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

Tuesday, 07 February 2023

BBC News

• Drones cause further disruption at Dublin AirportOperations were suspended for a third time in recent days after a drone was spotted at the airfield.
• HS2: Council calls for rethink over Metrolink suspensionCouncillors are urging a rethink over plans to cut off some tram services due to building work.
• ULEZ expansion: London emission zone 'extremely unfair' for Kent driversKent County Council says TFL
• Boeing: Plane maker plans to cut 2,000 office jobs this yearThe firm will outsource about a third of the roles to India as it focuses on engineering and production.
• Trial of scrapping train return tickets extended... In a speech, Mr Harper will outline how a new organisation, Great British Railways (GBR), will work.

Department for Transport

• Over £110 million to unlock zero emission guilt-free flightsCutting edge new technologies that could enable electric flying taxis and hydrogen powered aircraft to take to the skies will be developed in the UK.
• £200 million to improve walking and cycling routes and boost local economiesNew fund to help local authorities make improvements that enable more people to choose active travel.
• Major milestone in UK’s race to net zero maritime with £77 million boostA multi-million-pound Zero Emission Vessels and Infrastructure (ZEVI) competition launched to help decarbonise the UK's maritime sector.

Financial Times

• HS2 faces further delays and cuts as UK government seeks to rein in cost of high-speed lineMinisters exploring options for country's biggest infrastructure project
• Shipping lines return to proven power of windUse of rotor sail technology set to boom as new carbon efficiency regulations force change

The Guardian

• Hundreds more bus services in England under threat amid funding shortfallShadow transport secretary accuses government of being asleep at the wheel as grant cash runs out. Hundreds more of England's dwindling bus services could be axed next week with a funding shortfall looming, transport authorities have warned.Labour said the government had just 10 days to act before operators start having to cut routes because of the expiry of post-pandemic state support.

Times Online

• Petrolheads give sales of new cars a real jump start. [subscription]The recovery in the new car market appears to be gaining momentum after the horrors of 2022, when registrations slumped to a 40-year low.
• Britishvolt rescuer needs a rechargeSome deals look underpowered. The preferred bidder for the conked-out Britishvolt is another start-up: Australian battery group Recharge Industries. Why should it prove any better at building a gigafactory on the Northumbrian coast?

The Mirror

• Bus services could be slashed within days without new cash pledge, warns LabourLabour called on the Government to offer new guarantees under the Bus Recovery Grant as a crunch deadline looms for transport operators and passengers

Birmingham Post

• Big interview: How Leonardo Helicopters' new UK boss is planning to transform a century-old businessAdam Clarke talks to BusinessLive about his vision for the historic Somerset firm, including investment in new technologies, dealing with the cost-of-living crisis and plans to 'evolve' the culture to attract top talent
• Bristol Airport flights to Switzerland launched, creating 'huge' trade opportunitySwitzerland’s national airline SWISS is planning to increase the frequency of it service between the South West transport hub and the country’s financial centre

Bristol Live

• Bristol council wants £5.6m to progress Western Harbour projectThe cash would be spent on developing a masterplan for the area

The York Press

• LNER celebrates National Apprenticeship Week 2023London North Eastern Railway (LNER) is marking National Apprenticeship Week 2023 by celebrating the contribution of more than 150 apprentices who currently work across the business.
• York Cycle Campaign unveils 42-point manifesto to transform YorkCYCLING campaigners have launched a 42-point manifesto to transform York - including calls to replace the 'diesel sewer' inner ring road with a linear park and remove the cycle ban in city centre footstreets.

Cambridge News

• BBC's Cambridge Congestion Charge Debate: Five key moments and reaction'Cambridge Congestion Charge The Big Debate'

Calling All Stations - The Transport Podcast

• Calling All Stations with Christian Wolmar, Episode 5This week, Christian explains the expansion of London's Ultra Low Emission Zone [00:57], examines trials of driverless buses in Scotland and Oxfordshire [09:35], takes a deep dive into UK Levelling Up Fund grants for transport projects with a special focus on South East Wales [16:56] and argues that HS2 should be built all the way to Euston [27:52].

New Civil Engineer

• North Wales road destroyed by storm will not be fixed in 2023A road in Wrexham, North Wales, which was severely damaged by Storm Christoph is likely to need at least another year for repairs, according to the council.
• Transport secretary set to commit to Great British RailwaysTransport secretary Mark Harper is expected to commit to the government’s proposed reform of the UK’s railways under the new public body Great British Railways (GBR) this week.
• HS2 extends deadline for tenders for Washwood Heath depotHS2 Ltd has given the three shortlisted bidders an additional three months to submit their tenders for the construction of its Washwood Heath depot near Birmingham.
• Hammersmith Bridge steel support solution aids final stabilisation workMore than 1,000 pieces of steel have been welded together to form support frames for the final phase of the stabilisation of Hammersmith Bridge.

Other News Sources

• ’Marches Road and Rail blueprint’: Major proposals released for regionToday (Friday) Sub-national Transport Body Midlands Connect releases its ’Marches Road and Rail blueprint’ at a virtual conference, which will help ’unlock the full economic potential of the ’Marches and Mid and West Wales’.
• Oliver's Battery bus service: Resident fights for improvementsA RESIDENT from Oliver's Battery has been battling for a better transport service after buses in the area were reduced to two times a week.