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

Thursday, 04 July 2019

BBC News

• Two rail workers killed by passenger train near Port TalbotTwo rail workers died after being hit by a passenger train between Port Talbot and Cardiff.
• Cairngorm funicular could be shut until summer 2020The Cairngorm funicular, the UK's highest railway, has been out of action since October last year.
• Manchester Metrolink to adopt London-style contactless paymentsThe system will allow Metrolink users to quickly tap in and out of stations across the network.
• Boeing gives $100m to help 737 Max crash familiesThe aircraft maker says the money is for the education and welfare of communities hit by the disasters.

The Guardian

• London records biggest rise in cycling journeys in 2018Distance covered grows by 5%, but most cyclists still white, middle-aged and rich
• Two rail workers killed by train in south Wales ‘wearing ear defenders’British Transport Police confirm workers would not have heard train’s approach

The Independent

• Port Talbot train crash: Two Network Rail workers dead after being hit by train in WalesWorkers on the track had been wearing ear defenders and could not hear train approaching, says British Transport Police

The Telegraph

• I spent a month commuting by scooter - here’s why Britain isn’t ready for it [Subscription]I’m zooming down Valencia Street in San Francisco, overtaking a man on an electric skateboard, another on a segway, and coming up short behind a woman who must be going at 20mph on an pedal-assisted e-bike.

Times Online

• LNER rail line may be state-owned for six more years [Subscription]Trains on the east coast main line could stay in public hands for six more years despite Conservative opposition to nationalisation of the network.
• Electric planes will connect Highlands and islandsElectric planes may fly between the Highlands and islands as part of what is being called the “third revolution” in aviation.
• Most dangerous roads account for nearly two thirds of fatal crashes [Subscription]Ministers are being urged to boost safety on rural A-roads after research showing that the majority of fatal crashes occur on a minority of deadly high-speed routes.
• Track workers near Port Talbot killed by train ‘they couldn’t hear’ [Subscription]Two rail staff killed by a passenger train while working on the track were wearing ear defenders that may have stopped them from hearing it coming, police have said.
• Cycle lane breathes new life into toxic city street [Subscription]A new cycle lane has helped to reduce pollution to within legal limits for the first time on a street with some of the dirtiest air in London.

Bristol Live

• The Bristol buses running on gas produced by food wasteThe new fleet builds on the legacy of the Bristol "poo bus". A permanent fuel station has opened in Bristol for the city’s metrobus fleet which runs on gas produced by food waste.

London Evening Standard

• Port Talbot train incident: two railway workers dead after being hit on tracks in south WalesTwo railway workers have died after being hit by a train in south Wales.

The Press and Journal (Aberdeen)

• Highlands and Islands to be served by electric planes as Transport Secretary backs ‘third revolution’ in aviationElectric planes could be flown on routes between the Highlands and Islands in what the Scottish Government has hailed as part of the “third revolution” in aviation.

Wales Online

• Cardiff's plans for new integrated public transport network from east to west of cityCardiff Crossrail is aimed at getting us out of our cars and onto bikes, buses and trains across the capital

Wolverhampton Express and Star

• Parents urged to have say on proposed school transport changesParents of special needs children have been urged to have their say on proposed changes to transport services which could impact on hundreds of families.

Kent Online

• Ferry companies bidding to secure no-deal Brexit contracts after Seaborne Freight fiascoMinisters hope to avoid a repeat of the Seaborne Freight fiasco as they ask ferry firms again to bid for contracts in case of a no-deal Brexit.

Lancashire Telegraph

• Ribble Valley and Pendle MPs praise success of bus route saved from axeTWO MPs have praised the success of a bus service which was saved by three councils from being axed ­— with an extra stop added.

North Wales Live

• Deaths of railway workers hit by train prompts urgent investigationThe authorities say they will look into how the incident took place
• First Airbus A350-1000 with British Airways' new posh business seats has taken offAirbus's largest version of the A350 family went on a test flight today

Other Regional Press

• Opinion: Don’t let rail line hit the buffersPLANS to boost the 85-mile long coastal railway line linking Barrow with Carlisle are steaming ahead. Anything that increases capacity on a route with a potential 25 stops and a fastest journey time of two hours 20 minutes, can only help secure its long-term viability.
• Freight transport fuelling rise in oil consumption on Derbyshire roadsFreight vehicles are fuelling an increase in oil consumption on Derbyshire roads, new data reveals. Environmental campaign groups have called on the Government to move the deadline banning the sale of petrol and diesel cars forward a decade to 2030.
• Privatisation of Leeds public transport was 'disastrous', claims council leaderThe leader of Leeds City Council wants to bring buses back under public control. That was the extraordinary claim made by Cllr Judith Blake, leader of Leeds City Council, during a public transport discussion at a recent council meeting.

Airportwatch

• East Coast railway may stay nationalised until 2025 [Subscription]Transport Secretary Chris Grayling has opened the door to keeping one of Britain’s busiest train lines in public hands until midway through the next decade.

New Civil Engineer

• Lack of electric vehicle infrastructure risks UK growthThe UK’s current infrastructure could struggle to support the booming electric vehicle market, an industry expert has warned.
• Hydrogen trains could replace local electrification Local commuter trains powered by hydrogen could replace the need for electrification on smaller routes, an industry expert has suggested.

Rail Technology Magazine

• TfW starts work on £100m South Wales Metro depotTransport for Wales (TfW) has begun work on a £100m depot for the South Wales Metro to support vehicles on the system.
• Cumbria Coastal line plans secure over £8m fundingPlans to improve the railway line across the Cumbrian coast have secured over £8.5m in funding, including £7.5m to prepare the next stage of the project.

Transport Network

• South West transport needs cash and a plan, MPs sayMPs have called on ministers to provide more clarity on plans to make rail links into Devon and Cornwall more resilient and how they will support a transport strategy for the South West.

Aviation Industry

• Etihad reports substantial increase in training demand Etihad Airways is seeing a leap in demand for the services of its pilot training division, Etihad Aviation Training (EAT), the Abu Dhabi-based carrier said June 27. read more
• Zunum launches new fundraising bid to develop hybrid-electric regionalHybrid-electric regional aircraft startup Zunum Aero is again trying to raise funds to continue developing its 12-passenger ZA10, after earlier fundraising efforts failed. read more
• US aircraft mechanics seek stronger oversight of foreign repair stationsFour unions representing US aviation safety inspectors and mechanics wrote to Department of Transportation (DOT) secretary Elaine Chao urging the Department to implement three long-delayed Congressional directives intended to boost oversight of foreign repair stations that work on US aircraft. read more
• Dubai takes full control of Dubai Aerospace Enterprise Aerospace company Dubai Aerospace Enterprise (DAE) has repurchased a 4% shareholding that was held by Emaar Properties PJSC, returning the company to state ownership. read more

Other News Sources

• Europe’s busiest ferry port considering tug investmentThe Port of Dover may order new tugs as part of a huge investment programme expanding its freight, ferry and cruise ship activities.
• MSP calls for lower speed limit at Sconser ferry junctionThe constituency MSP for Skye and Raasay, Kate Forbes, has added her voice to calls for a lower speed limit on the A87 at the Sconser ferry junction.
• Study bid for new Aberdeen train stationsTransport bosses in the north-east have asked the Scottish Government for cash to investigate opening up train stations in the south of Aberdeen.
• Joint bid for up to £188million from transport fund by D2N2 LEP area citiesDerby and Nottingham City Councils have submitted a joint outline business case to Government for up to £188million, to better connect the D2N2 LEP area’s two main cities.
• Bexley Council 'on track to save £400k' from transport changes for vulnerable kidsBexley Council is on track to save £400k after it controversially changed its transport policy for some of the borough’s most vulnerable kids.