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

Monday, 11 July 2022

BBC News

• London Overground: Opening date of first new stop since 2005 confirmedThe first new stop on the London Overground since 2005 will open on 18 July, its operator has confirmed. Transport for London (TfL) said an extension of the Gospel Oak to Barking line will provide a rail connection to the new Barking Riverside development.
• Space: First Welsh satellite set to be launched later in 2022A satellite built in Cardiff is set to be launched into space later this year.
• Flights will be more expensive, says IATA's Willie WalshSoaring fuel costs will be reflected in airline ticket prices, Willie Walsh warns.
• Birmingham airport flights delayed longest in 2021But punctuality improved across all UK airports due to fewer flights caused by Covid restrictions.

Financial Times

• England’s bus network faces 30% cuts as Covid subsidies endLocal leaders fear operators will slash unprofitable routes leaving communities isolated

The Guardian

• We needed Dave and George to lean on Boris': Uber's battle for LondonThe US firm used Tory connections to wage a relentless UK lobbying campaign, leaked files show Uber was riding high in London in 2014. Two years after launching, the US private hire app had eaten into the business of black taxis and minicabs without huge political backlash.But that spring, one of Uber’s main political fixers got in touch with its California HQ with some bad news about Boris Johnson, the London mayor.

The Telegraph

• Macron held 'spectacular' meeting with Uber as it lobbied to rewrite taxi laws [subscription]Leaks suggest French president had close relationship with company's then-boss Travis Kalanick when serving as economy minister

Times Online

• Commonwealth Games threatened by rail strike chaos [subscription]The Commonwealth Games could be overshadowed by rail strikes that bring the country to a halt, rail bosses fear.
• Menzies boss says ministers to blame for airports chaos [subscription]Sunak and Shapps accused of failing to prevent crippling staff shortages

The Mirror

• UK weather: Warnings of train derailments and 'hundreds' of deaths with 43C fearedA sizzling week-long heatwave is set to bake Britain this week with temperatures comfortably exceeding 30C - with some weather forecasts fearing record highs of 43C

Sky News

• 'Uber Files': Huge leak of confidential documents blows open murky background of ride-hailing appAfter combing 124,000 leaked documents, investigative journalists have accused the tech giant of using a "kill switch" to stop authorities from seizing evidence and lobbying officials to drop investigations.

Birmingham Mail

• Birmingham Airport 'worst in UK for flight delays' last yearFlights out of BHX were an average 12 minutes 24 seconds late taking off, according to PA research

Bradford Telegraph & Argus

• 'Exasperating' that road safety schemes have been on'to do list' for 20 yearsCOUNCILLORS need to show a “level of honesty” to constituents over what road schemes the Council can afford, as it emerged some projects have been on the “to do” list for over two decades.

Bristol Live

• First Bus announce new 'tap on, tap off' bus payment system for BristolIt will cap fares at £5 a day for adult customers
• First Bus boss says sorry for 'unacceptable' cancellationsThe has been huge disruption in latest months

Edinburgh Evening News

• Publicly-run ScotRail could be a ’disaster’ for future investment – National Skills Academy for Rail chief Neil RobertsonThe head of a major rail industry body has accused the Scottish Government of nationalising ScotRail for political rather than economic reasons which he warned could be a “disaster” for future investment because of politicians’ short-term outlook.

Other Regional Press

• Grant Shapps backed to become Prime Minister by Witney MPAFTER launching his campaign to become the next Prime Minister this morning, Transport Secretary Grant Shapps has received support from an Oxfordshire MP.
• All the changes coming into force for National Express buses in CoventryBosses confirmed that schedule changes will come into force on Sunday, July 24
• New HS2 conveyor aims to reduce HGVs on Warwickshire roadsHS2 hope the 254m construction will remove the need for 30,000 lorry journeys

New Civil Engineer

• What now for Boris’ ’Build Back Better’ ambition?With Boris Johnson stepping down from his role as leader of the Conservative Party and soon to be leaving his post as prime minister, the “infrastructure revolution” that he once promised for the UK will now fall on his newly reshuffled cabinet and ministers – but there’s no guarantee it will be followed through as envisioned.
• How four major contractors are collaborating to deliver the £1bn A66 upgrade at double speedNational Highways has appointed Keltbray, Costain, Kier and Balfour Beatty as delivery partners for the £1bn A66 upgrade and is ensuring they work collaboratively to deliver the scheme quicker.

Rail Business Daily

• Shapps launches bid to become next PMThe Secretary of State for Transport, Grant Shapps, has launched his bid to become the next Prime Minister.

Route One (Bus and Coach)

• Cross-channel coach difficulties worsening, operator saysCross-channel coach operations involving the route between Dover and Calais are seeing further stress because of customs delays before embarking on return ferry departures, one operator has said. The extent of the problems experienced by its coaches means that the business is finding it “almost impossible” to deal with current conditions on the route.