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

Monday, 23 January 2023

BBC News

• Hook landslip: Some train services to resume after temporary repairSome train services that had to be cancelled after a large landslip are set to be reinstated following the completion of temporary repair work.

ITV News

• Bristol m4 bus launches despite up to 42 routes axed in the regionA new sustainable bus route has been launched in Bristol despite up to 42 routes facing the axe in the region.

Financial Times

• Oil market braces for fresh turmoil as EU prepares to cut off Russian dieselImport curbs which take effect within weeks could drive up prices or lead to shortages, traders warn
• Airbus to spin out pioneering solar-powered drone programmeThe Zephyr has a wingspan of 25m but weighs just 75kg and uses solar panels to fly and recharge its batteries
• Are train drivers going to prolong the UK rail strikes?The Aslef union has historically proved an effective negotiator on pay for its members

The Telegraph

• Sadiq Khan's Ulez expansion could cost drivers over £3,000 a yearWorkers entering the new zone in older vans every working day will rack up thousands in charges - and more if they fail to pay

Times Online

• Scotland beats legal air quality standards for the first time. [subscription]Scotland has kept within legal air pollution limits for the first time, data shows. There were no breaches last year, according to research that excluded periods of Covid restrictions during which there were fewer flights and lighter motor traffic.

City AM

• Electric car demand jitters fail to derail government from hitting 300,000 charger target The UK government is on track to hit its target of delivering 300,000 public electric vehicle chargers by 2030, a new report out today reveals. A study by the transport organisation New Automotive shows the goal will be met despite the car industry's scepticism over the strength of demand for electric vehicles.

Daily Express

• 'Ghost bus' replaces London rail line that can't be axed due to 'mind-boggling' red tapeWith the railways often struggling with engineering works, cancellations or leaves on the line, one route that is simply unstoppable is a "ghost train" service in west London.

Daily Record

• Former ScotRail operator Abellio paid boss £740k after receiving £850m of taxpayers' cashThe huge sum was paid to businessman Dominic Booth – a £143,000 increase on the previous year – for running the UK arm of the Dutch government-owned firm.

Bradford Telegraph & Argus

• Question over future of 'temporary' cycle lanes on Wakefield RoadCOUNCIL bosses will be asked “the short and long term future” of highly criticised cycle lanes on a major Bradford road.

Daily Post (North Wales)

• Loss of 'lifeline' North Wales bus service branded 'nightmare' for elderly passengersThe service was described as a lifeline for people living in rural communities

Nation. Cymru

• Proposals for new flight routes from Swansea Airport a ’hammer blow’ for net zero plansPlans for new flight routes from Swansea Airport have been described as a “hammer blow” for the council’s net zero plans.

The York Press

• Transport boss: York congestion charge may be needed to cut car use and save planetYORK'S transport boss has suggested some form of congestion charge should be introduced in the city to help cut car use and tackle the climate emergency.

Yorkshire Post

• Villagers plead with councillors to reinstate their axed bus service which has left them strandedResidents have pleaded with their local council to reinstate a bus to their village, claiming they have been “left out in the cold”.

Bucks Free Press

• Chiltern Railways to introduce new higher penalty fareA TRAIN company has warned fare dodgers ahead of penalty fare rise set to take effect soon.

Get Surrey

• South Western Railway issue update on landslip between Woking and Basingstoke as repairs get underwaySome services are set to be restored

Other Regional Press

• Glasgow Subway shut as modernisation work on transport network carried outThe Glasgow Subway is closed for the day as contractors on the installation of cabling and equipment within the tunnels in preparation for the introduction of the new trains
• New electric bus trial to beginAN electric bus is to be trialled on Jersey’s roads again – almost 3½ years since an earlier attempt failed.
• Weymouth council will not pay for work at train station pocket parkREQUESTS for more public funds to be spent on work at Weymouth rail station forecourt have been met by a hard ‘no’ from local councillors.

New Civil Engineer

• Local Authorities: What’s next after a successful Levelling Up Fund bid?Being successful in Levelling Up Fund Round 2 is a fantastic reward for a huge amount of work that has gone into the bidding process. Yet, the clock is ticking. The project the funding is allocated for needs to be complete by March 2025, otherwise the money could go straight back to Whitehall.

Rail Business Daily

• End of an era as the old Gosforth Metro depot closesIt was the end of an era for the Tyne and Wear Metro last week as the old depot at Gosforth closed its doors for the final time.

Other News Sources

• Llandrindod group to hold event about horse transportA Llandrindod-based environmental group will meet to discuss horses as greener form of transport at a special event next week.
• Hereford wins in Levelling Up fund bidThe £19.9 million grant will deliver of range of transport and active travel measures in the city
• FARE-Y POOR Fury over ’complicated’ free public transport scheme for young Scots as almost 400k miss outFOUR in ten young Scots are missing out on a free bus travel scheme — amid claims the application process is too complicated.

News from Europe

• Personal EVs Aren't the Best Solution to Climate Change, Swedish Transport Agency SaysThe news about horsepower and torque figures, together with tests that displayed bonkers zero to 60 mph (zero to 97 kph) for some electric vehicles (EVs), have made most of us forget the part concerning the environment. So, let’s revisit it. Is it a good idea to buy and use an all-electric vehicle just for the sake of fighting climate change?