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

Saturday, 30 January 2021

BBC News

• HS2: Could the pandemic kill off the rail project?Covid-19 has intensified the debate among environmental groups about the benefits of the project.
• The pilots forced to change career completelyWith airlines grounded due to Covid, we speak to three former pilots who have left the industry.

ITV News

• New 'Devizes Parkway' station could open as early as 2025 - but plans to revive Corsham station struggle
The Wiltshire town of Devizes is on track to get a railway station for the first time in 55 years.

Financial Times

• UK airlines will hold on to airport slots without having to use themMinisters extend waivers to use or lose rules in boost to carriers including BA, Virgin and easyJet

The Guardian

• HS2 protesters say conditions in Euston tunnel are deterioratingEnvironmental protesters inside the tunnel close to Euston station in London say conditions are deteriorating with a shortage of oxygen, five internal tunnel collapses and an influx of liquid mud.
• HS2 protesters say conditions in Euston tunnel are deterioratingActivists tell of oxygen shortage, five internal collapses and an influx of liquid mud at London siteEnvironmental protesters inside the tunnel close to Euston station in London say conditions are deteriorating with a shortage of oxygen, five internal tunnel collapses and an influx of liquid mud.One activist issued an urgent appeal for help just after 4pm on Friday from inside the tunnel, saying things were getting worse very quickly.

The Telegraph

• Grant Shapps’ ’Twitter Thursday’ announcements just mutated into something way worse [subscription]The Transport Secretary's weekly update has morphed from 'travel corridors' to 'entirely banned countries'
• HS2 accused of deliberately 'pumping water' into tunnels dug by protesters near Euston station [subscription]Activist group HS2 Rebellion say that “liquid mud” is pouring into one of their tunnels and that the situation is “not safe”
• Grant Shapps pledges more than £50m for Yorkshire road improvements [subscription]Transport Secretary hails projects as 'further proof of this Government delivering on its promise to level up the country'

City AM

• Heathrow boss slams government's 'discriminatory' airport support schemeThe government’s financial support scheme for airports has today opened to applications but was swiftly slammed by Heathrow and fellow The post Heathrow boss slams government's 'discriminatory' airport support scheme appeared first on CityAM.
• United Airlines warns 14,000 staff could be stood down without payUnited Airlines has warned some 14,000 employees could be stood down without pay when a second round of payroll support The post United Airlines warns 14,000 staff could be stood down without pay appeared first on CityAM.

Birmingham Mail

• Government announces £24m revamp of Oldbury's Birchley IslandPlans include widening carriageways to increase capacity and adding additional lanes to tackle congestion

Bradford Telegraph & Argus

• First reduces frequency of buses in Bradford due to lockdownFIRST Bradford is introducing timetable changes to most services from this Sunday.

Bristol Live

• Region's leaders in crunch talks over Bristol Airport expansionWest of England Combined Authority has been deluged with calls to reverse its support for the plans

Daily Post (North Wales)

• Stena Line furlough quarter of dockers at Holyhead port due to Brexit and Covid hitThe ferry company has placed them on the UK Government wage scheme as they wait for demand to return

Manchester Evening News

• Greater Manchester leaders back £69.5m plans for new rail stations, extra Metrolink stops and better bus routesGreater Manchester leaders say they will be better at using the government funding than the government itself

The York Press

• We need a better rail/ bus interchange if we want more to travel by train' Train operator LNER say their ambition is to get as many car drivers as possible to use rail for long-distance journeys. Projections are for a massive tripling in passenger numbers.

Cambridge News

• New Cambridge to Oxford rail link met with excitement and doubtsHere's what some Cambridge residents had to say about the next stage of the plan

Other Regional Press

• Fresh calls made in Derbyshire for HS2 eastern leg to be delivered ’in full’Renewed calls have been made urging the Government to deliver the eastern leg of HS2 ’in full’.
• New A59 road between Harrogate and Skipton announcedThe Government has announced a new carriageway to tackle travel delays caused by landslides on the North Yorkshire road.
• Multi-million A303 upgrade green-lit in major tourism and economy boostA 'congestion-busting' upgrade to dual the A303 in the South West has been given the green light by Transport Secretary Grant Shapps.
• Set of hidden rail tracks discovered during resurfacing road work on Weymouth harboursideA SET of hidden rail tracks were unearthed during work to remove the disused lines on Commercial Road along Weymouth harbourside.

Business Live

• Brittany Ferries reports hike in driverless freightCovid tests for drivers and Brexit red tape mean more firms are looking at sending trailers on ferries without a cab
• Jaguar Land Rover welcomes profit rise as covid fight back continuesLuxury car brands sees shoots of recovery as it posts £439m pre-tax profit for the final three months of 2020

Other News Sources

• West Yorks reveals mass transit plansNine corridors identified   WYCA says no decision has been made on vehicle type   Plans for a transformational multi-billion pound mass transit system have been revealed by the West Yorkshire Combined Authority. Forming part of a wider transport strategy, the mass transit proposals aim to improve connectivity for up to 675,000 people in the 20% most deprived communities in West Yorkshire and connect housing and employment growth areas. The region has previously developed plans for a trolleybus network and light rail system, both of which were subsequently scrapped after failing to se...
• Gatwick and Heathrow: Full list of countries from which arrivals are banned from entering the UK British, Irish and third country nationals with residence rights in the UK will be allowed to enter but will need to self-isolate
• Metrobus and NHS launch Covid-19 vaccination bus in Sussex A BUS company has joined forced with the NHS to launch one of the first mobile Covid-19 vaccination units in Sussex.