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

Tuesday, 22 February 2022

BBC News

• Menzies Aviation faces £560m takeover by Kuwaiti rivalDirectors recommend a new offer from Kuwait-based National Aviation Services to shareholders.
• Covid: Mask requirement on London transport set to endPeople will no longer need to wear masks when all Covid restrictions end on Thursday, the mayor says.

Department for Transport

• Transport for London funding extension: 25 February 2022The current Transport for London funding settlement has been extended to 25 February 2022.

Financial Times

• Crossrail opening heralds era of uncertainty for UK public transportPassenger numbers on trains and buses have failed to recover to pre-pandemic levels, hitting finances
• Virgin Hyperloop axes half its staff to focus on freightPandemic prompted strategic shift for superfast transport system, says company

Times Online

• Virgin Hyperloop lays off staff in shifting to cargo [subscription]A futuristic venture backed by Sir Richard Branson has made nearly half its staff redundant as the company developing the high-speed transport system switches away from passenger travel to freight.
• BA loses the luggage of thousands of travellers during Storm Eunice [subscription]British Airways has apologised for “letting people down” as thousands of passengers wait to be reunited with luggage after a chaotic weekend at Heathrow Terminal 5.
• Leaves on line of Salisbury train crash not cleared because of engineering work [subscription]Crushed leaves suspected of causing the Salisbury train crash had not been cleared because of engineering work, an investigation has found.

Birmingham Post

• Liverpool John Lennon Airport expansion plans remain on holdAirport leaders have said expansion 'is in our thoughts' but there are 'no plans to expand in the short to medium term'
• East Midlands engineering firm Loram UK wins seven-figure Network Rail deal to overhaul its 'Flying Banana'The bright yellow train monitors and records track condition information at speeds up to 125mph

Bolton News

• ‘Communities could be cut off’: third of GM bus services affected by £70m black holeA THIRD of bus services in Greater Manchester would be affected if government grants do not continue past March with around 30 routes at risk of being cut.

London Evening Standard

• Transport Secretary Grant Shapps pushing to scrap passenger locator forms for EasterGrant Shapps is pushing for passenger locator forms to be scrapped in time for the Easter holidays, it has been reported.

Northern Echo

• New electric vehicle charging station unveiled in County Durham townCOUNTY Durham has set out its green credentials for the future by opening one of the first rapid charging stations for electric vehicles in the region.

Nottingham Evening Post

• 'Incredible' new aviation centre will bring jobs and opportunities to Nottinghamshire townA plan for an 'incredible' new aviation and space centre in Nottinghamshire has been approved.

Yorkshire Post

• Andy Burnham's land taxes plan to pay for Northern Powerhouse Rail should be explored, says Patrick McLoughlinNew Transport for the North chair Patrick McLoughlin says the idea of using Hong Kong-style land taxes to fund the expansion of the Northern Powerhouse Rail route merits serious consideration - but admits some business leaders are “very sceptical” about whether the idea will work in practice.

Carlisle News & Star

• Carlisle City Council to vote on supporting Great British Railways HQ bidA VOTE will be taken at a meeting of the full council next week, which if passed, will see councillors 'across all political hues' supporting a bid to host the Great British Railways Headquarters.

Leeds Live

• Forgotten Leeds railway station 'should be resurrected' to ease pressure on city stationReopening Marsh Lane station could ease some of the pressure on the busy and crowded main Leeds station
• Rail Minister says it's 'vitally important HS2 trains' come to Leeds despite Eastern leg being scaled backBut the Yorkshire section of the controversial high speed project was scrapped last year

Other Regional Press

• 'Another blow' as Storm Franklin floods washes away railway line near WelshpoolA section underneath the railway line outside Welshpool has been washed away in the post-storm floods.

New Civil Engineer

• Aecom and SLC Rail set sights on rail restorations and new stationsAecom and SLC Rail are aiming to become the “go-to people” for new stations in the UK following Aecom’s acquisition of a 30% stake in the SME.

Railway Gazette

• Europe’s Rail research initiative launchedEUROPE: The Europe’s Rail Joint Undertaking that will co-ordinate EU railway research over the next decade was formally launched in Paris on February 21, during an event organised by SNCF in conjunction with the French Presidency of the European Union.

Aviation Industry

• Aviation in the post-pandemic era: why now is the time for optimismJim Scott, the owner of components solutions experts Artemis Aerospace, discusses how he sees the aviation industry adapting and emerging from the COVID-19 crisis.
• AEF Responds to Easyjet CEO in Letter to ObserverIn a letter published in The Observer, AEF Policy Director Cait Hewitt has responded to comments made by Easyjet CEO Johan Lundgren in his Observer business profile. “Johan Lundgren says … The post AEF Responds to Easyjet CEO in Letter to Observer appeared first on Aviation Environment Federation.

Other News Sources

• Spain's new low-cost train will connect Madrid with popular beach cities in 2022Following the introduction of a low-cost train service between Madrid and Barcelona last year, a new budget-friendly route is set to connect Spain's landlocked capital with the coastal cities of Valencia and Alicante, with some tickets priced as low as €9.
• MP pushes Kincardine for Great British Railways HQ bidKINCARDINE is well placed to host a new railway headquarters, according to one MP calling on Fife Council to submit a bid for it.
• Public views sought on the future of Hull’s citywide transport planMembers of the public are being encouraged to take part in a consultation to help shape the transport priorities for Hull over the next four years.
• £15M SUSTAINABLE TRANSPORT SCHEME GEARS UPWork is set to start to enhance walking and cycling infrastructure in two parks to improve access to one of St Helens' busiest railway stations. The scheme is part of the £15m St Helens Southern Gateway project.
• £30m to stabilise the bus market and around £40m for Metrolink for the next financial year say Manchester’s Transport chiefsGreater Manchester will need the Government to provide £30m to stabilise the bus market and around £40m for Metrolink for the next financial year according to Greater Manchester Transport Committee: