Transportinfo.org.uk - today's transport news in the uk, hand picked for you each morning

Saturday, 21 May 2016

BBC News

• Terror attacks slow demand for EurostarEurostar reports a fall in passengers using the high-speed rail service, saying travellers remain cautious in the wake of the Brussels terror attacks.

The Scotsman

• Eurostar passenger numbers drop after terror attacksHigh-speed rail operator Eurostar posted a fall in passenger numbers as travellers “remain cautious” in the wake of the recent Brussels terror attacks.

Network Rail

• Network Rail graduates mentor the next generation of engineersEngineering students from Elutec College, East London visited a railway control centre in Upminster on Wednesday 18 May to receive training from two of Network Rail’s top engineering graduates.
• Network Rail pledges commitment to raising awareness of mental health in the workplaceNetwork Rail’s leadership team in Swindon has marked national Mental Health Awareness Week by signing a pledge with the charity Mind to raise awareness of mental health issues in the workplace and encourage all those affected to seek help.
• Spring bank holiday Spotlight: Ordsall Chord projectThis spring bank holiday (28-30 May), more than 9,000 members of Network Rail’s Orange Army will be working night and day to deliver £30m of improvements to the railway as part of the Railway Upgrade Plan.The work has been planned to minimise disruption, as passenger numbers typically drop by more than half during a bank holiday. The overwhelming majority of journeys will run as normal.This series of bite-size features takes a closer look at the work our teams will be carrying out across Britain – from renewing track to upgrading signalling and helping to boost the capacity of the network – to...

London Evening Standard

• Tube app update lets you find the best station exits and entrances to save time on your journeyA travel app aims to shave precious minutes off journey times by pinpointing Underground platforms and the best station entrances.

Manchester Evening News

• 'Transport and connectivity a must for north to become a powerhouse' says Lord AdonisAddressing 600 guests at the Greater Manchester Chamber of Commerce Annual Dinner last night, the former Transport Secretary said: “If the north is to become a powerhouse, it has to be better connected."

Sheffield Telegraph

• Sheffield ‘could miss out’ on HS2 as scheme comes under reviewSheffield could ‘miss out’ on HS2 after reports the scheme is ‘under review’ to save money, a shadow minister has said.

Crewe Chronicle

• Council: Full steam ahead on HS2 Media reports suggest HS2 project curtailed

Other Regional Press

• Spalding transport forum wants train complaintsCampaigners for better transport links between Spalding and the rest of Lincolnshire are asking people to bring their complaints about train noise to them.

Rail Magazine

• Khan urged to consider case for London tramsCampaigners have called for new Mayor of London Sadiq Khan to consider investing in trams for the capital.

Rail Technology Magazine

• Nomad to Display New Trackside Solution at TrainComms Nomad will showcase a recently deployed ground-breaking technology solution at this year's Wi-Fi on Trains Conference - Train Communications Systems 2016.
• General Plastics Helps Customer Switch From Injection Molding to Thermoforming Milwaukee thermoformer General Plastics helped a customer to switch from injection molding to thermoforming on a 200-piece job.
• RSSB updates principles to put sustainability at the heart of rail developmentsSustainability must be a greater priority in developing the railway network, rail minister Claire Perry MP said yesterday as she announced a new set of sustainability principles. The principles, designed by the Rail Safety and Standards Board’s (RSSB’s) Sustainable Rail Programme as...
• ORR opens consultation into route-based regulationRailway regulation could change in CP6 so that Network Rail regulates each individual route, as part of proposals in a new Office of Rail and Road (ORR) consultation. Under the proposals, which featured in the ORR’s 2016-17 business plan last month and are now being include in the PR18...
• DfT seeking advice on CrossCountry franchising contingency planThe Department for Transport is seeking advice on a mobilisation plan for the CrossCountry franchise from an outsourcing company, should the normal franchising process fail. In response to a written question from shadow transport secretary Lilian Greenwood, rail minister Claire Perry said the...
• Manchester arm could be axed as HS2 admits 'nothing is ruled out' in cost-cuttingThe HS2 line to Manchester may not be built as part of efforts to get the project’s budget under control, according to sources. The Daily Telegraph reports that Whitehall insiders have said that cabinet secretary Sir Jeremy Heywood’s review of how to keep the project within its...
• Pre-Crossrail upgrades at Acton Main Line station approvedUpgrades to Acton Main Line station ahead of the introduction of Crossrail, recently renamed the Elizabeth line, have been approved by Ealing Council. The upgrade will include platform extensions to accommodate Crossrail’s 200m trains and a new glass and steel ticket hall, designed by...

Railway Gazette

• More Bombardier LRVs ordered for KarlsruheGERMANY: Karlsruhe tram-train operator AVG signed a €59·5m contract with Bombardier Transportation...

Other News Sources

• Eurostar: travellers ‘cautious’ after terror attacksCross channel operator has seen sales drop 3% for Q1 2016