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

Wednesday, 16 March 2022

BBC News

• Heathrow Airport drops Covid face mask rulesThe UK's largest airport joins British Airways and Virgin Atlantic in easing mask-wearing rules.

Financial Times

• Europe’s car plants halted by lack of low-cost Ukrainian componentFactories idled because harness used to hold together electric cabling is harder to secure from war-hit country
• Delta Air Lines to raise ticket prices in response to higher fuel costsChief executive says bookings remain robust despite concerns over war in Ukraine

The Guardian

• Air pollution linked to higher risk of autoimmune diseasesIllnesses including rheumatoid arthritis and Crohn’s more likely after long-term exposure to particulates, study findsLong-term exposure to air pollution can increase the risk of autoimmune disease, research has found.Exposure to particulates has already been linked to strokes, brain cancer, miscarriage and mental health problems. A global review, published in 2019, concluded that almost every cell in the body could be affected by dirty air. Continue reading...

The Independent

• First-class rail for just a fraction more than standardWarrington Bank Quay is typical of the brutally functional stations that litter the West Coast main line linking the capital with northwest England.

Times Online

• British Airways scraps facemasks on flightsThe flag carrier says that from Wednesday, face coverings will only be required when a destination has its own “restrictions and legal requirements”, such as in the United States.

Sky News

• Legal targets on air pollution and wildlife proposed by governmentLegal targets for air pollution and the abundance of wild species are among proposals being set out by the government.

Bradford Telegraph & Argus

• New coffee shop planned for Bingley Rail StationA NEW coffee kiosk could be installed in Bingley's Grade II listed rail station if new plans are approved.

Liverpool Echo

• Fear bus route could be scrapped after complaints from passengersAn MP fears a city region bus route could be scrapped after he received a slew of complaints from passengers over the service.

London Evening Standard

• TfL plan to speed-up London buses: not stopping at bus stops and banning cars from key roadsExpress buses that skip bus stops and banning cars and taxis from key roads are among the plans revealed on Friday to speed up London’s bus fleet.

Manchester Evening News

• Major tram services will not run through city centre for six days due to engineering worksMajor tram services will not run through certain city-centre stops for six days as engineers carry out 'essential maintenance works'.

Northern Echo

• North East transport projects totalling £24 to be approvedA RAFT of transport proposals totalling £24m in the North East are on the verge of final approval after the North East Join Transport Committee are set to give several high-profile projects the green light.

The York Press

• Cycle works set to cause drivers inconvenience for up to to 10 weeksDRIVERS are facing up to 10 weeks of inconvenience on one of York's busiest commuter routes - as work is carried out on creating a better cycle route for students.

Wales Online

• The secret tunnels of Wales and the fascinating stories behind themFrom disused railway tunnels to abandoned weapons factories, Wales has loads of secret tunnels

Bucks Free Press

• No taxpayers' money to Russian oligarch, HS2 sayUK sanctions target powerful individuals connected to the Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Leeds Live

• Jet2 celebrates 'return to normal' from Leeds Bradford Airport as Covid travel rule scrappedFrom March 18, travel rules will change once more and this time, they're finally reaching an end.

Other Regional Press

• MSP calls for improvements to Eastwood bus servicesEastwood MSP Jackson Carlaw is calling on First Bus to place greater focus on restoring bus services in his constituency.
• ’Ed Davey thinks Eastleigh isn’t worthy enough’Eastleigh’s MP Paul Holmes says he is shocked by remarks made by the Liberal Democrat Leader Ed Davey who has undermined Eastleigh’s bid to land the new headquarters for the UK’s national railway service GBR.
• Minister sees and hears about port's plans to switch more freight onto the tracksTRANSPORT minister Wendy Morton has been shown how DP World’s London Gateway port is keeping on track and has plans to increase the amount of traffic it shifts by rail.

New Civil Engineer

• Six changes to Lower Thames Crossing plans go out to consultationNational Highways has announced a short consultation on six changes to its proposed Lower Thames Crossing.
• Crossrail bosses rule out soft opening at Bond StreetCrossrail’s delayed Bond Street station will not open in two phases to attempt to expedite the delivery, Transport for London (TfL) commissioner Andy Byford has confirmed.

Other News Sources

• Kier picked for £65m Oxford station project 1 hour Network Rail has appointed Kier to deliver the next stage of its £65m improvement project at Oxford railway station.
• Firm hired under £650,000 contract to look at tackling Glasgow's busy bus routesA contract worth almost £650,000 is set to be awarded to a consultancy firm for work on improving bus travel in Glasgow.
• Transport for London publishes long-term plan for UK capital city’s busesTfL’s new Bus Action Plan identifies five key areas that can, in the long term, support the modernisation of London’s bus network, including customer experience, safety & security and decarbonisation.