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

Tuesday, 01 May 2018

BBC News

• Kenilworth rail station reopens after 50 yearsKenilworth station has reopened to passengers after decades of campaigning. The station shut in the 1960s as part of the Dr Beeching cuts.
• China links could aid regional airport bid for SwanseaSwansea and Pembrey both have airports but neither operate scheduled flights.
• First Qatar Airways flight from Doha to land in CardiffThe inaugural Qatar Airways service left Doha on Tuesday and is expected in Wales at lunchtime.
• World's fourth largest cruise ship due at InvergordonMSC Meraviglia is the world's fourth largest cruise ship and the biggest to call at a Scottish port.
• 'Historic' dynamite discovered at Dublin rail stationThe explosives could be up to 40 years old, according to Irish police.

The Guardian

• Share your experiences of tree cutting by railway lines near youOne witness called tree cutting along a track near him as “total mass destruction” as it was revealed that Network Rail launched a secretive felling operation putting millions of trees at risk.

The Independent

• Heathrow is considering a £15 congestion charge for people who drive to the airport Heathrow is considering imposing a £15 congestion charge on holidaymakers who drive to the airport. Read more at: https://inews.co.uk/news/uk/heathrow-is-considering-a-15-congestion-charge-for-82-miles-of-road-around-the-airport/

The Scotsman

• 17 people still in hospital following Clydeside Expressway bus crashSeventeen people remain in hospital following a bus crash on the Clydeside Expressway.

Times Online

• Trains will soon run 24 hours a day, says head of Network Rail [Subscription]Round-the-clock trains could be introduced in Britain amid demands for a more modern rail service, according to the head of Network Rail.
• Delays give rail operators £100m a year profitTrain companies make up to £100 million a year in “profits” from disruption on Britain’s railway, analysis has shown.
• Q&A: Who runs Britain’s railways? [Subscription]British Rail, which previously ran the entire system, was privatised by the Conservatives in the mid-1990s and split into three parts. Network Rail, which is state-funded, operates and maintains the tracks and the biggest stations. Private operators run the trains and smaller stations under 20 franchises signed with the government.
• In Japan, perfection is standard for rail [Subscription]For the Metropolitan Intercity Railway Company of Japan, it was a moment of humiliation. Staff members were reprimanded; a public apology was put out. The Tsukuba Express scheduled to leave Minami-Nagareyama at 9.44.40am one day last November had instead pulled out at 9.44.20 — a devastating 20 seconds ahead of time.
• Thousands of rail travellers forced to take bus instead [Subscription]The number of train passengers forced to endure rail replacement bus services has reached its highest level in at least a decade, The Times has learnt.

City AM

• Direct London-Bordeaux train to cut journey times to under five hours in HS1 and Eurotunnel plans to take on low-cost airlinesPassengers could be able to travel from London to Bordeaux in under five hours thanks to plans for direct train journeys unveiled by rail operators along the route, to throw down the gauntlet to low-cost airlines.
• Commuters promised thousands of extra seats in major train timetable shake-up across BritainAs part of the huge train timetable shake-up billed as the biggest in Britain for decades, train operators have pledged that the revamp will be good news for commuters.
• Startup Wright Electric plans charge on ultra-high net worth market to electrify private jets with Jetex partnershipAn electric aircraft startup working with Easyjet said today that its new tie-up with private jet firm Jetex is aiming to swoop on the ultra-high net worth segment of the market to fuel wider take-up of electric aircraft.
• Uber responded to TfL criticisms with an attitude of "repair and reform", says lawyerUber has slashed the number of issues Transport for London (TfL) has with its operations ahead of a crucial trial in June that will decide whether the taxi-hailing app can keep its operating licence in London.
• Kicking off: War of words between former boss Bob Mackenzie and car insurance giant AA rolls onFormer AA boss Bob Mackenzie has found himself in the spotlight once again, following allegations that he hushed up a street fight which left him unable to deliver presentations to major City investors.

Network Rail

• Bruce Crawford MSP visits Kerse Road to view progressBruce Crawford, MSP for Stirling, visited Kerse Road today (Monday, 30 April) to view progress on bridge demolition works, following two consecutive weekends of continuous working by Network Rail engineers to remove the structure.

Belfast Telegraph

• Trains could soon run 24 hours a day, says Network Rail bossMark Carne, who steps down as chief executive of the infrastructure company this summer, said people want rail services to reflect their lifestyles.

Bristol Live

• MetroBus defends Bristol’s ‘silliest bus lane’ which has car parking spaces running through itMetroBus has stepped in to defend one of its new bus lanes after it was branded “Bristol’s silliest”. The short bus lane in Cumberland Road was ridiculed in a video by former Metro Mayor candidate Darren Hall, who criticised its length and layout.

London Evening Standard

• Roads with most cyclists are 13% safer for riders, new survey saysA pioneering study into the risks of cycling in London reveals that “safety in numbers” protects riders from injury.
• District and Circle line delays: Tube passengers stuck on packed trains as signal failure causes chaosDistrict line passengers have complained of being stuck on packed trains between stations after a signal failure caused travel chaos.

This Is Local London Network

• Here's how to claim a refund for a delayed TubeThere is nothing more annoying than being stuck on a delayed Tube when you're already late for work.

Wales Online

• Proposal to remove Neath station from main railway line attackedA petition launched to highlight the potential removal of Neath station from the main railway line to London has attracted more than 6,000 signatures in two days. The proposal, put forward by Professor Mark Barry of Cardiff University as part of his Swansea Bay Metro concept, would mean quicker rail journey times between Cardiff and Swansea, and Swansea to London Paddington.

Yorkshire Post

• A Pacer train could go on display in York's National Railway Museum The Mallard, Stephenson's Rocket...and a 1980s Northern Rail Pacer? The infamous 'rattler' trains could go on display in York's National Railway Museum once they are phased out of public use in 2020.

Cambridge News

• Transport secretary reveals plans to stop councils using bus lane cameras as cash cowsIt has been suggested that councils could be asked to redesign roads where bus lane cameras catch and fine significant numbers of drivers, under plans proposed by the Transport Secretary.

Other Regional Press

• New Appointment On The Heart Of Wales LineThe Heart of Wales Line Development Company has appointed a new acting development manager who will be working to promote the railway’s 150th birthday this year.
• Traffic leads to fall in bus passenger numbersTransport for London (TfL) figures show buses along one of Waltham Forest’s busiest roads – where the Mini Holland was built – have shed passengers.
• Grant Shapps demands better transport links to health servicesWelwyn Hatfield’s MP has written to health chiefs demanding more be done to improve transport links to health services.
• Heathrow denies 'congestion charge' reportsHeathrow bosses have disputed newspaper reports that they are considering imposing a £15 congestion charge on holidaymakers headed through the 82 miles of road surrounding the airport.
• The Colne - Skipton railway is 'vital'Reopening the Skipton – Colne railway line could be vital in helping solve the shortage of rail services across the Pennines.
• Train drivers say 'bring back public ownership of railways' as it accuses operator of failing to keep promisesNorthern has continued to come under fire for trains cancelled because of a shortage of drivers
• Kingussie to hear of major main line improvementsMajor rail improvements are being promised for the Highlands. At a public meeting in Kingussie tonight (Tuesday, May 1), ScotRail Alliance will announce 40 per cent more services to the north, 2,500 extra seats every day
• Southampton MP Alan Whitehead questions South Western Railway probeA SOUTHAMPTON MP has questioned the government’s decision to launch a probe into the performance of South Western Railway (SWR). Alan Whitehead says the move suggests the Transport Secretary Chris Grayling has “no confidence” in his own arrangements, after awarding the franchise to SWR in March 2017.

Train Operators

• Major rail improvements coming to the HighlandsThe ScotRail Alliance is set to confirm a number of major improvements for customers in the north of Scotland at a public meeting in Kingussie on Tuesday (01 May).

Global Rail News

• Singapore Land Transport Authority orders more Metropolis trainsAlstom has announced that it has secured a €150 million contract from Singapore Land Transport Authority (LTA) to supply an additional six six-car and 11 three-car Metropolis trains.
• HS1 plans direct high-speed link between London and BordeauxThe owner and operator of the UK’s first high-speed line has revealed it is in advanced discussions with three international operators to launch a direct high-speed train from London to Bordeaux.
• SJ invests in thriving sleeper trainsSwedish train operator SJ has announced plans to refurbish its sleeper carriages and overhaul its booking system following a surge in demand for the long-distance services.

New Civil Engineer

• Heathrow refutes congestion charge claimHeathrow Airport Limited (HAL) has denied it is planning a £15 congestion charge for motorists, despite claims it is the “only realistic way” to meet emissions targets for expansion.

Aviation Industry

• Wizz Air to open largest training center in Budapest Central and eastern European LCC Wizz Air plans to open a new training and education center in Budapest by the end of 2018. read more
• Air Canada deepens net loss in 1Q on foreign exchange lossesAir Canada reported a first-quarter net loss of C$170 million ($132 million), widened from C$13 million loss in the year-ago quarter. read more
• ANA fleet moves support network strategyAll Nippon Airways (ANA) Group is adding 25 aircraft to its fleet over the next 11 months, as it continues to take delivery of new-generation models to refresh and expand its fleet. read more
• Croatia again seeks airline partner The government of Croatia has announced that it aims to find a new strategic partner for Croatia Airlines. read more