E-bikes which cannot be folded are to be banned by Merseyrail from the start of 2027. The operator says the ban is being imposed because of the risk of fire from lithium-iron batteries. Although it concedes that such fires are rare, it says they can break out without warning, and would be particularly dangerous on a network which has a large proportion of tunnels.

A major embankment fire in north east London disrupted London Overground services on the Weaver line last night. More than 120 firefighters and 20 fire tenders were called to the blaze near Wood Street in Walthamstow, which started at around 18.30.