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

Wednesday, 28 October 2020

BBC News

• Heathrow overtaken as Europe's busiest airport amid pandemicHeathrow says it has been overtaken as Europe's busiest airport for the first time by Paris Charles de Gaulle because of a slump in demand for air travel.
• Royal Mail priority postboxA historic footbridge hanging from a former railway viaduct in the Borders is to get a major safety overhaul.
• Coronavirus: Taxi drivers welcome financial support package plansThe infrastructure minister discussed a financial package for taxi drivers impacted by the pandemic.

Financial Times

• Uber at the crossroads: CEO Dara Khosrowshahi faces a gig-economy revolutionCan Travis Kalanick’s successor deliver innovation and a profitable future?
• EasyJet raises £300m in aircraft leaseback dealLow-cost carrier tries to fortify finances as Covid-19 cases rise across Europe

The Guardian

• Heathrow overtaken as Europe's largest airport by Charles de GaulleLondon airport hits out over Covid testing, with passenger numbers below Paris rival
• Who are the Northern Research Group that pose a 'threat' to Johnson?As with the ERG, the group appears tightly organised and has been meeting for several weeks via the video chat site Zoom. It has now presented its policy goals – a rebalancing of infrastructure funds, with demands for priority investment in a trans-Pennine “Northern Powerhouse Rail”, strategic development corridors, and ultrafast broadband.

The Independent

• Paris CDG overtakes London Heathrow as Europe’s busiest airportHeathrow lost an average of £5.5m per day in the first nine months of 2020

City AM

• Easyjet raises £300m from plane sales in bid to boost balance sheetEasyjet today agreed to sell nine more planes for £305.7m as the low-cost carrier seeks to relieve pressure on its balance sheet.
• DEBATE: Is Sadiq Khan right to refuse to expand London’s congestion charge zone? OpinionWes Streeting, Labour MP for Ilford North, says YES. When Boris Johnson was mayor of London he promised Londoners: “I am not going to be having any more congestion charges”. Yet now, his government is trying to force exactly that on our city.
• Flying is at the same risk level for catching Covid as visiting the supermarket, Harvard research findsThe risk of catching Covid-19 during a flight are below other routine activities during the pandemic such as grocery shopping or going out to dinner, when using face coverings and taking other steps, Harvard researchers said today.
• City of London demands answers on reopening of Waterloo and City LineThe City of London’s policy chair has written to Transport for London’s commissioner seeking clarity on when the Waterloo and City Tube line will be reopened.

Mail Online

• https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-54716289Heathrow Airport has recorded a loss of £1.5 billion in the first nine months of the year due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Network Rail

• Network Rail to accelerate Barmouth viaduct restoration by extending works during lockdownThe £25m upgrade restoration of Barmouth Viaduct, which is a vital transport link for North West Wales, is set to be extended by 48 hours to allow more work to be carried out while passenger numbers are lower because of the firebreak lockdown
• Passengers and freight to benefit from multi-million-pound track upgradesPassengers in Cumbria are being advised to plan their journeys next month when Network Rail upgrades track near Bootle station.

Belfast Telegraph

• NI taxi drivers welcome financial rescue schemeTaxi drivers in Northern Ireland have welcomed progress on a financial rescue package after a meeting with Infrastructure Minister Nichola Mallon.

Birmingham Post

• Jaguar Land Rover returns to profitLuxury car brand has been boosted by the easing of lockdown restrictions but is still feeling the effects of coronavirus compared to 2019's results

Bradford Telegraph & Argus

• Drivers 'don't understand' M62 smart motorway system - here's why Less than half (48%) of UK motorists know the rules for using smart motorways, a new survey suggests.

Daily Post (North Wales)

• Airbus' latest giant BelugaXL flew into Broughton this week on first operational flightThe third of the mammoth planes to come off the production line has made its first trip to North Wales

The York Press

• 'First we had bikes with no lights, now it's scooters too!' Early on Sunday evening I was walking down Green Dykes Lane when I saw a dark shape coming towards me on the pavement at some speed.

Other Regional Press

• Oxford's bike theft 'epidemic' is 'only getting worse'THERE are growing fears Oxford's bike theft 'epidemic' is spiralling out of control after yet another crime went unpunished.
• How Pool Meadow bus station will look after £1.5m makeover It will be ready for City of Culture
• Inverness Chamber boss joins rail watchdogInverness Chamber of Commerce chief executive Stewart Nicol will ensure the Highlands have a voice on a new stakeholder panel for Scotland's Railway.
• Railway expansion planned by Network Rail between Portsmouth and SouthamptonTWICE as many trains could be heading from Portsmouth to Southampton and the surrounding area, subject to a council decision later this week.
• Greens call for railway line for railway line between Perth and Inverness to be dualledThe railway line between Perth and Inverness should be dualled as a matter of priority, it has been claimed.

Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport

• Department for Transport gives green light to £12.7 million for A595 upgrades in CumbriaUnder plans drawn up by Cumbria County Council, the multi-million-pound investment will see the A595 road upgraded at Grizebeck – with a new 1km stretch built to replace the existing section at Dove Farm. The upgrades will also include the installation of a new crossing for farm vehicles and cyclists, as well as more space for those walking and cycling along the route. The new stretch of road will see the A595’s capacity and connectivity with other major link roads boosted, helping local businesses grow and supporting residents to access more work and employment opportunities. Tr...

New Civil Engineer

• Podcast | Northern Powerhouse Rail director on important months ahead for megaprojectNorthern Powerhouse Rail director Tim Wood has revealed the important milestones the project is set to reach in the coming months, during his appearance on The Engineers Collective.
• Podcast | Northern Powerhouse Rail director on important months ahead for megaprojectNorthern Powerhouse Rail director Tim Wood has revealed the important milestones the project is set to reach in the coming months, during his appearance on The Engineers Collective.
• Step forward for Cornwall metro schemeCornwall Council is set to work with Network Rail on plans for the Mid-Cornwall Metro Enhancement Scheme.
• Revealed: TfL has spent £16.7M on Hammersmith Bridge repair plansTransport for London (TfL) has spent £16.7M on Hammersmith Bridge refurbishment plans during the last 13 years, NCE can reveal.
• HS2 Euston tunnels ventilation headhouse designs revealedHS2 Ltd has revealed updated designs for the Canterbury Works vent shaft headhouse and compound in South Kilburn, London.

Rail Technology Magazine

• Multi-million-pound track upgrades in CumbriaRail passengers in Cumbria are being advised to plan ahead next month when travelling due to Network Rail upgrading track near Bootle station.
• ScotRail launches new engagement panelScotland’s Railway has reformed its Stakeholder Panel as it continues to engage with the railway’s key stakeholders.

Other News Sources

• First Cruise Ship Preparing to Resume Voyages from SingaporeDream Cruises’ 150,695 gross ton megaship World Dream arrived in Singapore Sunday morning ahead of its November debut as the first cruise ship to restart service from the Lion City.The skeleton crew of 187 on board have completed their 14-day…
• Network Rail rolls out free Wi-Fi at major railway stationsFree and unlimited Wi-Fi service has gone live at Victoria, Euston and London Bridge stations, with more major stations to follow during 2021.
• Mace To Provide Consultancy Services For Network RailNetwork Rail has appointed Mace to provide consultancy services on its railway improvement programme for the North West and Central Region, known as Project Alpha.