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

Wednesday, 11 December 2024

BBC News

• Stonehaven fatal derailment probe process to beginThe fatal accident inquiry will look into the train derailment in which three men died in 2020.
• General Motors pulls plug on robotaxi businessAfter the announcement, the project's co-founder posted on social media "GM are a bunch of dummies."

Financial Times

• Legal hands pilot launch of green shipping dealAdvisers help navigate the competition and antitrust concerns for association promoting low-carbon marine fuels
• Euston HS2 project costs rise to more than £7.5bnPrice of extending high-speed rail line into central London set out in confidential government documents

The Guardian

• England’s new towns must be walkable and green, say campaignersThinktank founder says recent attempts to build new towns are ‘depressing, unsustainable and stupid’. Labour should build 12 new towns in England that are not car-dependent or built on flood plains, a former government adviser has said in a report.

The Independent

• Heathrow preparing for busiest ChristmasThe airport expects the number of passengers travelling through its terminals on December 25 to be 21% higher than on the same day last year.

The Telegraph

• How a break-up could catapult Heathrow back to the top. [subscription]The transformation of New York's JFK is fuelling calls for more competition at the London airport
• Cost of HS2's Euston leg balloons to more than £7.5bn [subscription]The cost of High Speed 2's Euston leg has ballooned to more than 37.5bn and risks approaching £10bn when accounting for inflation, according to leaked government documents.

City AM

• Heathrow Airport to cap off year in record styleHeathrow Airport is set to cap off its busiest-ever year with two record months as passenger numbers soar over the Christmas period.
• HS2: Costs for London Euston section reach over £7.5bn Rachel Reeves confirmed in the Autumn Budget HS2 will terminate at Euston station, following a political kerfuffle over how to find the necessary funding.

Local Government

• Seaton's new bus stop brings eco-friendly innovation to seafrontA bus stop and shelter featuring a 'living roof' has been installed by Devon County Council on Seaton's Esplanade, offering a modern, eco-friendly upgrade for public transport users.
• 20 council-funded bus services to hit the road next year£1.7 million of council funding will see 20 new and enhanced bus routes hit Westmorland and Furness roads next year.

Birmingham Post

• Manchester Airport owner reports record passenger numbers - but warns of challenges aheadManchester Airports Group (MAG) has reported a pre-tax profit of £139.6m for the six months to 30 September, 2024, up from £115.9m, thanks to 37.3m passengers passing through the three transport hubs
• FirstGroup buys one of London's biggest bus operators in £90m dealThe London-listed firm said on Tuesday it had signed a £90m deal to take RATP London off the hands off its owner, the French-state owned public transport provider RATP Group.

Bradford Telegraph & Argus

• More progress on huge rail upgrade as new report highlights sustainability effortsThe Transpennine Route Upgrade has released its first Sustainable Development Report.

Bristol Live

• Trams for Bristol pledged by Metro Mayor candidate but some say 'it will never happen'She said bringing trams to Bristol and Bath is 'definitely on the cards'

London Evening Standard

• Heathrow preparing for busiest ChristmasThe airport expects the number of passengers travelling through its terminals on December 25 to be 21% higher than on the same day last year.
• Old Oak Common: Latest on £2bn new HS2 station and efforts to reduce disruption at PaddingtonAll HS2 passengers guaranteed a seat - but level boarding problem for Elizabeth line passengers unresolved

Sheffield Star

• Sheffield transport: Bus and coach operators face fines in new crackdown on air pollutionBus and coach operators in Sheffield could be fined for leaving engines on when parked.

Other Regional Press

• Nottingham's buses continue to lead the way as Department for Transport reveals latest bus passenger figures New data from the Department for Transport, released recently has revealed that Nottingham's bus network is continuing to go from strength-to-strength post-covid.
• Plea for bus service for 'isolated' residents in St LeonardsAN East Dorset councillor has called for improvements to bus services in the area.
• Mayor to discuss keeping £2 bus fare cap until March 2025A meeting is being held to decide if the £2 bus fare cap can remain in place until March 2025.
• Decision made to chop down trees for Coventry cycleway but outraged locals say 'shameful'The council agreed the move but it caused upset among locals

New Civil Engineer

• HS2 | Cost of Euston tunnels and station to top £7.5bnThe cost of constructing High Speed 2's (HS2's) tunnels into central London and the new Euston station is expected to top £7.5bn.

Rail Magazine

• Go-op: Chairman of regional open access operator outlines funding requirements and projected start of servicesThe chairman of open access operator Go-op is confident that the company will be a success, as it looks to raise around £2 million in start-up costs with the aim of starting services in 2026.
• Heathrow Express managers respond after ORR data shows decline in passenger numbersHeathrow Express managers remain optimistic about the service's future, after the latest passenger rail usage figures showed another year-on-year decrease.
• Network Rail confirms Ryde Pier reopening remains 'on schedule' after nine-month closureNetwork Rail says the line along Ryde Pier on the Isle of Wight will reopen in May next year, following the latest nine-month closure.

Rail UK

• Rail Minister faces Transport Committee on plans for renationalisation and HS2The Transport Committee will question the Rail Minister Lord Peter Hendy on the Government's plans for major reforms to the railway sector.

Railway-News

• France: Alstom's New-Generation Citadis Tram Launches on Line T1Alstom has officially launched its new-generation Citadis tram, known as TW20, into passenger service on Line T1 of the 'le-de-France Mobilit's network.

Route One (Bus and Coach)

• Wales Bus Bill coming in March 2025; franchising to start in 2027The delayed Bus Bill in Wales is due to be introduced to the Senedd in March 2025, with the franchising-based model it will enable starting in 2027, the Welsh Government has said.
• Alexander Dennis officially opens Ballymena extensionAlexander Dennis has officially inaugurated an extension to its office facility in Ballymena, Northern Ireland, which it opened just over five years ago.
• Shakil Akbar named Rail Replacement Manager North by GBRRGreat British Rail Replacement (GBRR), launched in July by CMAC Group, has named Shakil Akbar (pictured) as Rail Replacement Manager North.

Other News Sources

• 'TAXIS ARE A FORM OF PUBLIC TRANSPORT': Northern Ireland taxi bus lane access pilot set to launch after ChristmasA pilot scheme allowing taxis to use bus lanes will be introduced after Christmas, the Northern Ireland Assembly has confirmed.
• Heathrow Airport posts record high passenger traffic in NovemberUK. London Heathrow Airport served over 6.5 million passengers in November, a rise of +6.1% year-on-year and a record for the month. The highest growth rates by region were Latin America (+20.9%), Asia Pacific (+11.6%) and Middle East (+8.8%).
• Cycle racks installed in the middle of pavement branded 'stupid'Cycle racks have been installed in the middle of the pavement in Shoreham, sparking criticism online