Rail transport in the UK

Metrolink extension to Stockport is moving ahead, with Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) and Stockport Council now working together on detailed proposals for one of the region’s flagship public transport schemes, as confirmed by Transport for Greater Manchester.

From Sunday 14 December 2025, contactless pay-as-you-go in South East England will extend to 30 more stations.This is reported by the railway transport news portal Railway Supply.

First Aurora train to London has now entered service on East Midlands Railway. Together with Transport UK, the operator has begun rolling out its new Aurora fleet between Sheffield and the capital, a milestone also highlighted in an update from East Midlands Railway.

The British Steel high-speed rail contract worth £35 million in Türkiye was unveiled by Prime Minister Keir Starmer as part of the UK’s wider export drive, as detailed in a recent announcement by British Steel.

Hull Trains 25th anniversary sees the operator looking back over a quarter of a century of services between East Yorkshire and London, a story the company also reflects on in its overview Hull Trains celebrates 25 years of pioneering services.

The Avanti 7am Manchester–London service is set to vanish from passenger timetables, even though the train itself will still run every weekday morning, as reported by the Guardian.

ScotRail extra Friday night trains are being added to the festive timetable to support late-night travel in the run-up to Christmas.

The Denton line Metrolink extension could turn an underused rail corridor through Denton into a vital new link between Manchester’s tram network and Stockport, under proposals now being developed by Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) and Stockport Council.

Class 376 Electrostar refurbishment has delivered the first fully upgraded train back into passenger service on Southeastern’s network.

December rail strikes are set to bring major disruption to festive rail travel in the UK, with a series of walkouts planned on CrossCountry services throughout the month.

Rachel Reeves rail fare freeze is due to be confirmed in this week’s Budget, with the Chancellor presenting the move as a major step to ease pressure on people hit by the cost of living crisis and to win back voters.

Festive travel disruption in Manchester is on the horizon after Unite announced that Metrolink staff will strike from Friday 05 December to Sunday 07 December, as first reported by Railway-News.