Department for Transport

We're the UK Department for Transport (DfT). Follow us for transport policy updates and announcements.

[Network Rail @networkrail]

☀️ Take care if you're travelling by rail today - wear light, cool clothing and consider handheld fans.

Today, only travel if absolutely necessary to, from, or within amber and red weather warning zones.

Otherwise, check @nationalrailenq before you travel.

#Heatwave #Summer

[Network Rail @networkrail]

Wed - only travel if absolutely necessary to, from, or within red warning zones.

Thurs - only travel if absolutely necessary to, from, or within red warning zones.

Fri - only travel if absolutely necessary to, from, or within amber warning zones.

➡️ https://t.co/0UvgdYYmmb

[Heidi Alexander MP @Heidi_Labour]

My deepest sympathies remain with everyone affected by Friday's tragic collision, and in particular with the family of the driver who lost his life and those who remain in hospital.

My heartfelt thanks go to every person who responded so bravely and professionally in the most difficult of circumstances.

I am grateful to the @raibgovuk for providing an update on its investigation so far.

The report makes clear that there is still much to establish. RAIB will publish its full report in due course, and I will consider those findings with the utmost care and take any action necessary.

Our railway is one of the safest in the world. While incidents like this are incredibly rare, when they do occur we will leave no stone unturned to understand what happened.

I ask that the RAIB be given the space it needs to complete its work thoroughly so we can establish the facts and take any necessary action.

[Network Rail @networkrail]

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☀️ Why don’t rails get hot in Europe? The truth is they do. But in countries typically hotter than ours, rails are stressed to withstand higher temperatures. 🌡️

Here’s why …

[Network Rail @networkrail]

⚠️ Check before your travel today.

On Wednesday and Thursday, only travel if absolutely necessary to, from or within red warning zones.

➡️ https://t.co/I195vBCUIf

Carry water. Don't board a train if you feel ill. Avoid pulling the passenger alarm between stations.

#Heatwave

[Department for Transport @transportgovuk]

Transport Secretary @Heidi_Labour made an oral statement to Parliament following the tragic rail collision near Bedford.

Our thoughts remain with the family of the driver who lost their life, those who were injured, and everyone affected.

We are grateful to emergency responders and railway staff for their actions, and a full investigation is underway.

[Keir Starmer @Keir_Starmer]

Hugely concerning reports of a collision involving two passenger trains near Bedford. 

First and foremost, my thoughts are with the family of the person who has sadly lost their life, and with those who have been seriously injured.

I am grateful to the emergency services for their swift response to this tragic incident.

[Heidi Alexander MP @Heidi_Labour]

Deeply saddened to hear one person has died and a number of people injured in the awful train collision near Bedford. Our thoughts are with their loved ones and everyone affected. Emergency services remain on scene.

[Heidi Alexander MP @Heidi_Labour]

I’m deeply concerned to hear reports of the collision involving 2 East Midlands Railway passenger trains.

I’m grateful to emergency services who are on the scene, attending to those affected.

We're working quickly with the rail industry and local partners to support passengers.

[Simon Lightwood MP @simonlightwood]

Great to speak at #MOVE2026 on how autonomous vehicles can boost independence, create highly skilled jobs and unlock billions for the UK economy

We’re consulting on the safety framework to support innovation, protect road users and make Britain a world leader in this technology

[Heidi Alexander MP @Heidi_Labour]

Come with me as I commute from home in Swindon to Westminster 🚴‍♀️

After launching the Government’s new Cycling and Walking Investment Strategy (CWIS), the journey was a good reminder of why active travel matters.

[Department for Transport @transportgovuk]

This year's nominations have included services to: the rail network, the maritime sector, the environment and transport, road safety, rail safety, public transport, voluntary service, diversity and inclusion and young people.

[Department for Transport @transportgovuk]

Congratulations to all those across the transport industry who have been recognised in the King's Birthday Honours 2026.

Find the full list of recipients here: https://t.co/W2SnbdJXVA

[Department for Transport @transportgovuk]

This weekend we brought Thameslink @TLRailUK , @SouthernRailUK , @GNRailUK and @GatwickExpress services back into public ownership.

This means 8 out of 10 passenger journeys that Great British Railways will be responsible for are now on publicly owned services.

It's the latest step towards creating a railway people can rely on under GBR.

[Department for Transport @transportgovuk]

Introducing the very first Great British Railways train 🚆

You can now spot the new GBR train in real life as the new branding starts rolling out gradually across the rail network.

Another step towards a simpler, better railway under GBR which puts passengers and customers first.

[Department for Transport @transportgovuk]

We're putting HS2 back on track, with new plans that will save time and money on the project ✅

With major construction milestones completed over the past year, we're committed to finishing HS2 and delivering the infrastructure UK passengers need.

[Department for Transport @transportgovuk]

Great Western Railways services will transfer into public ownership from 13 December 2026.

This is another significant moment as the government continues to bring services back into public ownership and put passengers, not shareholders, at the heart of our railways.

[Department for Transport @transportgovuk]

For more information on your rights as a passenger, read the Air Passenger Travel Guide ⬇️
https://t.co/thoNDlS8kO

[Department for Transport @transportgovuk]

An update on jet fuel and passenger travel plans ⬇️

[Department for Transport @transportgovuk]

For more information on the government, industry and international partners' work to keep passengers moving ⬇️
https://t.co/Ww5Zx3oePE