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

Wednesday, 15 July 2020

BBC News

• NI can become 'leader' in hydrogen technology', says economy ministerThe economy minister's comments come amidst plans for hydrogen buses on the streets of Belfast in 2020.
• Coronavirus: Virgin Atlantic finalises £1.2bn rescue dealSir Richard Branson's airline pulls off the

Financial Times

• Virgin Atlantic secures £1.2bn rescue package to keep flyingChief executive says deal is ‘major achievement’ in airline’s fight for survival
• Delta steers 17,000 staff into early retirementCarrier reports $7bn second-quarter loss and makes plans for reduction in flying

The Guardian

• Banksy creates mask-themed work on London UndergroundCoronavirus-inspired stencils on tube train feature rats with surgical face masks and hand sanitiserCoronavirus – latest updatesSee all our coronavirus coverageBanksy has entered the mask debate with his latest typically playful work: a series of stencils on the London Underground that feature his trademark rats struggling to come to terms with surgical masks.In a video posted on his Instagram page, the street artist is seen entering an underground train carriage while dressed as a member of the cleanup crew before stencilling the rats, which are depicted as using the masks as parachutes and d...
• Virgin Atlantic agrees £1.2bn rescue deal amid coronavirus slumpInvestors pump in funds, loans and deferrals alongside Branson’s £200m injectionCoronavirus – latest updatesSee all our coronavirus coverageVirgin Atlantic has announced a £1.2bn rescue deal to allow Sir Richard Branson’s grounded passenger airline to survive another 18 months of turmoil and aim to return to profit in 2022, after four months without scheduled flights.The privately funded recapitalisation package, a combination of cash injections, loans, and deferrals, was finally confirmed on Tuesday after weeks of talks with potential investors, after Virgin’s attempts to garner state support...
• British Airways to sell art collection to ease Covid-19 pressuresMultimillion-pound collection features work by Bridget Riley, Damien Hirst and Marc QuinnBritish Airways is selling its multimillion-pound art collection, including work by Bridget Riley and Damien Hirst, as it attempts to raise funds while the Covid-19 crisis continues to devastate the aviation sector.The Sotheby’s sale will include several artworks that could fetch six-figure sums and have previously decorated BA’s executive lounges and company headquarters. Continue reading...

Times Online

• Government car park sale could free land for 110,000 new homes [Subscription]Selling 15 per cent of parking space owned by the government could raise £6 billion and free land for 110,000 new homes, a study has found.
• Government car park sale could free land for 110,000 new homes [Subscription]Selling 15 per cent of parking space owned by the government could raise £6 billion and free land for 110,000 new homes, a study has found.
• Virgin Atlantic keeps flying after £1.2bn deal [Subscription]Airline secures future as more staff are laid off
• German Greens target 80mph autobahn limit [Subscription]The German Green party will make a blanket 80mph speed limit on autobahns its priority if it comes to power next year, its joint leader has said.

Mail Online

• The future of airport cleaning? Robots that kill viruses and bacteria are being used at HeathrowUltraviolet (UV) cleaning robots are being deployed at Heathrow as the airport tries to encourage passengers to return to air travel. The machines use UV rays to kill viruses and bacteria at night
• Honda Australia recalls 20,000 cars over fears a faulty fuel pumpHonda Australia has announced a recall on eight different models, affecting more than 22,000 cars in Australia.
• Administrators had to pay Virgin employees with loans because airline had no money for wagesDeloitte said Virgin Australia had been burning $200million a month and they had to negotiate with financial institutions to gain access to more cash so the business could stay afloat.
• Transport for London REMOVES Banksy's sneezing rats artworkTfL confirmed on Tuesday evening that the work was removed 'some days ago' due to a strict anti-graffiti policy.

The Mirror

• Rail passengers left stranded as trains fail to stop at stations a million timesEXCLUSIVE: Research has revealed the number of incidents where services sailed past platforms without stopping - leaving commuters fuming
• MPs issue latest savaging of Tory plans to buy ships, planes and Army vehiclesThe Commons Public Accounts Committee published another report questioning the affordability of the Ministry of Defence's bucket list
• Banksy's coronavirus Tube rat art removed 'for violating anti-graffiti policy'Banksy's latest work, seen in a brief video posted on his social media channels on Tuesday, was removed - with TfL encouraging the graffiti artist to recreate his work "in a suitable location"

This is Money

• BMW's electric iX3 to duel it out with Tesla Model X and Jaguar I-PaceNot only is the German car giant's new iX3 its first pure electric SUV, it's also the first to use sounds from the creator of such Hollywood blockbusters as Gladiator, Batman, Pirates of the Caribbean.
• Branson stumps up £200m to secure a rescue package for Virgin AtlanticThe airline was at risk of plunging into administration putting almost 10,000 jobs in danger after the global travel shutdown forced it to abandon commercial flights.

Sky News

• Virgin Atlantic reaches deal to keep planes flyingSir Richard Branson’s Virgin Atlantic Airways has unveiled a £1.2bn rescue package through a deal that will secure its immediate future.

Birmingham Mail

• New £125m rail expansion will link West Midlands to North EastMajor rail project will cut congestion between Birmingham and Coventry, and bring new customers to Birmingham Airport

Birmingham Post

• More than 300 jobs to go at North East motor retailer Vertu amid tech changesThe Gateshead business is to axe 6% of its workforce after making moves to improve efficiency
• £180m overhaul planned to boost rail connectivity into West MidlandsRegional transport chiefs lobbying government to back new proposals which will offer 2.2m people direct services into Birmingham International and Coventry stations

Bradford Telegraph & Argus

• Volunteers sought as charity makes a u-turn over plan to close vital canal crossing in SkiptonTHE Canal and River Trust has made a U-turn over plans to unexpectedly close one of its swing bridges in Skipton for several months.
• £500k for Queensbury Tunnel greenway review QUEENSBURY Tunnel could soon form part of a new ‘greenway’ transport link connecting Halifax and Bradford, after the Department for Transport announced funding for a business case on its redevelopment.
• West Yorkshire car thefts rise by more than 60% in four yearsTHEFTS of motor vehicles in West Yorkshire have risen by more than 60 per cent in the last four years, new figures show.

London Evening Standard

• Transport for London stands to raise extra £64m after changes to congestion chargeThe charge increased from £11.50 to £15 on June 22, and extended until 10pm and into weekends
• 'How not to use a level crossing': Moment truck smashes through barriers in south west LondonThis is the moment an impatient truck driver smashed through the barriers of a level crossing in south west London.
• Boeing sells just one plane in June amid crisis in aviation due to coronavirusBoeing sold just one plane last month as the global aviation industry continues to face a widespread crisis prompted by the coronavirus pandemic.
• Banksy's artwork removed from London Underground carriage for violating TfL's strict anti-graffiti policyBanksy's new artwork in a London Underground train carriage has been removed by Transport for London as it violated its anti-graffiti policy.

Newcastle Evening Chronicle

• Plans for new hourly rail services from Newcastle to Birmingham and CoventryNew rail plan published today will cost up to £180 million

The York Press

• Bus company First York increases services A YORK bus firm has confirmed that as of today (July 14), the capacity across its buses will increase.

Wolverhampton Express and Star

• Rail plan to boost airport numbers New rail services could connect millions of extra people to Birmingham International Airport as part of coronavirus recovery plans submitted to the Government today.

Bucks Free Press

• Thames Valley - Car thefts soar by a staggering 86% in four years Thefts of motor vehicles in Thames Valley have risen by more than 80 per cent in the last four years, new figures show.

Other Regional Press

• Bus companies in Oxford boost services as lockdown easesOXFORD Bus Company and Thames Travel have ramped up some services and increased the number of customers that can be carried on board in response to a growing demand for bus travel.
• Chiltern Railways change to Oxford/Bicester Village trainsA MAJOR train route through Oxfordshire will be closed this weekend.
• Bus companies in Oxford boost services as lockdown easesOXFORD Bus Company and Thames Travel have ramped up some services and increased the number of customers that can be carried on board in response to a growing demand for bus travel.
• Airport statement as plane veers off runway causing major disruptionFlights are being delayed to and from the airport
• More seats available on York buses as lockdown measures easedFirst York buses have been operating at a 25 per cent capacity during the lockdown
• Dorset Council lost £1.4m of car park income during lockdown Dorset Council has said it will not get rid of car park charges to help the high street recover, after revealing a loss of more than £1 million from car park income alone during the lockdown period.
• Birmingham Airport rail link would be huge boost for CoventryThe project would open up direct rail access to Coventry for 2.2 million people

Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport

• DfT seeks views on decarbonisation planThe Department for Transport (DfT) is seeking views on the transport decarbonisation plan, first announced in 'Decarbonising transport: setting the challenge'.  The responses will assist in drafting the plan and deciding on the steps we take to decarbonise transport. CILT members are encouraged to take part in a survey and help shape the future of the profession.  The closing date for responses is Monday 31 August 2020.  The survey can be found here. 

Rail Technology Magazine

• ORR publishes rail safety report The rail regulator’s Annual Report of Health and Safety Performance on Britain’s Railways shows that despite safety across Britain’s railways has developed over the last 12 months, exceptional seasonal weather conditions continue to unfavourably affect safety performance. The...
• HS2 contractors begin work on Euston station site Work to construct the HS2 London station at Euston has taken a significant step forward this month (July). Contractors Mace Dragados joint venture has moved onto the construction site next to to Euston station to commence work on the new high-speed station in central London. Mace Dragados were...

Railnews

• Key Kent commuter lines to be closed for signal upgrade A key section of the commuter network from Kent is to be closed from later this month so that signalling can be upgraded. Southeastern has asked its passengers not to travel if possible.
• Siemens wins Edinburgh trams extension contract Siemens Mobility has won the contract to provide equipment for the first extension of the Edinburgh Trams line from York Place in the city centre to Leith and Newhaven.

Other News Sources

• TfL reintroduces bus fares across LondonReintroduction of revenue collection on London buses completed last weekend   All London buses once again require passengers to pay a fare after Transport for London and the capital’s operator’s announced they have completed a programme to install additional safety measures across the bus fleet. Passengers are now required to touch in with Oyster, contactless and concessionary cards on all buses, entering through the front doors on most buses in a near complete return to traditional front-door boarding arrangements. The reintroduction of revenue collection and front-door board...
• First Bus ramps up capacityMove follows new guidance from governments First Bus was the first operator to introduce seat markings to assist with social distancing   First Bus has confirmed that as of this week the capacity across its buses will increase to 50%. It follows the reduction of social distancing restrictions in England, Scotland and Wales, the operator has worked quickly to implement the changes safely, in line with changing advice from the governments. Vehicles have been updated with new layouts and signs to inform customers of the additional seats which have now made available on board. All changes hav...
• Cost of the failed Reigate cycle lane scheme revealed The cycle lane lasted no longer than one weekend in Reigate town centre
• Brighton residents making £162 a month renting out driveways HOMEOWNERS across Brighton are raking in cash by renting out their empty driveways to seaside visitors.