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

Saturday, 19 February 2022

BBC News

• Tesla investigated over 'phantom braking' problemThe US government is investigating reports of Tesla cars braking unexpectedly on motorways.
• Storm Eunice: Flights and train services cancelledAir travel has been disrupted at many UK airports while rail firms issued a 'do not travel' warning.

The Guardian

• Black workers accused Tesla of racism for years. Now California is stepping inThe company has been hit with several discrimination lawsuits but this from a government agency may have wider implications. For Black employees at Tesla's flagship California plant, coming into work could mean being harassed, bullied by a supervisor or finding racist graffiti sprayed on factory walls.
• Andy Burnham says clean air zone critics made false claims about wife’s interestsGreater Manchester mayor says comments made in relation to Marie-France van Heel are frankly disgraceful. Andy Burnham has hit out at critics of Greater Manchester's clean air zone (CAZ) whom he says have made 'frankly disgraceful' false claims about his wife's professional links to an electric car charging network.

Times Online

• Light at the end of the tunnel for FirstGroup [subscription]It’s been a tough time for FirstGroup’s investors over the past few months as Boris Johnson’s plan B, telling Britain’s workforce to work from home again, weighed heavily on one of Britain’s leading passenger transport providers.
• Oxford determined to clean the air around its dreaming spires [subscription]Paul Birtles upgraded his vehicle last year to a low-emission diesel van. Now he plans to spend £35,000 on an electric model to comply with Britain’s first “zero emission zone”.
• Hit the brakes on plans for workplace parking levy, business leaders demand [subscription]Business leaders have called for plans to introduce a workplace parking tax to be shelved, claiming that shift workers will not have the option of using public transport.

Belfast Telegraph

• Many rail lines still closed as Storm Eunice disruption continuesTravel disruption caused by Storm Eunice will continue into Saturday as the clean-up begins from the deadly storm.

Birmingham Post

• Hourly Belfast to Dublin train service 'could be in place by end of next year'He said work would then begin to replace the Enterprise fleet and introduce a full hourly service all day from about 2026 to 2027

The York Press

• Train giants back York's bid to be home of new British railway HQTWO York-based railway giants have thrown their weight behind the city's campaign to become the national headquarters of Britain's railways.

Yorkshire Post

• Patrick McLoughlin seeking improvements to Integrated Rail Plan after 'over-promises'New Transport for the North chair Patrick McLoughlin will push the Government to “improve” its controversial Integrated Rail Plan which is set to leave Yorkshire with just two miles of new high-speed track.

Bucks Free Press

• Heathrow Airport livestream goes viral as jets navigate Storm Eunice - see it hereAt Heathrow Airport on Friday, at least 65 flights – both departures and arrivals – were cancelled.

Wrexham.com

• Transport for Wales services to resume on Saturday but passengers urged to check before they travelTransport for Wales services will resume on Saturday (19 February) but customers are being urged to check before they travel with disruption expected to continue throughout the morning.

Other Regional Press

• Cycling Scotland event funding deadline aheadTHE clock is ticking for community organisations to apply for grants of up to £10,000 to organise free, beginner-friendly cycling events in 2022.
• Nearly 400 HS2 lorries could go through Balsall Common every day if resubmitted plans are approvedPlans to send nearly lorries through Balsall Common every day for HS2 works have been re-submitted to Solihull Metropolitan Borough Council.
• Highland councillors urge new Transport Minister to stop rail ticket office hours being slashedLocal Highland councillors are calling for no changes to be made to railway ticket office hours in the strath until the Scottish Government takes over the reins of the network.

Business Live

• Bristol Airport to hire 400 staff as travel restrictions easeBristol Airport is planning to hire hundreds of staff as demand for travel ramps up following the easing of restrictions.

Transportxtra

• Oxford proposes a zero-carbon transport systemThe proposals will see the introduction of a city-wide workplace parking levy, traffic filters and a wider zero emission zone, together with improved public transport and cycle routes

Other News Sources

• Norfolk transport users group calls for action over bus grant cutsA transport users group is calling for the government to continue a vital bus funding scheme as it fears services will be severely curtailed otherwise.
• YORKSHIRE LOSING FAITH IN LEVELLING UP AGENDA, NEW POLL REVEALSNew polling of Yorkshire shows that the decision to cancel HS2’s Eastern Leg has undermined the county’s faith in the government’s levelling up agenda, with 42% of those with an opinion opposed to the scheme’s curtailment, as opposed to just 27% who are in support.
• Yorkshire scheme will support older and disabled people travelling by railThanks to Northern’s accessibility fund, the Better Journeys by Rail scheme is aiming to support the rail service access of older and disabled in the Yorkshire region.
• North Wales transport commission is launchedA new transport commission that will develop a pipeline of transport schemes for North Wales has been launched by the Welsh Government.
• Councils announce ambitious updated proposals to support a zero carbon transport networkPlans to create a sustainable and reliable transport system in Oxford have been announced.