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

Saturday, 07 August 2021

BBC News

• Covid: Metrolink forced to cut timetable due to coronavirus absencesAbsences due to Covid-19 or staff self-isolating are forcing Metrolink to run a reduced timetable.
• Emirates Airline set to restart Glasgow-Dubai routeThe airline's move comes as the United Arab Emirates is switched to the UK's amber travel list.
• Virgin Galactic space flight tickets to start at $450,000The firm has reopened ticket sales after successfully completing its first fully-crewed space flight in July.

Department for Transport

• Greater Anglia and Network Rail build back greener on the rail networkModern tech delivers a better service for passengers and cuts emissions, while biodiversity drive creates havens for wildlife next to railway lines across the network.

Financial Times

• United Airlines mandates Covid vaccine for US employeesCompany is first major US carrier to require jabs for active workers as airline sector slowly recovers

The Guardian

• E10 fuel: Check before you fill up – it can damage older carsThe petrol being rolled out across UK forecourts to help cut carbon emissions is not for everyoneAbout 600,000 owners of older vehicles need to check whether a new E10 unleaded petrol will damage their engine as the fuel is rolled out across the UK as part of an attempt to cut carbon emissions.In the biggest change to forecourts since four star petrol was banned 20 years ago, the government has decreed that from September the standard, cheapest, unleaded petrol must be a 10% bioethanol mix. Continue reading...
• ‘I still have concerns’: Britons on travelling to and from EuropeFormer frequent travellers consider their options as rules for Germany, Norway and France are eased Coronavirus – latest updatesSee all our coronavirus coverageMany Britons living and working abroad have been unable to visit family in the UK without quarantining. However, the latest changes to the travel lists saw countries such as Austria, Germany and Norway added to the green list, with France moving from amber-plus to amber.The Guardian spoke to three people about the changes and what it means for them to be able to travel without quarantining. Continue reading...

The Scotsman

• Network rail submits new plans for Forth Bridge to Edinburgh City CouncilForth Bridge bosses have submitted a pre-application notice to Edinburgh City Council for revised proposals to install a walk and visitor hub at the iconic railway crossing.

The Telegraph

• Wearing a face mask has become a political act, says government scientist [subscription]Putting on a covering ’is communicating to others about a sense of responsibility’, with data showing most people want rules about use
• Government to crack down on rip-off Covid travel test firms [subscription]Ministers under pressure to provide holidaymakers using website to purchase tests with clear information on quality of companies
• Is Covid being used as an excuse to stop cheap travel? [subscription]It takes a lot to part us Brits from our overseas breaks. No sooner had France been removed from the “amber plus” list than queues were reported to have formed at St Pancras International station as people sought tickets for the Eurostar.
• Freight at the centre of a storm that threatens the entire global economy [subscription]Deadly cocktail of factors including port disruption, container shortages and lack of lorry drivers is sending the cost of shipping soaring

Times Online

• Facemasks are becoming a political statement, science adviser says [subscription]...Transport for London (TfL) is among a number of services that still require them despite the lack of legislation. Hospitals can also make facemasks a condition of entry.
• Lindisfarne residents fail to get on board with road train plan [subscription]Residents of Lindisfarne, the Holy Island off the Northumberland coast, have voiced their opposition to plans to introduce a road train to carry the 650,000 tourists who visit each year.
• Prestwick airport ’illegally’ passing radar costs to energy bills [subscription]A leading renewables company has accused Glasgow Prestwick airport of behaving unlawfully by seeking to pass on over-inflated costs for a radar system to electricity consumers.
• Elon Musk’s SpaceX joins Starship and Super Heavy booster to create world’s tallest rocket [subscription]SpaceX has topped out its new Super Heavy booster rocket with its Starship prototype for the first time, creating the world’s tallest rocket.
• ScotRail strikes loom after talks fail [subscription]ScotRail’s pay talks with unions have collapsed and strike action could be imminent amid claims that the Scottish government told the train operator not to offer pay rises.

The National

• ScotRail strikes loom as union talks collapse amid 'non-existent' relationshipPAY talks between ScotRail and a trade union have collapsed and strike action could be imminent amid claims the Scottish Government told the train operator not to offer pay rises.

Birmingham Post

• Five projects in £200million South West road improvement plansHighways England is planning a £200 million package of improvements across the South West over the next few months.

Wales Online

• Welsh Government explains why you have to wear masks in shops and on public transport but not in pubsDespite the vast majority of Covid restrictions in Wales now being lifted there are still mandatory rules about mask wearing.

East Anglian Daily Times

• Incorrect 'Saxmunden' railway sign to be corrected due to spelling errorNetwork Rail has apologised and confirmed an incorrectly-spelt sign for Saxmundham railway station is to be corrected.

Other Regional Press

• The battle to reduce cars in the Sheffield neighbourhood plagued by pavement parkingSheffield Council is trying to cut down on traffic in Walkley but many residents say they need their cars
• New bus routes to launch in Dundee as council subsidises services with low passenger numbersThe “socially necessary but commercially uneconomic” services will take to the streets in the next few weeks.
• Cambridgeshire and Peterborough transport rethink is under wayA complete rethink of the Cambridgeshire and Peterborough’s local transport plan (LTP) is under way by the Combined Authority.

Wall Street Journal

• Where Did All the Shipping Containers Go?The trading world is seemingly awash in boxes, but companies say finding available containers is harder than ever

Other News Sources

• Leicester’s green buses get Blues’ namesA FLEET of electric buses that have brought cleaner, greener travel to Leicester are now proudly bearing the names of the players who helped win the FA Cup for the city for the first time.
• Who’s looking out for delivery riders and drivers? Road safety and the gig economyDelivery riders and drivers have helped to keep many of us safe and sane whilst isolating and social distancing during the COVID-19 pandemic, but who’s looking out for them? For Intelligent Transport, TRL’s Dr Neale Kinnear, Head of Transport Safety, and Victoria Pyta, Senior Psychologist – Behavioural Science and Human Factors in Transport, give their thoughts.
• Maritime Transport profits up 41% after takeover of Wincanton container businessThe launch of Maritime Transport’s intermodal division followed by its acquisition of Wincanton Container Logistics helped boost pre-tax profits last year by 41% to £13.3m.