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

Tuesday, 05 May 2020

BBC News

• HS2 protesters spending coronavirus lockdown in treesProtesters against HS2 are still trying to save threatened forests during the coronavirus pandemic.
• Coronavirus: Aer Lingus review after packed flight complaintPassengers on a Belfast-Heathrow flight were sat side by side despite social-distancing guidelines.
• Coronavirus: New UK car registrations fall by 97%Motor industry records only a few thousand registrations as Covid-19 outbreak keeps buyers at home.

Financial Times

• GE cuts 10,000 more aviation jobsNew blow to industry after Mnuchin casts doubt on restart for US air travel and Buffett exits airline stocks
• Frequent flyer: goodbye gold card, so long silverGrounded travellers are facing downgrades but some airlines are rewarding loyalty

The Guardian

• Cost of public transport should be raised as lockdown ends – IFSThinktank says preventing overcrowding on buses, tube and trains will aid public health

The Herald

• Glasgow Airport chief: 'I have no doubt we will be successful in our plans'Airports have always been reliable barometers of how the wider economy is performing. They are the engines of economic growth; providing the connectivity that drives tourism, generates employment and supports businesses to export and attract inward investment.

The Scotsman

• Talks over Prestwick Airport sale extended as Covid-19 hits aviation sectorPlans to return the heavily indebted Glasgow Prestwick Airport to the private sector have been waylaid by the coronavirus outbreak, with the timeframe for talks with a potential buyer of the troubled hub set to be extended.

The Telegraph

• Britons may be unable to travel abroad because of UK failure to join international tracing app system [subscription]The UK launched its app to trace coronavirus on Monday but was immediately warned that failure to join an international system could hamper Britons' attempts to take foreign holidays.
• Uber bolsters London board ahead of results [subscription]The move is intended to buttress the transport app's governance as it awaits July's London-licence appeal

Times Online

• Cyclists targeted by coronavirus vigilantes [subscription]Rising numbers of cyclists are being targeted by coronavirus vigilantes during the lockdown, with drawing pins being laid on roads and “stay out” signs erected outside villages.
• Coronavirus: Distancing impossible on flights landing every day [subscription]Passengers have criticised the lack of social distancing on aircraft as travellers continue to fly into the UK without any health checks at airports.

Reuters News

• UK new car sales fall to lowest level since 1946British new car sales slumped by around 97% in April to the lowest level of any month since February 1946 with factories and dealerships shut due to the coronavirus outbreak, according to preliminary data from an industry body.

Mail Online

• Grant Shapps says foreign arrivals could FINALLY be quarantined over coronavirus riskThe UK has been very much an outlier in recent weeks by not halting inbound flights or insisting arrivals are checked, with experts claiming it is of little help now the virus is widespread in the UK.

Bolton News

• Coronavirus: Bolton taxi drivers having to work to surviveTaxi drivers are being urged to avoid loan sharks as many drivers feel forced to put themselves at risk from coronavirus to pay their bills.

Liverpool Echo

• EasyJet issues latest advice on refunds and future holidaysImportant information if your flight has been cancelled or you future holiday booked

London Evening Standard

• HS2 Rebellion protesters block Euston building site entrance of controversial new high speed rail lineA group calling themselves 'HS2 Rebellion' have blocked the entrance to a building site at Euston.
• Sadiq Khan 'really worried' about capital's transport after lockdown easing The Mayor of London warned against a 'big bang' of lifting lockdown measures
• Car sales almost wiped out as registrations collapse to lowest level for 74 years amid coronavirus crisisNew car sales were almost wiped out last month as the the number of registrations collapsed to their lowest level for 74 years.
• Ryanair traffic falls to just 40,000 passengers in AprilRyanair, the budget airline which this week declared it would be axing 3000 jobs, said it flew just 40,000 passengers in the whole of April as lockdowns on travel hammered the market.

Manchester Evening News

• Manchester Airport to receive £260m council loan package amid post-Covid fearsExclusive: In the absence so far of financial support from government, the ten Greater Manchester local authorities - which have a majority stake in the group - are planning to borrow themselves in order to lend to it. Jen Williams reports.

Yorkshire Post

• Why High Speed Rail is needed in the North now – Jim SteerIN Parliament recently, National Infrastructure Commission chair Sir John Armitt raised a concern that the benefits from Northern Powerhouse Rail (NPR) are many years away.

Bucks Free Press

• Exciting new group cycle rides for after lockdownBreeze cycling group, based in Amersham, are hoping to re-open as soon as lockdown is lifted.

Other Regional Press

• First Bus trials new social distancing measures ahead of workers' returnFirst West of England have begun a trial of new social distancing measures on its route 24 service as part of plans to prepare for the return of workers and the long-awaited change of government guidelines.
• Glasgow bus drivers losing hundreds of pounds a week in lockdown pay dealBus drivers in Glasgow are losing hundreds of pounds a week due to reduced hours and a rotating furlough scheme during the coronavirus crisis.
• Rolls-Royce to consult following reports company could axe 8,000 jobsRolls-Royce employs several hundred workers at its manufacturing site in Ansty
• What is next for the car industry and Jaguar Land Rover after coronavirus?Automotive expert Dr Charles Tennant shares his thoughts on Covid-19 and the car industry
• Changes to buses in Coventry for VE Day bank holidayA new permanent morning service is also being added to timetables
• Protesters in ‘NHS not HS2’ demonstration outside Euston construction siteParalympian James Brown occupies tree in peaceful protest against railway without 'rational justification'

C.N.N.

• United Airlines COO says employees should 'seriously consider' voluntary separation from the airlineA top executive at United Airlines is telling employees to consider leaving the company voluntarily as it grapples with the consequences of the coronavirus pandemic.
• Queen of the skies: The Boeing 747 is playing a hero's role during Covid-19 crisisNow that the international transport of critical medical goods has become a daily news headline, cargo operators are the stars of the logistical efforts to support first responders. And they're all flying the Boeing 747F -- that's

Business Live

• Major rail report calls for urgent improvements across the NorthThe North cannot wait for HS2 and NPR - and work on projects including a new Manchester 'super hub' must start right away, striking report says
• Tech firm in major deal with Bombardier for health ans safety appRail giant selects Work Wallet to support wayside workers
• Airbus confirms plans to furlough staff at Bristol siteFurloughing will happen in two waves of three weeks

New Civil Engineer

• HS2 begins search for £2bn track suppliersHigh Speed 2 Ltd (HS2 Ltd) has begun its search for high speed track suppliers.
• Manchester Piccadilly ‘super hub’ proposed for High Speed NorthA Manchester Piccadilly “super hub” has been proposed as part of the High Speed North rail project.

Rail Technology Magazine

• Planned rail works over Early May Bank Holiday in Yorkshire People who may need to use train services over the Early May Bank Holiday weekend are being encouraged by Network Rail to check before travelling as track improvement work takes place in West Yorkshire, meaning there are further changes to services. On Sunday (May 10) Network Rail engineers will...

Railnews

• Unions protest about ˜more trains™ plans The three main rail unions have written a letter of protest to governments in England, Scotland and Wales, and also to the Mayor of London, as plans to run more trains in the near future become clearer. Transport secretary Grant Shapps has repeated his proposal that working hours should be staggered, so that trains carrying people to work would not be so full. But the unions say they have ˜severe concerns™.
• Government support for trams criticised by city leaders Funding from the Department for Transport worth £8.6 million over 12 weeks for Tyne & Wear Metro to keep key worker transport running is not enough, according to the man who chairs the North East Joint Transport Committee. The cash is part of a £30 million settlement for light rail and tram networks outside London. The Mayor of Manchester has also warned that trams in his city could still face mothballing by early summer, in spite of a cash injection of £11.6 million.

Railway Gazette

• DfT preparing for future passenger franchise optionsUK: Having temporarily suspended its franchise agreements with passenger train operators, the Department for Transport is currently considering its options for what may follow the Emergency Measures Agreements announced on March 23.

Other News Sources

• Stop Stansted Expansion calls for airport growth plan to be abandonedCAMPAIGNERS are calling on Stansted Airport to abandon its bid to increase passenger numbers. The Stop Stansted Expansion group says it has written to the chief executive at the airport to call for a planning application to expand passenger limits to 43 million per yer to be withdrawn.
• The world waits with bated breath – When will the York railway goose eggs hatch?The goose, who has become the darling of social media since laying her eggs at York station, is now sitting and waiting. And we must wait with her. She is guarding over her clutch of four eggs in the entrance to the railway station.