Transport correspondent leaves BBC after 38 years

Paul Clifton said he has spent more than half his life as a correspondent

Transport correspondent Paul Clifton is leaving the BBC after 38 years.

A familiar face on South Today, he said his favourite memories over the decades are of "the people I worked with, and those we met".

He said he joined the corporation in early 1987 as a freelance reporter, turning up to the BBC's former Southampton base at South Western House as a "gauche, clueless 22-year-old".

Mr Clifton helped break world records for driving electric and petrol cars in the most economical way and signed off with a story about a 20-year-old Mazda MX-5 being converted to use electric power.

"After a few years as a radio presenter, I've been transport correspondent for more than half my life," he told colleagues in an email on Wednesday.

"It has rarely felt like working. I have travelled the world. Russia four times, Japan twice, China, Hong Kong, all over the Americas, and almost every European country many times.

"I've told stories on pretty much every BBC news outlet and made 25 documentaries."

One of the country's most experienced transport journalists, he followed the QE2's fortunes for years and was on its bridge in Dubai when its flag was lowered for the final time in November 2008.

The 39-second deafening blast of its foghorn remains his phone's ringtone, he said.

Mr Clifton said he will continue working for RAIL magazine and on other projects.

Jason Horton, BBC Local's director of production, said on X that Mr Clifton was "absolutely made to be a transport correspondent for the BBC."

He added: "A passionate advocate of his specialism and of telling stories to local audiences in the South, he'll be missed by colleagues and audiences. Thank you Paul."