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

Saturday, 02 October 2021

BBC News

• Fuel crisis: Boris Johnson urged to recall ParliamentOpposition parties say new laws are needed to sort out emergency visas for HGV drivers.
• Coronavirus: Private coach industry 'decimated by Covid-19'An industry body representing the sector says some operators are at risk of going out of business.
• Metrolink: Tram strikes resume after pay talks break downThe Unite union says Metrolink tram drivers deserve a
• Fuel supply: Military to deliver petrol to UK garages from MondayAlmost 200 servicemen and women will provide

ITV News

• The new trains with WiFi, air conditioning and power points...but no toiletsIt has been just days since Southeastern railway hit the headlines for breaching its franchise agreement to the tune of £25million.

Financial Times

• Military to begin delivering petrol to UK garages from Monday Visa rules for overseas tanker drivers to be loosened amid week-long fuel supply crisis
• UK retailers step up battle to lure lorry drivers Supermarkets criticised by haulage groups for distorting market after offering high pay rises and incentives

STV

• All aboard: ScotRail launches Santa Express for festive seasonThere will be a total of five journeys on the Santa Express on December 4, 11 and 18.

The Guardian

• Emergency visa scheme extended in major U-turn by Boris JohnsonThreat of Christmas being ruined by driver shortages forces ministers to expand range and duration of visasBoris Johnson’s government has made a dramatic U-turn in an attempt to save Christmas – with a raft of extended emergency visas to help abate labour shortages that have led to empty shelves and petrol station queues.New immigration measures will allow 300 fuel drivers to arrive immediately and stay until the end of March, while 100 army drivers will take to the roads from Monday, the government announced late on Friday. Continue reading...
• The rail franchise system is so confusing, no wonder Southeastern mislaid £25mThe government failed to notice millions of taxpayers’ money missing for seven years. Now the company has lost its licence

The Telegraph

• Ein, zwei, drive: ministers make bizarre plea to German expats to solve fuel crisis [subscription]The expats, most with no HGV driving experience, are sent official letters imploring them to get behind the wheel of delivery lorries
• Sadiq Khan ‘putting women’s safety at risk’ by keeping Night Tube shut [subscripton]London Mayor urged to reintroduce all-hours service in aftermath of the murder of Sarah Everard
• Tory MPs are sick of tax hikes and green spending - David Davies MP [Subscription]The French politician Jean-Baptiste Colbert described the tax riddle best: “The art of taxation consists in so plucking the goose as to obtain the largest possible amount of feathers with the smallest possible amount of hissing.”

Times Online

• Fuel and HGV crisis: Medicine deliveries being hit by driver shortages, say pharmacies [subscription]Chemists have given warning that the fuel and haulage crisis is affecting supplies of vital medicines to pharmacies as ministers announced that the army would begin delivering petrol from Monday.

The Mirror

• HS2 Eastern Leg must be built, Boris Johnson is warned on Tory conference eveBoris Johnson is urged not to ditch a key transport link for the North as the Tories gather for their annual conference.

Bradford Telegraph & Argus

• Calls for 'rapid progress' on rail plan to help level-up the NorthTHE Government is being urged to make "rapid progress" on Northern Powerhouse Rail (NPR) and the Integrated Rail Plan (IRP).

London Evening Standard

• Military drivers mobilised to deliver fuel to petrol stationsIt came as opposition parties raised the prospect of a parliamentary recall to address the wider situation of labour shortages.

The York Press

• Council chiefs give the go-ahead to buy land for new Haxby railway stationA potential site for a new railway station in Haxby can be bought by City of York Council, top councillors decided on Thursday.

Bucks Free Press

• Video shows what the first mile of the HS2 Chilterns tunnel looks likeThe first 2,000 tonne tunnelling machine passed the one mile mark this week during the construction of the first tunnels for the controversial HS2 line underneath the Chiltern hills.

Other Regional Press

• Darlington railway station's £105m transformation moves a step closer as plans are approvedThe plans include a new entrance and station building
• Additional technology will enhance popular Bwcabus serviceTransport for Wales is working to enhance its Fflecsi Bwcabus service in Carmarthenshire, Pembrokeshire and Ceredigion.
• Cabinet member answers our questions on 15-year transport plan for West SussexJoy Dennis, West Sussex County Council’s cabinet member for highways and transport, has answered our questions about a 15-year transport plan currently out for consultation until Friday October 8. Visit www.westsussex.gov.uk/wstpconsultation

British Trams Online

• Nexus staff take a look at Stadler’s Switzerland plant where new Metro trains will be assembledA team of staff from Nexus have recently headed over to Switzerland to take a look at Stadler’s St Margrethen plant where the new fleet of trains for the Tyne and Wear Metro are set to be constructed with the first due to arrive in the northeast at the end of 2022. The 8,500 square metre plant was only opened two years ago and is said to be one of the most state of the art manufacturing facilities in Europe.

Rail Advent

• Isambard Kingdom Brunel statue unveiled outside Bristol Temple Meads railway stationNetwork Rail has announced that a statue of Isambard Kingdom Brunel has been unveiled at Bristol Temple Meads.

Other News Sources

• Firms shortlisted for HS2 phase 2a UK High speed rail developmentSix firms have been shortlisted for the tender on a major two-part enabling works contract for the HS2 phase 2a route from the West Midlands to Crewe. The £240m contract will be developed for three years. It splits work on the route into two different packages with one contractor working on the northern sections while the other contractor working on the southern part.
• HS2 Minister visits Birmingham to open new INFRA Skills training centreOn Monday, September 27th, Andrew Stephenson, Minister of State at the Department of Transport and the HS2 Minister, officially opened the new purpose-built INFRA Skills Training Centre in Aston, Birmingham.
• French Senate warns of impending SNCF financial crisisFrance’s Senate Commission has issued a warning that SNCF is facing a possible financial crisis.
• Women are calling on TfL to bring back the night tubeEven though clubs are back and London nightlife feels *almost* normal, something is