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

Thursday, 17 June 2021

BBC News

• British Airways launches new routes from Belfast City AirportThe airline will operate 18 flights a week to Leeds Bradford, Exeter, Newquay and Glasgow.
• Covid: Ryanair and Manchester Airports Group take legal action over travel traffic light systemThere is anger in the travel sector over how the government has made decisions over the green list.

Financial Times

• Ryanair to sue UK government over border policyAirline joins Manchester Airports Group to seek judicial review over traffic-light system for international travel

The Guardian

• Double-jabbed UK tourists could skip amber-list quarantine under proposalsMinisters looking at loosening travel restrictions for fully vaccinated travellers returning to England. British travellers who have had two Covid vaccines could be allowed quarantine-free entry into England under plans being considered by ministers, the Guardian understands.

The Telegraph

• Ryanair sues Government for refusing to reopen borders [subscription]Irish airline joins a legal challenge to handling of 'traffic light' system led by the owner of Stansted and Manchester airports

Times Online

• Aviation chiefs launch legal action over foreign travel [subscription]The government will face legal action over its “shambolic” handling of overseas travel in an escalation of the row over foreign holidays.
• Chris Boardman: The Olympic champion transforming transport in Manchester [subscription]The 1992 gold medallist is the figurehead of an ambitious plan to get more people cycling, he tells Matt Lawton
• New piazzas to transform Oxford Circus [subscription]The area around London’s Oxford Circus will be transformed into two pedestrianised “piazzas” after years of deliberation. Work that is due to start later in the year will include “significant improvements to the public spaces”, as well as additional planting and seating in the shopping and leisure district, Westminster city council and the Crown Estate announced yesterday.
• Smart motorways redesigned to save money, MPs told [subscription]Smart motorways were redesigned almost a decade ago to make them “less safe” simply to save money, MPs were told today. The cross-party transport committee heard that the permanent removal of the hard shoulder and wider spacing between emergency laybys was “focused on cost savings” even though motorists faced an increased risk.

City AM

• Khan's 'Streetspace' appeal upheld in blow for London's taxisSadiq Khan has this evening won his battle against London’s cabbies over the controversial “Streetspace” scheme. The Court of Appeal The post Khan's 'Streetspace' appeal upheld in blow for London's taxis

Mail Online

• Self-driving cars 'will make smart motorways MORE dangerous'Any move to allow self-driving cars on to smart motorways will make the controversial roads' safety 'considerably worse', MPs were told yesterday.

Sky News

• Travel restrictions may be eased for Britons who have had both jabsThe government is considering relaxing restrictions surrounding international travel for Britons who have had both coronavirus vaccines.

Bristol Live

• Pollution 'breached limits' at almost 270 schools in Bristol areaThe state of the air our children breathe is revealed on Clean Air Day

Northern Echo

• Teesport operator wins 'Gold' in prestigious safety awardA PORT operator has been recognised for its health and safety standards with prestigious award.
• Loganair to operate British Airways flights from Teesside AirportTEESSIDE Airport has confirmed that a deal has been struck to operate flights between the region and 134 destinations.

The York Press

• York's electric buses save 750 tonnes of carbon emissionsYORK'S all electric double deckers have saved 750 tonnes of carbon emissions since they hit the streets.
• York bus firm Transdev in Clean Air Day emissions pledgeYORK and North Yorkshire bus operators say they are driving forward on a mission to meet the toughest UK emission standards.

Wales Online

• Transport hub and road upgrade could be financed by 'levelling up' fundRCT Council is planning to submit bids for Porth transport hub as its Rhondda project and the A4119 dualling as its transportation project
• Cardiff tramline plan could result in urban park inspired by New YorkA large wall currently separates the working class community of Butetown from the more affluent flats on Atlantic Wharf

Yorkshire Post

• North Yorkshire’s rural buses; the route forward after Lonely Planet accolade – The Yorkshire Post saysIT is timely that rural bus provision is back on North Yorkshire County Council’s agenda in the month where its unrivalled countryside was championed by the Lonely Planet.

Other Regional Press

• Stagecoach reintroduces night bus services in OxfordshireStagecoach will reintroduce night and evening services across the county from Sunday in support of the next phase of lockdown restrictions easing.

New Civil Engineer

• A ‘lack of trained staff’ on Crossrail results in ‘inefficient working’A lack of trained staff coupled with difficulties with site access and unapproved maintenance plant is resulting in an “inefficient working” environment on the Crossrail project, according to Jacobs latest publicly available project representative (Prep) report.
• Former Heathrow expansion backer casts doubt on need for third runwayThe pandemic-driven reduction in air travel may mean the proposed third runway at Heathrow is no longer needed, according to the head of a government review into airport expansion.
• Plans revealed to revive abandoned Scots rail linkPlans for the return of rail services to Levenmouth have been revealed, with double tracking and electrification to be progressed and station locations confirmed.

Railway Gazette

• Paris – Edinburgh route proposed under French start-up Midnight Trains’ hotel train planEUROPE: A Paris – Edinburgh service is among the most eye-catching proposals for a network of premium overnight sleeping car services set out by French start-up Midnight Trains on June 16.

Aviation Industry

• Cutting tax on domestic routes which have reasonable lower carbon alternatives sends the wrong message on climateAEF expresses opposition to any reduction in taxes for an already under-taxed industry. For an industry which pays no fuel duty or VAT on tickets, APD is already too low …

Other News Sources

• Warrington tram system not ruled outA NEW tram system for Warrington has not been ruled out – and transport chiefs have identified a ‘tube-style’ map of a potential mass transit network.