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

Monday, 08 March 2021

BBC News

• Llangennech: Railway reopens six months after train derailmentA railway line has reopened six months after a train derailed and burst into flames, spilling 330,000 litres of diesel.
• Covid: Traffic on Welsh roads 60% higher than first lockdownTraffic on Welsh roads has increased compared with previous lockdowns, government data shows.
• Virgin sues partner over claims about its brand valueBrightline dropped the Virgin name from its trains saying its reputation has been damaged from the pandemic.
• Aston Martin's electric sports models to be made at Gaydon plantThe luxury car manufacturer says its battery-powered sports cars will be made in Warwickshire.

Financial Times

• The race to scale up green hydrogen Long heralded as an alternative to fossil fuels, can the gas really help solve the world's dirtiest energy problems?
• Branson asks UK court to rule on value of Virgin brandBusiness magnate embroiled in $250m dispute with US rail operator Brightline

The Guardian

• Going anywhere: Australian mystery holidays are back from the 1990sNovelty trips to unknown destinations have become a surprise hit for airlines and travel agents, as all travel remains uncertain. There's a lot to consider when booking a holiday these days. Will state borders stay open? What restrictions are in place? Is it safe? Is it worth the risk?The uncertainty has many Australians staying close to home; it's been a huge summer for regional road trips. But others are seizing new opportunities, strapping themselves into planes and hurtling into the great unknown.
• TUC and Heathrow call on Sunak for 'survival support' for UK aviationMove follows accusations chancellor is failing to understand sector's role and provide promised help. The Trades Union Congress and Heathrow have called on the government to cover UK airports operating costs while travel bans are in place, and to extend the furlough scheme for as long as public health measures affect aviation, in a joint call for survival support.

Times Online

• First Group challenges LNER with low-fare train service between Edinburgh and London King’s Cross [subscription]A low-fare, standard class-only train service between Edinburgh and London King’s Cross will launch this year in direct competition with the state-subsidised London North Eastern Railway company.

Network Rail

• ’Environmental disaster averted’ as railway reopens at site of diesel freight derailmentThe railway through Llangennech has reopened for the first time in six months, following one of the biggest environmental recovery efforts Network Rail has ever been involved with.

Birmingham Mail

• Pothole prayers could be answered by this beast in the eastA strange, giant new landmark is currently being built next to the Heartlands' spine road - and it's going to help Tarmac to create new road surfaces out of used tyres
• Cycle hire scheme launches to public with free trial offerThe region's first bikes for hire will launch in Sutton Coldfield and Wolverhampton before being 'rolled out' across the West Midlands

Liverpool Echo

• Woman, 25, challenging gender stereotypes that 'only men can drive trains'The young driver says 'do not be afraid to challenge gender stereotypes'

London Evening Standard

• Rail services ramped up as schools reopenOperators across England are boosting their capacity through extra and longer trains to cope with the increased demand from pupils and students.

Manchester Evening News

• New lease of life for historic former tobacco and sweet shop at Manchester PiccadillyAn eyesore former shop beneath Manchester Piccadilly railway station is being brought back to life.

The York Press

• Train firm encourages women to consider roles in industryA TRAIN firm which operates in Yorkshire is aiming to change the attitudes of women on pursuing careers in the rail industry.

Wolverhampton Express and Star

• Temporary permission granted for HS2 compound on former airfieldCouncillors have given the green light for a temporary compound to be built on land at the former Hixon Airfield as part of work on the new HS2 line.

New Civil Engineer

• Construction timeline for HS2’s huge Colne Valley landscape projectConstruction plans for the biggest landscape and habitat creation project on High Speed 2 (HS2) have been revealed.
• Britain’s shortest branch line gets accelerated upgradeJourneys on Stourbridge’s unique 'people mover' shuttle will soon be much smoother for passengers after a week-long upgrade of its railway line.
• Crossrail’s Farringdon station handed over to TfLFarringdon station has become the first of Crossrail’s central London stations to be handed over to Transport for London (TfL).
• Decommissioning work gets underway for HS2’s Old Oak Common station [subscription]Network Rail has started work on disconnecting and removing old overhead electric lines and utilities at the site of High Speed 2’s (HS2) planned Old Oak Common station in west London.
• London Power Tunnels boss on why you should #ChooseToChallenge this International Women’s DayCurrently just 12% of those working in engineering across the UK are female. Despite many initiatives to encourage diversity in STEM, these career paths remain predominantly male-led with a lack of diverse role models discouraging uptake amongst underrepresented backgrounds.
• Smart motorways | Millions spent by Highways England in bid to educate publicMore than half of the £4.5M that Highways England has spent publicising smart motorways was spent in the last two years, it can be revealed.

Trafnidiaeth Cymru [Transport for Wales]

• Transport for Wales’ first female train driver instructor hopes to inspire othersTransport for Wales’ first female train driver instructor and a former RAF aircraft engineer turned TfW project manager are among those being celebrated this International Women’s Day (Monday 8 March).

Other News Sources

• Londoners going to Heathrow, Gatwick or other airports for travel abroad must have new permit or face £200 fineThe Department for Transport has launched a mandatory form for international travel to crack down on illegal holidays
• Leeds Bradford Airport terminal recommended for final approval – but old building could remain standingA new document has revealed Leeds Bradford Airport may not be able to demolish its old terminal building once a replacement is built, as it contains much of the site’s crucial infrastructure.
• Kenilworth's MP offers conditional support for development of GigafactoryMP for Kenilworth and Southam Jeremy Wright has said that his support for a new Gigafactory located at Coventry Airport comes "not without condition" as he considers the impact for local people.
• Siemens Mobility reveals details of Yorkshire-built Underground trainsSiemens Mobility has revealed the detailed design of the London Underground trains to be built at its new factory in East Yorkshire.
• Two Calderdale train stations given freshly painted faceliftWork to give more than 30 stations across the Northern network, including Halifax and Hebden Bridge, a facelift is almost complete.
• Multi-million pound rail upgrade begins in BuckinghamshireA £2.2 million project to improve the Chiltern Mainline in Buckinghamshire starts today.