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

Monday, 13 September 2021

Cogitamus

• The Chris Stokes ColumnCogitamus Limited is delighted to bring you the Chris Stokes column, Keeping Track, hosted exclusively as a regular feature on our website. The column can be viewed for free by clicking on this link, or on the article below.

BBC News

• COP26: UK still lagging on climate policy, report saysUK policies will deliver a quarter of emissions cuts needed, say campaigners ahead of the COP26 summit.

Financial Times

• BMW and Daimler pledge to keep prices high when chip crisis endsTwo of the world’s biggest carmakers plan to restrict supply and push their luxury models
• Ministers plan more mayoralties to reboot stalled devolution agendaLocal government secretary keen to increase regional powers despite fears Boris Johnson has cooled on idea

The Guardian

• North of England may get three more mayoralties in devolution agendaCumbria, North Yorkshire and East Riding of Yorkshire in line for more local power, says Robert JenrickNew mayoralties could be created in Cumbria, North Yorkshire and East Riding of Yorkshire, the communities secretary has said, as he announced a renewed commitment to “widen and deepenâ€� the devolution agenda.Speaking to the Financial Times, Robert Jenrick reaffirmed the government’s “full devolutionâ€� approach, outlined in the Conservatives’ 2019 manifesto, despite concerns Boris Johnson had soured on the idea after a high-profile spat with Andy Burnham, Labour Greater Manchester mayor, over c...

The Herald

• Ministers intervene to try to stop 'national embarrassment' of COP 26 Scots rail services stoppageMINISTERS have intervened to try to end a dispute that threatens to bring Scotland's railways to a grinding halt when the world's eyes are on the nation during the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP 26) in Glasgow in November.

Times Online

• Scottish drivers on drugs as often as drink [subscription]Traffic police see 40 to 50 motorists a week who have taken narcotics
• Traffic jams send smart motorway careering to £200m loss [subscription]A stretch of smart motorway on the M1 intended to provide a £1 billion economic boost is on course to cost more than £200 million, according to a previously undisclosed official report.
• Zero-emission ships ready to set sail within four years [subscription]Zero-emission ships will be introduced to UK waters in as little as four years under government plans to cut greenhouse gas emissions.

The Mirror

• Priti Patel 'should be sacked' over secret lunch with Tory donor and British AirwaysSir Alistair Graham said if the Home Secretary is shown to have broken the ministerial code by arranging high level talks at Heathrow Airport with the billionaire donor and the airline, Boris Johnson has no choice but to axe her

Birmingham Post

• Air tax 'bigger issue than Brexit or covid-19' says Ryanair execIrish airline's commercial director takes swipe at air passenger duty and traffic light system as budget carrier unveils new routes from Birmingham Airport

Bradford Telegraph & Argus

• Rail commuters' return is 'vital' to reduce traffic jams and business closuresThe rail industry has warned that city centres could experience a “double whammyâ€� of traffic jams and closures of businesses if workers continue to commute by transport other than a train.

Manchester Evening News

• Manchester Airport closes temporarily with a number of flights divertedA number of flights were seen circling the area several times before making a final approach - the airport has now reopened.

Newcastle Evening Chronicle

• Northumberland Line rail plans 'picking up pace' after latest station approvalMomentum is gathering behind a planned new passenger rail route in the North East, with the first of five new stations for the Northumberland Line granted approval

The York Press

• 'Lethal' Lendal Bridge resurfacedURGENT work was carried out this morning to resurface a 'lethal' road surface on York's Lendal Bridge.

Yorkshire Post

• Eastern leg of HS2 to Leeds must go ahead of ‘levelling up’ is to succeed – Kate JenningsTHERE remains mounting speculation as to the future of HS2’s eastern leg after Andrew Stephenson, the High Speed Rail Minister, declined to confirm that it will be built in full.

Other Regional Press

• Watford mayor claims transport plan will cut congestion and make air cleanerThere are few things more frustrating than being stuck in congestion. Not only are congested roads annoying for people waiting in queues, the pollution from vehicles has a big impact on our health. Improving how we get around Watford will be really important to the health and success of our town in the future.
• Start date for 'horrendous' £30 million bypass revealedKent County Council says a vital relief road to ease congestion at one of the county's most congested junctions will take two years to complete.

Global Rail News

• HS2 hits 20,000 jobs landmark, one year after construction beganHS2 Ltd has announced that over 20,000 people are now working on Britain’s high-speed rail project, one year on from the formal start of construction on Phase One from London to the West Midlands.

New Civil Engineer

• Barmouth Viaduct restoration restarts following summer pauseWork to restore the Barmouth Viaduct in Wales restarted this weekend, after a pause over the summer.
• Police commissioner claims M1 safety upgrade ignores the problemA South Yorkshire police commissioner has claimed that National Highways’ commitment to add an additional emergency refuge area (ERA) to a dangerous stretch of the M1 does not “adequately address” concerns about the stretch of road.
• HS2 | Calls for People’s Inquiry as MPs debate future of high speed rail lineA People’s Inquiry into High Speed 2 (HS2) could be established if the government fails to order an official vote on the project following this evening’s Parliamentary debate on the rail scheme.

Rail Magazine

• Northern Line Extension stations open for businessThe two new stations comprising London Underground’s Northern Line Extension were due to open to the public on September 20 (after this issue of RAIL went to press).

Railnews

• RMT stages Waterloo protest over South Western changes MONDAY BRIEFING: RMT stages Waterloo protest over South Western changes ++ HS2 celebrates employment 'landmark' ahead of Parliamentary debate ++