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

Thursday, 05 January 2023

BBC News

• Coventry University gets £20m to improve disabled transportResearch and projects to improve transport for people with disabilities is going to be carried out by a university through a £20m grant.
• UK new car sales hit 30-year low but electric vehicle demand soarsA chip shortage contributed to the drop in car registrations in 2022 - but electric cars boost market share.

Financial Times

• UK sales of electric cars overtake diesel for first timeOverall new vehicle registrations at lowest level since 1992 as supply chain woes hobble factories
• Ryanair forecasts take flight after bumper holiday seasonCarrier lifts guidance after stronger-than-expected Christmas and new year demand

The Guardian

• Almost no trains will run across England on Thursday as drivers strikeIndustrial action by Aslef members will stop services on major national rail lines, halting commuter services. Almost no trains will run in most parts of England on Thursday as train drivers at 15 operating companies go on strike.The 24-hour strike by members of the Aslef union will stop services entirely across major national rail lines, halting most commuter services in the south-east, Midlands and north of England.

Times Online

• Taking a day trip is good for your health. [subscription]Millions have found it impossible to get out and about this week as rail strikes grind the nation to a standstill.
• Network Rail apologises after closure of Broxbourne railway bridge sends motorists on 17-mile diversion. [subscription]Network Rail has apologised after the closure of a single railway bridge has sent motorists on an “exceptional” 17-mile diversion.

City AM

• 2022 worst year for UK car production in decades, but sector hopes to bounce back 2022 was the worst year for car production in the UK since 1992, according to new data published today.  Figures from automotive trade body the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) show that car registrations totalled 1.61 million in 2022, only just higher than 1992’s 1.59 million.  Last year’s output was down 700,000 units [...] The post 2022 worst year for UK car production in decades, but sector hopes to bounce back appeared first on CityAM.

Network Rail

• On track to better: Transpennine Route Upgrade delivers Christmas improvementsThe Transpennine Route Upgrade is on track to better, more reliable journeys after Network Rail delivered improvements over Christmas and New Year between Manchester, Huddersfield, Leeds and York.

Sky News

• Better transport options linked to greater health and wellbeing, study findsTransport infrastructure in the north of England needs vital improvements, researchers have warned, as a study finds a link between travelling outside your local area and positive health and wellbeing.
• New car sales hit lowest level since 1992 but worst of supply woes in rear view mirrorThe number of new cars sold in the UK last year tumbled to its lowest level since 1992 but the sector says supply shortages, which have held sales back, are "beginning to ease".

Belfast Telegraph

• Sony and Honda unveil Afeela electric car brandSony and Honda have unveiled their new electric car brand and said they hope to have the new company’s first vehicles on the road within four years.

Birmingham Mail

• The six Birmingham junctions where new spy cars will be trying to catch drivers breaking road rulesCity council set to be given new powers to fine drivers

Birmingham Post

• Manchester's 'Eurostar' infrastructure returns to use under Northern after Nineties plan derailedHull engineering specialist Spencer Group delivers £1.8m project
• HGV hydrogen refuelling stations to be built in South West following major dealThe stations will be established along key haulage routes in Devon and Cornwall

Wales Online

• Two groups want to take over the running of Swansea Airport But the current operator wants to renew his lease for the Swansea Council-owned facility

Wolverhampton Express and Star

• Travelling to see family and friends ’good for health’Experts found that people who left their local community were more likely to report good health compared to those who stayed closer to home.

Yorkshire Post

• A generation could shun rail travel forever due to the repeated train strikes - Jayne DowleA generation of passengers will turn their back on the railways as a result of the strikes crippling train services, warns a Government source. And you can see why.

Other Regional Press

• Glasgow needs new 'night time transport policy' says club bossA new dedicated night-time transport policy is needed to boost the hospitality sector according to a Glasgow nightclub boss.

New Civil Engineer

• Network Rail ramps up work on £11bn Transpennine Route UpgradeWork on the Transpennine Route Upgrade gathered pace over the Christmas and New Year period. Network Rail engineers carried out a number of works on the £11.5bn scheme to upgrade the line between Manchester, Huddersfield, Leeds and York.

Other News Sources

• £75,000 boost to cycling and walking improvements in PortsmouthCreating a cycling and walking network that’s better connected, safer and accessible to all is one step closer following the funding award from Active Travel England, Department of Transport.
• New transport chair: 'Heaven forbid we don’t learn lessons from Covid'New transport select committee chair Iain Stewart is keen to ensure travel is ready to tackle its future challenges. He tells Tom Parry how he plans to support the industry
• World's oldest pier railway and Southampton ferry saved just 48 hours before New Year's Eve closureA Southampton ferry and the world's oldest pier railway have been saved at the eleventh hour after it was due to close on New Year's Eve (December 31). The Hythe Ferry sails daily between Hythe and Southampton Town Quay from the end of Hythe’s historic Pier.
• Manchester train servicing depot brought back to life by Spencer GroupManchester International Depot has been transformed into a modern train servicing and stabling facility, thanks to major upgrade works by Spencer Group.