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

Monday, 26 September 2022

BBC News

• Gosforth High Street cycle lane proposals 'massive step back'Campaigners say plans to redesign a controversial cycle lane installed as part of social distancing measures are a "massive backwards step".
• Concessionary bus pass users given free travel in WiltshireConcessionary bus pass users in Wiltshire can now travel for free across the county all day every day on public buses.
• Labour does back rail nationalisation, says shadow transport ministerShadow minister Tanmanjeet Dhesi clears up where the party stands on public ownership.
• Electric car charging costs nearing petrol prices for some - RACThe RAC suggests the soaring cost of charging an electric car could soon put people off buying them.

The Guardian

• Buzz stops: bus shelter roofs turned into gardens for bees and butterfliesBee bus stops first appeared in the Dutch city of Utrecht. Now the UK is planning for more than 1,000 and there is growing interest across Europe and in Canada and Australia
• TfL cleaners, caterers and security staff to get free transport in LondonSadiq Khan taking ’unprecedented’ action to ease financial pressure for lowest-paid transport workers

The Independent

• Sadiq Khan announces free travel for thousands of lowest paid transport workersThousands of the lowest paid transport workers are to travel for free across London to help with cost of living crisis after an intervention by the Labour mayor Sadiq Khan.

Times Online

• More ScotRail staff will wear bodycams to keep crime down [subscription]ScotRail is to give body cameras to all public-facing staff to enhance security and gather evidence to be used in court cases. The decision follows reports of staff being groped as well as threatened with knives, fire extinguishers and makeshift flamethrowers.

City AM

• Avanti asks ministers for relief with train service performance targetsLondon to Manchester train operator Avanti has begged ministers to relieve it from performance target deadlines, after struggling with driver shortages.

The National

• The whole of Scotland can benefit if we rerail the north-eastOVER the years many of my older family members here in the north-east have reminisced about the old railway. Often, we would be out walking by the old tracks and they would recall what it was like when rail was felt, smelt and experienced. ADVERTISEMENT Help children to be resilient during a crisis Support families in East Africa suffering extreme hunger by sponsoring a child today. Inspired by

Birmingham Post

• Would-be drivers get behind the wheel at free Kinchbus Try Drive event'This was the perfect opportunity for the career curious to get a real feel for being in the cab of a modern bus'

Bradford Telegraph & Argus

• Bradford's controversial Clean Air Zone goes liveTHE Bradford Clean Air Zone has gone live today (Monday), almost four years after Bradford Council was ordered to draw up a plan to improve air quality in the city.

Liverpool Echo

• Mick Lynch goes down a storm as Labour commits to taking railways into public controlUnion boss Mick Lynch received a rapturous response at another Labour conference event today - as the party committed to bringing rail back into public control.
• People forced away from 'neglected' town served by one train an hourA young family sit on a bench outside a mortgage advisors, just opposite a monument bearing a plaque celebrating a community pride award.

Newcastle Evening Chronicle

• Go North East seeking 100 new bus drivers after increasing pay ratesA major recruitment drive is under way at the region's largest bus operator Go North East, as it looks to recruit 100 new bus drivers over the coming weeks.

Other Regional Press

• Greenway route for cycling and walking won’t be ready until two years after Waterbeach New Town opensA pause to work on a dedicated walking and cycling route between Waterbeach and Cambridge has been described as “hugely disappointing”.
• Next round of Aberdeenshire bus forums set to take placeThe forums are public meetings held in each area of Aberdeenshire, attended by the council’s Passenger Transport Unit, local councillors and local bus operators.

New Civil Engineer

• Network Rail begins upgrade of three East Anglia swing bridgesWork to upgrade electrical and mechanical systems inside three swing bridges in East Anglia got underway this weekend.
• Essex council seeks DfT funding for £80M ’hamburger’ roundaboutEssex County Council will ask the Department for Transport (DfT) for help funding its £80M Army and Navy roundabout plans.

Rail Advent

• Businesses in the Midlands region give the thumbs up to improvement proposals for the Birmingham-Black Country-Shrewsbury route.A survey was recently undertaken by sub-national transport body Midlands Connect in a bid to discover how proposed rail improvement could impact local businesses in the region. The businesses that took part employ more than 12,500 employees throughout the area.
• Liverpool city regions funding application marks the next stage in its bid to achieve step-free stations across the cityLiverpool City Regions application for funding supports aims to achieve step-free stations across the city

Railnews

• Avanti restores some services, but pressure continuesAvanti West Coast is restoring some of the trains which were withdrawn last month, but one group of business leaders and politicians is calling for its government contract to be withdrawn.

The Business Desk

• Transport bodies launch joint vision for East MidlandsBetter rail links, reduced congestion and safer roads are all highlighted as key priorities for levelling up the East Midlands in a new document. Transport for the East Midlands (TfEM) and Midlands Connect, have highlighted eight shared priorities in a new joint vision for the cities and counties of the East Midlands.
• Government signals investment zones for West Midlands as transport plans get fast-trackedThe Government has revealed it wants to work with the West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA) to create investment zones to help drive economic growth, new homes and jobs.

Other News Sources

• Why the Sprint bus network extension in Solihull is good news for the West MidlandsThe LDRS understands that the announcement made on Friday (September 23) refers to the Sprint bus network along the corridor, not to the metro extension.