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

Wednesday, 19 February 2020

BBC News

• New bus lane approved for busy Muller Road, BristolPlans for a 24-hour bus lane and a number of changes to one of Bristol's busiest roads have been approved.
• Historic steamship taken out of service after 'extensive' cracks discoveredThe Steamship Sir Walter Scott will not sail this season after
• Glider buses attacked in west Belfast, leading to The PSNI said bricks were thrown at buses on the Stewartstown Road on Monday night.
• Wrightbus: Questions raised over share dealExperts question a share purchase made by its parent company when the group was in financial trouble.
• South Western Railway offers compensation after strikesSouth Western Railway services were disrupted by industrial action for 27 days in December.
• £2.5m repair plan for 'port of refuge' Gourock ferry terminalRepairs to the Gourock ferry terminal will once more provide an alternative route from Bute and Arran.
• Coronavirus: Jaguar Land Rover 'shipping parts in suitcases'The UK's largest carmaker has said it could run out of some parts in two weeks over supply chain issues.
• 737 Max: Debris found in new planes' fuel tanksThe discovery raises fresh concerns about potential safety issues for the US plane-making giant.

Financial Times

• Britain considers bringing China on board with HS2Political sensitivites could be outweighed by workers’ construction expertise

The Guardian

• When the bus ride to your destination is just a click awayWith bus routes severely curtailed outside big cities, is demand-responsive transport the answer?

The Herald

• Ian Blackford tells Boris Johnson HS2 trains should be built in ScotlandTHE trains for HS2, Europe’s largest infrastructure project, should be built in Scotland, the SNP’s Ian Blackford has insisted.

The Scotsman

• Why climate change alone won’t persuade drivers to take the bus – Andrew JarvisMotorists need more incentives to leave their cars behind and take a greener form of transport like electric buses, writes Andrew Jarvis.

Times Online

• E-scooters could make cities safer [subscription]Electric scooters are no more dangerous than bicycles and encouraging their use could make cities safer, a study has concluded.

City AM

• South Western Railway to compensate passengers hit by December's strikesSouth Western Railway (SWR) has announced it will compensate passengers affected by December’s RMT union strikes for the cost of five days’ travel.

The Mirror

• Elon Musk 'glad everyone is ok' after Tesla Autopilot saves 8 lives in Storm DennisTwo families have thanked the Tesla CEO for saving their lives after a 400 year old oak tree came crashing down on their Model X cars in Dorset but thanks to the car's Autopilot system they cheated death

The National

• HS2: Spanish firm hopes to manufacture trains at Scottish siteA SPANISH manufacturer is bidding for the contract to make train carriages for the UK Government's HS2 project at a Fife factory.

This is Money

• Jaguar Land Rover reveals new electric self-driving pod to be used on UK roads next yearThe Prince of Wales was one of the first to get an early preview of the machine as he officially opened the National Automotive Innovation Centre at Warwick University.

Birmingham Mail

• The HS2 route in SolihullSome of the key locations along the proposed rail line.
• Cyber-flashing on trains at Birmingham stations growing risk for female travellersBritish Transport Police reveals incidents have almost doubled in a year nationally, although campaigners say the number of women affected "will almost certainly be much higher"

Birmingham Post

• Boss of Bombardier rail business which has UK site in Derby backs Alstom takeover deal Bombardier Transportation president sees benefits of a combined company

Bradford Telegraph & Argus

• Clean air zone plan hailed as 'momentous' step in improving Bradford's health A PLANNED clean air zone in Bradford is as
• Parking income from charges and fines jumps for Bradford Council THE amount paid in parking fees and fines to Bradford Council has risen by 8% so far in the 2019/20 financial year to £3.4 million – with around six weeks left to go.
• Northern reaches landmark in new train introductionArriva Rail North (Northern) has now introduced three quarters of its brand new trains into customer service.

Bristol Live

• Opinion: Why I'm glad Bristol Airport expansion was turned downBristol University professor, FlightFree2019 founder and Extinction Rebellion campaigner Colin Davis replies to content editor Briana Millett over North Somerset Council's decision to deny Bristol Airport's expansion plan

Sheffield Star

• “Change of route away from Meadowhall will prove extremely damaging”Your recent front-page headline questions why there is no mention of Sheffield on the HS2 route.

Wales Online

• Plans to raise taxis fares across Cardiff revealedIt's up to Cardiff council if the hike goes ahead

Carlisle News & Star

• TransPennine Express new delay repay scheme launches for Cumbrian rail users RAIL users who travel with TransPennine Express (TPE) are now able to claim compensation if they are delayed by 15 minutes or more.

Leeds Live

• First Bus rerouting Leeds bus services to dodge city centre delays13 buses an hour will be changed to dodge congestion on Boar Lane and road works on The Headrow

Other Regional Press

• Sir Edward slams plans for HS2 as cost soars to £100bnMarket Rasen MP Sir 
Edward Leigh has slammed his own Government’s plans for the HS2 rail link as a waste of money.
• Readers' letter: Airport expansion would bring investmentMAY I say a few words to the councillors on Eastleigh's planning committee regarding the proposed 164-metre runway extension.
• 'It sends a signal bus travel isn't safe'A bus company has taken an alternative view to a rival firm's decision to hand out 'spit testing kits' to drivers.
• National Railway Museum unveils five design concepts for £16.5m hallMembers of the public are invited to share their views on the designs
• South Western Railway announce compensation for passengers hit by strikes RAILWAY passengers will be handed financial compensation after battling turmoil caused by a month of strike action.
• Councillors want crackdown on drivers using bus route illegallyCouncillors are calling for a crackdown on drivers who are illegally using a bus route to cut through to a roundabout.

Business Live

• Derby and Nottingham await government nod for £100m to improve transport linksJoint submission made for cash to improve connections between major employment sites

Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport

• £17 million to make journeys in West Sussex quicker and greenerCommunities in West Sussex are set to benefit from quicker and safer journeys thanks to a new road upgrade given the green light. Transport Minister Baroness Vere has announced a £17 million investment in the A2300 improvement scheme, which will reduce congestion, improve reliability for drivers and support growth in the region. The A2300 improvement, worth £22 million in total, will cut congestion and improve safety by converting a 2.5km section of the existing road to a dual carriageway between the A23 and the proposed Northern Arc roundabout. The scheme links Burgess Hill to ...

New Civil Engineer

• Challenges of powering world’s longest rail and road tunnelDeveloping a traction power system compatible with both Danish and German power will be a key challenge in the construction of the rail section of the Fehmarnbelt link, according to those tasked with carrying out the job.

Rail Advent

• Welsh lines reopen after Storm Dennis brings heavy rainNetwork Rail has announced that engineers have worked around the clock on the Wales and Borders route following Storm Dennis to reopen lines affected by flooding.
• CrossCountry appoints new Regional DirectorCrossCountry has announced that they have appointed John Robson as their new Regional Director.

Rail Technology Magazine

• Alstom to take over Bombardier Alstom, French multinational company who operate worldwide in rail transport markets, are set to take over Canadian train producer Bombardier. Bombardier has numerous rail-related sites in Britain, in particular its Derby factory where 2,000 people are employed. The company also has several...
• Wherry Lines see introduction of new signalling system 130 years of signalling history came to an end today (Feb 17th) on the Wherry lines alongside the reopening of the Norwich to Yarmouth line. This follows completion of work to introduce a new computerised signalling system, improving dependability of train services.   A section of the East...

Railnews

• Alstom moves ahead with Bombardier takeover Canadian train builder Bombardier is to be taken over by Alstom of France. Bombardier has a number of rail-related sites in Britain, including its Derby train factory where 2,000 people are employed. Bombardier also has several maintenance depots which it operates on behalf of train operators.

Other News Sources

• Compensation lifeline for South Western Railway commuters hit by December RMT strikes Only season ticket holders and daily ticket holders who travelled frequently will be considered
• Heathrow western rail link held up by public funding wrangleDevelopment consent due to be submitted by this summer Plans for a new rail line connecting Heathrow airport with the Great Western main line are being held up over how much the government is prepared to stump up.
• South Western Railway to offer additional compensation to passengers affected during December strikesPASSENGERS who faced delays and disruptions during the December rail strikes will be offered compensation worth up to five days of travel.
• West London gets its first all electric bus routeWest London now has its first bus route to run solely electric double-deckers.