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

Tuesday, 02 February 2021

BBC News

• Llangennech oil spill: Clean-up is 'biggest challenge since the Sea Empress’The ongoing clean-up of a diesel spill after a train derailment has been called "the most challenging recovery operation" in 25 years.
• Airbus staff in Flintshire vote for work-hours cut plan to save jobsStaff at the Flintshire wing-maker will have their working week reduced by up to 10%.
• Electric cars: Rollout of charging points still too slowThe charge-point infrastructure may not be ready for when new petrol and diesel cars are banned.

The Scotsman

• The Scottish railway station that will be reopened for first time in 57 yearsPlans to reopen a Scottish railway station which closed almost 50 years ago have been approved by local planning authorities.

The Telegraph

• Electric car chargers need to be rolled out five times quicker to support 2030 petrol ban [subscription]Think tank Policy Exchange said installations will need to accelerate from current levels of 7,000 a year to 35,000 over the next decade
• SpaceX to launch world's first all-civilian mission this year - live updates [subscription]Elon Musk’s SpaceX will send four civilians into space this year in a landmark trip that will be the world’s first all-civilian mission.

Times Online

• Low-traffic neighbourhood plans step up a gear despite court ruling [subscription]The prime minister has vowed to “crack on” with road schemes designed to reduce the dominance of cars, despite a critical High Court ruling.
• Chairman to quit HS2 six months early [subscription]The chairman of HS2 has resigned weeks before a crucial government decision on the eastern leg of the scheme.
• Low-traffic neighbourhoods ’squeeze life from historic town centres’ [subscription]The streets are eerily quiet in the cathedral city of Hereford, and it’s not just the pandemic that’s keeping people away.

Network Rail

• WiFi boost for London Paddington stationPassengers will be connected better than ever thanks to the launch of free, fast and unlimited WiFi at London Paddington station.

Birmingham Post

• Airbus workers accept shorter working week to save more than 360 Broughton jobsUnite the union members voted on proposals that will see hours reduced for a period
• Alstom completes £4.9bn acquisition of Bombardier TransportationLitchurch Lane works in Derby, which employs 2,000, among the assets transferred to the new owner

Bradford Telegraph & Argus

• New White Rose rail station a step closerTHE latest plans for a £24m rail station at the White Rose Centre could be given the green light this week.

Daily Post (North Wales)

• Hundreds of Airbus Broughton jobs saved after workers vote for shorter working weekUnite asked workers to accept reduced hours to help the aerospace giant avoid compulsory redundancies

London Evening Standard

• HS2 chairman resigns as protestors clash with bailiffs underneath Euston parkProtesters clashed with bailiffs as they tunnelled underground under Euston Square today as the HS2 chairman resigns from his post.

Bucks Free Press

• HS2 Chiltern tunnel: Plans for Chalfont St Peter vent shaft given green light A structure that will be built to provide emergency access and ventilation to HS2's 10 mile-long Chiltern tunnel has been given the green light in what is being hailed as a major milestone for the contentious rail line.

Other Regional Press

• First chance to see how East Linton rail station could lookIMAGES showing how East Linton’s new railway station could look have been revealed.
• Stourbridge Town train line to close for two weeks for worksTHE Stourbridge Town branch line to close to rail passengers for two weeks to undergo a makeover.
• Company promoting rail safety triumphs in Blaenau Gwent Business AwardsSpecialist telecoms company Motion Rail is the Blaenau Gwent Business of the Year for 2020.
• New train station could be open in Somerset town by 2026Wellington Station first opened in 1843 but was one of hundreds of stations that fell victim to the Beeching report in the 1960s that recommended mass cuts to the nation's rail links and has been shut since 1964.
• Abergavenny railway station to host art galleryAbergavenny’s 160-year-old railway station is set to play host to an exciting new community development thanks to investment by Transport for Wales.
• All aboard for bus stop improvementsBUS stops in Failsworth are among 45 across the borough receiving, or set to receive, upgrades to improve accessibility for the disabled and those with mobility problems.
• North-east councillor welcomes reinstatement of morning busPeterhead South and Cruden SNP councillor Stephen Smith contacted senior management at Stagecoach after being contacted by constituents concerned about the removal of the early morning services between Hatton/Cruden Bay and Peterhead.
• Concerns over major traffic changes proposed at Weymouth Harbour MAJOR changes proposed at Custom House Quay on Weymouth harbourside have been described as 'the final nail in the coffin' for some businesses.

Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport

• Government releases Transition Period video guidance for maritime routesThe government has released Transition Period video guidance for direct maritime routes and to raise awareness of border readiness for moving goods through the Short Straits and Landbridge. You can view both video series below:  Border and Protocol Delivery Group Border Event: Direct Maritime Routes Border and Protocol Delivery Group Border Event: Landbridge and Short Straits
• Virgin Atlantic Cargo launches new service to Norway in collaboration with Kuehne+NagelVirgin Atlantic Cargo is extending its cargo-only network to Evenes, operating flights between London Heathrow and Norway for the first time in its history.  The first official flight will depart on Wednesday 3rd February, and the airline is set to offer twice weekly flights on its Boeing 787-9 aircraft offering over 100 tonnes of capacity each week, primarily serving the Norwegian seafood and fish industry. 
• £93 million for road upgrades as Transport Secretary pledges to build back better across the countryAs part of the government’s commitment to fuel the economic recovery from coronavirus, the Transport Secretary Grant Shapps has pledged £93 million for major road upgrades across the country. The Northern Powerhouse is set to receive over half of the funding, with up to £56 million for a dramatic overhaul of the Kex Gill section of the A59 in North Yorkshire. This will significantly improve connectivity between the historic northern towns of Harrogate and Skipton.
• New-style driving licences and number plates mark one-year anniversary of Brexit as EU flag is removedUK driving licences and number plates have been given a makeover to signify the beginning of a new chapter for the UK. To mark the UK’s exit from the EU, the EU flag has been removed from all UK driving licences and number plate designs, with the first batches issued from 1 January 2021. While existing licences and number plates will still be valid, the new versions will be issued to everyone renewing a licence or getting one for the first time.
• Government's multimillion-pound support scheme for airports opensAirports across England are set to receive a boost as the government’s financial support scheme opens for applications. Commercial airports and ground handlers will be able to apply for up to £8 million each to support with fixed costs while travel restrictions remain in place. The financial relief will help airports and ground handlers to cover losses on costs including airfield operations, contracted services such as airfield and runway maintenance, and business rate bills.

New Civil Engineer

• PINS urged Shapps to can A303 scheme due to ’adverse effect’ on local roads and communities Transport secretary Grant Shapps went against the Planning Inspectorate’s (PINS) recommendation when he gave the green light to the £250M A303 dualling scheme between Sparkford and Ilchester last week.
• Hammersmith Bridge | Plans go in for ferry terminal to aid TfL service A private landowner has submitted a planning application to construct a ferry terminal on the south side of the River Thames next to Hammersmith Bridge.
• Proposals sought to reopen abandoned railways along high speed routeThe Department for Transport (DfT) has launched a public consultation to ensure the maximum benefits are achieved from building Phase 2a of High Speed 2 (HS2) connecting the Midlands to Crewe.
• East West Rail eastern leg needed to ’enhance’ UK connectivityDevelopment of the eastern section of East West Rail is key to improving connectivity across the UK, according to Transport East.

Rail Advent

• London Paddington gets free WiFi for passengersToday (1st February 2021) sees the launch of the new Fast Free and Unlimited Wifi at London Paddington Railway Station as announced last year.

Aviation Industry

• AEF’s 2020 Annual Report is now out!Click here to read the report. Click here to access the printer-friendly version.

Other News Sources

• HS2 chairman Allan Cook resignsHS2 Ltd chairman Allan Cook has handed in his resignation, HS2 minister Andrew Stephenson has announced.
• Brighton and Hove cycle lane consultation survey A MUCH-ANTICIPATED survey asking for views on significant changes to the city's streets is now live.