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

Wednesday, 04 March 2020

BBC News

• HS2: Chris Packham launches legal challenge to rail linkTV naturalist Chris Packham has launched a legal challenge to HS2 high-speed rail link.
• Slow local transport linked to struggling schoolsThere is a striking overlap between places in England with slow public transport and places with struggling secondary schools, say researchers.
• Heads of the Valleys: 'Isolation' fear over road-widening planBusinesses fear they will lose customers over plans to restrict access to towns from a major road.
• Greener petrol at UK pumps to target emissionsThe government is consulting on making lower carbon E10 the new standard grade of fuel for vehicles.
• South Western Railway guard strikes suspendedStaff had been due to walk out in March in a long-running dispute over the role of train guards.

Financial Times

• Chris Packham launches legal action against HS2Naturalist and broadcaster says £106bn rail scheme will destroy 700 wildlife sites

The Guardian

• HS2 legal challenge launched by Chris PackhamNaturalist says approval of high-speed rail project failed to take account of climate impact

Times Online

• Airlines face merger after bookings go into freefall [subscription]The fallout from the global coronavirus outbreak is likely to trigger more mergers and takeovers in the airline industry, the boss of one of the world’s largest carriers has said.

City AM

• Crossrail 2 business case gets green light from Department for TransportThe business case for Crossrail 2 has been given approval by the Department for Transport (DfT), bringing the project closer to a decision on its final fate.
• Chris Packham to challenge HS2 decision on climate change groundsRenowned broadcaster and naturalist Chris Packham has launched a legal challenge against Boris Johnson’s decision to green light the controversial HS2 rail project on climate grounds.
• TfL rolls out new trains on the London OvergroundTransport for London (TfL) announced today that the new electric trains will increase capacity by 10 per cent and replace the oldest rolling stock on the network.

The Mirror

• Chris Packham launches legal action against 'unlawful' HS2 plansThe conservationalist has branded Boris Johnson's decision to plough ahead with the rail project "unlawful" and said the environmental cost has not been weighed up

Birmingham Mail

• Stunning new HS2 railway station with huge platforms unveiled for SolihullPlans for the major interchange development, near the NEC and airport, have been handed to the council

Birmingham Post

• Plans in for Solihull's HS2 stationThe new Interchange station will be 1.2 miles east of the NEC campus and Birmingham Airport and will be connected by an automated people mover

Bradford Telegraph & Argus

• Minister's Queensbury Tunnel pledge is welcomed CAMPAIGNERS looking to save Queensbury Tunnel have welcomed the personal intervention of Transport Secretary Grant Shapps.

Daily Post (North Wales)

• British Airways waives flight cancellation fees following Coronavirus outbreakThe airline is the first to make the adjustment  which applies to bookings made between March 3 and 16

Edinburgh Evening News

• First Bus cuts fares across West LothianFirst West Lothian will freeze or cut prices on several routes from Sunday March 15. Locals could save up to £240 per year as an adult annual ticket within West Lothian will reduce from £820 to £580.

Newcastle Evening Chronicle

• North East 'wiped off the map' as government takes control of Northern Rail, claims council leaderNewcastle City Council leader Nick Forbes has demanded a rethink from ministers after no representatives from the region were given a seat on a panel to oversee train services
• High Level Bridge cycle route set for £250,000 cash injection to boost links to Central StationTransport bosses either side of the Tyne recently called for a new clean-up of the historic bridge, warning that graffiti and broken lights had made it an unappealing route

Sheffield Star

• Call for action over declining Sheffield bus servicesAngry residents have called for action over a declining bus services operating in a Sheffield suburb.

The York Press

• New hope in bid to reinstate York to Beverley railwayCOUNCILLORS have taken the first step to try and reopen the York to Beverley railway line.
• Jobs boost for Rail Operating Centre in York (ROC)NETWORK Rail is recruiting dozens of new signallers in York and surrounding areas. A recruitment event is being held in the city to highlight the careers available in signalling to ensure the railway operates safely by setting signals, controlling level crossings and allowing trains to run.

Wales Online

• Railway line re-opens after 100 tonnes of debris fell on track during Storm JorgeHeavy rain had caused a bank to collapse and the line was closed for four days

Wolverhampton Express and Star

• HS2 to proceed despite anger from Tory MPsThe HS2 route through Staffordshire has moved a stage closer despite concerns from furious Tory MPs.

Yorkshire Evening Post

• Bus shambles and how Leeds Council and Metro continue to fail passengersLEEDS City Council and Metro, the West Yorkshire transport authority, have failed this city in the last 20 years.

Leeds Live

• Major Leeds Bradford Airport expansion could now be in doubt - what landmark Heathrow case means for LBAFriends of the Earth say the decision "sets a global precedent" for using the Paris Agreement to challenge developments which damage the environment

Other Regional Press

• Four new Intercity trains in service with Greater Anglia as deadline loomsGreater Anglia has now got four new Intercity trains passed to carry passengers on the main line between East Anglia and London - and has more that are soon due to be passed to enter service.
• Brackmills CEO says she will do 'anything she can' to get Northampton shuttle train plan on track"Reopening this line from the town to Brackmills would be ideal... We can't just put more and more vehicles on the road."
• £757,000 package to restore bus services in North YorkshireRyedale residents stand to benefit from the Government’s new £5 billion funding package to improve bus services.
• New footbridge connects Lincoln Eastern Bypass to cycle pathsA new 40-metre-long, 38 tonne bridge for cyclists and pedestrians is now in place as part of Lincoln Eastern Bypass works.

Rail Advent

• Next phase announced for the Great Central Reunification Project The Great Central Railway has released information on the next phase of the Great Central Reunification Project.
• Real Living Wage employer accreditation for Network RailNetwork Rail has announced that they are to become an accredited Real Living Wage employer.

Rail Technology Magazine

• Network Rail announces £113m worth of investment projects in UKNetwork Rail has announced £113m worth of investment projects to be carried out across the UK during the Easter period to improve the reliability of rail infrastructure.

Other News Sources

• Search for cost and project managers on £5bn Oxford-Cambridge railway beginsThe company looking to build a £5bn railway that will connect Cambridge and Oxford is looking for project and cost managers.
• New station in town centre, half hourly services to March but £200m likely to be cost of re-opening seven-mile Wisbech to March rail lineWisbech looks likely to remain cut-off from the rail network for many years to come after new costs were revealed.
• Isle of Wight MP wants great railway journey to bring back trains PLANS to extend the Isle of Wight's train network between Wootton and Newport and Shanklin and Ventnor could be on track after the Island's MP submitted a formal Expression of Interest (EOI) to the Department for Transport (DfT).
• Prescot railway station set to benefit from £20m accessibility fundPRESCOT railway station is to be given a boost from a £20m accessibility fund.
• Pendle MP to update Earby residents on rail developmentsEarby residents will get the chance to quiz Pendle MP and Transport Minister Andrew Stephenson at a special meeting on Saturday.
• Train company agrees free tickets for women fleeing domestic abuseCAMPAIGNERS say it will now be easier for women to flee relationships where they are victims of domestic abuse after a train company agreed to provide free tickets.
• Plans laid for Stockport’s multi-million transport interchange, inc cycle bridge Stockport is building cycle infrastructure into a new transport interchange, including a cycle and foot bridge linking the town’s railway station to a new rooftop park.