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

Monday, 26 April 2021

BBC News

• Severn Valley Railway helps to convert hydrogen engineA heritage railway is aiding with work to convert a diesel engine to run on hydrogen power.
• Encouraging Muslim women to get on their bikesA London cycling club is set up to teach skills and boost Muslim women's confidence on the road.

Financial Times

• Global ports grapple with backlog from Suez Canal blockageDelayed shipping containers arrive at their destinations, adding to supply chain pressures

The Herald

• 'It's wrong': ScotRail condemns fifth day of conductors' strike disruptionScotRail has condemned a fifth day of strike action by conductors over an increase in overtime payments.

The Telegraph

• Rising car costs drive down number of young motoristsSteeper insurance premiums and weak job prospects also hit young people as fewer than 3m now hold a full licence
• Europe is effectively nationalising its airlines - time for Britain to fight back [subscription]The free market should dictate aviation's winners and losers, but France and Germany's airline bailouts are blatantly unfair
• Rail industry voices anger over flexible season ticket prices [subscription]French-style fares being introduced to lure back commuters will be more expensive that a standard monthly season ticket
• Green roads ‘may interfere in human rights’ of residents, council admits as it vows to continue scheme [subscription]Lambeth Council has received a total of £2.64 million as part of Sadiq Khan’s Streetspace scheme to fund 'active travel'
• Network Rail to hold £1bn auction for phone lines [subscription]Ministers hope the move will improve train services while boosting broadband speeds

Times Online

• Smart motorway cameras faulty or poorly placed, says ex-worker [subscription]A former Highways England employee has warned of serious failings on smart motorways, saying that the system relies on “very poor and unreliable” technology to keep drivers safe.
• Low-traffic zones cause long delays for disabled [subscription]Disability charities have condemned councils over low-traffic neighbourhoods, saying that they have overlooked the needs of the disabled and rebuffed their complaints.

City AM

• Passenger shortage set to hammer Network Rail financesThe UK’s railways are facing a drop in usage that could see up to 2m passengers fewer use trains every day as working patterns shift due to Covid-19.

Birmingham Post

• Airbus secures order as Delta passengers 'ready to reclaim the joy of travel'Delta Air Lines has placed a firm order for 25 A321neo (New Engine Option) aircraft

Derby Telegraph

• Plan to bring back passenger trains for Derbyshire villagesPlans to reopen an old train line that links Chesterfield and Sheffield has been called "a huge opportunity" for the area.

Liverpool Echo

• Merseyrail is hiring with jobs available across Merseyside right nowThere are a range of careers on offer for those looking to work in the rail industry - as Merseyrail is looking to take on new staff.

Newcastle Evening Chronicle

• Minister confirms plans for all six stations on Northumberland rail line are on trackNew stations are planned at Ashington, Bedlington, Blyth Bebside, Newsham and Seaton Delaval, and trains will connect with the Metro at Northumberland Park

Other Regional Press

• Network Rail refuses to refurbish ‘eyesore’ bridgeHE company responsible for an “eyesore” railway bridge in Henley is refusing to pay for it to be refurbished.
• All the Edinburgh Lothian Bus changes coming into force as shops and bars reopenThe whole country takes a huge step out of lockdown on Monday, and there will be more transport services in the Scottish capital as people start to venture out more
• First Bus launch ticketing bundles as restrictions easeA RANGE of flexible tickets have been launched by a bus company this week to help customers as Covid-19 restrictions ease.
• Spalding campaigner calls for Lincolnshire to get a fairer share of funding for bus servicesCampaigners say it’s time south Lincolnshire got a fairer share of funding for bus services – and argue we have to plan now for the future.

New Civil Engineer

• Piling work signals welcome start of Trans-Pennine Route Upgrade electrificationNetwork Rail has said that overnight piling work has started as part of work to electrify the railway between Manchester Victoria and Stalybridge on the Trans-Pennine Route Upgrade (TRU) scheme.
• Tyne Wear Metro operator fined £1.5M after maintenance worker deathTyne Wear Metro operator Nexus has been fined £1.5M for failing to ensure the safety of its staff.

Rail Advent

• Great Northern, Southern and Thameslink set for May 16th timetable increaseGreat Northern, Southern and Thameslink, have confirmed they will be increasing the number of trains run weekly to meet demand.

Other News Sources

• Revealed: World airport traffic rankings for 2020Industry trade body, Airports Council International (ACI) World has published its preliminary global airport traffic rankings for 2020, revealing the dramatic impact COVID-19 had on what would ordinarily be the world’s busiest facilities.