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

Thursday, 01 October 2020

BBC News

• People posing for photos on rail lines criticisedCyclists and pedestrians have been criticised for misusing level crossings and putting themselves at risk.
• Covid: Pupils 'flouting' school bus face covering rulesA bus company writes to schools after drivers report a
• Company lined up to buy Prestwick Airport pulls out of dealThe airport in Ayrshire was taken into public ownership in 2013 after being threatened with closure.
• Ex-Audi boss stands trial over 'dieselgate' scandal in GermanyRupert Stadler is the first first top executive to stand trial over the 2015 emissions-cheating scandal.

Financial Times

• Shell slims down to shape up for the energy transitionJob cuts are part of effort to rewrite script during the pandemic for a lower-carbon future
• Sadiq Khan sets out £5.7bn TfL rescue plan for LondonMayor says funds are needed to keep the capital’s transport system going for the next 18 months
• Sara Nelson: the union boss fighting to ‘put workers first’The Association of Flight Attendants president moved swiftly to protect her members during the coronavirus crisis

The Independent

• Flight tax to rise by 2.5% in 2021 despite aviation industry strugglesAir Passenger Duty, the UK duty on flights, is set to increase in 2021, despite calls from the struggling aviation industry to freeze or even scrap the tax amid the coronavirus pandemic.
• Coronavirus: 'Let us test passengers on Scottish domestic flights,’ demands aviation bossExclusive: Gordon Dewar, chief executive at Edinburgh airport, believes a trial on island flights will demonstrate the benefits of testing

The Telegraph

• Heathrow tests a 'real step forward' for post-Covid holidays [subscription]t’s the good news that the travel industry has been waiting for. Finally, Britain could be a step closer to introducing testing at airports – with Heathrow hoping to start trials within the next few weeks.
• Airport testing to be launched within weeks, Heathrow signals [subscription]irport testing at London Heathrow could be in place within two weeks, the Government has suggested, with flights to New York “up and running” by the end of November.

Times Online

• Boeing 747 Max: US aviation safety chief flies updated aircraft and likes what he sees [subscription]America’s aviation safety chief took the controls of a Boeing 737 Max last night in a test flight that is expected to pave the way for the troubled jet to return to service.
• Glasgow expected to give green light for e-scooters [subscription]Scotland’s first electronic scooter rental trial is poised to get the go-ahead.
• Prestwick airport sale fails to take off as buyer pulls outTaxpayers are to pay millions more to support Prestwick airport after a buyer lined up by the Scottish government to take it out of public ownership pulled out of the deal.
• Ryanair takes add-on charges to new heights [subscription]Ryanair made almost £2.6 billion through add-ons such as reserved seats, priority boarding and checked-in bags last year amid continuing concerns over airlines’ “hidden fees”.

Bolton News

• New 'protected' cycle tracks and crossings to be created in Bolton as part of Greater Manchester's 'beeways'NEW protected cycle tracks and crossings are to be created in Bolton as part of new 'beeways'.

Bradford Telegraph & Argus

• Network Rail release images of photoshoot on live railway line SHOCKING images released by Network Rail show two people using a live railway line for a photoshoot.

Derby Telegraph

• Cycle lanes make major Derby road a death trap says ex-bus driverTemporary cycle lanes on London Road have made it too dangerous to drive on according to a former Derby bus driver.

Liverpool Echo

• Merseyrail jobs to be cut after ticket sale losses during pandemicBut union bosses have slammed the move as 'premature' as Metro Mayor Steve Rotheram holds talks with government for funding

Nottingham Evening Post

• How old Netherfield railway line could become new tram routeA council in Nottinghamshire is hoping to get support to transform an old railway line into a cycling, walking and possible tram route connecting a number of open spaces.

The York Press

• Transport charity resumes services with reduced capacityAN EAST Yorkshire transport charity has resumed all of its services which had been affected by the lockdown earlier in the year.
• £250k cycle ramp and traffic lights plan for Scarborough Bridge route A NEW cycle ramp is set to be created near Marygate Car Park and Scarborough Bridge.

Wales Online

• Woman caught on camera in fashion photo shoot in middle of railway lineThe person with her has even set up equipment to get her in the best light in her polka dot dress

Bucks Free Press

• HS2: Wendover tunnel question unanswered by Boris Johnson THE PRIME Minister has said he ‘feels the pain’ of Aylesbury’s MP over HS2's disruption but stopped short of answering a key question about plans to ease noise pollution on Wendover residents.
• HS2: Wendover tunnel question unanswered by Boris JohnsonTHE PRIME Minister has said he ‘feels the pain’ of Aylesbury’s MP over HS2's disruption but stopped short of answering a key question about plans to ease noise pollution on Wendover residents.

Cambridge News

• Cambridge taxis will be required to have CCTV from April 2022The council claims it will increase safety but taxi drivers have asked for the CCTV requirement to be pushed back because of the hardships coronavirus has brought

East Anglian Daily Times

• Train bosses hope to know where rail is going by the end of this yearRail companies around the country are waiting to get the first clear indication of the future shape of their industry which could emerge towards the end of the year with the publication of a major review of the way it operates.

Other Regional Press

• Controversial A38 bus and cycle lane in Northfield 'will be reviewed'A CONTROVERSIAL new combined bus and cycle lane on the main A38 from Northfield to Birmingham city centre is being reviewed after causing uproar among local residents.
• No change in commuter numbers despite London lockdown riskLondon commuters have not returned to home working in large numbers despite the risk of local lockdown  in the capital – with Tube and bus use yesterday broadly the same as last week.

Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport

• Ember coaches to be first 100% electric intercity coach serviceTransport start-up Ember has worked with Triodos Bank UK to secure new lending as part of the government’s Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan Scheme (CBILS). A £490,000 loan has helped the company to purchase two all-electric coaches for its first route between Dundee and Edinburgh.   Launching in October, this will be the UK’s first 100% electric intercity coach service and is understood to be one of the first services of its kind in the world. The new coaches, the second of which has been delivered this week, will make the 125-mile roundtrip between Dundee and Edin...

New Civil Engineer

• Hydrogen train runs on UK railway for first timeThe first hydrogen powered train ran on the UK mainline today in a step towards the UK’s net zero targets.
• Road accident figures focus London active travel planNew data from Transport for London (TfL) shows that 125 people were killed on London’s roads in 2019, with 3,780 seriously injured.
• Government could bail out aviation sector as ‘last resort’The government may provide additional support to the aviation industry as a “last resort” due to the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic. In response to a written question in the House of Commons regarding targeted support for the sector and its supply chain, MP for Witney Robert Courts described aviation as “crucial” to the UK economy.
• TfL prioritises DLR and Northern line upgrades over Crossrail 2 and Bakerloo line extensionTransport for London (TfL) has set out a revised list of project priorities as long-term funding negotiations continue with government.
• Crossrail will ‘be forced to shut down’ without urgent fundingCrossrail Ltd is close to using up all available funding and will be “forced to shut down” unless the government releases additional funding “soon”, Transport for London (TfL) board meeting agenda papers reveal.

Rail Technology Magazine

• £20m bid for a new Midland-wide travel card schemePlans for a system which is expected to cost £20m, similar to what is used by Transport for London, has been proposed where passengers would pay via a pass, band card or smartphone.

Other News Sources

• Slough Hackney Carriage drivers can now use A4 bus lanesAN AGREEMENT has been met between Slough Borough Council and Hackney carriages for their drivers to use the experimental A4 bus and cycle lanes.
• £15.8m bus station plans get the go-aheadPlans for a new £15.8m bus station in Halifax have been given the green light.
• Edinburgh appoints Kate Sherry as Aviation Director; airport reached almost 15 million in 2019This follows Edinburgh’s former postholder, Jonathan Rayner, moving to Luton to be CCO. He replaces Jonathan Pollard, who is now Gatwick’s CCO.
• The Hidden Benefits Of COVID-19 On AviationOne of the most often heard phrases in the aviation industry right now is ‘never waste a crisis’. Out of disaster often comes something good, and the optimists are always looking for the silver lining. While nothing has disrupted aviation quite so much as COVID, could there still be hidden benefits to aviation in the long run?
• Bombardier enters SPAs with Lufthansa Technik and ExecuJet AviationGlobal company Bombardier has reached share purchase agreements (SPAs) with Lufthansa Technik and ExecuJet Aviation Group.
• Transport for the North welcomes Tees Valley being named as UK Hydrogen Transport HubFollowing the announcement about Tees Valley, TfN has highlighted that hydrogen power and electrification are key components of future plans for rail in the North.
• Scottish Greens: Glasgow Subway must be savedThe Scottish Greens have launched a campaign to save the Glasgow Subway in light of emergency funding for SPT coming to an end today (Wednesday 30 September).