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

Tuesday, 14 May 2019

BBC News

• Govia Thameslink 'confident' of avoiding timetable chaosA rail provider has claimed it "learnt lessons" from the timetable chaos last year which led to a record fine. Govia Thameslink Railway (GTR) promised its summer timetable will provide 2,000 extra seats to the Cambridge to Brighton service and increase its weekend services.
• ScotRail staff to get mental health first aid trainingThe NHS-accredited training will help ScotRail employees identify people who may need help and guide them towards support services.

The Herald

• US bid to oust board at Scots bus and rail giantFIRSTGROUP is facing an attempt to remove more than half of its board, including its chief executive and chairman, by its biggest shareholder, which has slammed the performance of the bus and rail giant.

The Scotsman

• Scottish Government refuses to back nationwide 20mph speed limits in built-up areasCycling campaigners have criticised the Scottish Government’s lack of support for a bill that would change the default speed limit in built-up areas to 20mph, with the transport secretary claiming drivers may not pay attention to such a law if it was passed.

Times Online

• Learner drivers flummoxed by tougher theory test [Subscription]The proportion of learner drivers passing the car theory test has dropped to its lowest in more than a decade after the exam was made harder.
• Coast isn’t so clear for First Group [Subscription]Everyone enjoys a mystery trip to nowhere — except, of course, First Group’s shareholders. They’ve had a downhill ride for the past decade. But here’s a question: would things be any better with Steve “Shagger” Norris at the wheel?
• Super-strong graphene to tackle pothole plague [Subscription]Super-tough graphene-based roads will be introduced under radical plans to reduce the number of potholes.
• Instant fines for idling drivers ‘would send message about pollution’ [Subscription]Drivers who repeatedly leave their car engine running while parked could be given instant fines under proposals being considered by the government to give councils stronger powers to tackle pollution from idling vehicles.
• US investor rails at First Group ‘cancer’ [Subscription]The largest shareholder in First Group has launched a furious attack on the board of the train and bus operator after calling for an extraordinary general meeting in an attempt to remove half of the directors. The attempted coup if successful would see the comeback of Steve Norris, a Conservative transport minister during the time of privatisation more than 20 years ago, who was once a Tory candidate for mayor of London.

City AM

• Honda confirms 2021 Swindon factory closure 'with a heavy heart', cutting 3,500 jobsJapanese car manufacturer Honda has confirmed plans to close its Swindon factory in 2021, meaning 3,500 employees now face redundancy.
• TfL did not see controversial Garden Bridge construction contract, boss revealsTransport for London (TfL) did not see the contract that the Garden Bridge Trust signed with a construction company for its proposed crossing over the Thames, which was later scrapped to the tune of £53.5m.
• Folding bike firm Brompton searches for new chairman ahead of expansionFolding bike company Brompton is searching for a replacement for its chairman as it aims to double in size over the next five years.

The National

• Scotrail to provide mental wellbeing trainingScotRail has announced it will train more than 50 staff in mental health first aid.

Birmingham Mail

• Here are the transport improvements we could have if we scrapped HS2New local rail services in Birmingham, the Black Country, Solihull and Lichfield could go ahead if HS2 was scrapped, according to campaigners

Derby Telegraph

• This is how huge sum of cash will be spent to improve Derby's rail servicesAbellio’s plans include the introduction of bi-mode trains

Edinburgh Evening News

• Lothian Bus bosses face public grilling over ‘buggy versus wheelchair’ rowBUS chiefs are to be carpeted by council chiefs amid an ongoing a row over space for buggies and wheelchairs on Lothian’s new 100-seater fleet.

Liverpool Echo

• Liverpool Council selling half its shares in John Lennon AirportLiverpool City Council is selling half of its shares in Liverpool John Lennon Airport, the ECHO can reveal.

London Evening Standard

• We need a timetable czar to hit stop button on train chaos, says watchdog bossThe UK's rail watchdog today repeated demands for a

Yorkshire Evening Post

• Leeds ‘could get supertram if HS2 scrapped’Leeds could get its long-discussed supertram if the Government scrapped its controversial HS2 high speed project, an influential pressure group says today.

Carlisle News & Star

• Calls to scrap HS2 train line and instead invest in Carlisle to Settle and Penrith to Keswick railwaysTWO major transport projects could be funded in Cumbria if the Government's controversial HS2 high speed rail link was scrapped, a new report has claimed.

Other Regional Press

• Hartlepool MP Mike Hill says lifeline bus cuts need to be reversedHartlepool MP Mike Hill has accused local bus operators of putting profit before passengers.
• Peterborough council plans to buy Stagecoach bus depot could ‘regenerate’ MillfieldCity council plans to buy the Stagecoach bus depot in Millfield, Peterborough, could help regenerate the area, according to community groups.
• Birmingham Airport takes part in Airports Safety WeekMonday marked the beginning of UK Airports Safety Week, a national event held in conjunction with the Airport Operators Association, and supported by the Civil Aviation Authority.

Buying Business Travel

• LNER to put Azuma trains into operation this weekLondon North Eastern Railway (LNER) is set to introduce the first of its new Azuma trains on the East Coast route from Wednesday, 15 May.

New Civil Engineer

• Scrapping HS2 could fund 28 transport schemes, report claimsScrapping High Speed 2 (HS2) would free up enough cash to fund 28 local and national transport projects, lobbying group TaxPayers’ Alliance has claimed.

Railnews

• New GWR IETs under fire over lack of buffetsTHE RMT has been holding demonstrations today at London, Swansea and Plymouth about the lack of buffets on GWR’s new Intercity Express Trains. Surfers have also been protesting about the simultaneous withdrawal of space to carry their boards.

The Business Desk

• Former rail boss takes on new role at water firmThe former boss of the HS2 project is set to take a role on the board at United Utilities. Sir David Higgins is to replace the outgoing chairman Dr John McAdam.

Aviation Industry

• Air France to reduce short-haul capacity 15%; cut 465 jobsAir France plans to reduce its short-haul capacity in terms of available seat kilometers (ASKs) by 15% by the end of 2021 and cut 465 jobs without forced departures in the face of growing competition from high-speed trains and low-cost airlines. read more
• Heathrow expansion rival group to appeal third-runway rulingThe backers of rival London Heathrow Airport expansion project “Heathrow Hubâ€� are planning to appeal a High Court judgment that dismissed a series of legal challenges against the government’s third-runway plans. read more
• Leaked study raises debate on EU aviation fuel tax issueThe leak of a study funded by the European Commission has thrown the issue of aviation taxation into the spotlight, with sustainable transport lobby group Transport & Environment (T&E), saying the report shows taxing aviation fuel would significantly cut emissions without affecting GDP and employment. read more

Other News Sources

• Stobart Group to announce turnaround specialist as new chairman this week – reportsStobart Group is set to announce the appointment of a corporate turnaround specialist as its new chairman this week, according to reports.
• MP calls Network Rail plans a 'major blow' for Cumbrian economyMP Tim Farron has written to the chief executive of Network Rail calling for a rethink of plans to close a large section of the West Coast Mainline during the summer.
• £100 million rail testing track backed by Powys County CouncilPLANS to develop a £100 million rail-testing track on the border between Powys and Neath Port Talbot have been backed by Powys County Council’s (PCC) cabinet.
• “Make sure you don’t shake our railway” developers in Milton Keynes toldDevelopers will need to get the OK from railway supremos if their plan to build 11 two-bedroom flats in Bletchley is given the go-ahead.
• UK and Scottish governments at odds over Borders Railway extension study plansUK Government ministers have confirmed their commitment to carrying out a study into the feasibility of extending the Borders Railway into England and are calling on their Scottish counterparts to do likewise.