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

Thursday, 05 May 2022

Cogitamus

• Chris Stokes Column - Today’s rail reformers could learn to take a faster trackImplementation of the Williams/Shapps White Paper is proving to be grindingly slow. The development and implementation of rail policy used to proceed at a much faster tempo. John Major’s government was re-elected in May 1992 with a manifesto commitment to privatise British Rail. Although at the time Ministers were not yet clear on the way the industry would be privatised, the policy was seen as a clear government priority.

BBC News

• BA to reduce Inverness-London flights over summerInverness Airport said the change to the popular Heathrow route appeared to be temporary.
• 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.

ITV News

• Crossrail: Transport for London confirms Elizabeth Line opens May 24 - see maps, stations and stopsLondon's long-delayed Elizabeth Line project will finally open on Tuesday, 24 May, Transport for London has confirmed.

Financial Times

• VW sells out of electric cars in Europe and USWorld's second-largest electric vehicle manufacturer hit by supply chain bottlenecks
• UK ports want recompense for white elephant post-Brexit borders£300mn facilities risk standing empty after full controls were delayed for fourth time
• Maersk issues warning over stagflation and Chinese factory closuresWorld's largest shipping group by profits foresees risks building up in global economy
• Uber's ride-hailing business recovers as rival Lyft struggles San Francisco-based companies that have been hit by Covid curbs on movement post contrasting results
• Uber: newfound profitability will not roll on for longA driver shortage, rising fuel prices and stiff competition all threaten the taxi and food delivery company's recovery
• Airbus and Qatar battle signals balance of power shiftAircraft manufacturers now have more sway in negotiations with customers as airline industry recovers

The Guardian

• Crossrail: much-delayed Elizabeth line to open on 24 MayTunnelled section of £19bn project through centre of London finally ready for passengers London's Elizabeth line is to open on 24 May, it has been announced, with the long-delayed tunnelled central section of the £19bn Crossrail project now ready for passengers.Transport for London (TfL) said the line would open, subject to final safety approvals, the week prior to the Queen's jubilee celebrations.

The Independent

• Crossrail opening date revealedFirst Elizabeth Line train will arrive 41 months late – and won’t initially run on Sundays, nor stop at Bond Street

The Telegraph

• Grant Shapps refers Sadiq Khan to Electoral Commission over Crossrail opening [subscription]Mayor of London accused of 'breathtaking political cynicism' ahead of local elections

Times Online

• Lifting alcohol ban on ScotRail trains would be a disaster, says union [subscription]A transport union organiser has revealed that antisocial behaviour on trains has worsened since alcohol was banned on ScotRail services but insisted that lifting the order would be an “absolute disaster”.
• At last, Crossrail’s Elizabeth line has an opening dateIt has been 20 years in the making, is three and a half years late and billions of pounds over budget. It is also an engineering work of art that will wow tourists and commuters.

City AM

• Crossrail is (almost) complete but the battle for TfL funding is far from overThe ‘Lizzie Line’ is good news for London – but it might be the last for a while without a funding settlement for the transport network It says something that the relationship between London’s mayoral leadership and Westminster is now so toxic that both sides are attempting to claim credit for a project three years [...] The post Crossrail is (almost) complete but the battle for TfL funding is far from over appeared first on CityAM.

i News

• Crossrail route map: New Elizabeth line stations, full list of stops and journey times explainedTransport for London has released an official map showing the route of the new Elizabeth line, which should open in time for the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee

The Mirror

• Virgin Atlantic plane forced to turn back mid-flight to US due to untrained pilotA Virgin Atlantic flight had to U-turn on its way to New York after it was discovered that the co-pilot was still in training, leaving passengers furious with the delay

Network Rail

• Midlands’ longest railway bridge to be installed this weekendFinal preparations are underway to install a new landmark railway bridge in Birmingham which will become the longest single-span railway structure in the West Midlands.

Bradford Telegraph & Argus

• Transport Secretary to have final say on Batley rail schemeTransport Secretary Grant Shapps could have the final say on rail improvements planned for Batley.

Bristol Live

• Air pollution in areas home to some of Bristol's biggest attractionsThe area around Clifton Suspension Bridge has some of the highest levels of air pollution in the country

London Evening Standard

• Elizabeth Line: London Crossrail opening date finally announcedThe long-awaited Elizabeth line will start running through central London on Tuesday May 24

Other Regional Press

• Kent port attracts record number of lorriesA record number of unaccompanied trailers are now using Sheppey to get to France, according to latest figures.
• Batley rail footbridge gets green light despite crime concernsBut a footpath diversion still offers hope to objectors

C.N.N.

• London's new 'Super Tube' launch date revealedLondon's new 'Super Tube' launch date revealed

Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport

• Elizabeth line to open on 24 May 2022Transport for London (TfL) has confirmed that, subject to final safety approvals, the Elizabeth line will open on Tuesday 24 May 2022. The Elizabeth line will initially operate as three separate railways, with services from Reading, Heathrow and Shenfield connecting with the central tunnels from autumn this year.  In the coming weeks, Elizabeth line signage will continue to be uncovered across the network in preparation for the start of customer service. The updated Tube and Rail map will also be released later showing the new central section stations connected with the rest of the TfL n...

New Civil Engineer

• Crossrail | TfL finally announces Elizabeth line opening dateTransport for London (TfL) has announced that Crossrail aka the Elizabeth line will open to the public on May 24.

Green Miscellany

• ‘Just a minute’ protest targets drivers blocking cycle lanesWhen drivers park illegally – even for just a minute – it has a knock-on effect on other road users. Pavements may become impassable for wheelchair users, pedestrians may find it difficult or dangerous to cross and, in the case of cycle lanes, cyclists may be forced into traffic. Inspired by the excuse ‘I’ll just be a minute’ that’s often… The post ‘Just a minute’ protest targets drivers blocking cycle lanes appeared first on ETA.

Other News Sources

• Council to invest £35m in Telford and Wrekin’s highways and transport infrastructure Telford and Wrekin’s highways and transport infrastructure is set to benefit from more than £35m as announced in Telford & Wrekin Council’s latest capital programme
• Brighton council leader calls on National Highways to clean up A27 and A23THE COUNCIL leader has called on National Highways to take over responsibility of cleaning the A27 and A23.