Luton Airport expansion plans approved by transport secretary

Transport Secretary welcomes new transport investment

Transport secretary Heidi Alexander welcomes the £2.5bn boost in local transport and infrastructure projects announced by the chancellor today. Report by Kennedyl. Like us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/itn and follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/itn

South Western first train company renationalised by Labour

The Government’s renationalisation of rail services has started as trains operated by South Western Railway (SWR) were taken into public control. The train operator officially came under public ownership at around 2am on Sunday. The first journey, the 5.36am from Woking, was partly a rail replacement bus service due to engineering works. Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander, who travelled on the first renationalised departure from London Waterloo, said it was “a new dawn for our railways”. Report by Kennedyl. Like us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/itn and follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/itn

Minimum age for train drivers to be lowered to 18

18-year-olds will be allowed to drive trains amid concerns over driver shortages. The minimum age to take on the role in Britain is to be lowered from 20, the Department for Transport (DfT) has announced. Transport secretary Heidi Alexander welcomed the change, saying it will bring a more "reliable and punctual service for people". Report by Kennedyl. Like us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/itn and follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/itn