NI group wins grant to develop self-driving buses


The grant is part of a government scheme for self-driving feasibility studies

Ballymena-based Wrightbus and Queen's University are part of a consortium which has won government funding to help develop self-driving buses.

It is part of a government scheme which has awarded grants of up to £250,000 to self-driving feasibility studies.

Other projects include studies into autonomous freight vehicles and driverless shuttle operations across NHS sites.

Limited self-driving bus experiments have already been carried out in several cities around the UK.

That included the Harlander, a self-driving minibus which operated on a short route in Belfast's Titanic Quarter.

The Wrightbus feasibility study is not aimed at getting a fully self-driving vehicle on the road immediately.

Instead it will take a "phased, evidence-driven approach to test what works" and use that to make it safer and easier to introduce self-driving passenger services in the future.

Dr Andy Harris, head of research and data analytics at Wrightbus, said it was about developing a "credible, commercial business case for the future of autonomous public transport".

A number of companies are aiming to have self-driving taxis on UK roads by the end of this year.

Waymo, a US firm, said it hopes to be operating a robotaxi service in London by September.

The firm, which is owned by Google-parent Alphabet, already has vehicles mapping the city's streets with a safety driver at the wheel.

Now pushed out to 1100

"The problem affects 2 of the four lines between London Paddington and Reading, so we are having to reduce the train service through the area to avoid congestion. Local stopping services between London Paddington and Newbury will only run between Reading and Newbury. Most longer distance intercity services will continue to run between London Paddington and Reading, but may be subject to delay.
We are working with Network Rail to be able to return to running our normal timetable as soon as possible".
-

The historic Hythe Ferry, owned by Isle of Wight ferry firm Red Funnel, is set to be liquidated.

The Hythe and Southampton Ferry Company has announced it is being placed into voluntary liquidation.

The company made the decision after an 18-month search for a solution to revive the service.

......and it continues into today......

Cancellations to services between Twyford and Slough

Due to a fault with the signalling system between Twyford and Slough fewer trains are able to run on some lines.

Train services running through these stations may be cancelled or delayed. Disruption is expected until 06:45 09/04.

Really nothing new - there were a large group of us that did this all over Europe 40 years ago when Thompson's ran day trips - Berlin the day before the night the wall fell anyone? I have a lump of wall somewhere.

When Riley and his mum Rhona Paton board a plane to Norway at the weekend, it will be his 40th flight - an impressive milestone given he is just six years old.

The mother and son from near Glasgow are part of a growing community of people who travel abroad and return the very same day.

Rhona told BBC Radio Scotland Breakfast she has "lost count" of how many day trips they have taken, but they have visited countries such as France, Italy, Switzerland and Latvia.

Network Rail worker wins racial harassment case

A Network Rail worker was racially harassed by colleagues who placed an anti-Islam leaflet and a false stabbing accusation in his locker, an employment tribunal found.

Parmjit Bassi, who was based at the Eastleigh depot in Hampshire, was treated as part of a perceived "other", despite not being Muslim, the Southampton tribunal ruled.

It also found that Network Rail took a "laissez-faire" approach, failing to intervene as the situation escalated.

Bassi, who was later moved to another team and dismissed in 2021, also succeeded in a claim for unfair dismissal. Network Rail has been approached for comment.

The tribunal heard that in November 2018 Bassi found a leaflet linked to the English Defence League (EDL) placed in his work boots, which questioned what people were doing to "protect their children from Islam".

The panel said the act carried a "clear racial message" and formed part of an "ongoing campaign" against him.

The tribunal heard management were made aware of the incident, but no action was taken.

In January 2019, two copies of a newspaper report about a stabbing were left in the workplace - including one in Bassi's boot - with an added handwritten note stating "It was Parm".

The tribunal said Bassi had been "lumped in together" with a group perceived as a "dangerous 'other'", and that the fact he was not Muslim "made no difference". It was also critical of Network Rail's response, saying management failed to take appropriate action.

Bassi later took leave and was moved to another team without his input, before being dismissed in 2021. His claims for racial harassment and unfair dismissal were upheld, with compensation to be decided at a later date.

7 April CfN?

Cancellations to services between London Paddington and Reading

Due to urgent repairs to the track between London Paddington and Reading fewer trains are able to run on some lines.

Train services running to and from these stations may be cancelled or delayed. Disruption is expected until the end of the day.

Customer Advice
-
What has happened?
-
We have had a report of a defect with the track in the West Drayton area. Trains may not be able to run over the affected line until it has been inspected or may have to run at reduced speed.

at what speed is classed as a high speed line in France?

'I'm losing my job due to driving test backlog'


Patrick Pinfield, 31, has called the system "incredibly frustrating"

A man who faces losing his job because he cannot book a driving test in time has said he is "gutted".

Patrick Pinfield from Redditch has been learning to drive for 18 months and first started trying to book a test in January, with the earliest available slot in June. The 31-year-old is a refuse collector at Redditch Borough Council, but his contract will end next month because he has been unable to pass his test within 12 months of his employment starting.

The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) said it was taking steps to make more tests available to tackle the backlog, adding: "We know  there's still more to be done."

In December, the National Audit Office warned that learner drivers faced months of delays in booking practical tests because of a longstanding backlog that was unlikely to be cleared before 2027.

Redditch MP Chris Bloore said it had become a particular problem in the town, with the DVSA telling him part of the issue was down to bots booking tests in order to sell them on at inflated prices.

Pinfield said: "It was a year-and-a-half ago when I started learning to drive - I had my theory test done in January. I've been ready for a long time, but I've not been able to get a test booked. So now my work contract will terminate at the start of May. It's really going to impact my family. I've just had my first child and I feel like it's taking food from her mouth, purely because the online system wouldn't let me book a test in time." He said it was a requirement of his employer that all crew members had to be able to drive.

The BBC has been contacted by other learner drivers in the town expressing similar frustration.

Rich Lewis, a youth worker, said: "Every Monday morning I'm up at 5am trying to book a test online. I end up sat in a queue of 20,000 people and by the time I get to the front all the slots are gone. I go through this process every week. Actually getting a slot seems as rare as a unicorn."

Bloore said he had spoken to the DVSA chief executive Beverley Warmington to express his concerns. "I've heard from many people who are trying to get on with their lives but just can't get a test booked," he said. "Most people who have contacted me seem to be having to wait six months, it's still a huge issue and is costing people jobs and opportunities in life."

A spokesperson for the DVSA said they "promised more tests" several months ago and were delivering on that. "Since we introduced the additional test allowance scheme in June 2025, DVSA has seen an increase of 149,532 tests when compared to the same period in the previous year," they said. "But we know there's still more to be done. That's why we're making changes to the way driving tests are booked, making the process fairer and clamping down on businesses that resell tests at inflated prices."

A spokesman for Redditch Borough Council said: "We fully recognise how difficult this situation has become for Patrick, and the impact the national backlog in driving tests is having on individuals, their families, and employers alike. We regret that these problems persist and have contributed to this situation."

Four injured and two arrested in station stabbing disorder


Four people have been taken to hospital

Four people have been taken to hospital with stab wounds after disorder at a railway station.

A 16-year-old boy and a 19-year-old-man have been arrested on suspicion of assault with intent and remain in custody following the incident at Tenby station in Pembrokeshire on Tuesday night.

During the incident, one person was reported to be in possession of a knife leaving four people injured.

Dyfed Powys Police said all injuries are believed to be non-life threatening and those hurt are receiving medical treatment.

In a statement, the force said: "We understand an incident of this nature will cause concern, and there will be an increased police presence in the area to provide reassurance."

Officers were called to reports of serious disorder involving a group of youths at about 21.50 BST on Tuesday.

Anyone with any information which could help the police investigation is asked to contact British Transport Police, who are leading inquiries.