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

Sunday, 25 July 2021

BBC News

• Troon railway station to reopen to passengers after fireScotRail said services to Ayr will resume on Monday and Glasgow-bound trains will return from Friday.
• Daily tests not self-isolation for police, fire, borders, transport and freight staffPolice, fire, borders and transport staff are now eligible in England, with 200 new test centres promised.

The Guardian

• Cycling brands gear up for rapid growth in UK cargo bike marketSales are forecast to soar over the coming year with the support of government initiatives and new infrastructureWindow cleaners, milk deliverers, beer purveyors, plumbers and DJs are all getting on their bikes as UK government incentives and new infrastructure kick off a two- and three-wheel revolution.About 2,000 cargo bikes were sold in the UK for commercial use last year, according to the Bicycle Association, and a similar number were sold for use by families and individuals. Sales of the bikes, which can carry heavy or bulky loads, are expected to jump by up to 60% in the UK in the year a...

The Independent

• Transport for London claims no change in mask-wearing since Freedom Day, passengers say otherwiseThe number of people wearing face coverings on Transport for London services has not fallen since nationwide coronavirus restrictions were lifted on 19 July, the company has said, after Mayor Sadiq Khan decided to ignore the government’s updated guidance.

The Scotsman

• SNP's row with LNER over social distancing on cross-border trains was about creating division with England, not public health – Brian WilsonLast week, I wondered if the Cabinet Secretary for Transport, Michael Matheson, still existed in the light of his anonymity over urgent matters for which he is paid to take responsibility.

The Telegraph

• Low traffic neighbourhoods are forcing tradesmen to hike prices by as much as a quarter [subscription]Congestion caused by the schemes means workers in London are taking much longer to get to appointments and are missing out on business
• End of the line for rail fare rises linked to inflation [subscription]Government fears rising costs will deter passengers from returning to the network after the pandemic

Times Online

• If you can’t tap an app, you’re too sloshed to ride an e-scooter [subscription]Hire firms are using games and tests to discourage drink-riding
• The tax breaks that are making electric cars cheaper than petrol [subscription]If you pay through your job you can get at least 30% off a greener model

Mail Online

• Heathrow arrivals wait for 'three hours' after 'e-gates break down AGAIN'The delays have meant some Heathrow passengers arriving from 'amber list' countries missed their pre-booked taxi or coaches on the airport's busiest weekend of the year.

The Mirror

• Nissan workers faked self-isolation alerts for time off in 'pingdemic' swindleEXCLUSIVE: Up to 60 staff members at the Japanese car giant Nissan's Sunderland plant used fake alerts to get some time off work amid the self-isolation 'pingdemic' crisis
• Border farce as 3-hour airport queues form as 400,000 Brits jet off for summerHeathrow expected to see 128k passengers this weekend with Brits complaining about long queues due to e-gates breaking as Brits tried to escape the 'pingdemic'

Birmingham Mail

• The city square deleted by Google Maps thanks to HS2How HS2 is beginning to have an impact on its route out of Birmingham towards places like Saltley and Alum Rock - where businessman Darren Barltett says they "even nicked my bricks before they paid me"
• Free parking plan for city shopping site hits new barriers£100,000 free car parking plan in Sutton Coldfield hits more obstacles

Bristol Live

• EasyJet prepares for airport's busiest weekend of the yearThe airline will be carrying thousands of passengers across Europe from Bristol
• Train passengers fuming after being 'rammed inside like cattle'Staff shortages due to 'pingdemic' and signalling problems are causing misery

London Evening Standard

• Travel chaos at Heathrow as holidaymakers queue for three hoursTravellers have complained about total chaos� at Heathrow during the airport's busiest weekend of the year.

The York Press

• Grand Central train series: York, Sunderland and Kings CrossTRAIN operator Grand Central has created a series of relaxing full-length train journey videos across some of the most scenic locations in the North.
• Rose highlights newfound freedom as e-cycle scheme launchesBEFORE, I could be trapped at home due to traffic or a bad day - now I can get out, says a disabled cyclist whose e-bike has given her a newfound freedom.

Wales Online

• Hydrogen-powered buses could be coming to Bridgend county boroughBridgend council could be the first local authority in the UK to use hydrogen-powered buses. Council officers have set up a "hydrogen taskforce" to as part of its plan to become a pioneer in carbon-free transport.

Other Regional Press

• London's slowest bus route where it's actually quicker to get off and walkAs the number of cars on London's roads has now returned to pre-pandemic levels, traffic is returning to the capital's congested streets and it's having a serious impact on our buses.
• 'People should be required to wear masks on public transport'IN THE House of Commons on Monday Opposition members were accused by the Vaccinations Minister Nadhim Zahawi of playing 'petty politics' over our approach to the pandemic.
• £545k investment for major rail bridge works is welcomedA MAJOR £545,000 investment to refurbish the railway bridge spanning Islands Brow has been welcomed by St Helens North MP Conor McGinn.
• Train station in Falmouth Cornwall garden Penmere tour by RHS judgeA judge from the Royal Horticultural Society has visited a Cornish railway station and garden this week.

Rail Advent

• GTR launches ‘Find a quieter train’ – using data to help rail users find trains with more seatsGovia Thameslink Railway (GTR) has announced the launch of a new tool on their website, enabling passengers to find the quietest trains across their network.
• DB Cargo UK breathe new life into old wagons creating ‘The Stegosaurus’ in StokeInventive engineering taking place at DB Cargo UK’s maintenance depot in Stoke has led to the re-discovery of ‘The Stegosaurus’.

Other News Sources

• Self-flying planes could transport passengers one day—but first, packagesAutonomous flight startup Merlin Labs announced earlier this year that it was partnering with aircraft provider Dynamic Aviation to fly 46 King Air twin-turbo prop planes, which are often used to transport cargo and passengers.
• Wales Office minister opposed to HS2 being reclassified as an ‘England only’ projectWales Office minister David Davies doesn’t believe that Wales should receive any Barnett formula funding for HS2.
• Train passengers fuming after being 'rammed inside like cattle'Train companies have been hit with numerous complaints on social media today as travel plans are disrupted across the West.
• Crossrail: Another new Elizabeth line station reveals new look with longer platformsThe current TfL Rail line between Paddington and Reading/Heathrow has now completed most of the promised improvements before becoming the western section of the Elizabeth line.