AGP Executive Report

Heathrow Expansion Backlash: New analysis says expanding Heathrow could shift over 15,000 jobs away from other UK regions by 2050, drawing criticism from Andy Burnham supporters even as Heathrow’s backers argue wider UK benefits. Public Transport Affordability: England’s £2 bus fare cap is set to return from January 1, 2027, with councils and operators pointing to cheaper travel for commuters and climate goals. Bus Tech Rollout: Stagecoach West is moving to Ticketer TK300 ticket machines, adding route storage, app-linked real-time info, and future tap-on/tap-off fare capping. Rail Staff Welfare: Train drivers in Great Britain are considering strike action over toilets, claiming basic facilities and break time haven’t improved since regulators pushed operators. Road Safety Concern: Swindon residents report pedestrians forced onto an unofficial path beside fast traffic on Great Western Way, prompting a council highways review. Travel Disruption Warnings: The UK Foreign Office keeps advising travellers about possible flight cancellations and airspace closures across the Middle East, including the UAE, despite generally stable airport operations. Ukraine Tech for Logistics: London says it will grant Ukraine access to its “Stone Cloak” electronic jamming tech to protect drones and long-range strikes tied to military and logistics targets. Security at the Border: Reports say drones and AI were used to stop Iranian agents smuggled into the UK via Channel routes. Climate Emergency: Wildfires near Bordeaux and across Spain are forcing evacuations and road closures, with the UK’s heatwave risks continuing to loom.

Strait of Hormuz Shipping Risk: Iran says the US is using commercial ships for military purposes and warns vessels off “unauthorised routes” after an oil tanker explosion linked to a deviation from an Iranian-designated path, as Oil Prices & UK Costs: crude volatility feeds back into UK petrol and diesel fears, with RAC Fuel Watch putting petrol near 158p and diesel around 176p. UK Transport Safety: A crash involving a bus in Edinburgh sent three people to hospital, while Northumberland’s A1 dualling campaigners renewed pressure after another fatal collision. Rail Leadership: Merseyrail confirms a managing director change, with Suzanne Grant stepping in as Neil Grabham takes an interim role at East Midlands Railway. Logistics & Parcels: Evri expands its Haul&Store partnership for a major parcel volume jump, and Invesco Real Estate buys a Corby logistics warehouse. Aviation Decarbonisation: Airlines including Delta push sustainable aviation fuel, but the sector still needs “step-change” tech to hit targets. Maritime Policy: Qatar backs IMO instrument implementation work in London, focusing on audits, port state control and accident lessons.

Heathrow Expansion Backlash: A new analysis using the UK government’s own forecasts says a third runway would shift jobs and passenger demand away from other regions, including nearly 10,000 jobs foregone in the West Midlands. Merseyrail Public Takeover: Merseyside’s rail network is set to move into public ownership in 2028, with fares and service decisions aimed at passengers rather than shareholders, alongside plans to bring buses back in-house from September 2026. Merseyside Commuting Shake-up: The Merseyrail plan also promises wider reach beyond current limits, including changes enabled by infrastructure upgrades. Workplace Parking “Double Tax” Row: Councils across England and Wales are drawing up Workplace Parking Levies, with critics warning costs could be passed to workers and motorists. Wildfire Response Gap: The UK MoD says it has no water-bombing aircraft for firefighting, leaving Scotland’s Cairngorms blaze reliant on other support. Red Sea Shipping Pressure: Yemen’s PM condemns Houthi attacks on commercial shipping as an “Iranian agenda,” warning global supply chains are at risk. Strait of Hormuz Pause: Markets react as the US and Iran refrain from retaliatory strikes, easing fears of energy disruption.

Maritime Security: The UN Security Council will hold an emergency meeting on Monday over Russian attacks on civilian vessels in the Black Sea, with Ukraine pushing the case that ports, export routes and commercial shipping are being targeted; the UK is among the European backers. Red Sea Disruption: UKMTO reports an unidentified projectile splash near a commercial tanker in the southern Red Sea; no damage or injuries were reported, but vessels are urged to stay alert as tensions with the Houthis continue. Logistics in the Spotlight: Hyrox is expanding in the UK with longer “residencies” to ease venue pressure and boost capacity, including Birmingham, London and Manchester dates. UK Local Growth Planning: Hillingdon’s 10-year vision sets out a growth board and priorities linking jobs to transport, including north-south connectivity and Heathrow-linked development. Supply Chain Operations: GXO and Co-op extend a five-year transport contract across Avonmouth, Andover and Lea Green, supporting deliveries to 1,000+ stores. Emergency Response: The UK government says it can deploy Chinook helicopters and standby troops if needed to tackle the Cairngorms wildfire, following a Scottish request.

Public Rail Performance: c2c, now in public ownership under GBR Anglia, says it hit 91.9% “Time to Three” reliability/punctuality between April 2025 and March 2026, alongside revenue up 10.6% and over five million contactless journeys on its Essex network. Bus Fare Relief: John Swinney faces calls to match Andy Burnham’s England plan for a £2 single bus fares cap from January, but funding uncertainty in Scotland remains a sticking point. Road Safety & Enforcement: A Flintshire man caught at 29mph in a 20mph zone on the A5026 avoided a driving ban after magistrates accepted an exceptional hardship case tied to his UK-wide engineering work. Canals & Sustainable Transport: The Canal & River Trust celebrates Green Flag Awards for all 10 Yorkshire and North East sites, highlighting canals as accessible green spaces and a sustainable travel option. Shipping Security: The US and UK plan a London conference to build a coalition to protect commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz amid renewed attacks. Food Supply Resilience: Sainsbury’s signs 10-year deals with Evesham Vale Growers and Thanet Earth to secure British tomatoes, peppers and cucumbers, aiming to reduce weather and transport-driven shortages. Holiday Travel Tip: ABTA urges families to check travel insurance covers the activities they plan to do before flying abroad.

Rail Safety: c2c has secured full re-accreditation under the Safer Railway Scheme, scoring 88% for safeguarding work across south Essex, with accreditation valid for two years. Roads & Driver Experience: National Highways’ Strategic Roads User Survey puts the South West top, with the M5 among the best roads (78% satisfaction) and the A30 leading major A roads (79%). Bus Affordability: Andy Burnham’s government confirms free bus travel for all 5-to-15-year-olds in England from August 1–31, while funding questions continue around the £2 fare cap planned from January 2027. Public Transport Tech: Torfaen Borough Council will trial bus-priority traffic lights on the A4043 corridor between Pontypool and Blaenavon using sensors that turn signals green for approaching buses. Maritime Security: UKMTO reports a tanker incident involving “military forces” in the Gulf of Oman, as operators are told to stay alert amid heightened tensions around key energy routes. Shipping & Risk: Trinity House orders two new multi-functional buoy-handling vessels from VARD, a £193m fleet renewal to support safer navigation around the UK coastline. Channel Crossings: Two men are reported to have arrived in the UK after rowing a small dinghy across the Channel to Dover, with RNLI rescue assistance. Regional Disruption: A Norfolk solar project could funnel oversized construction traffic through a narrow village main street, sparking local anger over road widening plans.

Strait of Hormuz Security: The US and UK plan a high-level coalition meeting in London next week to protect commercial shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, with defence ministers and senior commanders expected to discuss sending de-mining vessels, naval assets and drones as tensions with Iran continue. Maritime Risk & Energy Routes: Iran has rejected a renewed US ceasefire proposal delivered via Iraq, with officials saying Tehran wants a lasting deal over control of the strait—while shipping disruption fears keep pressure on global energy flows. Aviation & Defence Logistics: Lockheed Martin says C-130 deliveries are set to return to normal after a recent acceptance pause, as it pushes new Hercules orders in India and Latin America. Rail Travel Costs: The Department for Transport is rolling out summer rail discounts, including £1 child fares on some routes and family ticket deals across multiple operators. Road Safety (E-bikes): Scottish MSPs back calls for tougher action on dangerous e-bikes after a nine-year-old was hit by an allegedly modified rider. Local Transport Planning: Bracknell Forest Council withdrew a travel plan for a proposed nursery conversion after concerns over traffic and parking impacts. Emergency Response: Police Scotland declared a major incident as a Cairngorms wildfire forced evacuation of Nethy Bridge residents.

River Thames Incident: Five Met Marine officers were injured after a police boat struck Westminster Bridge, with RNLI and major emergency response teams closing off parts of the Embankment. Bus Fare Cap: England’s £2 single bus fare cap is set to return from January 2027, with Stagecoach services in Swindon confirming participation. Devolution Office: Andy Burnham formally opened “No 10 North” in Manchester, promising a more regional approach to running the country. Rail Disruption: c2c faced severe delays after a police incident near the line between Stanford-Le-Hope and Grays, while another train delay hit Inverkeithing after a man was found unresponsive. Maritime & Coastguard: Coastguard rescue officers have called for an independent review over management and volunteer support, and the MCA’s leadership is facing a no-confidence push. Logistics & Shipping: Inverlussa Marine Services took a 60% stake in Whalsay’s LCL Shipping to expand Shetland aquaculture feed logistics. Construction Impact: Route 6 bridge works were delayed after terrapins breached temporary fencing and nested in the construction zone.

Electric Air Taxis: Joby Aviation and Virgin Atlantic have finalised a multi-year deal to launch electric air taxi services in the UK, starting at Heathrow and Manchester, with early routes including a 15-minute hop from Manchester to Leeds and an 8-minute trip from Heathrow to central London. Tourism Costs: Edinburgh becomes Scotland’s first city to introduce a tourist tax from today, adding a 5% levy on paid overnight accommodation for the first five nights, with revenue earmarked for city services and attractions. Retail Rates Clash: Pharmacy leaders say they’ve been left out again as England cuts business rates for pubs, clubs and live music, warning the move will keep squeezing community pharmacies. Road Safety for Visitors: Japan is rolling out rental-car safety measures for foreign drivers, focusing on right-turn trouble spots with new road markings and bollards. Rail Safety Scrutiny: A survey flags safety concerns at Yorkshire and the Humber stations, including permanently unstaffed sites and missing emergency facilities. Middle East Shipping Shock: UK-US base access and escalating Iran-Houthi conflict are driving fresh Red Sea and Hormuz shipping fears, pushing oil above $100 and raising costs for global logistics.

Bus Fare Relief: Andy Burnham’s government is capping single bus fares across England at £2 from January, backed by £454m and set to run through to 2027, with York and North Yorkshire leaders calling it a real cost-of-living boost. Red Sea Disruption: UK maritime monitors report a tanker hit off Saudi Arabia after Houthi threats and a declared blockade, as oil prices push higher and more vessels divert. Airport Automation: Gatwick has launched the UK’s first robot car parking, where drivers drop cars in a secure garage and robots move them to parking while keys stay with the customer. Port & Nuclear Supply Chain: Workington’s port is expanding with a Cavendish Nuclear/Amentum facility to treat sodium coolant from Japan’s Monju reactor as decommissioning support ramps up. Defence Aviation: Boeing says the RAF’s first extended-range Block II Chinook is emerging in an all-black finish, with deliveries due to start next year. Carbon Capture Planning: Evero has submitted a planning application for InBECCS, aiming to capture up to 250,000 tonnes of CO₂ a year and store it beneath the Irish Sea. Aviation Policy Continuity: easyJet’s boss welcomed Burnham keeping transport secretary Heidi Alexander and reappointing aviation minister Keir Mather.

Red Sea Shipping Security: UKMTO says a tanker caught fire after being struck by an unknown projectile about 70 nautical miles southwest of Al Shuqaiq, as Houthis claim missile-and-drone attacks on Saudi oil tankers and warn of wider disruption to the Bab el-Mandeb route. Public Transport Cost Relief: New PM Andy Burnham confirms a £2 bus fare cap across England from January 2027, cutting the previous £3 limit and setting aside hundreds of millions to fund the change. Outer London ULEZ Fight: Havering Council presses TfL and the Mayor of London for more transparency on ULEZ revenue, enforcement income and borough-level reinvestment. Active Travel Funding: North East mayoral backing includes an £18.6m transport boost for a coastal cycle corridor and safer school routes, plus city-centre walking and cycling upgrades. Aviation Innovation in the UK: Virgin Atlantic signs on as Joby’s exclusive UK airline partner for future air-taxi services, with early routes planned around London and Manchester. Heatwave Impact on Work: LSE research estimates June’s record heatwave cost the UK economy £1.15bn via lost working hours, with transport and daily travel among the affected areas. Maritime Defence Engagement: RAF Air Transport Wing’s 30 Squadron visits the Cayman Islands to strengthen disaster preparedness and resilience partnerships. UK–US Transport Links: Massport CEO Rich Davey is set to visit Belfast next month to deepen port and airport ties and discuss transatlantic flight opportunities.

Public Transport Policy: Andy Burnham has announced a £2 single bus fare cap across England from January 2027, reversing the £3 level set earlier, but the funding details are still “not worked through”, with ministers pointing to a £454m pot and grant changes. Cost of Living & Inflation: UK inflation fell to 2.6% in June, easing pressure on travel costs for visitors, just as Burnham’s early measures roll out. Rail & Safety: British Transport Police are appealing after a woman was sexually assaulted on a train in May, and a separate incident at Prittlewell station saw a person taken to hospital after being hit by a train. Aviation & Fleet: flynas confirmed orders for 20 A321neo and five A330neo aircraft, signalling continued Middle East expansion. Maritime Disruption: Red Sea shipping faces fresh disruption as Houthis threaten routes, while oil prices jump on renewed Iran-US tensions affecting global supply chains. Logistics Tech: Ideagen bought Work Wallet to expand mobile-first EHS software for regulated workplaces. Mobility & Integration: Burnham says England should move toward an integrated, capped public transport system like Greater Manchester’s Bee Network.

UK transport policy: Vale of Glamorgan Council will replace paper school passes with digital QR passes via the BusBuddie app from September 2026, with registration due by July 24 and fallback support for pupils without mobile access. Road user experience: Drivers have named the M27 England’s worst motorway after long-running roadworks and delays, while Transport Focus reports satisfaction is rising overall across motorways and major A roads. Aerospace & defence: Airbus begins flight testing for its “Wing of Tomorrow” next-gen wing extensions in the UK, and BAE Systems, Boeing and Saab unveiled a UK-based plan to replace the RAF Hawk trainer fleet with a T-7-derived aircraft. Maritime risk: With the Strait of Hormuz under pressure, UKMTO reports a tanker hit by an unknown projectile and Centcom says it struck Iranian maritime and missile capabilities; analysts warn shipping disruptions are spreading. Rail disruption: RMT plans strikes over safety concerns at East Midlands Railway’s Class 810 Aurora fleet following the Bedford crash. EV infrastructure: BC Hydro will more than triple public charging, adding 3,500 ports by 2035. Aviation connectivity: Air Zimbabwe resumes the Harare–London Gatwick route after a 14-year gap, with fares from US$495.

Maritime Security: UKMTO says a commercial vessel was hit near the Strait of Hormuz, with the steering system damaged and crew safe, as UK-linked shipping risk stays high while traffic through the strait keeps falling. Oil & Shipping Disruption: Reports cite fewer transits through Hormuz amid the US-Iran escalation, with oil prices staying elevated and Red Sea pressure adding to route uncertainty. Bus Policy: Andy Burnham’s government confirms free, unlimited local bus travel for children aged 5-15 across England throughout August, with no registration required. Industrial Logistics: Ocado has taken the final unit at Indurent’s Stoke Central warehouse park under a 15-year lease, boosting capacity for electric delivery fleets. Aerospace & Air Mobility: Vertical Aerospace and Honeywell join an EU-funded programme to safely integrate eVTOLs into European airspace, including flight demonstrations in Spain. Robotics & Labour: London-based Humanoid raises $152m Series A at a $1.35bn valuation, planning beta deployments for logistics and industrial sites later this year. UK Defence Supply Chain: Leidos and DHL are reported to be teaming up to bid for a major UK MoD defence logistics contract, as investors watch the new chancellor’s defence-spending stance. Energy Transition: The UK Army commissions a 1.7GWh/year solar project at Larkhill Garrison, part of its wider push to scale renewable power on bases.

Maritime Security: The UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) says multiple vessels were hit by projectiles off Oman and the UAE as the Strait of Hormuz remains a flashpoint, with Dynacom Tankers reporting a tanker fire and evacuation after strikes near Kumzar. Energy & Trade Impact: The US carried out its 10th straight night of strikes on Iran, explicitly aiming to reduce attacks on commercial shipping, while Iran-backed Yemen rebels warn they could disrupt Saudi Red Sea shipping—pushing oil prices higher and raising costs for global supply chains. UK Politics & Logistics Policy: New PM Andy Burnham wasted no time appointing John Healey as Chancellor and Ed Miliband as Foreign Secretary, setting an early tone of “reindustrialise Britain” and cost-of-living relief that could shape transport and infrastructure priorities. Aerospace Investment: Vertical Aerospace says the UK Government is in advanced talks on grants up to £10m to anchor its first full-scale UK production sites for eVTOL aircraft and battery manufacturing. Road Reliability: Transport Focus ranks Hampshire’s M27 as England’s worst motorway for driver satisfaction, citing persistent roadworks and delays. Market Watch: Segro rejected a third Prologis takeover bid (~£13.5bn), keeping pressure on valuations for UK logistics property.

UK Politics & Transport Policy: Andy Burnham was sworn in as the UK’s new prime minister, promising a “circuit-breaker” on cost of living and to move power away from London—an agenda that could reshape transport and infrastructure priorities. EU Border Delays: EU airport bosses warn the Entry/Exit System is tripling waiting times for UK travellers in peak periods, with Rome’s average jump from about 7 to 20 minutes. Defence Logistics: Leidos and DHL Supply Chain have bid for the UK Ministry of Defence’s Future Defence Support Services, pitching a long-term logistics and maintenance network worth up to £18bn. Regional Air Connectivity: Loganair is urging governments to fund a clear island-flight strategy after cutting some routes, warning “last resort” reductions could hit access to healthcare. Rail Capacity for Major Events: ScotRail and Network Rail are adding 1,452 extra carriages for the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games. Aviation Disruption & Safety: A light aircraft “flipped” on the runway at Hawarden Airport, triggering a major emergency response; no hospital treatment was needed. Shipping Under Strain: US-Iran strikes are escalating fears for Gulf shipping as tankers and transits face disruption around the Strait of Hormuz. EV Charging Uptake: New data shows £33.9m invested in workplace EV charging schemes since 2016, with voucher redemptions dipping then recovering in 2025. Electric Regional Aviation: Loganair and BETA Technologies sign a term sheet to buy five electric ALIA aircraft, aiming to bring commercial electric flights to UK island routes.