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

Wednesday, 18 January 2023

BBC News

• Devon community transport scheme making cuts to serviceA community transport service in Devon has said it will run a reduced service from March due to a lack of funding.

Financial Times

• Ryanair racks up record bookings as airlines defy recessionChief executive Michael O'Leary says passenger demand is proving resilient
• UK train drivers to strike in February after union rejects pay deal Aslef calls two walkouts early next month in move that will deepen bitter industrial dispute

The Guardian

• Electric vehicle sales accelerate to record highs in New ZealandEnvironmental awareness and government-backed subsidies have contributed to the spike, while Australian purchases remain stuck in the slow lane
• Underwater bike garage solves Amsterdam station’s storage headacheBeneath the clear waters and pleasure boats by Amsterdam central station is a remarkable feat of engineering: an underwater garage for 7,000 bicycles.

The Herald

• Hitachi Rail is latest company to move into Glasgow's Citizen buildingHITACHI Rail has been revealed as the latest tenant at 24 St Vincent Place, the historic former home of the Citizen newspaper in Glasgow.

The Independent

• How did Britain’s big four airports do in 2022?Plane Talk: Stansted is closest to pre-pandemic passenger numbers, while Heathrow is back at 2001 levels

Times Online

• Airport strikes: Brace for summer travel chaos, warns Ryanair boss. [subscription]Holidaymakers have been told to prepare for disruption to summer flights because of air traffic control strikes and the war in Ukraine.

Transport Committee

• What does the future of transport look like? The Transport Committee wants to hear your ideasThe Transport Committee today launches its ’Our Future Transport’ appeal for experts, researchers and innovative thinkers to share their ideas on what the Committee should investigate for its next in-depth inquiry.

i News

• Train strikes: Major escalation in rail row as ASLEF and RMT announce co-ordinated action next monthThe Aslef and RMT unions have announced new rail strikes for February, with Downing Street warning of “significant disruption” to the public.

Birmingham Post

• Britishvolt calls in administrators as last minute deal bids failThe majority of the firm's 300 staff have been made redundant with immediate effect
• Welsh Government has no intention of cutting losses and selling Cardiff Airport says Vaughan GethingVaughan Gething said his government will not face a conflict of interest in assessing a freeport bid with Cardiff Airport at its heart
• Swedish eyes on the Humber as Stena Line invests with ABPKrona tipped to follow as Immingham plans taken in by Swedish Chamber of Commerce

Bradford Telegraph & Argus

• Bradford will play 'critical' role in the UK space industryBRADFORD has much to gain from the UK space industry – and has a vital role to play in its future – an expert professor from the University has said.

Edinburgh Evening News

• ScotRail peak fares suspension will only cover some routes – Michael MathesonThe planned suspension of peak-hour ScotRail fares will be confined to certain routes rather than being trialled across the network, transport secretary Michael Matheson has confirmed.

Manchester Evening News

• Manchester Airport IT problems causing 'gridlock' as passengers waiting 'hours' at check-inIT problems are causing 'gridlock' at Manchester Airport today, with passengers reportedly waiting for 'hours' at check-in desks.

Newcastle Evening Chronicle

• Tyne and Wear Metro escapes service cuts – but still in 'precarious' state with massive energy billsA budget shortfall of more than £10m next year will be covered by spending reserves and an increased levy from local councils, while Metro ticket prices are also set to rise

Northern Echo

• Train operator Northern needs to recruit 280 drivers and conductorsTrain operator Northern needs to recruit as many as 280 drivers and conductors across the North of England in 2023.

The Press and Journal (Aberdeen)

• Just 3% of £200m faster north-east rail promise spent since pledge in 2016A £200 million project to speed up rail journey times by 24 minutes between Aberdeen and the central belt has received just £6.5m in the five years since it was promised.

The York Press

• York footstreets shuttle bus plan up at public meetingPEOPLE in York are being asked to have a say on plans for a shuttle bus to access city footstreets at a public meeting.

Cambridge News

• Brit holidaymakers will need to pay for a visa to visit 30 countries in Europe soonThe change in the need for visas to enter 30 European countries is expected to come into force from mid to late 2023

Other Regional Press

• Work starts on brand new Bulwell Bus StationThanks to Transforming Cities funding that Nottingham City Council bid for and secured from central Government, the new bus station at Bulwell will make travelling by public transport even easier.  
• School bus service cancelled by council slammed as 'stealth cut'OXFORDSHIRE County Council has been slammed for stopping a school bus service despite it being ‘cost neutral’.
• Airport plan set for take-off after legal challenge failsA second bid to ground plans to reopen an has been rejected by a judge giving clearance for the plans to go-ahead.
• Meet the £165k machine 'pioneering the fightback' against Coventry's potholesJCB's PotholePro has helped the city council to fix hundreds of miles of rocky roads

Bus and Coach Buyer

• Bus challenges discussed at Swindon summitThe need to continue open dialogue with stakeholders is one of the topics highlighted during the Swindon Bus Summit.

Construction News

• HS2 minister asks firms to ’keep costs in mind’HS2 minister Huw Merriman has pleaded with firms to rein in costs on the high-speed rail project, while restating the government’s commitment to the programme. During a visit yesterday to the Colne Valley Viaduct, Merriman told Construction News that he was keen to give the…

New Civil Engineer

• Infrastructure pipeline could be impacted by inflation, recession and supply chain uncertaintyHigh inflation, recession and supply chain uncertainty are jeopardising key infrastructure projects that are crucial to Britain’s chance at economic recovery, according to a new report from construction consultant Currie & Brown.
• West Yorkshire mayor promises ’spades in the ground’ on £2bn mass transit systemWest Yorkshire mayor Tracy Brabin has promised “spades in the ground” on the £2bn West Yorkshire Mass Transit Network before the end of her time in office.
• Completion of Birmingham tram extension via HS2 station delayed by two yearsThe completion of the West Midlands Metro Eastside extension which is due to pass through Birmingham’s new High Speed Two (HS2) station has been pushed back by two years.

Rail Advent

• Merseyrail drivers represented by ASLEF accept an offer in relation to the operation of new trainsMerseyrail’s new fleet of trains gets the go-ahead for introduction after a deal is agreed upon with the ASLEF union.
• ScotRail recognised as one of the UK’s Top Employers for 2023For the fourth year running, ScotRail has been recognised as a Top Employer in the United Kingdom for 2023 following an assessment by the global employer’s organisation, the Top Employers Institute.

Rail Technology Magazine

• Warwick’s accessibility upgrades starting to take shapeWarwick station’s multi-million-pound accessibility upgrades are set to begin, with Network Rail’s investment set to include the delivery of two new lifts installed in the existing subway as part of the Government’s Access for All scheme.

Railway Technology

• Next stop, 2023: rail trends and predictions for the coming yearThe rail sector continues a healthy rate of recovery after the setbacks from Covid-19; but there will be more hurdles in 2023.

Green Miscellany

• Pavement Parking: We’re all at risk, whatever our ageOver 40 people on pavements and verges in the UK are killed every year by drivers. And while most of those deaths are caused by speeding drivers who have lost control of their vehicle, pavement parking can be fatal. The findings of the most recent government consultation on pavement parking confirmed that vulnerable pedestrians are most at risk, including people… The post Pavement Parking: We’re all at risk, whatever our age appeared first on ETA.

Other News Sources

• First look at plans for Rugby Parkway Station - have your sayWarwickshire County Council is launching a public engagement on its plans for a new railway station, Rugby Parkway from 23 January.
• Caledonian Sleeper operator loses £69 million over seven yearsIt’s widely believed that night trains are unprofitable for a variety of reasons.
• Cardiff Bus celebrates one year anniversary of Electric Bus launchCardiff Bus is celebrating one year since the launch of its electric bus fleet and is proud to reveal the substantial environment impact the buses have had since they were introduced.
• Southend airport to rebuild capacity with EasyJet dealA new deal has been agreed with EasyJet to develop its network at Southend airport.
• Brexit hits transport labour market worst of any sectorLondon, UK: Transport and storage has been worst hit by labour shortages since Brexit with a shortfall of 128,000 EU workers, according to new research.
• Festive bus raises more than £1,000 for Winchester HospiceStaff at Winchester’s Stagecoach bus depot went all out at Christmas with their Santa bus, raising more than £1,000 for the city's hospice.

News from Europe

• No plan but plenty of blame over Germany’s transport emissionsTo succeed in its target, Germany’s emergency climate program must almost halve CO2 emissions from transport by 2030. However, political infighting is proving to be a roadblock.