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

Tuesday, 16 March 2021

BBC News

• Stansted Airport anniversary overshadowed by 'crisis like no other’Stansted Airport bosses said Covid-19 had caused "a crisis on a scale like never before" as it marks the 30th anniversary of its terminal building.
• Miles of new bus lanes and more services promisedBoris Johnson says a £3bn plan to upgrade England's bus networks will improve access and air quality.
• National bus strategy: What is happening to passenger numbers and funding?As the government unveils its strategy for buses in England, what are the requirements for councils?

Department for Transport

• DfT announces 650 roles to be created in Birmingham and LeedsThe Department for Transport to create a second HQ in Birmingham and a northern hub in Leeds as part of government commitment to level up all parts of the UK.

The Independent

• European rail guide predicts revival of train travel on continentSweden is to reinstate train services to Haparanda, home of world’s most northerly Ikea, from 1 April
• ‘Give us clarity on testing and quarantine,’ demands airport bossExclusive: ‘When you’ve got a transport secretary telling everybody not to book holidays, you start to wonder’ – Glyn Jones, CEO London Southend

The Telegraph

• VW aims to overtake Tesla with huge electric push [subscription]German giant to build six battery factories in Europe by 2030 in drive to become world's biggest electric vehicle maker

Times Online

• The RAF can help to deliver zero-emission transatlantic flight - Robert Courts (Aviation Minister) [subscription]or more than 100 years, the Royal Air Force has defended our way of life. Against tyrants near and far, in all weathers, at all times of day and night, they have kept the skies safe. Today, in joining the Jet Zero Council, the RAF joins the battle against the greatest modern challenge to our way of life: climate change.
• Travel Pass app could be your Covid vaccine passport to the sun [subscription]A vaccine passport is being tested on flights into Britain under plans to reopen travel before the peak summer holiday season.
• Guilt-free flying fund backs aviation fuel made of waste [subscription]Ministers are planning “a new era of guilt-free flying” with a competition being launched today for projects to make low-emission jet fuel from waste.
• E-scooters are coming to street near you amid surging demand [subscription]The number of electric scooters operating on urban streets is set to soar by as much as two-thirds in the coming months because of huge demand for the devices.

Mail Online

• Mini will switch to battery-only cars by 2030BMW has announced it will launch its last internal combustion engine-powered Mini in 2025, with hopes to only sell electrically-powered vehicles from 2030.

Bolton News

• Bolton bus firm Stagecoach in court bid to block new system A BUS operator in Bolton and Bury has confirmed it is seeking a judicial review of proposed public transport franchising moves.

Bradford Telegraph & Argus

• MP welcomes news that Bradford Council has adopted 'taxi charter' - which includes one-off £600 grant for driversA LOCAL MP has welcomed news that Bradford Council has drawn up a “taxi charterâ€� - which will allow drivers to claim a £600 support grant.

Liverpool Echo

• Recovery of smashed up train begins after Merseyrail service derailingThis was the scene at Kirkby train station today after a Merseyrail service left the tracks and smashed into the platform on Saturday.

London Evening Standard

• Majority of Londoners oppose Sadiq Khan’s plan to charge motorists to drive into the capital, poll revealsA majority of Londoners are opposed to Sadiq Khan’s plan to charge motorists to drive into the capital, a poll reveals today.
• Second spike in rail trespassing feared when lockdown is liftedFamilies are being urged ‘to sit down and talk to their loved ones’ about the dangers on the railway.

Newcastle Evening Chronicle

• New hope of London-style smart ticket for North EastAs the government announced a new £3 billion shake-up of the nation’s buses, local officials confirmed their plans for a smart card which can be used across bus, Metro, rail, and ferry trips

The York Press

• Jet2 eligible for Covid support thanks to North Yorkshire MPs ONE of the largest employers in the region is now able to draw on a government-backed loan scheme in a bid to secure thousands of jobs.

Yorkshire Post

• Integrated Rail Plan setting out vision for HS2 and Northern Powerhouse rail won't be published until after local elections due to purdah rulesThe Government will not set out its eagerly-awaited vision for major high speed rail projects like HS2 and Northern Powerhouse Rail until after May's local elections,

Other Regional Press

• Prime Minister Boris Johnson's visit to the National Express depot in Coventry on March 15, 2021 in CoventryPrime Minister Boris Johnson's visit to the National Express depot in Coventry on March 15, 2021 in Coventry
• Time to suspend peak-time rail fares, or we’ll see many more people commuting by carWith Covid travel restrictions now being lifted gradually, we can expect more people to be returning to work in offices.
• Kent Rail Strategy for next decade adopted as Kent County Council policyA new Kent Rail Strategy for the next decade and beyond has been officially adopted as Kent County Council’s rail policy, having been approved by Cabinet Members.

Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport

• DfT announces 650 roles to be created in Birmingham and LeedsDfT has announced the creation of a second HQ in Birmingham and a northern hub in Leeds, as part of a plan to create 650 roles in the cities. The move is part of the government’s commitment to diversifying the Civil Service, ensuring decisions are rooted in the communities it serves. It is a particularly important step for DfT, given the huge role it has to play in levelling up the UK through investment in vital transport infrastructure and services. It is the latest step in the government’s drive to move 22,000 Civil Service roles from London to communities across the UK by 203...

New Civil Engineer

• First of three Preston bridges installed over railway and canalCleveland Bridge UK has completed the installation of the first of a trio of bridges that will form key elements of a major infrastructure project in Lancashire.
• Auditor backs TfL’s Silvertown Tunnel planAuditor EY has supported Transport for London’s (TfL) Silvertown Tunnel plan as the best option available to alleviate congestion at the Blackwall Tunnel.
• HS2 sets construction start date to take line northHS2 Ltd has set a construction start date of Spring 2024 for Phase 2a of the project.
• In full: The 85 abandoned rail schemes vying for restoration fundingThe Department for Transport (DfT) has now revealed the 85 rail schemes competing for investment under the third and final round of the Restoring Your Railway ideas fund.
• What Bristol’s proposed £4bn underground rail network could look likeThe Mayor of Bristol has revealed more details about a proposed multi-billion pound transport system, including early route proposals for a £4bn underground and overground rail network.

Other News Sources

• Teams on mothballed Bakerloo line and Crossrail 2 schemes moved onto other jobsWork on two projects officially put on hold last week Teams working on the mothballed Crossrail 2 and Bakerloo line extension projects have now been redeployed onto other schemes, Transport for London has said.
• Stansted Celebrates 30 Years As London’s Third AirportToday, London Stansted Airport celebrates 30 years since its current terminal’s doors opened for the first time. The airport has handled close to four million flights in the years while becoming home to the world’s largest international airline based on passenger numbers (excluding the current crisis).