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

Friday, 28 January 2022

BBC News

• Wasps and bees in probes prevented Heathrow summer flightsAircraft remaining on the ground for longer periods during the pandemic proved attractive as nest sites.
• Council lose £6.5m claim against bus firm over Glasgow bin lorry crashGlasgow City Council had brought the action against First Bus, the former employer of bin lorry driver Harry Clarke.

Financial Times

• EasyJet confident of summer recovery after Omicron dents winter bookingsLow-cost carrier reports pick-up in ticket sales from UK to beach and leisure destinations
• Higher cost of carbon emissions threatens UK airport expansion plansCampaigners and lawyers expect greater scrutiny of larger projects after government tripled value of official benchmark

Times Online

• Revitalising UK rail is a win-win [subscripton]he rail industry has been hit hard by Covid-19. A rapid decline in passenger numbers precipitated by the virus followed by a proliferation in remote working has impacted the profits of train operating companies (TOCs), placed additional strain on Network Rail and made clear that the current structure of the industry needs support and reform.
• Killer cyclists may be classed like motorists [subscripton]There has been mounting pressure to change the law to treat cyclists the same as motorists since Kim Briggs, 44, was killed as she crossed a road in east London in 2016.

Birmingham Post

• Nissan and partners signal huge investment in electric vehiclesThe alliance of Nissan, Renault and Mitsubishi is to invest €23bn to produce a number of new electric models
• EasyJet reports Omicron hit and rising demand as Covid restrictions easeThe airline is set to begin its largest operations from Bristol Airport from the summer
• Britishvolt to work with Lotus on batteries for electric sports carsThe announcement follows last week's unveiling of funding for its battery gigafactory in Northumberland

Bradford Telegraph & Argus

• Rise in electric car ownership in BradfordMore Bradford drivers are going green, according to figures showing a surge in electric vehicle registrations.

Nation. Cymru

• Call to ditch £5m plan for Abertillery railway spur because UK Gov hasn’t provided fundingQuestions have been raised on the future of plans to restore a rail link to Abertillery because the UK Government has not provided the necessary funding.

The York Press

• Opposition to planned site of new Haxby stationOPPOSITION has been voiced to the planned site for a new railway station on the outskirts of York.

Cambridge News

• Throwback Thursday: The fascinating tale of Cambs' iconic Nene Valley RailwayPeterborough's Nene Valley Railway has a rich and interesting history

Other Regional Press

• Former Tory ministers back report criticising cuts to rail electrificationFormer Conservative ministers have criticised the Government’s proposals for revamping Britain’s railways, hitting out at the decision to scale back electrification plans.

Train Operators

• Northern completes refurbishment of 100th digital trainNorthern is celebrating a landmark milestone as the rail operator's 100th refurbished digital train is now out on the network for customers to enjoy  

Coach and Bus Week

• Arriva invests £7.4m in new Merseyside fleetA fleet of 34 new Euro VI low-emission buses started to hit the roads of Merseyside from 23 January. The new buses represent an investment of £7.4 million by Arriva in its Merseyside division, and will all feature audio-visual next stop announcements, free WiFi and USB charging ports to help enhance the on-board passenger experience.
• Is a funding cliff edge threatening local bus services?Silviya Barrett, Head of Policy and Research at Campaign for Better Transport, voices her concerns surrounding the impending funding situation facing bus operators

New Civil Engineer

• Liverpool Airport expansion hits the skids as councillors agree ’nobody wants it’Plans to expand Liverpool John Lennon Airport (LJLA) have been cast into doubt following a city council meeting in which councillors agreed to review all policies regarding future extensions.
• TfL asks for Crossrail 2 provisions to be built into Euston station redevelopmentTransport for London (TfL) has sought assurances from Network Rail and HS2 Ltd that the redevelopment of Euston station will include provisions for Crossrail 2 access should the line ever get built.

Route One (Bus and Coach)

• Switch Mobility offers further details on new Valladolid siteSwitch Mobility has shared further details on its planned manufacturing and technology centre in Valladolid. It has confirmed it will be built on a greenfield site in the Soto de Medinilla area.
• Stagecoach appoints new Head of SustainabilityStagecoach has further showcased its commitment to driving the net zero agenda with the appointment of a new Head of Sustainability.
• Paul Sainthouse to lead CILT as International PresidentThe Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport (CILT) has announced that Paul Sainthouse FCILT (pictured) is to be its new International President. He succeeds outgoing President Dato’ Dr Ts Abd Radzak Abd Malek.
• Matt Kitchin appointed Stagecoach Yorkshire MDMatt Kitchin has been appointed Managing Director of Stagecoach Yorkshire. He will take up the post on 1 March and succeed Phil Medlicott, who is soon to retire.
• CMA to investigate National Express takeover of StagecoachThe Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) is to investigate the proposed takeover of Stagecoach by National Express.
• National Express Transport Solutions in ER clean sweepNational Express Transport Solutions (NETS) has completed the entry of all nine of its O-Licences to the DVSA Earned Recognition (ER) scheme after Clarkes of London, The Kings Ferry and Woods Coaches of Leicestershire each gained accreditation.
• Omicron grant for English coach sector calls from MP and RHAMultiple calls for the Omicron Hospitality and Leisure Grant (OHLG) in England to capture the coach sector have been made as the scale of work losses due to a drop in passenger confidence becomes clear. 
• Small number of Bus Service Improvement Plans ’a bit rubbish’A small number of Bus Service Improvement Plans (BSIPs) submitted by local transport authorities (LTAs) in England are “a bit rubbish” and will be returned by the government for further work, Under-Secretary of State for Transport Baroness Vere revealed at the first day of the Confederation of Passenger Transport UK Bus and Coach Conference on 25 January.
• Cardiff Bus launches battery-electric Yutong E12 fleetCardiff Bus has unveiled its 36 Yutong E12 battery-electric buses, which have converted almost a quarter of the municipal operator’s fleet to zero-emission in one go.