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

Saturday, 15 February 2020

BBC News

• HS2: Views from along the trackSupporters and critics give their thoughts on the government decision to build HS2.
• TransPennine Express told to make urgent improvementsTransPennine Express was rated as one of the worst performing railway companies in the UK last year.
• Scotland-Northern Ireland bridge is £20bn 'vanity project'Scotland's transport minister criticises Boris Johnson for not consulting Holyrood over the idea.
• HS2: UK in talks with China over construction of high-speed lineChina's state railway company says it could build the line in just five years, according to reports.

Financial Times

• China offers to build HS2 in five yearsUK government in talks with China Railway Construction Corporation

The Guardian

• UK holds 'preliminary discussions' with China over building HS2Country’s state-owned railway builder claims it can complete the rail link cheaper and fasterBritain is in talks with China over giving Beijing’s state-owned railway builder a role in constructing the troubled HS2 high-speed link. The China Railway Construction Corporation (CRCC) has said it can build the line in just five years at a much lower cost than is currently forecast, according to the Financial Times.Department for Transport (DfT) officials confirmed “preliminary discussionsâ€� had taken place between CCRC and HS2 Ltd, but said no “concrete commitmentsâ€� had been made. “The DfT is always...
• After giving HS2 the go-head, Boris Johnson can never again say there’s no money | Simon JenkinsIf a few businessmen can claim £100bn of public money for a dud project, how can he refuse a new hospital or school?Britain’s greatest white elephant, HS2, was always a dud railway. It has grazed for 10 years on the Treasury lawn, and has now has been told it can stay, more dud than ever. It was symbolic this week that Boris Johnson launched HS2 not in the north but in a giant patch of Birmingham mud. Next to him stood his chancellor, Sajid Javid. They already looked like executioner and victim. Both seemed to know their “spine of the northâ€� was as doomed as their relationship.Johnson's real d...

The Scotsman

• Foreign Office asks for trains 24 hours a day to cater for COP26 crowdsTrains could run 24 hours a day between Glasgow and Edinburgh during the COP26 climate conference in November following a request by the UK government.

The Telegraph

• Harry Dunn: Car 'seen on wrong side of road outside RAF base near where teenager died'

Times Online

• £20bn bridge a giant step too far for seadogs of Portpatrick [subscription]Portpatrick is a village steeped in tall tales. According to folklore the origins of its name stem from a feat by Ireland’s patron saint who made the 20-mile crossing from Antrim to Galloway in a single stride.
• Ministers either side of Irish Sea condemn Johnson’s project [subscription]The prime minister’s “vanity project” bridge between Scotland and Northern Ireland would be a waste of money, ministers on both sides of the Irish Sea have said.
• The Times view on the cost of electric cars: Highly Charged [subscription]Drivers won’t switch to electric cars if they can’t power them cheaply
• Bridge between Scotland and Northern Ireland a waste of money, devolved ministers sayBuilding a bridge between Scotland and Northern Ireland would be a “vanity project” and a waste of money, ministers on both sides of the Irish Sea have said.

Sky News

• HS2: Chinese firm says it can build rail project in five years and at much lower costThe China Railway Construction Corporation tells UK government the "Chinese way is to seek solutions, not linger on obstacles".

Birmingham Post

• Network Rail urges passengers to check before they travel as Storm Dennis hits this weekendHeavy rain could lead to flooding with strong winds carrying risk of track obstructions

Bolton News

• These are all the speed cameras set up in Bolton's streets SPEED cameras can be frustrating for drivers who get caught.

Bradford Telegraph & Argus

• Free adult cycle training scheme to tackle inequalitiesA FREE adult cycle training scheme has been shown to help tackle transport and health inequalities across West Yorkshire, with more than a quarter of participants living in some of the most disadvantaged areas in the country.
• Have your say on Bradford's planned Clean Air Zone A SERIES of events are planned to explain proposals for the proposed Clean Air Zone which aims to improve air quality and the health of people in the district - particularly in the city centre, Shipley and Saltaire where pollution is highest.

Bristol Live

• Airbus fined €3.6bn for global bribery scandalOne of Bristol's biggest firms used bribes to stack the decks in its favour and win contracts around the globe

The York Press

• LETTER: Why not make a start now on northern HS2 route?If the HS2 rail project is so important to the North, why is work not beginning now on the top section starting at Leeds?

Wales Online

• National Express bus left 'stranded' over central reservation on A40It looks like there is no-one on board

Wolverhampton Express and Star

• £88m Sprint bus service linking Walsall and Birmingham gets go aheadNew tram-style buses will hit the roads in the Black Country after the £88 million scheme was signed off by transport bosses.

Carlisle News & Star

• Cumbrian bus boss welcomes Government in cash in battle against social isolationSTAGECOACH'S new chief has welcomed the Government’s promised cash boost for buses.

Other Regional Press

• Disabled bus passes now valid round the clockBus passes for disabled people are being extended to allow travel at any time.
• STAGECOACH'S new chief has welcomed the Government’s promised cash boost for buses.A fleet of new state-of-the-art buses are about to hit the roads in the Eastern region as they are officially released into service.
• Track would prove vital link between Shropshire hospital and railway mainline, says rail firmA short stretch of train track would prove a vital link between Shropshire’s specialist orthopaedic hospital and the railway mainline, says a rail firm.
• Hertfordshire County Council welcomes green signal for HS2A county council says the new HS2 rail-link should provide long-term benefits for commuters travelling through Watford.
• Oxford Mini Plant owner BMW's message after fossil fuel ban changePLANS to bring forward a date when fossil fuel cars will no longer be available in the UK have not phased the company behind the Oxford Mini Plant.
• Councillors propose free buses at Christmas in Weymouth WEYMOUTH could have free bus rides next Christmas – instead of free car parking days.

Railnews

• Minister who insisted HS2 costs were stable leaves DfT Two transport ministers have lost their posts at the Department for Transport in Boris Johnson™s cabinet reshuffle, in which the headline change was the unexpected departure of chancellor Sajid Javid. The two leaving the DfT are George Freeman and Nusrat Ghani, but transport secretary Grant Shapps has remained in the cabinet.

Other News Sources

• Students enjoy inter-active Heathrow operations daySTUDENTS from University Technical College (UTC) Heathrow, based at Northwood, enjoyed a day of inter-active learning with airport staff, including creating a crisis communications plan.
• ED of Paris-CDG discusses the goal to become tomorrow’s smart airportMarc Houalla, Executive Director of Paris-Charles de Gaulle Airport, gives an insight into how innovation and technology are essential for a successful future.
• Half of London Waterloo train station to close for maintenance work Routes to Woking and Ash Vale will be shut with buses replacing trains