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

Wednesday, 01 February 2023

Cogitamus

• The Chris Stokes Column - Levelling Up grants welcome but rationale not always clearThe recent announcement of “Levelling Up” funding included a smattering of eclectic railway schemes, ranging across a spectrum from innovative and exciting to, frankly, bizarre.

BBC News

• A6 road: Derry-Dungiven stretch may not open until summerA DUP MP says officials told him a worst-case scenario will see the road stay closed until July.
• E-bike fire warning renewed by London Fire BrigadeA woman and three children escaped from a high-rise block after an e-bike caught fire on Friday.
• Northern line at Clapham Junction being consideredWandsworth Council is set to investigate extending the underground network.

Financial Times

• Maritime divorce puts Maersk's strategy to the testAs Danish shipping company seeks to transform into a broader logistics group, it faces rising competition from MSC

The Guardian

• England to have almost no trains running on Wednesday as drivers strikeFirst of two walkouts by Aslef members will affect 14 operators, 10 of which will run no servicesRail passengers across Britain face more disruption on Wednesday, with no trains at all running on most routes in England as train drivers start the first of two days of strikes this week.The seventh day of national action in the past year by the Aslef union will affect 14 operating companies, with all but four of them suspending services entirely.

Times Online

• Ferry procurement fundamentally flawed, experts tell MSPs. [subscription]The performance of Scotland’s nationalised ferry fleet is “absolutely appalling” despite enormous investment that is costing the public an “arm and a leg”, three experts have told MSPs.

i News

• Rail strikes: Aslef train drivers will keep striking unless Government backs improved pay dealA union source told i that train drivers are determined to hold out for a good offer as thousands prepare to walk out tomorrow

Bradford Telegraph & Argus

• Here's how bus travel can be improved in BradfordWE spend a lot of time queuing in traffic. So do our goods vehicles, bin lorries and all kinds of people like businessmen, plumbers and health visitors who have their ability to do a job undermined by delays.
• Work to improve busy junction, including new link road, to beginWORK to improve a busy Bradford junction will finally begin next month, years after it was first announced.

Manchester Evening News

• Late trams set to run in bid to get revellers and bar workers home safeA campaign for late-night trams to carry revellers and hospitality workers home safely on the Altrincham tram line has been unanimously approved. Trafford council has followed the example of neighbouring Salford in its bid to get Metrolink services running beyond 11.55pm when the last tram is often choc-a-bloc with passengers.

The York Press

• Transdev gains approval for bus depot buildingsA planned relocation of a city bus depot can take place now that new buildings linked to the scheme have been approved.

Wales Online

• Bristol Airport wins battle to increase capacity by two million passengers a yearCampaigners describe the outcome as 'devastating'

Wolverhampton Express and Star

• MP in funding call to kick start 'Stourbridge Dasher' light rail schemeAn MP has called for funding to kick start a new passenger service on a rail line through the Black Country.

Other Regional Press

• Inverness Airport railway station will be officially opened on Thursday by Transport Minister Jenny Inverness Airport railway station will be officially opened by Transport Minister Jenny Gilruth on Thursday, it has been confirmed.
• Major upgrades to railway make way for first new Transport for Wales trains to enter into serviceLesley Griffiths MS joined Transport for Wales (TfW) and Network Rail at a ceremony in North Wales to celebrate the launch of a brand-new £800m fleet of trains, which are expected to be seen on West Wales routes from later this year, according to TfW.

Business Live

• Why we need a high speed three rail network reaching WalesAs HS2 is considered an England and Wales project Wales is losing out on a Barnett consequential of billions
• Founder of Britishvolt to bid for collapsed battery startup, reports claimFormer CEO and founder Orral Nadjari left last year but is said to be interested in the firm's battery technology
• Rail operator GWR ramping up services for Wales v Ireland Six Nations gameIt will provide 60 trains in and out of Cardiff Central for Saturday's game
• Bristol Airport expansion gets go-ahead as High Court appeal dismissedThe transport hub said the decision was 'excellent news' for the South West economy

Intelligent Transport

• The role of bus amidst a cost-of-living crisisFor Intelligent Transport, Simon Pearson, Chief Commercial Officer at First Bus, comments on the cost-of-living crisis, discussing the impact on bus travel and how new technology plays a crucial role in supporting customers during such a difficult time.

New Civil Engineer

• Bristol Airport expansion given go ahead at High CourtThe proposed expansion of Bristol Airport has been given the green light. Campaign group Bristol Airport Action Network (BAAN) mounted a legal challenge against the plans in the High Court in November 2022, but the High Court has now ruled that the expansion can go ahead.
• Northern line extension to Clapham Junction investigated by councilWandsworth Council is investigating the possibility of further extending the London Underground’s Northern line to reach a new terminus at Clapham Junction.
• Transport Scotland submits rail funding documents for next five-year periodTransport Scotland has submitted key funding documents to the Office of Rail and Road (ORR), covering the period between April 2024 and March 2029.

Rail Advent

• Nexus rolls out real-time Metro information to Apple smartphonesReal-time information about services on the Tyne and Wear Metro is now available on Apple smartphones as well as on those running Android.

Transport Scotland

• One year of free bus travel for U22sAlmost 45 million free bus journeys have been made since the Scottish Government introduced free bus travel for under 22s a year ago.
• One year of free bus travel for U22sAlmost 45 million free bus journeys have been made since the Scottish Government introduced free bus travel for under 22s a year ago.

Other News Sources

• Wrexham's transport issues highlighted at the SeneddThe Member of the Senedd for Clwyd South, Ken Skates, raised the urgent need for improvements to the A483 in November, calling for an update on the Welsh Government’s review of the key local route and saying work to make Junction 1 at Ruabon safer was vital.
• Concern over Buchan rail link being omitted from Scottish Government transport strategyNorth East Scotland region MSP Douglas Lumsden has hit out at the omission of a potential Buchan rail line from the Scottish Government's national transport strategy.
• European Parliament recognises cycling as a fully fledged mode of transportThe draft resolution on developing an EU cycling strategy, adopted by the European Parliament’s Transport and Tourism Committee (TRAN) on Tuesday, 31 January, advocates for cycling to be recognised as a fully-fledged mode of transport.
• Glasgow sets out plans to implement citywide 20mph speed limitGlasgow has set out plans to implement a citywide 20mph mandatory speed limit to boost road safety and encourage active travel.
• Deal signed to bring 159 electric buses to OxfordshireThe first vehicles in a fleet of 159 new battery electric buses are set to arrive in Oxfordshire in September, after an £82.5 million deal was sealed.
• New EV charging tariff will boost charging networkIntroducing tariffs for Glasgow's public network of charging points for electric vehicles will help the city the meet the future demand for charging, according to a new council report.