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

Thursday, 10 February 2022

BBC News

• Stansted Airport mounts recruitment drive ahead of 'bumper' summerStansted Airport is hoping for a bumper season after two years of downturn due to Covid.
• Warning over border delays when new checks kick inA cross-party committee of MPs warns of further disruption later this year as new import controls start.

ITV News

• 'Sheer luck' nobody was injured after train driver used phone seconds before Kirkby crashA train driver who crashed at almost three times the speed limit was texting seconds before the train derailed at Kirkby Station, police have revealed.

Financial Times

• Uber shares rise on robust delivery servicesRideshare service reports strong demand despite brief knock because of Omicron virus variant
• Maersk expects supply chain problems to ease this yearRevenues at container shipping group rose 55% last year

The Guardian

• Campaigners fear net zero could be a casualty of Boris Johnson’s weaknessAnalysis: The government’s stance on coalmines, oilfields, transport and green investment is causing increasing worryCoalmining licence in south Wales faces court challengeGreen campaigners are increasingly concerned that the push for net zero emissions has been undermined by a series of recent government actions.Ministers and government bodies are considering extending a coalmine in Wales and a new one in Cumbria, have approved a new oilfield in the North Sea and the expansion of the airport at Bristol, and are making cuts to public transport services. Continue reading...

The Independent

• Government launches ’national conversation’ on future of public rail serviceTransport minister Jenny Gilruth invited opposition MSPs to discuss the future of rail services in Scotland.

Times Online

• Scottish key workers fear impact of unlimited parking fees [subscription]Teachers, police officers and firefighters will be among those “punished” by a new scheme allowing councils to charge unlimited fees to park at work, unions have said.
• Details of Go-Ahead rail scandal kept secret [subscription]The Department for Transport is refusing to disclose the contents of a report into how and why Go-Ahead Group’s Southeastern Trains company hid and then failed to pay back at least £25 million of money owed to the taxpayer.
• Transport minister Jenny Gilruth: I feel threatened by drunk men on trains [subscription]Scotland’s new transport minister has said she feels threatened by drunk men sitting next to her on trains as she announced plans to make public transport safer for women.

The National

• Date confirmed for public takeover of ScotRail franchiseSCOTLAND'S rail services will be in public ownership within weeks, Transport Minister Jenny Gilruth has confirmed.

Edinburgh Evening News

• ScotRail to be nationalised in April as Scottish Government admits 'work needed' on serviceDutch operator Abellio is to be stripped of the contract to run Scotland's rail network with ScotRail taken into public ownership and redesigned for a 'post-pandemic world' from April 1

Newcastle Evening Chronicle

• The 21-mile abandoned railway that could 'revolutionise' the North EastMinisters are being urged to invest in the Leamside line, which has been closed since 1992

Sheffield Star

• HS2: Sheffield MP angrily hits back at Boris Johnson's 'confusion' over high-speed rail planSheffield MP and shadow transport minister Louise Haigh has hit out at Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s latest statement on the HS2 high-speed rail plan.

Yorkshire Post

• Bradford will be 'rightfully angry' MP says after Boris Johnson appears to confuse city with LeedsBoris Johnson has been criticised by Yorkshire MPs for appearing to confuse Leeds and Bradford after causing surprise by suggesting the Government was considering bringing HS2 to the latter city.
• Yorkshire Wolds Railway complete the first full train movement on the old Driffield to Malton line since it closed in 1958It's over 60 years since a passenger carriage was last shunted on the old line between Driffield and Malton.

Leeds Live

• Leeds residents fear 'confusing' road changes for major junctionBusinesses are worried it will 'kill' trade and have hit out that cycle lanes are 'unnecessary' in Meanwood and Stonegate Road junctions

Other Regional Press

• 
People are ’scared’ to use trains due to pandemic says ministerPeople are scared to use trains because of the pandemic the transport minister has said.
• HS2 proposes installing 600m conveyor belt over A413 to eliminate potential HGV congestionBucks Council is analysing the current plans
• Britain's first 100mph battery-diesel hybrid train goes into passenger serviceA 20-year-old diesel train has been retrofitted with a powerful Rolls-Royce battery to reduce fuel consumption and CO2 emissions.
• How you can help us bring Great British Railways home to CreweThe search to find the home of Great British Railways has begun - and we believe Crewe is the natural choice. The Department of Transport officially launched the contest to find a headquarters for the new public body that will oversee the country's railway infrastructure.
• Residents launch campaign to raise funds to restore a historic train stationThe Bishopstone Station at Bishopstone near Seaford has fallen into disrepair in recent years and although trains still stop their the buildings have been empty since 2015.

New Civil Engineer

• FM Conway plans to keep Hammersmith Bridge open during stabilisation workFM Conway has devised a plan to keep Hammersmith Bridge open to pedestrians and cyclists during upcoming work to the Victorian structure.
• First concrete segments cast for HS2’s record-breaking Colne Valley ViaductWork on the UK’s longest railway bridge has ramped up this week, with HS2 contractors beginning production of 1,000 enormous concrete segments that will form the deck of the Colne Valley Viaduct.
• TfL ’brain drain’ reported as employees exit due to major project uncertaintyTransport for London (TfL) commissioner Andy Byford has said there is an “evident brain drain” at the Capital's trasport operator, with experts leaving because of uncertainty over major projects.

Aviation Industry

• AEF’s 2021 Annual Report Is Out Now!We are pleased to announce the publication of our 2021 Annual Report. 2021 saw a big policy win as the Government finally committed to legislate for net zero aviation, and … The post AEF’s 2021 Annual Report Is Out Now! appeared first on Aviation Environment Federation.

Other News Sources

• Top poet special guest on Greater Anglia podcastEast Anglian poet Luke Wright makes a guest appearance on the next episode of Greater Anglia’s Life on Rails podcast – and reads a poem he wrote about his dad’s daily commute from Kelvedon to Liverpool Street.
• Eye-watering first-class train bill highlights expense of UK train travelA EYE-WATERING expense bill has highlighted the cost of train travel for Cumbrians wanting to get to the capital. Simon Fell claimed the fourth highest amount for first class tickets of all MPs, according to recently released data.
• Carlisle MP backs Great British Railways headquarters bidCarlisle MP John Stevenson is supporting the city’s bid to house the new headquarters of Great British Railways.
• Southern Rail apologises for Redhill station overcrowding 'carnage' amid safety fearsPassengers called conditions at the station 'hell on Earth' and argued they were 'horrifically dangerous' - one who escaped the crowds said 'I'm just glad I'm still alive'