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

Tuesday, 30 June 2020

BBC News

• Coronavirus: Geneva Motor Show 2021 scrapped and event to be soldThe organisers of one of the world's biggest car shows have seen weak demand for next year's event.
• Heads of the Valleys road-widening diversion going aheadBusinesses fear they will lose customers over plans to restrict access to towns from a major road.
• Belfast International Airport: Unite says 54 redundancies plannedUnite says it has been notified about the planned redundancies by employer Wilson James.
• Coronavirus: Clarity sought on public transport masks moveFirst Minister Arlene Foster says the executive does not want to criminalise people.
• Boeing: Critical 737 Max test flights beginThe tests are a major milestone in Boeing's efforts to get the 737 Max back into service.
• Coronavirus: PM pledges to 'build back better' post-virusBoris Johnson will set out plans to

Financial Times

• Boeing’s 737 Max takes off on first certification flightAeroplane maker’s stock rises on important step in returning jet to the skies
• Lufthansa to link Covid-19 tests with tickets in effort to avoid quarantinePassengers can pay to get results within hours at airport and then integrate them with boarding passes

The Guardian

• 'Absolutely fanciful': Boris Johnson's new deal not Rooseveltian, say criticsThe PM wants to be put on the same pedestal as Franklin D Roosevelt as he unveils £5bn capital projectsBoris Johnson will seek to wrap himself in the mantle of one of the most-revered American presidents in modern times on Tuesday, as he attempts to refocus his premiership by promising a “New Dealâ€� for Britain in the wake of the coronavirus crisis.According to pre-released extracts, Johnson’s speech will highlight projects worth £5bn, which he will “accelerateâ€�, including improvements to schools and hospitals, and “shovel readyâ€� schemes such as parks improvements. Continue reading...

The Herald

• Ferry limits mean Arran hotels ‘may not reopen until next year’TOURISM businesses on the Isle of Arran are contemplating staying closed until 2021 amid continuing concern over the lack of ferry capacity serving the island.

The Independent

• Boeing shares soar after company cleared for 737 Max testsJet has been grounded for 15 months following two fatal crashes
• Britain braced for busiest weekend of the year so far as 11 million drivers embark on post-lockdown overnight tripSaturday marks first time people in England have been allowed to spend the night away from home in three months

Times Online

• Coronavirus: St Ives bans cars to help shoppers avoid the crush [Subscription]Visitors to St Ives will have the streets to themselves, after the council banned all but essential traffic from the town centre to help social distancing.
• Coronavirus in Ireland: Seven in ten passengers not wearing face coverings, says union [Subscription]Seven out of ten people are not wearing face coverings on public transport, a union leader has said.
• HS2 money-saving plan to run trains across Pennines [Subscription]HS2 trains would link east and west across northern England under proposals for a fully integrated high-speed rail network.
• Boris Johnson’s ‘New Deal’ spending spree to boost Britain’s recovery from coronavirus [Subscription]Johnson echoes Roosevelt with pledge of cash for hospitals, roads, rail and schools

Daily Record

• More than 1,300 bikes available to hire for free in Edinburgh and GlasgowIt is hoped that the initiative will prevent scores of Scots using public transport as lockdown restrictions are eased once again.

Mail Online

• UK car production falls 95% in May and there'll not be a scrappage schemeJust over 5,000 cars were produced by UK factories in May compared to 116,000 in the same month a year ago, latest industry figures have confirmed.
• Hovercraft captain stops crossing after two passengers refused to wear face masksHovertravel said police were called after the 5.30pm service from Southsea to Ryde on the Isle of Wight was halted after the pair became 'verbally abusive'.
• Boris Johnson unveils massive programme to construct schools, hospitals and roads Billions of pounds of investment will be pledged to make Britain 'stronger and better and more united than ever before' in the wake of the coronavirus.

The Mirror

• Boris Johnson to unveil £5bn spending blitz to get UK through coronavirus crisisThe billions are earmarked for schools, hospitals and prisons as well as new infrastructure and town centres in a British 'New Deal' harking back to the Great Depression

This is Money

• Land Rover unveils the £42,000 Defender Hard Top van for businessesLand Rover's upmarket alternative to 'white van man' is set to prove a hit with small businesses who want to add a bit of extra 4X4 style and capability.

Sky News

• 'Build, build, build': PM channels 1930's US 'new deal' with coronavirus recovery planBoris Johnson will attempt to mark a new phase in the coronavirus response today by setting out plans for an "infrastructure revolution" to create jobs and stimulate an economic recovery.

Belfast Telegraph

• Decision over use of masks on NI buses and trains delayed Plans by the Executive to make the wearing of face covers compulsory on public transport have hit a stumbling block.
• Top 20 speeding hotspots in Northern Ireland revealed as detections rise by 20% in yearThe number of speeding offences in Northern Ireland has surged by 20% year-on-year.

Birmingham Mail

• Boris promises 'build, build, build' with £5bn spending in Dudley speechPrime Minister says we can 'build our way back to health' as he visits Midlands to set out plans to save the nation's economy
• 300 HS2 jobs up for grabs in BirminghamEngineers and project manager are being sought as part of the three-month direct-recruitment drive

Birmingham Post

• Airbus expected to announce job cuts in the coming daysThe aerospace giant is grappling with a production cut of up to 40%
• Shipping giant DFDS to axe 650 jobs across European operations86 roles to go in Immingham, where UK operations are anchored
• Alternative plans for Manchester Piccadilly Station could 'save billions'The proposal is an alternative to the two existing plans for Manchester Piccadilly station devised separately by HS2 and Northern Powerhouse Rail
• HS2 launches major recruitment drive in BirminghamGovernment department delivering first phase of new high-speed line is on the hunt for new recruits in the city
• East Midlands Railway adding more services on Monday, July 6"It makes sense to introduce more services and more seats ahead of the expected increase in customers"

Bolton News

• Volvo dealership will bring £3m boost and 42 new jobs to Bolton A NEW Volvo dealership is set to be built in Bolton bringing 42 jobs in a £3m boost to the town after the car company got its way with councillors.

Bradford Telegraph & Argus

• Driver forced to stop train to chase trespassers off the main lineA DRIVER brought his train to a stop and jumped down onto the tracks to chase a group of trespassers off a Yorkshire mainline.

Daily Post (North Wales)

• Seven vessels spotted anchored off North Wales coastThe tankers and cargo ships have been anchored off the coast of Anglesey for most of the day
• Airbus job cuts imminent as 'brutal fact' that major restructure is neededChief Executive Guillaume Faury has said that he expects production levels to fall by 40%
• Car parking charges 'a kick in the teeth' for struggling businessesConwy council has reopened several of its car parks - and is charging people to use them

London Evening Standard

• Commuters 'plan to ditch the Tube over virus fears' as transport bosses fear spike in car useLondon commuters are preparing to ditch the Tube and get back in their cars in record numbers as they return to work, a survey suggested today.
• England's roads set for busiest weekend of year as lockdown rules ease and overnight stays allowedThis weekend could be the busiest of the year so far on England's roads as coronavirus lockdown rules are eased, a new survey has suggested.

Wales Online

• Swansea could have a new road to ease traffic congestion on Fabian WayCouncil chiefs also want to upgrade the bridge at Baldwin's Crescent and open up land for potential development

Wolverhampton Express and Star

• £6.5m recovery funding availableSmall to Medium-sized manufacturers across the Black Country are being urged to take a slice of a £6.5m funding boost to help them recover from the Covid-19 pandemic and address key barriers to growth.
• Funding plea for Very Light Rail plansPlans to pioneer Very Light Rail technology in Dudley are

Bucks Free Press

• TV star Chris Packham HS2 appeal to be heard by court The Court of Appeal has decided to hear ’s appeal regarding an application for permission for judicial review of the Prime Minister’s decision to proceed with the railway project.
• Chiltern Railways is bringing more train services back as passenger numbers go upChiltern Railways is increasing the number of services from Monday (July 6).

Cambridge News

• Blow for plans to create brand new off-road busway through CambsThe Conservative mayor says his party has led the opposition against the route
• Roads could see busiest weekend of the year as overnight stays allowedAs lockdown rules are eased on July 4 to allow people to spend the night away from their homes roads are expected to be clogged

Leeds Live

• Drivers threatened with arrests after car rallies held across LeedsHundreds attended the events at the weekend

North Wales Live

• Major MOT test update on the way and it will apply to all driversThe DVSA shake-up that every road user needs to know about

Other Regional Press

• Zero Emissions Zone would fix poor air on polluted St ClementsBUSES are the main culprit behind poor air quality on Oxford's most polluted street, while cars are the main offenders in other hot spots, a new report has shown.
• Bus pass could almost double in price for pupils to £700CONCERN has been raised after it was announced a bus pass for pupils could be nearly doubled in price.
• Empty roads lead to huge drop in speeding fines on TeessideBut some areas saw an increase in the number of speeding drivers as the UK entered the first full month of lockdown in April
• M62 convoy of 250 truckers to honour the NHSThey will start at Hartshead Moor and head to junction 22 before turning back to Yorkshire
• Poor roads to Manchester are 'holding Sheffield back' says expertWoodhead Pass or Snake Pass are too vulnerable to the weather, says Institute of Engineers director

Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport

• £15 million boost to bring better rail journeys to the North EastThousands of passengers in the North East of England are set to benefit from more frequent, reliable rail services and better connections, thanks to £15 million of government investment, the Transport Secretary has announced today (29 June 2020). Horden Station in Durham will open to passengers for the first time today. It will be served by one train per hour calling at all stations between Newcastle and Middlesbrough. This restores a vital link for up to 70,000 passengers in an area that hasn’t had a station in a 20 kilometre stretch after the previous station was closed followin...
• Driving lessons, theory tests and driving tests to restart in EnglandThe Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) has announced that learners can resume driving lessons and motorcycle training in England from Saturday 4 July 2020. The rule applies to all types of driver and motorcycle training in England, including private practice with someone you live with or in your support bubble. Theory tests will restart in England on Saturday 4 July. The tests will take place with social distancing measures in place to help stop the spread of coronavirus. Car driving tests will restart in England on Wednesday 22 July, which will give learner drivers time to have ref...
• Mandatory MOT testing to be reintroduced from 1 AugustMandatory MOT testing is to be reintroduced from 1 August 2020 as COVID-19 restrictions are slowly lifted, Roads minister Baroness Vere has announced today (29 June 2020). Due to the coronavirus outbreak, drivers were granted a 6-month exemption from MOT testing in March to help slow the spread of the virus. However, as restrictions are eased when safe to do so, all drivers whose car, motorcycle or van is due for an MOT test from 1 August will be required to get a test certificate to continue driving their vehicle. MOT tests are important for road safety and ensure that vehicle parts, includ...

Rail Technology Magazine

• Soham station given the go-ahead On Friday (June 26th) proposals to construct a new station for Soham were confirmed by East Cambridgeshire District Council. Working alongside with the Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Combined Authority, led by Mayor James Palmer, who have provided the necessary funding to build the station...
• West Midlands Trains reveals thousands of extra seats following extended timetable From Monday (July 6th) West Midlands Trains is adding thousands of extra seats to its timetable as the surge and demand for train travel grows following the easing of lockdown restrictions. Despite the increased services, the advice remains the same to only travel when necessary. Passengers are...

Railnews

• More trains will run next week as restrictions ease Train operators are increasing the number of services they run again from 6 July to accompany the latest easing of lockdown in England this weekend, and some are returning to a near-normal timetable.

Other News Sources

• Stena Line Newbuild Projects on Track Despite COVID-19Ferry shipping company Stena Line announced Monday that the construction of its two new larger E-Flexer ferries has begun in Weihai, China. The vessels were ordered in 2018 and the delivery is expected in 2022.The two new vessels planned to…
• Hereford southern link road funding allocated to other projects THE Marches Local Enterprise Partnership says the £27 million which was allocated to build Hereford’s southern link road project will instead be spent on other schemes to create more than 1,700 jobs across the region.
• easyJet Covid-19 safety measures and rules on flying from Gatwick and Heathrow airports Measures have been put in place by airlines across the world to help combat the spread of coronavirus
• Easyjet, Ryanair and Jet2 update luggage advice for flying safely during pandemic One airline spokesman has called the safety measure that sees hand luggage checked in 'idiotic'
• MPs to probe whether Covid-19 recovery package is truly 'green' The Environmental Audit Committee (EAC) has launched a new inquiry into the environmental and social implications of the UK Government's Covid-19 recovery package, just one day before the plan's key aspects are due to be unveiled by Boris Johnson.

EIN News Subscription

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