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

Tuesday, 24 January 2023

BBC News

• Train cancellations hit a new high in wake of strike actionRail companies say a wide range of issues are preventing trains running on time.
• A5 upgrade: Group calling for end to delays launched in TyroneThe group named 'Enough is Enough' says 44 people have died on the road since 2007.

Times Online

• German rail routes offer platform for National Express. [subscription]National Express, the British company best known for its nationwide coach network, is set to play an increasingly important role in delivering rail commuters along key transportation corridors in industrial and commercial Germany.

City AM

• Fuel price warning if Asda forecourt mega-merger goes aheadMotorist group Fairfuel UK has warned of higher fuel prices if a mooted forecourt merger between Asda and the Issa brothers goes ahead.
• National Express wins £880m contract to run German rail linesNational Express has been awarded a €1bn (£878m) to operate two regional train lines in the German state of North Rhine-Westphalia.
• Is it Avanti? The award for Britain’s worst rail network goes to….Avanti West Coast is the country’s worst train operator when it comes to cancellations, according to a new ranking.

The Mirror

• Travel chaos across London as Tube lines suspended amid huge signalling problemsTwo Tube lines were closed due to apparent signalling failures with severe delays on four others - resulting in travel chaos for thousands on Monday night

Bradford Telegraph & Argus

• York set to follow Bradford with congestion chargingDRIVERS may soon have to pay to enter York as the city looks to follow Bradford with congestion charging.

Bristol Live

• 'Distracting' M32 graffiti removed during motorway closuresThe walls have also been treated with anti-graffiti coating

Liverpool Echo

• What it was really like on board first new Merseyrail trainWe joined excited passengers as the first of the state-of-the-art new fleet finally hit the tracks

Sheffield Star

• TransPennine Express: Sheffield MP demands government strip rail firm of contract following service cancellationsA Sheffield MP has called for the Transport Secretary to “wake up and put passengers and the public first” by withdrawing the contract for rail operator TransPennine Express.

The York Press

• York Green leader suggests congestion charge needed for YorkYORK'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.

Chester Standard

• Chester City Walls section to close for Network Rail worksA SECTION of Chester's City Walls is to close for more than a month while works are carried out at a railway bridge.

Other Regional Press

• Comparing the use of bikes and e-scooters in OxfordAndy Chivers, a trustee for cycling campaign group Cyclox, compares using bikes to e-scooters.
• 'Give us our bus back' stranded Yorkshire villagers plead after loss of 'vital' serviceThey are pleading with the council to reinstate the service, which was cut during the early stages of the Covid pandemic.
• London Underground: Nightlife advocate wants Night Tube to be 'rolled out' further across capital but gives one stark warningA top London nightlife advocate wants to see the Night Tube 'rolled out' further across across the capital. London's Night Czar Amy Lamé would 'love' to see the Night Tube expanded but warns that financial constraints make this unlikely.
• Stagecoach hoping recruitment changes will boost Highland bus servicesAn essential bus operator is pinning its hopes on changes to recruitment procedures to address staff shortages impacting on service levels.
• Concerns raised as decision awaited on Caledonian Sleeper rail service between Inverness and LondonConcerns have been raised about the future delivery of the Caledonian Sleeper rail service between Inverness and London.

Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport

• Government hits road decarbonisation targetThe government has confirmed that it hit its target in switching more than a quarter of all its cars (25.5%) to ultra-low emission vehicles (ULEV).  Having a higher rate of ULEV vehicles in its fleet means the government is on track to meet its 2027 target for the entire fleet be fully zero emission. As set out in the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs’ Greening government commitments in 2021 to 2025, the government was required to transition a minimum of a quarter of its car fleet to ultra-low emission vehicles by the end of 2022. As of the latest d...

New Civil Engineer

• Main works completed for section of Birmingham metro extensionThe main works for the first phase of the Birmingham tram network extension have been completed, allowing a major road to reopen.
• HS2 completes first pier for Birmingham forked viaductHS2 Ltd has completed the first giant V-shaped pier for the 300m-long viaduct that will bring high speed trains into the new Curzon Street Station in Birmingham.
• Progress for Midland Main Line electrification as foundation work nears halfway pointEngineers will have installed half of the foundations needed for an electrified railway between Kettering and Wigston as part of the Midland Main Line (MML) upgrade by the end of this weekend.

Rail Advent

• New Cameron Bridge Station sees building work get underwayNetwork Rail begins the construction of one of two new stations for the Levenmouth Rail Link project.

Railway Gazette

• Mentoring programme launched to develop rail freight skillsUK: The Rail Freight Group trade association has launched a cross-member mentoring scheme to develop skills across the sector and support individual personal development.

Trafnidiaeth Cymru [Transport for Wales]

• New TrawsCymru Bus Service for North WalesTransport for Wales and Denbighshire County Council are pleased to announce a new hourly TrawsCymru T8 bus service between Corwen, Ruthin, Mold and Chester.