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

Wednesday, 04 May 2022

BBC News

• Crossrail: Elizabeth line due to open on 24 MayThe over-budget project was meant to open in December 2018 but will now begin running on 24 May.
• Nicola Sturgeon accused of 'lie' over ferry contractThe former Ferguson shipyard owner disputes the FM's claim it would have shut without the CalMac ferry contract.

Financial Times

• BP’s bumper earnings stoke new calls for windfall taxOil major reports highest underlying quarterly profit in more than 10 years
• Elon Musk: The Boring Company’s plan for high-speed travel is off to a slow startInvestors acknowledge need for patience because there are a few complicating factors

The Guardian

• Crossrail: much-delayed Elizabeth line to open on 24 MayTunnelled section of £19bn project through centre of London finally ready for passengers
• Network Rail’s proposed cuts put passengers at risk, say unionsCuts to rail funding could lead to more serious rail accidents as well as fewer, more crowded trains, unions have said.

The Scotsman

• A new dawn for passenger trains...and perhaps for the freight sector too - Martin BignellThe 1st April 2022 marked a significant change in how Scotland’s passenger railway is delivered, with ScotRail transferring back under national control for the first time since 1994. But for all the hard work behind the scenes to ensure the passenger services continued without hiccup as ScotRail Trains Limited and Scottish Rail Holdings pickup up the legal, regulatory, technical, HR, financial, technological, liability, access agreement and contractual reins that lurk hidden behind the tickets we buy, the seats we travel on and the timetables we use, for Rail Freight in Scotland, April 1st was just a normal Friday no different to 25th March or indeed April 8th.

City AM

• Unions warn rail cuts could increase the risk of crashesReported railway cuts could increase the risk of serious crashes, according to trade unions. A report published today by the Trade Unions Congress (TUC) accused Network Rail of planning to cut around 2,5000 maintenance jobs as part of a £100m annual spending reduction, leading to the loss of 2,500 jobs.

The Mirror

• BP raking in £639 a SECOND and Boris Johnson mutters more rubbish about busesOil giant BP is celebrating its £5billion profit - its biggest quarterly boost for more than a decade. Meanwhile, Brits are struggling with the cost of living crisis but Boris Johnson is not helping

Sky News

• Crossrail: Elizabeth line opening date finally revealed by Transport for LondonIt is hoped the Queen - who the line is named after - will be involved in the opening. The project has been delayed by years and gone hugely over budget.

Birmingham Mail

• Just Stop Oil protestors insist they have support despite calls for them to be locked upJust Stop Oil released a YouGov pol saying 58 per cent of UK adults supported their plea to halt licensing of new oil and gas - but motorists said police should take tough action

Bristol Live

• Metro Mayor urges bus bosses to revisit plans following new timetables and service cutsIt took one student four hours and three buses to get into college recently

Liverpool Echo

• 'Avoid Manchester' says airport driver as queues, chaos and disruption continuesHe shared a picture of queues that have stretched out of the terminal building

Manchester Evening News

• Cuts to rail funding increases risk of serious crash, union warns"If the Network Rail cuts go ahead it will mean the loss of safety-critical jobs"

Newcastle Evening Chronicle

• Anger as airport passengers spend almost 4 hours in total from check in to get through securityPassengers took to social media claiming queues for check-in with airlines and then security came to a combined four hours in some cases.

Other Regional Press

• South Yorkshire mayor candidates vow to make 'ragtag, terrible' buses betterThe Conservative, Liberal Democrat and Yorkshire Party candidates unveil their plans to tackle the 'appalling' bus networks in Sheffield, Barnsley, Rotherham and Doncaster
• Scary Huddersfield Bus Station plagued by yobs and thieves who fight, spit and even urinate on peopleShoppers and workers say they don't always feel safe in and around the transport hub
• HS2 road closures and diversions in Warwickshire over the next three monthsFor people who live and work in the area, the disruption is only just getting started

New Civil Engineer

• Innovative thinker | KPMG technical director Kevin Masters advocates whole programme contractsAwarding contracts on a project-by-project basis is stale and is stifling innovation. Kevin Masters advocates a shift to more holistic approach.
• Future of modular construction | HS2 and East West Rail collaborate to make bridge kitsHigh Speed 2 and East West Rail are sharing knowledge to help develop modular bridges in a unique collaboration.
• HS2 innovation manager Heather Donald reveals how the railway is driving changeEven though construction of High Speed 2 (HS2) is still in its early stages, it has already been the proving ground for numerous innovations.

Railnews

• More mail on rail again?Royal Mail is set to make more use of trains to carry post in Britain, it is reported.

Other News Sources

• Stagecoach South announce new commercial directorA BUS operator has appointed a new member of its leadership team in the Hampshire area.
• Gatwick Airport plane was at 'high' risk of hitting 'large' droneAircrafts were grounded for 20 minutes