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

Saturday, 20 June 2020

BBC News

• Coronavirus: Lockdown drivers caught travelling up to 140mphThere is a
• Coronavirus: Traffic levels 'now double the lockdown low'The AA says road use could soon be back to normal but there are calls for pollution to be kept down.
• Coronavirus: 'Your new bike won't be in stock until 2021' - the cycle search frenzyCyclists tell of late-night scrambles to buy bikes as firms struggle to meet a surge in demand during lockdown.
• Aer Lingus to cut up to 500 jobs due to pandemicThe coronavirus outbreak and the lockdown have had a
• Coronavirus: Quarantine rules for some countries set to be relaxedUK officials are talking to their counterparts in Portugal, France, Italy, Greece and Spain.
• Coronavirus: Airport tests may provide 'early travel quarantine release'Companies involved in a trial say testing passengers for coronavirus would be a

Financial Times

• VW vows to go it alone on software despite mishapsCarmaker rules out working with tech companies in order to “retain controlâ€� of vehicle data

The Guardian

• Boris Johnson repaint may ruin plane for military use, says ex-pilotFormer RAF transport pilot says ‘no one wants to go to war in a brightly coloured lollipop’Boris Johnson’s plan to repaint the prime minister’s VIP RAF plane red, white and blue risks turning the aircraft into a “brightly coloured lollipopâ€� when it is used for the military purposes for which it was originally made, a former pilot has warned.Ordered because the prime minister believes the Voyager’s camouflage grey colour is boring, the £900,000 makeover is expected to transform the outside of the aircraft, which is also used for mid-air refuelling. Continue reading...
• UK rail bosses rejected call to dress staff like face-mask volunteersRequest came after Grant Shapps’ ‘army of journey makers’ in purple tabards failed to materialiseCoronavirus – latest updatesSee all our coronavirus coverageUK transport ministers asked train companies to dress staff in the purple tabards meant for “journey makersâ€�, after the promised “armyâ€� of volunteers to remind travellers to wear a face covering failed to materialise this week.The last-minute request to keep up appearances, relayed to train operators by the Rail Delivery Group, was largely rejected by bosses, it has emerged. Continue reading...

The Independent

• Spain expects swift decision on 'air bridge' with BritainBritons account for more than fifth of roughly 80 million tourists Spain receives every year

Times Online

• Watch out for the coronavirus clause in your travel insurance [Subscription]Your annual renewal letter may have new terms that make the policy fairly worthless
• Coronavirus in Ireland: Aer Lingus cuts 500 jobs with swipe at government delays [Subscription]Aer Lingus is to cut up to 500 jobs due to the collapse in its business amid Covid-19, the airline said yesterday.
• Drivers overpay by £19 a tank at motorway service stations [Subscription]The government has been urged to intervene over “rip-off” fuel prices after research showed that drivers using motorway services are paying up to £19 more than those filling up elsewhere.
• How airports and airlines are flying out of the pandemic [Subscription]Airlines are desperate to get back to business but duty-free is out and prices will be sky-high, writes Graeme Paton
• Airport coronavirus testing to end quarantine rule [Subscription]Air passengers will be tested for Covid-19 on arrival into the UK for the first time under plans to phase out blanket quarantine restrictions, The Times has learnt.

Mail Online

• Speed limits through motorway roadworks could rise from 50mph to 60mphHighways England has carried out a 12-month trial to look at raising the roadworks limit to 60mph under certain conditions. The findings could lead to the 50mph limit being scrapped in some areas.
• Motorway petrol stations charge an extra 34p per litre as drivers embark on long car journeysMotorway petrol stations are ripping off motorists by up to 34p per litre on fuel. It can cost £18.70 more to fill up a family car on the motorway than at supermarket forecourts nearby.

The Mirror

• Holiday 'air bridges' with Spain, France and Greece to 'be in place by July 4'The Government is set to reveal a list of countries, likely to include Portugal, Spain, France and Greece, where Brits will be able to travel without having to quarantine as soon as July 4

This is Money

• We reveal the most reliable hybrid and electric cars you can buy todayThinking about buying an electrified car - be it a standard hybrid, plug-in hybrid of pure electric model? These are the examples you might want to consider and avoid based on reliability...
• Are e-scooters part of a greener transport future or a menace?Electric scooters have been hailed as part of our green transport future - but they're not legal to ride on UK roads. What is all the fuss about? Consumer Trends takes ones for a spin.

Bolton News

• Martin Lewis warns drivers of DVLA rule How to check if your licence to avoid DVLA fine.

Bradford Telegraph & Argus

• £233,000 scheme to improve safety in Bradford's taxis as lockdown eases A £233,000 scheme to improve safety in Bradford taxis will see screens installed in vehicles across the district.

Bristol Live

• MetroWest project will be extended to GloucesterIt will mean more frequent trains from Bristol to Gloucester and Yate
• Coastguard detains cruise ship in BristolThe Maritime and Coastguard Agency was investigating "serious concerns" about crew welfare

Daily Post (North Wales)

• How coronavirus will change roads, buses, cycling and walking routes in WalesThe £15M plans will create more space for people to travel under social distancing restrictions

Liverpool Echo

• TUI, JET2 , Ryanair and easyJet latest update for holiday returnThe companies are optimistic about taking Brits away this summer

London Evening Standard

• DLR safety questioned after banker killed as she fell into path of approaching trainA banker fell onto a DLR track and was killed by a driverless train as horrified members of the public tried and failed to raise the alarm in time, an inquest heard.

Wolverhampton Express and Star

• Cycle lanes plan may become permanentTemporary bike lanes could become permanent in a bid to cut pollution, meet lockdown rules and improve safety on a busy streets.
• Electric cars 'should park for free'Environmental campaigners are calling for the drivers of electric and hybrid cars to be given free parking as a way of encouraging other motorists to switch to eco-friendly vehicles.

Bucks Free Press

• Parking in all council-owned car parks free until August Parking in all 84 Buckinghamshire Council owned car parks is free until August 1.

Cambridge News

• List reveals exact ways £900k from PM's jet makeover could make Cambs betterThe re-painting of the Prime Ministerial plane has been blasted as 'an absolute outrage' by Labour city councillors

East Anglian Daily Times

• Concerns raised as concessionary travel rules reintroduced to help with social distancingConcessionary travel rules are being reintroduced on public transport to help bus companies implement social distancing measures during the busiest times of the day.

Reading Evening Post

• Reading Buses hit back at customers over face covering rulesThe bus operator said its drivers "are not there to police the law"

Other Regional Press

• Campaigners to march along HS2 route to oppose new train line Stop HS2 campaigners will carry out a long march from Birmingham to London to oppose the building of the new railway.
• Bid for £2m funding to improve rural bus links for villages around SwindonVillages in rural areas close to Swindon could benefit from new bus services if bids for £2 million of government funding are successful.
• Don't blame the bus driver!HAVE pity for our city's long-suffering, hard working bus drivers.
• £218m awarded from Housing Infrastructure Fund for better Didcot roadsA LONG-discussed funding bid for £218m will now be spent on new roads and bridges to ease traffic around Didcot.
• Bus passengers not following coronavirus face mask rules in OxfordA BUS passenger has said she is unlikely to use public transport in Oxford if drivers cannot force people to wear masks to comply with a new law.
• Another cruise ship arrives as Breeze docks at Portland Port Another cruise ship has been supplying some fantastic photo opportunities to local residents, as the Carnival Breeze has docked at Portland Port.

C.N.N.

• NASA's Perseverance rover will launch to Mars next month with a global tribute to health care workersNASA is launching the Perseverance rover to Mars in late July, and this rover will carry a tribute to health care workers from around the world who are battling the coronavirus pandemic.

Railnews

• RMT launches industrial action ballot at Heathrow Express The RMT has launched a ballot for industrial action in protest at changes to working patterns at Heathrow Express which could involve redundancies. The union has claimed that 123 posts could be lost. Heathrow Express said it is ˜disappointed™, and has promised no compulsory redundancies.
• Covid-19 transport funding total reaches £7bn The Department for Transport has drawn £7 billion from the government™s contingency fund, partly to support train operating companies through the Covid-19 crisis.

Other News Sources

• Cruises from US Ports Suspended Through Mid-SeptemberA number of ocean-going cruise lines said they will voluntarily suspend cruise operations from U.S. ports until September 15 due to COVID-19, industry body Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) announced Friday.The extended operational…
• UK Inspecting Cruise Ships Over Crew Welfare ConcernsSeveral cruise ships idled without passengers due to the coronavirus pandemic are being inspected in British ports in response to crew welfare concerns.Surveyors acting for the U.K. Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) have detained the Portuguese-flagged Astoria…
• Rail firm takes to Darwen's skies to repair tunnelWHEN rail bosses needed to repair a 175-year-old hillside tunnel they turned to the sky to help them do the work.
• Stagecoach adds new "busy bus" indicator to appA BUS company serving Winchester has launched a new indicator to help passengers avoid busy buses and plan their journeys as services increase.

EIN News Subscription

• Aer Lingus confirms 500 jobs to be lost … EU members, which have progressively restored air transport in response to a European Commission …
• Travel insurance holders should renew policies to retain Covid-19 cover, expert advises … said, was in line with European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) and … the /[British Department of Transport’s/] idiotic advice to … not follow the Department for Transport (DfT) Covid guidance “which is …
• E-Scooter Trial Rolls Out June 30—U.K. Riders Need Driving Licenses, Won’t Be Allowed On Sidewalks … e-scooters have not been road legal in the U.K … Parliamentary Advisory Council for Transport Safety (PACTS) is opposed to … own e-scooters on public roads and elsewhere.â€� The statement adds … substantial, at least in a European context,â€� says PACTS. “E- …
• The airline dispute with China isn’t over … LATEST IN GRIM DATA FOR AVIATION: New global air travel numbers from … dire state of the airline and airport industries. Global passenger traffic declined by … CEO offers ‘homecoming guarantee’ for passengers.â€� POLITICO EU. — “Coast Guard Academy failed …
• The countries UK government set to announce 'air bridges' with … to and from the European destinations without quarantine - … Secretary Dominic Raab and Transport Secretary Grant Shapps last … been touted between Birmingham Airport and the Balearic Islands … schedules across the country. Airlines from Ryanair and Jet2 …
• DOT warns China over airline access … requiring Air China, China Eastern Airlines Corp, China Southern Airlines Co., Hainan Airlines … under the US – China air transport agreement,â€� an agency spokesperson said … Washington Post. — “EU opens in-depth probe into Canadian airline merger.â€� POLITICO …
• Airports, airlines split over temperature checks … HERE’S WHERE AIRPORTS AND AIRLINES DISAGREE: The Airports Council International is … on life support,â€� the International Air Transport Association’s chief economist said … change the list of EU goods subject to Airbus retaliation.â€� POLITICO Pro. — “Macron …