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

Monday, 10 June 2019

BBC News

• Storm-hit Dawlish railway line 'may be moved out to sea'A coastal rail line could be moved out to sea to protect it from the weather.
• First M4 bilingual signs in 1977The M4 was built in sections over 30 years - the stretch to Llanelli in 1977 saw the motorway's first bilingual signs.
• M4 Llanelli to Cardiff commute a 'love-hate' relationshipCommuting up to two hours a day between Llanelli and Cardiff means a
• The M4 and us: Congestion beyond SwanseaNewport has dominated the debate over M4 congestion but what about west Wales?
• More Glasgow and Aberdeen airport strikes set to beginIt is the second of two 12-hour walkouts by Unite members, but the operators say it will be

The Guardian

• Gatwick hosts UK's first airport reusable coffee cup trialCustomers buying coffee from South Terminal Starbucks will be able to borrow free refillable cup

The Scotsman

• Hand councils more powers to run bus routes, says LabourCouncils across Scotland could be handed sweeping new powers to introduce publicly-owned bus services under plans coming before MSPs this week.

Times Online

• ‘Tax toxic tyres that pollute air’ [subscription]Tyres should be subject to an air pollution tax because they release thousands of toxic particles as they wear down, a leading environmental consultant said.
• Personal details of 23m drivers given out by DVLA [subscription]The information watchdog is to hold an inquiry after the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency released the personal details of a record 23 million vehicle owners last year.
• Trainline sells tickets without warning of closure on the east coast mainline [subscription]Britain’s biggest independent rail ticket retailer has been accused of misleading passengers by advertising journeys without warning of sub- stantial disruption on the network.
• Last paddle steamer needs £2m ‘surgery’ [subscription]The world’s last seagoing paddle steamer needs the equivalent of “open-heart surgery” to stay in operation.
• Bright sparks lift gloom over Britain’s car industry [subscription]It’s down but not out — and the success of new models is even more vital after a series of blows

Network Rail

• Network Rail staff receive Queen’s birthday HonoursThe former head of the Thameslink Programme and a Network Rail incident officer have today been honoured in the Queen’s birthday honours list:
• Network Rail works hard to improve the railway each weekWe cater for 4.8m rail journeys every single day, while simultaneously delivering an ambitious, multi-billion pound Railway Upgrade Plan. We're renewing and upgrading 20,000 miles of track, 30,000 bridges and viaducts, thousands of signals, level crossings and stations (the largest of which we also run), meaning our works have a wide-reaching impact.

Birmingham Mail

• Under fire HS2 slammed over plans to build pylons across Staffordshire beauty spotLichfield MP Michael Fabricant has branded plans an 'utter desecration'. The company behind the High Speed 2 railway line being built from London to Birmingham has come under fire for agreeing plans to build huge pylons across a Staffordshire beauty spot.

Edinburgh Evening News

• Changes to road layout on A8 near Edinburgh Airport has 'increased risk of accidents' say residentsROAD layout changes intended to improve safety on the A8 near the airport have created a higher risk of accidents, according to residents.

Liverpool Echo

• The 20 year plan to shape the future of Liverpool - and what it might changeA new train station, more greenery and the pedestrianisation of city centre streets could all be part of a 20-year-plan to shape Liverpool.

Northern Echo

• New cycling trail to be created in the North York MoorsA BRAND new cycle trail is set to be created in the North York Moors linking Malton and Pickering.

Wolverhampton Express and Star

• Planning experts get closer look at controversial Gailey rail freight hubPlanning experts have arrived in Staffordshire to inspect the proposed site of a hugely controversial rail depot.

Other Regional Press

• Just a little extra thought makes cycling better for the environmentIn the current climate (no pun intended) of environmental activism and for everyone to be seen as doing their bit, we don’t always consider the deeper impact of our general daily lives.
• New airport bus ready to take off across Dundee and Xplore the countryIts X90 Airport Xpress is one of the firm’s Xplore More journeys – which also include express transport to concerts across Scotland.
• South Western Railway owners consider suing government if franchise renegotiation failsThe rail franchise has been beset by problems and commuters appear increasingly reluctant to use SWR's services
• Changes to HS2 rail route including through Leicestershire announcedChanges are being made to the plans for the HS2 railway through the county. The line between Birmingham and Leeds will pass close to Ashby as it follows the route of the A42 through Leicestershire.

New Civil Engineer

• Crossrail contractors ‘likely’ to demand more money, auditor warnsTransport for London (TfL) auditor Ernest Young has warned that Crossrail contractors are “likely” to demand more money as construction winds up.
• HS2 site clearance at Euston ramps upHigh Speed 2 has released new images showing the progress being made to clear the site at Euston Station in London in preparation for the main works starting.

Other News Sources

• Baroness Randerson: A clear government strategy is needed for rural bus services to surviveThe strategy must support council funding and increase passenger numbers, says Baroness Randerson. Bus services have been declining since the 1950s and the problem was made worse in the 1980s by the deregulation of bus services outside London. Competition was meant to stimulate the market but in rural areas there is effectively no competition within the bus industry. Almost three in every five journeys made by public transport are by bus. That’s not as impressive as it sounds because, outside London, the car is king.
• Government transport promise 'has not been delivered' for the northMIKE Amesbury has blasted the government for delays to the promised two trains an hour through Northwich during a debate in Parliament.

EIN News Subscription

• More passport e-readers for Dublin Airport in bid to cut delaysNew electronic passport readers will be in place at both terminals in Dublin Airport from Tuesday in an attempt to significantly reduce delays at immigration control.