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

Tuesday, 19 January 2021

Government

• Rail infrastructure investment in Wales: MPs to question experts’ viewsInvestment in Welsh railway infrastructure and the impact of Covid on passenger services, will be scrutinised by the Welsh Affairs Committee when it questions a panel of experts in the field on Thursday.

BBC News

• Portsmouth rail line shut for viaduct strengtheningRail services through Portsmouth face a week of disruption as work is carried out on a Victorian viaduct. Landport Viaduct, which supports two platforms at Portsmouth & Southsea station, is being strengthened
• M1 deaths: Coroner calls for smart motorway reviewDavid Urpeth says smart motorways without a hard shoulder carry
• How a robot investigator searched 60 million filesArtificial intelligence helped investigators in a daunting examination of Airbus's business.
• Chip-shortage 'crisis' halts car-company outputA shortage of computer chips is leading to car factories shutting down for days at a time.
• EasyJet Holidays sees summer bookings surge 250%'People want to go on holiday,' says the airline's boss, as bookings for this summer rise sharply.

The Guardian

• Smart motorways present ongoing risk of death, says coronerCoroner concludes lack of hard shoulder on M1 in South Yorkshire contributed to deaths of two menA coroner has called for a review into smart motorways, concluding that the lack of a hard shoulder contributed to the deaths of two men.Sheffield's coroner, David Urpeth, said smart motorways, which allow motorists to drive on the hard shoulder, present an ongoing risk of future deaths. He said he will be writing to Highways England and the secretary of state for transport to request a review.
• Crossrail 2: more than £115m spent before project mothballedWork on new London rail line paused last year as part of TfL's emergency deal with governmentMore than £115m was spent on Crossrail 2 before work on the scheme for a new north-south rail line through London was suspended in November.The costs for the development and design of the line, which was once hoped to be operational in the early 2030s, were shared between the Department for Transport and Transport for London.
• Holiday bookings surge as Covid vaccinations increase travel hopesPeople high on list for jabs in UK ready to make 2021 and 2022 bookings. Holiday companies have reported an increase in bookings as the UK's coronavirus vaccine rollout gives people hope that they will soon be able to travel overseas again.
• Electric car batteries with five-minute charging times producedExclusive: first factory production means recharging could soon be as fast as filling up petrol or diesel vehiclesBatteries capable of fully charging in five minutes have been produced in a factory for the first time, marking a significant step towards electric cars becoming as fast to charge as filling up petrol or diesel vehicles.Electric vehicles are a vital part of action to tackle the climate crisis but running out of charge during a journey is a worry for drivers.

The Telegraph

• Taxpayers splashed £115m on mothballed Crossrail 2 [subscription]The lion's share went on consultants, who were ordered to stop work in November after Sadiq Khan secured a bailout for Transport for London
• Airports fume at help that is 'simply not enough' [subscription]A package of financial support originally announced in November has yet to be made available to airports
• Calls for urgent review of smart motorways as coroner rules they present 'risk of future deaths' [subscription]It was found that the lack of hard shoulder on M1 contributed to 'unlawful killings' of Jason Mercer and Alexandru Murgeanu

Times Online

• HS2: £140m spent on homes along Birmingham to Leeds line that faces axe [subscription]More than £140 million of taxpayers’ money has been spent buying property to make way for the eastern leg of HS2 even though the route could be scrapped.
• Smart motorway shares blame for driver deaths, says coroner [subscription]The lack of a hard shoulder on smart motorways contributed to the deaths of two motorists, a coroner ruled yesterday. He called for an urgent review of roads that present a risk of fatalities.

City AM

• Rail industry adds voice to calls for Eurostar supportThe rail industry has thrown its weight behind calls for the government to prop up the struggling Eurostar rail link between the UK and the continent.
• More than £115m of public money spent on Crossrail 2 consultantsMore than £115m of taxpayer money has been spent on Crossrail 2, before the project has even been green lit.

Network Rail

• Leeds station showcases new artwork and lights up green and blue in support of annual Brew Monday campaignToday may be ‘Blue Monday’ – thought to be the most difficult day of the year – but Samaritans’ ‘Brew Monday’ campaign, supported by Network Rail and the wider rail industry, aims to raise spirits by harnessing the uplifting power of a good brew and a chat.

Bradford Telegraph & Argus

• Public asked for their view on plans for new Leeds Bradford Airport parkway stationNEWLY released images show what a planned £42 million parkway rail station near Leeds Bradford Airport could look like.
• Forcing North to choose between rail schemes could create Beeching moment LOCAL politicians have expressed anger after a report suggested the North could miss out on much needed rail infrastructure because London schemes were going over budget.

Bristol Live

• Smart motorways present 'ongoing risk of future deaths'A coroner has called for a review into smart motorways

Nottingham Evening Post

• Tram group recommends extending NET network to Leicester and LoughboroughA leading tram body has said it is in favour of extending the NET network to Loughborough and Leicester, via ‘tram trains’.

Other Regional Press

• Chineham still on track to get its own train stationChineham could be set to finally get its own train station, after years of discussions.

Train Operators

• Cheers to a cuppa on Zoom as Great Western Railway marks Blue MondayTo mark Blue Monday – the third Monday in January – GWR invited colleagues at Samaritans and Network Rail to share in a virtual cuppa. So virtual in fact, the six participants made their mugs of tea during a Zoom meeting…

New Civil Engineer

• Covid vaccine manufacturer AstraZeneca backs Stansted Airport expansionPharmaceutical company AstraZeneca - which developed the Oxford/Astra Zeneca Covid-19 vaccine - has thrown its support behind the proposed expansion of Stansted Airport.
• Slow progress on Old Oak regeneration despite £42.7M spendThe Old Oak and Park Royal Development Corporation (OPDC) has spent £42.7M but “little has been done on the ground” to bring new jobs or homes to the area, according to a London Assembly Budget and Performance Committee report.
• Council advances double decker solution for Hammersmith BridgeHammersmith & Fulham Council has ordered a full feasibility study of the double decker bridge tabled as a temporary solution for Hammersmith Bridge.

Rail Technology Magazine

• Rail industry responds to Transport for the North funding cutsFollowing last week’s announcement (14 Jan) that the Transport budget for the North (TfN) is to be cut by 40%, the trade body for the UK rail supply community, RIA, and Northern Rail Industry Leaders (NRIL) has issued a response.

The Business Desk

• More plans unveiled for proposed railway stationWest Yorkshire Combined Authority has launched a public engagement into plans to build a new railway station to provide improved access to Leeds Bradford Airport on the Harrogate line, between Horsforth Station and the southern end of the Bramhope tunnel.

Other News Sources

• Minister backs M4 commission's Newport public transport planTHE Welsh Government will throw its support behind a vast redesign of the public transport system in and around Newport, aiming to reduce the region's reliance on the M4.