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

Wednesday, 25 January 2023

BBC News

• Inside Northern's train driving schoolA train operator has announced plans to recruit up to 280 drivers and conductors this year.
• West End pedicabs have 'free rein' to con tourists, council leader warnsThe vehicles were due to be regulated in a Transport Bill but it has been dropped by the government.
• New operator found for Dumfries to Edinburgh bus serviceIf approved the company will take over the running of the Dumfries to Edinburgh service in April.
• Online car retailer Cazoo consults with staff over site closuresHundreds of jobs are at risk at online car retailer Cazoo, including 300 in Lincolnshire.
• Eurostar trains carrying 30% fewer passengersGwendoline Cazenave said post-Brexit border checks were causing problems for the train company.

Financial Times

• Eurostar boss says peak trains are left a third empty because of post-Brexit passport delaysDoubts raised over expansion despite return of profits and passengers after lifting of travel restrictions
• Shipping hurt by weak demand for Chinese goodsCarriers are skipping ports in China as international orders fall and supply chain problems persist

The Guardian

• What would genuine plan for levelling up the north of England look like? Ask a German | Andy BurnhamThey have laws requiring equality between the states and a funding regime to make it happen. Imagine that kind of Britain

The Scotsman

• Case for Aberdeen rail tunnel improvements bolsteredIn 2022, Campaign for North East Rail (CNER) submitted a FOI request to Network Rail requesting information regarding previous investigatory works undertaken upon the Schoolhill and Hutcheon Street tunnels in Aberdeen.

Times Online

• Eurostar trains running one third empty ’because of Brexit bottlenecks’. [subscription]Eurostar is being forced to limit capacity and leave empty seats on the “vast majority” of services because of post-Brexit border issues.

City AM

• Eurostar announces new name and brand identity – as EurostarEurostar has unveiled its new brand identity complete with a logo, symbol and name: Eurostar.

Daily Express

• Rail operator SNCF sued after ‘staff deliberately’ killed pet cat by releasing trainRail operator SNCF is being sued by an animal rights group after it released a train, killing a pet cat.

Network Rail

• Troon Station redevelopment plan to be revealedResidents of Troon will have a first look at finalised plans for the redevelopment of the town’s station building following the fire which devastated it in July 2021.

Bradford Telegraph & Argus

• Kirklees controversial taxi policy currently under reviewKirklees Council’s “draconian” Fitness and Suitability Policy is under review as drivers call for change following a successful appeal.

Bristol Live

• North Filton Station gets green light as approval fast-tracked by councilThe new station will serve the Brabazon development on the former Filton Airfield site

Daily Post (North Wales)

• Construction of multi-million-pound North Wales cycle path could start next yearMore than £18m UK Government funding has been secured by Conwy council to deliver the scheme and improve travel during floods
• Long-lost Victorian railway is slowly emerging from sea at North Wales resortVarious theories have been put forward for the railway's existence

Manchester Evening News

• Lift-off for final £440m transformation of Manchester Airport's T2T1 will be closed down from 2025, after more than 60 years of flights and memories
• First glimpse inside Manchester Airport's planned new T2 with 27 shops, bars and restaurants Around 16,400 extra jobs will be generated by 2040

Wales Online

• Welsh railway station described as the 'third ugliest building in the world'Newport station was only beaten on the ugly list by the Scottish Parliament Building in Edinburgh and the J Edgar Hoover Building in Washington DC

Other Regional Press

• Powys: Council confirms transport bid missed out on Levelling Up fundA BID to improve public transport across Powys was rejected in the latest round of Levelling Up funding – but it will consider future applications.

Business Live

• Arriva owners consider sale of transport, according to reportsGerman company Deutsche Bahn says it is its "ambition" to divest itself of the transport giant

New Civil Engineer

• Historic structures re-used to save carbon in creation of new Manchester parkThe 2.6ha Mayfield Park in Manchester has been transformed as part of a new £1.4bn regeneration project across the city’s Mayfield district.
• Call for investigation into Luton Dart delays and cost hikesLocal councillors have called for an independent investigation into the new autonomous light rail link between Luton Airport and Luton Parkway following its latest cost increase and delay.

Other News Sources

• Mind the air: London Underground’s most polluted routes exposedNew study found that certain routes can have eight times higher air pollution levels than the safe limit
• Firm wins £37.8m Beaulieu Park station contractNetwork Rail has awarded the first of two contracts to build the new railway station for Chelmsford's Beaulieu Park development.
• HS2 facing ’tough decisions’ as inflation eats into budget, transport official warns MPsBroader rail network enhancements pipeline could also see cuts, rail minister says. Rapid inflation in the price of construction materials is putting a strain on Department for Transport capital spending and could necessitate “quite tough decisions” on the phasing and delivery of projects, including HS2, a senior civil servant has warned.