHA’s rating, to highlight best practice and drive improved performance from councils.   

It comes after the government backed LHAs with a record multi-year investment to improve the condition of their roads, after years of them calling for long-term certainty.

This allows them to repair potholes effectively and move away from expensive, short-term repairs and instead invest in long-term preventative measures. The fixes will mean more money in drivers’ pockets – with the average vehicle repair bill from hitting potholes around £320, with some motorists paying over £1,000 last year.  

Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander said:  

For too long, drivers have paid the price because our roads were left to deteriorate. I have heard time and again their frustration on footing the bill because they hit a pothole – money they should never have to spend in the first place.  

We’ve put our money where our mouth is, increasing the funding for local highway authorities with £7.3 billion to fix roads and given them the long-term certainty they have been asking for. Now it’s over to them to spend the money wisely, and for the first time, we are making sure the public can see how well councils are doing in delivering the improvements they want to see in their local area. 
 
This government’s record investment will save drivers money on repairs, make roads safer and help restore pride in our communities.

The government’s record £7.3 billion for local road maintenance is enough for LHAs to renew and improve tens of thousands of miles of roads in every corner of the country.   

The red, amber, green ratings are based on 3 key areas:

• the condition of local roads
• how much LHAs are spending on road repairs
• whether they are following best practice in maintaining highways

The first-of-its-kind rating system shines a light on where local authorities are excelling and, crucially, where more needs to be done to deliver change people see in their communities.   

Those that scored ‘green’, like Leeds, Sandwell and Manchester, were able to demonstrate they are following best practice, such as investing in more long-term preventative measures rather than just patching up potholes, while also maintaining good road conditions and investing significantly into improving local roads. 

‘Amber’ ranked LHAs showed some of these qualities with room for improvement in individual areas, while those rated ‘red’ are not yet meeting the expected standards in one or several areas measured by the ratings – such as the current state of the roads, their plans for preventing potholes or investment into maintaining their local roads more widely. 

To boost standards, LHAs currently rated red will receive dedicated support to bring them in line with best practices, backed by £300,000 worth of expert planning and capability assistance. The support programme will include peer reviews where sector experts will help improve processes and provide practical advice.

As an incentive to better roads, access to full future funding allocations will be linked to performance, ensuring councils are encouraged to get on with the job and use taxpayer money efficiently to repair and maintain their roads before potholes form.

To further ensure transparency from LHAs, 25% of local highway authorities’ £500 million funding uplift this financial year was withheld until they published transparency reports and set out how they comply with best practice. The withheld £125 million in funding was unlocked at the end of last year by councils which successfully submitted their reports.

In further support for local authorities, the government will extend the Live Labs 2 programme for another year, providing up to £300,000 to help councils access and adopt more innovative approaches to maintenance, including uptake of longer-lasting, low-carbon materials for repairing roads faster, more efficiently and far less often. These materials can unlock savings for the taxpayer, lower emissions and reduce disruptive roadworks long-term to keep drivers moving.

The announcement comes in the same week the government unveiled the first Road Safety Strategy in over a decade, to save thousands of lives on the nation’s roads by tackling drink-driving, improving training for young drivers and introducing mandatory eye tests for older motorists.  

Edmund King, AA president and founding member of the Pothole Partnership, said: 

The top transport demand for 96% of AA members is fixing potholes with increased investment in repairing and upgrading roads.

We welcome this government initiative to hold local highways authorities to account, which should help to promote the Pothole Partnership objective of more proactive and permanent repairs.

Caroline Julian, Brand and Engagement Director of British Cycling and founding member of the Pothole Partnership, said: 

For cyclists, potholes are far more than an annoyance. One unexpected impact can cause a serious crash, life-changing injury or, in the worst cases, a fatality. Safe riding depends on safe roads, and a smooth, well-maintained surface isn’t a luxury for cyclists, it’s essential for their safety.

This new mapping tool is a step forward. It gives riders clear insight into how well their council is maintaining the routes they rely on every day, whilst holding decision-makers to account.

RAC Head of Policy, Simon Williams, said:

These new ratings are a positive move that will help drivers understand how councils are performing when it comes to improving the state of local roads. While there are examples of good road maintenance practice taking place, this isn’t consistent across the country and means drivers have, for too long, been left with substandard roads. 

We hope this initiative, plus the promise of longer-term funding for councils to allow them to plan and carry out much-needed preventative maintenance, means we’re finally on the way to having smoother, better roads.

Kerry Winstanley, Managing Director of Local Council Roads Innovation Group (LCRIG), said:

The release of the national ratings provides a clear opportunity to target support and strengthen the local road network where it is most needed.

For many years, highways authorities have worked hard to maintain roads despite declining budgets and resources and the ratings, released alongside record multi-year investment, will enable authorities to benefit from additional support and increase investment in preventative maintenance, while continuing collaborative work supported by LCRIG, including sharing best practices, adopting innovative solutions, and working towards a nationally green-rated road network.

The press release issued by the Department for Transport on 8 January 2026.

Have your say on our proposals to simplify the taxi licensing system and improve enforcement to increase safety and reduce unfair competition.

• proposals to reduce the practice of ‘out-of-area’ working, which sees drivers obtaining their licence in one area and operating mainly in another
• changes would simplify how taxi and private hire vehicle drivers get their licences by putting the power in the hands of local transport authorities
• step towards making our streets safer, especially for women and girls, helping deliver on the government’s Plan for Change

Women and girls will be better protected under government plans to reduce ‘out-of-area’ working by taxi and private hire vehicle (PHV) drivers.  

Currently, 263 different bodies issue licences to drivers, including councils and Transport for London (TfL). But under the proposals set out in a new consultation launched by the Department for Transport (DfT) today (8 January 2026), this would be reduced to 70 local transport authorities (LTAs), which already manage local transport planning.

This change would simplify the licensing system, improve enforcement and tackle ‘out-of-area’ working, which happens when drivers licensed in one area operate mainly in another, creating safety risks and unfair competition.

By reducing the number of licensing authorities, the number of boundaries between areas is reduced and licensees would have fewer opportunities to seek out less stringent licensing rules. For example, currently in Greater Manchester, there are 10 licensing authorities. However, under the proposals, this would be reduced to just one licensing authority.

These proposals form part of the government’s response to Baroness Casey’s National Audit on Group-Based Child Sexual Exploitation and Abuse, which highlighted the issue of ‘out-of-area’ working and recommended more rigorous statutory standards for local authority licensing and regulation of taxi drivers.  

Local Transport Minister, Lilian Greenwood, said: 

Passenger safety is at the heart of everything we do. These proposals, combined with the introduction of national minimum standards, are important next steps to making taxis and private hire vehicles as safe as possible.

By moving licensing to all local transport authorities, we’re encouraging greater consistency and stronger enforcement across the country.

A spokesperson for the Licensed Private Hire Car Association said: 

We are delighted that the government is consulting on making all local transport authorities responsible for taxi and private hire vehicle licensing.

Reducing the number of licensing authorities should enable licensing efficiencies and consistency of standards nationally for taxis and private hire vehicles, which in turn will improve safety for the travelling public.

This public consultation will run for 12 weeks and is available on GOV.UK.   

This consultation follows proposed new standards on taxi licensing to strengthen safety and protections for passengers in taxis and private hire vehicles.

Under the new rules, the Transport Secretary would have the power to introduce national minimum standards for taxi and PHV licensing.

This would see all drivers subject to robust checks and would mean passengers can feel safe in the knowledge that their taxis and PHVs meet strict national standards, no matter where they are in the country.

The press release issued by the Department for Transport on 8 January 2026.

Local councils will be given the power to crack down on problem pavement parking.

• keeping pavements clear helps parents with pushchairs, wheelchair users and blind or partially sighted people travel more safely and independently
• local leaders know their streets best and will intend on being given the power to take action where pavement parking causes the greatest problems locally
• this locally-led approach supports the government’s drive to make transport and public spaces more accessible, improving safety while recognising local parking needs

Disabled people will benefit from new local powers being made available to local leaders across England to introduce pavement parking restrictions across their area, helping keep them clear and accessible for everyone who uses them, while allowing exemptions where needed.

Blocked pavements can create serious barriers for parents with pushchairs, wheelchair users, blind and partially sighted people and older people, limiting independence and making everyday journeys harder and less safe. 

Following a public consultation, the Department for Transport has confirmed that local leaders will be given new and improved legal powers to make it easier to restrict pavement parking across wider areas, rather than relying on the previous approach, where action is often limited to individual streets and requires lengthy, complex processes.

Local leaders know their streets best and are best placed to respond to local needs. Under the new approach, local leaders will be able to decide to take action on pavement parking in their area, and they will retain flexibility where they deem pavement parking may still be acceptable.

Local Transport Minister, Lilian Greenwood, said:

Clear pavements are essential for people to move around safely and independently, whether that’s a parent with a pushchair, someone using a wheelchair, or a blind or partially sighted person.

That’s why we’re giving local authorities the power to crack down on problem pavement parking, allowing more people to travel easily and safely and get to where they need to go.

Guide Dogs’ Chief Executive, Andrew Lennox, said: 

After years of campaigning, we welcome the announcement to give councils greater powers to tackle problem pavement parking.

Cars blocking pavements are a nuisance for everyone, but especially dangerous for people with sight loss, who can be forced into the road with traffic they can’t see. Pavement parking is also a barrier that shuts people out of everyday life. When pavements are blocked, people with sight loss lose confidence, independence and the freedom to travel safely. This stops people accessing work, education and social opportunities.

We look forward to working with the government and local authorities to ensure these changes are introduced quickly and consistently enforced so pavement parking becomes a thing of the past.

RAC Senior Policy Officer, Rod Dennis, said:

Our research shows a clear majority of drivers agree that no pavement user should be made to walk or wheel into the road because of someone else’s inconsiderate parking.

These proposals should clear the way for councils to prevent pavement parking where it causes problems, but permit drivers to partially park on pavements where doing so helps keep traffic flowing and doesn’t inconvenience other people.

Mayor of the West Midlands, Richard Parker, said: 

Clear pavements matter. For parents with pushchairs, wheelchair users and people who are blind or partially sighted, a blocked pavement is not a minor inconvenience – it can stop a journey altogether and is a risk to people’s safety.

Most drivers want to park safely and considerately and these new powers help in areas where dangerous parking causes real problems.

Giving decisions to local leaders means solutions that reflect how our streets actually work. It’s a practical step that helps people move around safely, confidently and independently in their own communities.

The department will set out guidance to help local authorities use these powers in a proportionate and locally appropriate way later in 2026.

By putting decision-making closer to communities, the approach supports safer, more inclusive streets that work better for everyone. This forms part of the government’s Plan for Change, making transport more accessible and inclusive and supporting growth by ensuring our streets and public spaces work for all.