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

Saturday, 10 September 2022

BBC News

• Plans for sweeping changes to how ferries are runTransport Minister Jenny Gilruth has announced plans for sweeping changes to the way Calmac ferries is owned and operated.
• Smart motorways: Lack of hard shoulder contributed to death - coronerNargis Begum, from Sheffield, died after her car broke down on the M1 and was hit by another vehicle.

The Herald

• Lifeline services hit following failure of one of CalMac's oldest ferries, due to be phased outLIFELINE services to Skye have been cancelled as one of CalMac's oldest vessels, which was to be phased out, has suffered engine problems since Thursday.

Times Online

• Lack of transparency on ferries is blamed for overspending risk [subscription]A lack of transparency in Scotland’s main ferry network has led to an increased risk of overspending and inappropriate decision-making, according to a long-awaited report.

Daily Record

• Falkirk councillor hopes new bus owners will improve services for everyoneA Falkirk councillor says she hopes that the takeover of local bus services will lead to improvements - especially for people living in the more rural parts of Falkirk district.

Edinburgh Evening News

• Edinburgh's South Suburban railway - your views onlineIt’s 60 years since the last regular passenger train made its final journey on Edinburgh's South Suburban railway.

The Press and Journal (Aberdeen)

• CalMac axes penalty charging proposals due to backlashCalMac has axed plans to bring in new penalty charging fees after it was criticised by island community groups.

Lancashire Telegraph

• We took a cute ferry ride across the Wyre on a glorious early-autumn morning and found more than we expectedFerries are a staple on our open waterways, transporting everything from huge cargo, to cars full of excited tourists to holiday hotspots and foot passengers on day trips.

Plymouth Herald

• Secrets of the 'Tomato Railway' that used to run through PlymouthThe Branch line between Friary Good's Yard - now Friary Park Retail Park and Yealmpton was one of the farthest reaching

Other Regional Press

• New project launched to develop contactless fare capping on West Midlands public transport servicesTransport for West Midlands’ new multi-operator contactless payment option will allow residents and visitors to benefit from convenient and cost-efficient public transport by simply tapping on and off buses in the region.
• Transport for the North writes to Liz Truss to implement urgent prioritiesA partnership group is calling on the government to invest in the transport network to boost the North of England’s economy.
• LETTER – Lack of border rail links tantamount to madnessIT IS perhaps a sad irony that Oswestry, so central in some regards, finds itself like a desolate outpost when it comes to railway links.

New Civil Engineer

• Network Rail to seek damages from United Utilities after mains burst flooded tracksNetwork Rail will seek compensation from United Utilities to cover money lost after a burst water main disrupted services for five days in Greater Manchester.
• Essential rail upgrades to close various lines in south east from this weekendNetwork Rail will be carrying out numerous works on the Great Eastern Main Line and several branch lines throughout autumn and up to Christmas.

The Business Desk

• Council to decide on plans to secure £17m for bus network improvementsCity of York Council’s executive will be asked to approve plans for an Enhanced Bus Partnership, which will unlock £17.36m in Government funding to improve bus services locally.

Other News Sources

• First Bus deploys Optibus software on 4,000 UK busesThe roll-out will enable Optibus’ operating companies to improve the service and operational efficiency of buses across Glasgow, Bristol, Essex, Yorkshire, and Cornwall.
• Net zero transport for tourists in the Peak DistrictThe trial for ’PEAK Express’, a hydrogen-powered net zero transport option for tourists travelling to the Peak District in the UK, has commenced
• TfN calls on new Prime Minster to invest in transportTransport for the North (TfN) has called on the new Prime Minister to invest in the region's infrastructure and services to boost the economy and help lay the foundations for sustainable growth.
• Europe’s Rail allocates first grants for rail research and innovationThese projects, together entailing an investment of €568.4m, will mark the commencement of these R&I activities.
• The public has spoken: UK government must hold P&O Ferries accountableFollowing the disgraceful decision by P&O Ferries to unlawfully sack 786 seafarers in March 2022, Nautilus International has surveyed 2,000 individuals in the UK to understand their attitudes and opinions towards the company and the maritime professionals involved. Robert Murtagh shares the results