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

Thursday, 27 January 2022

BBC News

• Facilities to be rebuilt at Market Harborough stationFacilities at a mainline station are due to be demolished and rebuilt, Network Rail has said.
• Covid-19: Public transport to return to pre-Omicron levelsMetro services will return to
• Bentley pledges £2.5bn for Crewe plant in electric cars moveThe luxury car maker will make its first electric car at its plant in Crewe, bosses confirm.
• Watchdog investigates £1.9bn National Express & Stagecoach tie-upThe Competition and Markets Authority said it will look into the proposed £1.9bn merger of the two transport firms.
• Warning shipping delay problems to continue this yearGlobal product shortages and shipping disruption show no signs of easing, study finds.
• Network Rail bets on mindfulness to lure commuters backFree hot drinks and other perks are on offer as train bosses try to get passenger numbers back on track.
• Car production falls to lowest level since 1956Car makers hit by pandemic-related chip and staff shortages, and the closure of a major car plant.

ITV News

• Shops and train companies ask people to keep wearing masks after Plan B rules goSainsbury's, Wilko, Waitrose, Morrisons and John Lewis will continue to ask customers in England to wear masks when Plan B rules expire on Thursday.

Times Online

• £60m fund to double public charging points for e-vehiclesPublic charging points for electric vehicles are to double across Scotland over the next four years.
• National Express merger with Stagecoach halted by inquiry [subscription]]The competition watchdog is to investigate the £1.9 billion merger between National Express and Stagecoach.

Birmingham Post

• Liverpool set for £15m boost as 100 cruises scheduled for 2022Councillors have spoken of their "optimism" for the cruise sector
• 468-acre Humber International Enterprise Park freeport site hits the market at Port of Hull Huge bespoke development opportunities within freeport zone released by ABP
• Bentley to launch one pure-electric vehicle every year from 2025The full Bentley range will be battery-powered electric vehicle-only by 2030.
• Britishvolt signs multimillion-pound battery development dealThe company behind a 3,000-job battery gigafactory in Northumberland has signed a multimillion-pound deal to develop its next generation of battery cells.

Bradford Telegraph & Argus

• Claims of 'lack of economic analysis' before decision on Northern Powerhouse RailBRADFORD Council's leader has hit out amid claims the Department for Transport failed to assess the long-term economic impact of Northern Powerhouse Rail (NPR). 
• National Rail to offer free Greggs and coffee under plans to boost passenger numbersOther benefits will include free audiobooks, access to a mindfulness app, and coffees from London-based cafe chain Pure.

Bristol Live

• 'Filton Airfield will make a wonderful airport so don't destroy it' - letter"It makes no sense to destroy such a valuable asset to build houses"

London Evening Standard

• The Leader podcast: Come ride with us on London’s £19 billion Crossrailit’s London’s biggest rail project in a long time, eclipsing the Overground upgrade and Jubilee Line extension.

Manchester Evening News

• 'Playing with people's lives' - Northern transport body's 120 staff face uncertain future as Government 'winds down' fundingTransport for the North employs staff in Manchester and Leeds but the body's funding for the next three years is yet to be confirmed

Other Regional Press

• Revealed: Road and rail schemes in region's 2050 transport pushDetails have been revealed of a fresh initiative to finally turn a string of proposed transport schemes in Norfolk and Waveney into reality - including dualling the A47 Acle Straight and speeding up trains between Norwich and London.
• Aberconwy MS outlines four-point plan to improve public transportJANET Finch-Saunders MS for Aberconwy has created a four-point plan aimed at tackling the lack of integration within North Wales’ public transport network.
• Covid takes its toll on Dartford Crossing takingsThe country's busiest river crossing has seen its revenue slashed as the number of motorists using the crossing shrank during the pandemic.

New Civil Engineer

• Crossrail bosses may wait for Bond Street to be complete before opening Elizabeth lineCrossrail bosses are considering waiting slightly longer to cut the ribbon on the Elizabeth line so that Bond Street station can open with the rest of the 10 Central London stations.

Rail Magazine

• TfW Class 197s authorised for dutyTwenty two-car and 12 three-car Class 197 diesel multiple units were authorised for passenger use on Transport for Wales services by the Office of Rail and Road on January 18

Railway Gazette

• Battery train passenger trials beginGERMANY: Alstom’s prototype battery-electric Talent 3 multiple-unit has entered trial passenger service with DB Regio.

Aviation Industry

• Airbus begins offering its fleet for general cargo transportationThe new air cargo service will use the BelugaST fleet, which until a few months ago was exclusively dedicated to the transport of structures for Airbus aircraft. It will be looking to compete with Antonov Airlines in the transport of oversized cargo.

Other News Sources

• STPR2: Borderers 'ignored' in transport review, says Tory MPA RECENT transport report by the Scottish Government has been branded “an enormous let down” by a Borders MP.
• Alstom wins contract to deliver up to 200 regional trains in NorwayAlstom, the ’smart and sustainable mobility’ company, has signed a framework contract with Norske Tog (NT) for up to 200 Coradia Nordic regional trains. Valued at over 1.8 billion euros, the contract is the most significant rail procurement in Norway’s history. The first firm order of 30 trains is worth 380 million euros.
• Almost £3m granted to transform Wirral's transport networkAlmost £3m will be put towards plans for improved cycling and walking routes in Wirral.
• STPR2: Borderers 'ignored' in transport review, says Tory MPA RECENT transport report by the Scottish Government has been branded “an enormous let down” by a Borders MP.
• Council 'acted illegally' removing Upper Shoreham Road cycle laneA COURT order has confirmed the council “acted illegally” by removing a cycle lane.