Latest news with #DepartmentforTransport
North Wales Live
2 hours ago
- Business
- North Wales Live
Rail fare hike looms with potential 5.5% increase sparking outrage among passengers
Transport can be expensive whether that's air fare, petrol money or train travel. With the latter, passengers in the UK are being warning that ticket prices could rise by as much at 5.5% in the next round of price hikes. The July Retail Prices Index (RPI) figure, which is frequently used to calculate the annual rise in rail travel costs, will be revealed on Wednesday, August 20, and that could mean higher fares for passengers in England. Meanwhile, Transport for Wales are offering £1 rail fares for a short period of time, you can read more here. Transport organisations have been left furious by the potential rise in next year's railway fares, which they have condemned as "outrageous". Just last year the Department for Transport confirmed costs would rise by 4.6%, but it looks like they may rise again. RPI is an inflation measure - released monthly - which is utilised to gauge the change in the price of retail goods and services. For money-saving tips, sign up to our Money newsletter here. It wasn't employed in 2022 or 2023, but it was in 2024, when the Department for Transport confirmed costs would rise by 4.6% - one percentage point above last July's RPI figure. These alterations to fares took effect on March 2 this year. The Government has yet to announce how it will calculate next year's railway fare increase, although banking firm Investec has predicted this year's July RPI figure at 4.5%, meaning costs could leap by 5.5% in March 2026. Bruce Williamson, of campaign group Railfuture, raged there was "no justification" for the massive increase. He said: "What would be the justification for jacking up fares above inflation? There isn't any." He continued: "It's ripping off the customer, driving people off the trains and on to our congested road network, which is in no one's interest. "One would hope that there would be some efficiency savings and economies of scale that you get from having a more integrated railway. "But I strongly suspect that if there are any savings to be had, they'd be swallowed up by the Treasury and not passed back to passengers, which I think is wrong." Around 45% of fares across Britain's railway network are regulated by either Westminster or the Scottish and Welsh governments. This encompasses season tickets for most commuter routes, certain off-peak return fares and flexible tickets for journeys around major urban areas. Railway operators determine increases for unregulated fares, though these are expected to closely mirror changes in regulated ticket costs. Ben Plowden, chief executive of Campaign for Better Transport, argued that costly fares were "putting people off" using trains. He continued: "Rising fares are not just burdening passengers, they are putting people off rail travel. "Our survey found that 71% of people would be more likely to take the train if fares were cheaper. Public support for nationalisation plummets if fares continue to rise. "As the Government progresses plans for Great British Railways, it must take the opportunity to reform fares and make rail travel more affordable." An open return ticket from Cardiff Central to Edinburgh will set you back a whopping £239.50 (with a booking fee) if you buy the ticket in advance on Trainline. However, you can find return flights from Cardiff airport to Edinburgh airport with Ryan Air for over half of the price at £108 on Skyscanner. The Department for Transport has confirmed that "no decision" has been made regarding fares for the upcoming year. A spokesperson stated: "The Transport Secretary has made clear her number one priority is getting the railways back to a place where people can rely on them. "No decisions have been made on next year's rail fares but our aim is that prices balance affordability for both passengers and taxpayers."
Wales Online
3 hours ago
- Business
- Wales Online
Rail fare hike looms with potential 5.5% increase sparking outrage among passengers
Rail fare hike looms with potential 5.5% increase sparking outrage among passengers Transport organisations have been left furious by the potential rise in next year's railway fares, which they have condemned as "outrageous". Could train tickets be rising again in the new year? (Image: WalesOnline/Rob Browne) Transport can be expensive whether that's air fare, petrol money or train travel. With the latter, passengers in the UK are being warning that ticket prices could rise by as much at 5.5% in the next round of price hikes. The July Retail Prices Index (RPI) figure, which is frequently used to calculate the annual rise in rail travel costs, will be revealed on Wednesday, August 20, and that could mean higher fares for passengers in England. Meanwhile, Transport for Wales are offering £1 rail fares for a short period of time, you can read more here. Transport organisations have been left furious by the potential rise in next year's railway fares, which they have condemned as "outrageous". Just last year the Department for Transport confirmed costs would rise by 4.6%,but it looks like they may rise again. RPI is an inflation measure - released monthly - which is utilised to gauge the change in the price of retail goods and services. For money-saving tips, sign up to our Money newsletter here . It wasn't employed in 2022 or 2023, but it was in 2024, when the Department for Transport confirmed costs would rise by 4.6% - one percentage point above last July's RPI figure. These alterations to fares took effect on March 2 this year. Article continues below The Government has yet to announce how it will calculate next year's railway fare increase, although banking firm Investec has predicted this year's July RPI figure at 4.5%, meaning costs could leap by 5.5% in March 2026. Bruce Williamson, of campaign group Railfuture, raged there was "no justification" for the massive increase. He said: "What would be the justification for jacking up fares above inflation? There isn't any." He continued: "It's ripping off the customer, driving people off the trains and on to our congested road network, which is in no one's interest. "One would hope that there would be some efficiency savings and economies of scale that you get from having a more integrated railway. "But I strongly suspect that if there are any savings to be had, they'd be swallowed up by the Treasury and not passed back to passengers, which I think is wrong." Around 45% of fares across Britain's railway network are regulated by either Westminster or the Scottish and Welsh governments. This encompasses season tickets for most commuter routes, certain off-peak return fares and flexible tickets for journeys around major urban areas. Railway operators determine increases for unregulated fares, though these are expected to closely mirror changes in regulated ticket costs. Ben Plowden, chief executive of Campaign for Better Transport, argued that costly fares were "putting people off" using trains. He continued: "Rising fares are not just burdening passengers, they are putting people off rail travel. "Our survey found that 71% of people would be more likely to take the train if fares were cheaper. Public support for nationalisation plummets if fares continue to rise. "As the Government progresses plans for Great British Railways, it must take the opportunity to reform fares and make rail travel more affordable." Trains are integral to the everyday lives of commuters. (Image: Cathy Owen) An open return ticket from Cardiff Central to Edinburgh will set you back a whopping £239.50 (with a booking fee) if you buy the ticket in advance on Trainline. However, you can find return flights from Cardiff airport to Edinburgh airport with Ryan Air for over half of the price at £108 on Skyscanner. The Department for Transport has confirmed that "no decision" has been made regarding fares for the upcoming year. A spokesperson stated: "The Transport Secretary has made clear her number one priority is getting the railways back to a place where people can rely on them. "No decisions have been made on next year's rail fares but our aim is that prices balance affordability for both passengers and taxpayers." Article continues below
BBC News
5 days ago
- Automotive
- BBC News
Plymouth set for 44 new long-term cycle storage lockers
New secure cycle lockers are set to be installed across a Devon City Council said the "significant expansion" would include 44 long-term lockers, bringing the total number of spaces available across the city to city council said the lockers, funded by the Department for Transport's active travel fund, would be both short and long John Stephens, cabinet member for strategic planning and transport, said: "This new cycle infrastructure is a real boost for sustainable transport in Plymouth and I'm delighted to see it installed." 'No parking loss' He added: "Getting people out of their cars and onto their bikes won't happen overnight but if we can continue to provide the infrastructure that breaks down another barrier to making that choice then together we will be able to get to a better place."The city council said the long-term lets would be at Cremyll Street, Vauxhall Street, Barbican Approach, the Theatre Royal car park, Grand Parade car park, Napier Terrace car park, St John's Road car park, Boringdon Terrace car park and Regent Street car park. There would be no loss of car parking as a result, it said short-term cycle storage lockers, each capable of storing two bikes, were also set for expansion thanks to five new bike hubs – an app-bookable locker system with bike parking available at an hourly rate. It said there would be three new hourly rental lockers at the Plymouth Life Centre and two on Vauxhall Street to bring the total city wide to lockers had been manufactured in the city by local company BikeAway, it added, and had been provided at no cost to the said the long-term lockers could be hired on an annual first of the storage lockers will be installed before the end of August.
Daily Mirror
5 days ago
- Automotive
- Daily Mirror
Drivers urged to keep one essential item in their car at night or face £1,000 fine
A small, inexpensive material could significantly improve night-time driving visibility and help road users avoid receiving points on their licence and hefty fines Experts have warned Brit motorists to take one simple safety step to protect against penalties, as well as preventing potentially precarious predicaments on the road. Road safety experts have stressed that a small, inexpensive item could significantly improve night-time driving visibility and help road users avoid fines of up to £1,000 and three penalty points, never mind the risk of a serious accident. The item in question — a clean microfibre cloth. Mindless yobs damage 41 cars in vandalism rampage through sleepy market town While it may seem like a minor detail, this practical item can be the difference between arriving safely at your destination and being involved in an accident due to poor visibility. Also, many motorists are unaware that something as seemingly trivial as a misted or dirty windscreen can result in legal trouble. UK law requires all drivers to maintain a completely unobstructed view. If your view is compromised, you could face fines and prosecution — regardless of whether this leads to a collision. The dangers increase dramatically during hours of darkness, as dirt, grease and smears that hardly appear during daylight become far more obstructive under glare from headlights. Government statistics reveal that hundreds of accidents every year are linked to glare. Department for Transport (DfT) data and research from the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA) show that between 280 and 300 collisions per year in the UK involve dazzling headlights or glare as a contributing factor. Of these glare-related impacts, an average of six involve fatal injuries annually. The human eye can take up to nine seconds to recover from dazzling light. However, that seemingly short timeframe is more than enough for a serious collision to occur. Despite most drivers experiencing glare from oncoming traffic, many overlook basic measures to reduce the effect, such as ensuring windscreens are completely clean and free of smears. A common misconception is that windscreen condensation is a problem confined to the colder winter months. In reality, the combination of a sharp temperature drop after sunset and higher humidity can cause misting to appear instantly — and at any time of year. Even in summer, this sudden obstruction can drastically reduce visibility, making it hard to see other vehicles, road hazards and pedestrians. The law is straightforward — windscreens and windows must be kept clean and clear of anything that could obstruct the driver's vision. Police do not need to prove that reduced visibility directly led to an accident, as the mere presence of an obstruction is enough to issue a penalty. As part of broader efforts to improve road safety, police forces are taking cases of impaired visibility increasingly seriously. Microfibre cloths are widely recommended because they are highly absorbent, do not leave streaks and can rapidly remove both dirt and condensation. Drivers experiencing sudden misting should use their vehicle's demister, starting with the coldest heater setting, switching on air conditioning and turning off air recirculation to draw in dry outside air, before gradually increasing the temperature. Expert Tom added: "A decent microfibre cloth costs less than £5, but keeping one within arm's reach could save you thousands in fines, insurance claims, and potentially your life. It's the cheapest safety upgrade you'll ever make." With all the modern features available in cars, experts say that keeping a clean microfibre cloth in your glovebox or door pocket remains one of the most effective, affordable and immediate ways to improve road safety.
BBC News
7 days ago
- Automotive
- BBC News
Black Cat road improvements costing £1m a day hits midpoint
A road improvement project is costing about £1m a day as it reaches its National Highways scheme is building a 10-mile dual carriageway between the Black Cat roundabout in Bedfordshire and Caxton Gibbet in aim is to reduce congestion and speed up journey times along the A428, with about 80,000 drivers using the roundabout each Salmon, senior project manager with National Highways, said: "A billion pounds, that's the the cost of the scheme. At the moment we're in the peak because it's the peak earth moving season, we're spending about a million pounds a day." "We are very heavily scrutinized by the Department for Transport and the Treasury," he added."There's a lot of scrutiny on this project, it's the biggest road project in construction at the moment." Key planned elements of the project include an underpass for the A1, a flyover for the A421 dual carriageway - and a new dual carriageway linking to the Salmon explained problems were caused by people coming on to the existing single carriageway from nearby junctions and local villages, causing a "pinch point".He explained: "This work just unlocks all those problems, unlocks safety issues, that time people spend queuing in traffic. "There was a huge amount of support in the leadup to this scheme. People who know this area, live and travel through, totally understand why this scheme is being built." Ahead of major roadworks planned for this weekend, Mr Salmon explained the project was halfway said: "We're exactly where we should be. "We had a real problem with rain in September last year, massive amounts of flooding right across the region and that affected us as well, but we've more than made that back."Spring 2027 is when we're open for traffic. Sounds like a long time, but actually we're already 18 months through, so it won't take long now." Follow Beds, Herts and Bucks news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.
