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

Friday, 20 April 2018

BBC News

• Degrading tunnel in Fife filled with polystyreneA disused railway tunnel underneath the approach roads north of the Forth Road Bridge has been filled in after it was found to be degrading.
• Legal threat over Virgin Trains East Coast rail franchiseThe transport secretary is being threatened with legal action if firms running East Coast mainline trains are allowed to bid for future contracts.
• Cardiff-Swansea electric rail 'not sensible thing to do'The UK transport secretary defends dropping rail electrification plans between Cardiff and Swansea.
• Four-day rail strike on London's DLR suspendedThe walk-out would have affected thousands of commuters as well as London Marathon runners.

The Guardian

• Taxi firms face claims over drivers' rights in wake of Uber caseDrivers say Green Tomato, A2B and Blacklane did not provide holiday pay or minimum wage

The Independent

• DLR strike: Industrial action over London Marathon weekend called off at last minuteA strike on the main transport network covering the London Marathon area has been called off just hours before it was due to start.

Times Online

• Derailed train of thoughtNusrat Ghani, the rail minister, had her head in the clouds during transport questions. After answering one on HS2, she forgot that MPs can ask supplementaries and so didn’t pay any attention as Andy McDonald, the shadow transport secretary, asked about the sale of rail assets

City AM

• Rail campaign group threatens legal action against Chris Grayling over beleaguered East Coast franchiseTransport secretary Chris Grayling is being threatened with legal action by a campaigning group over the controversy surrounding the Virgin Trains East Coast mainline.
• Office for Road and Rail (ORR) says fares have risen below inflation for fourth time in five yearsRail fares in the UK in January increased below the rate of inflation for the fourth time in five years, according to data from the Office for Road and Rail (ORR).

Network Rail

• VIDEO: Track upgrades to Halton Curve near Liverpool completed over Easter bank holidayThe upgrades are part of a project to enable new train services between Liverpool Lime Street and Chester.

London Evening Standard

• Southeastern passengers' despair after report reveals service will not improve until 2024Despairing Southeastern passengers have told of “horrendous” journeys on the line as a report revealed that service will not improve until 2024.

Northern Echo

• Ministers 'supportive' of Darlington railway station expansionAN ambitious scheme to transform Darlington railway station and the surrounding area is close to receiving government backing, it has been claimed.

The Press and Journal (Aberdeen)

• Public consultation held over Dingwall rail crossingTwo level crossings in Dingwall are to receive significant upgrades in a bid to improve safety for train passengers, pedestrians and motorists.

Wolverhampton Express and Star

• Businesses helped to get on track for HS2 bidsA programme to help regional businesses to tap into potential contracts for HS2 and other public sector contracts is being rolled out after a successful pilot scheme.

Other Regional Press

• Hove MP presses Transport Minister over simpler train faresHove MP Peter Kyle has pressed the government and train bosses to simplify fares and to cut premium pricing.
• Swindon councillor calls for rail fare reform - as figures reveal 20.5 per cent hike in 20 yearsA SWINDON councillor has called for changes to rail fares - as new figures reveal a 20 per cent hike in the cost of tickets over the last two decades.
• Campaign calls for more parking spaces at Dorking train stationCouncillor Michelle Watson has started a petition for Govia Thameslink to do something about the parking situation at Dorking train station

Rail Advent

• Virgin Trains ‘Azuma’ visits Sunderland and LincolnVirgin Trains‘ new state of the art Azuma train has made its first visit to Sunderland and Lincoln this week as preparations gather pace for their launch.

Rail Technology Magazine

• Lower prices could lure 40% of non-rail users into trains, study findsTrains are too expensive, according to those who prefer to travel by other means.
• First TPE Hitachi test train leaves Japan en route to UKThe first of TransPennine Express’ (TPE’s) new Nova 1 trains, built by Hitachi, left Japan earlier this week and is due to arrive in the UK in two months’ time.

Other News Sources

• ScotRail prepares for big weekend of sport on Glasgow trains - with alcohol bans in placeExtra carriages will be added on services as the Coral Grand National Festival and Renfrewshire Derby kick off.