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

Monday, 30 November 2020

BBC News

• Covid crisis hits Talyllyn, Ffestiniog and Welsh steam railwaysWales' famous narrow-gauge railways
• Coronavirus: Qantas adds to job cuts by outsourcing 2,000 rolesThe Australian airline had already announced the loss of 6,000 staff as it tackles virus downturn.

The Guardian

• UK carmakers plead for clarity as they stockpile parts and cars for BrexitWTO tariffs could add 10% to car prices if deal is not agreed before 2021Carmakers are bracing for the final Brexit deadline by moving cars and parts both ways across the Channel to make sure they are not hit by tariffs if the UK and EU fail to agree a trade deal.Trade between the UK and EU will be governed by new rules from 1 January, but the imported cars will become 10% more expensive overnight if tariffs are imposed under the World Trade Organization regime. Continue reading...
• Questions over HS2 and new roads as coronavirus prompts transport inquiryThe case for a complete rethink of public transport priorities in the aftermath of Covid-19 – including a fresh look at arguments for and against the HS2 high speed rail line – is to be the subject of a major parliamentary inquiry beginning this week.
• Questions over HS2 and new roads as coronavirus prompts transport inquiryThe case for the high speed rail line was heavily dependent on a projected increase in business travel

The Independent

• Brexit: New ferry freight route opens between France and IrelandA new freight ferry route linking Ireland and France will open after the end of the Brexit transition period, offering “direct and paperless transport between EU countries”.

The Scotsman

• Passengers must keep the trains safeThe decision earlier this month to relax coronavirus restrictions across the UK for a five-day period over Christmas divided opinion. Some saw the move, which allows different households to celebrate the festive season together, as welcome recognition and reward for the hardships and sacrifices endured since March. Others regarded it as reckless, perhaps even dangerous, as it is likely to lead to an increase in Covid transmissions and deaths.

The Telegraph

• Shaun Bailey: I will pause rollout of temporary cycle lanes if I become London Mayor [subscription]This idea of preventing drivers from using back streets as rat-runs, to cut pollution, clean up air and keep drivers moving, is not working
• Cyclists shun roads designed to be bike friendly in £250m scheme [subscription]Some of the routes attract 400 vehicles to one bicycle amid fears of pollution rise
• Stonehenge tunnel faces legal challenge as campaigners say minister wrongly overruled expert advice [subscription]A new campaign group has asked solicitors to investigate the lawfulness of Grant Shapps' decision
• Toyota Mirai: hydrogen fuel cell proves a viable alternative to batteries for our electric cars [subscription]Government appears to be obsessed with battery-powered cars but hydrogen-fuelled EVs are here – they're just waiting for some investment

Times Online

• Campaign lawyers fight Stonehenge tunnel plan [subscription]The government is facing a legal challenge to plans for a two-mile road tunnel near Stonehenge on the grounds that it will devastate the site.

Birmingham Post

• World-first £100m driverless car test centre ready to openIt will allow developers from around the world to put the latest technology through all sorts of real life scenarios

Bolton News

• Northern Rail's Pacer train officially put into retirement The last Northern Pacer train has made its final journey after more than 35 years.

Bradford Telegraph & Argus

• Air quality 'still a problem' for Bradford despite lockdown measuresTHE strictest Covid-19 lockdown measures did not see air quality improve to the extent that a review of a planned Clean Air Zone would be necessary.

The Press and Journal (Aberdeen)

• Scotrail temporarily axe 20 services in the north as passenger numbers dropScotrail have temporarily suspended a range of rail services across the north as passenger numbers plummet due to the pandemic.

The York Press

• New platforms may be built at York station - as passenger numbers set to tripleYORK Station could get two extra platforms - as the number of railway passengers visiting the city is expected to triple in the next 15 years.

Yorkshire Post

• Yorkshire MP Alec Shelbrooke calls for rail freight system between Hull and Liverpool like Germany's Rhine riverA freight rail transport system across the North to move goods between Liverpool and Hull could do for the region what the River Rhine does for commerce in central Europe and Germany, according to a Yorkshire MP.

Blackpool Gazette

• Blackpool Transport backs campaign to save coach companies in coronavirus crisisBlackpool Transport has thrown its weight behind a campaign to get more aid for struggling coach companies amid the coronavirus crisis.

East Anglian Daily Times

• Greater Anglia gets past leaf-fall season with few problems on new trainsA year after the introduction of Greater Anglia’s fleet of new Stadler trains across the network was blighted partly by problems with leaves on the line, the autumn leaf-fall season across the region has largely passed without incident.

Kent Online

• Arriva launches ArrivaClick bus service for Ebbsfleet to get a bus to come to youForget waiting for the bus - make the bus come when you want, under a new initiative being launched by Arriva.

Business Live

• First new Metrolink tram finally arrives in Manchester after delayThe first new M5000 Metrolink tram has arrived in Manchester after a 1,800km journey - the first of 27 to arrive in the region over the coming months.

New Civil Engineer

• TfL launches procurement of £10M Hammersmith ferry crossingTransport for London (TfL) has launched the procurement process for the planned ferry service between Hammersmith and Richmond.
• 15 abandoned rail schemes win funding to be restored to former gloryThe Department for Transport (DfT) has revealed the 15 successful bidders for investment under the second round of the Restoring your Railway Fund.
• DfT snubs plans to reopen forgotten South London stationThe Department for Transport (DfT) revealed 15 successful bidders on the second round of its Restoring your Railway Fund but the South London station, which closed in 1924, was not among them.

RMT

• RMT calls for urgent meeting with Sir Peter HendyRAIL UNION RMT today called for urgent talks with Sir Peter Hendy who has been put in charge of Christmas transport arrangements to discuss a range of operational and safety issues which are critical to delivering services safe for passengers and staff alike.

Other News Sources

• £800m Plan to Help Ease Traffic Congestion on the M4Investment in bus, rail and cycle routes has been recommended by a commission set up the Welsh Government.

Other Subscription Services

• Network Rail to reopen concourse connection at Waverley Work has begun on a 1.8m revamp of passenger facilities at Edinburgh Waverley station.Between now and spring 2021 Network Rail will refurbish the station's toilets, improve the floor surface...