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

Saturday, 04 March 2023

Government

• HS2 Phase 2b Select Committee: Crewe to Manchester - Understanding the Ground Risk across the Cheshire PlainThis report from HS2 Ltd reviews the ground conditions, the associated risks, and the mitigation measures for the Phase 2b Proposed Scheme.

BBC News

• Transport for Wales: Trains withdrawn for safety checks following firesThere were over 100 services cancelled in part or in full due to a shortage of available trains.
• Could old railway line be back on track?The Knockmore line, which once passed through Crumlin, Glenavy and Ballinderry, closed in 2003.
• Two Dreamliner aircraft to be scrapped at Prestwick AirportThe two Boeing 787 aircraft are only 10 years old but will be dismantled for spare parts.
• West Coast Main Line shuts for Carstairs junction overhaulThe closure affects hundreds of services which pass through Carstairs for Edinburgh and Glasgow.

Financial Times

• Germany and Italy stall EU ban on combustion enginesBerlin and Rome raise objections to rules agreed by member states last year
• VW to build $2bn electric vehicle plant in South CarolinaGerman carmaker also seeks site for its first battery factory in North America
• Airlines plan to sue Dutch government over Schiphol airport flight capKLM Group, Delta, Corendon, easyJet, Tui and trade body Iata join forces for lawsuit
• Lufthansa: strong run needs support from passenger profitsBetter earnings only tempt the industr's insatiable desire for capacity growth and fare wars
• Airlines return to profit as sales surpass pre-pandemic levelsRecent results show striking turnround for one of the sectors worst hit by Covid disruption

The Independent

• Luton airport Dart rail shuttle finally set to open – at a priceFor decades, passengers transferring between Luton airport and the nearest rail station have had to endure slow and unreliable bus services, which all too often become entangled with traffic approaching the Bedfordshire airport.
• Why you should ignore the train ticket price rise this weekendShhh – fares reform is taking place under the rail radar. If, as a long-suffering rail passenger, you read a headline urging travellers to “ignore” this weekend’s nationwide rise in fares, I don’t blame you for moving swiftly on.

The Telegraph

• New sleeper train will connect Barcelona and AmsterdamA new sleeper train connecting Barcelona and Amsterdam is set to launch in the spring of 2025.

Times Online

• Alert system for dangerous taxi drivers is shunned by councils. [subscription]Passengers in taxis are potentially being put at risk from rogue drivers as councils are failing to search a national database containing “vital intelligence” when vetting cabbies, it has been revealed.
• Train strikes: no end in sight as rail fares jump 5.9%Rail bosses believe there is no end in sight for train strikes as passengers face the biggest increase in fares in more than a decade from Sunday.

Belfast Telegraph

• Translink says public transport fares remain 'affordable' ahead of next week's price increaseNorthern Ireland's public transport network has said its fares remain "affordable" ahead of a price increase from next week.

Birmingham Post

• HS2 facing delays due to huge rise in costsCEO says discussions with suppliers and Government on finding ways to minimise the soaring costs
• Wrightbus bags order for further 117 electric buses bound for EnglandThe deal is worth £25.3 million and spans four council areas
• Welcome return to commercial use of Aire and Calder Navigation to link Hull and LeedsBulk-carrying barge marks start of what is hoped will be an increase in waterways traffic from Humber ports

Bristol Live

• Bristol roads ranked among the most congested in the countryIn 2022 Bristolians spent an average of 191 hours each year in rush hour traffic.

Daily Post (North Wales)

• Fire fears see Transport for Wales trains withdrawn as passengers warned of disruption The 'precautionary' measure follows three incidents which had to be attended by the fire service, on Class 175 trains

Newcastle Evening Chronicle

• 'We are getting no help at all': South Tyneside taxi drivers' anger over Newcastle Clean Air ZoneTaxi drivers outside of Newcastle, Gateshead, and North Tyneside are not eligible for support to help with the cost of Clean Air Zone tolls or to upgrade to cleaner vehicles

Wales Online

• Minister leading roads freeze has claimed for nearly 12,000 miles of car journeys but only three train tripsWelsh Government deputy minister Lee Waters wants people to take public transport instead of driving

Yorkshire Post

• Conservatives criticise lack of Doncaster Sheffield Airport mention in council budgetConservative officials in Doncaster have criticised the yearly budget passed by the council for failing to mention the closure of the region’s airport.

Bucks Free Press

• HS2 tunnel progress as ‘Florence’ and ‘Cecilia’ machines pass AmershamTWO GIANT tunnelling machines digging HS2's longest tunnels have passed Amersham, five-and-a-half miles into their 10-mile drive under the Chilterns.

Other Regional Press

• Norfolk County Council roads and transport spending plansA list of major roads in Norfolk that will undergo maintenance and resurfacing works as part of a £1.85m project has been revealed.
• 'Chatty' bus will help to combat loneliness in OxfordshireOxford Bus Company has announced 'Chatty Bus' is set to return, to help tackle loneliness and social isolation.

The Business Desk

• Controversial £750m rail freight hub hit by delayDevelopers Tritax Symmetry have withdrawn their application for the controversial £750m Hinckley National Rail Freight Interchange – but the firm says the move is only a temporary one.

Aviation Industry

• Virgin Atlantic joins SkyTeam allianceVirgin Atlantic is formally joining SkyTeam, the global airline alliance, at a signing ceremony in London on 2 March. The move means Virgin Atlantic becomes SkyTeam’s first and only UK member airline, enhancing the alliance’s transatlantic network and services to and from Heathrow and Manchester airports.

Other News Sources

• 'Pick winners': MPs urge government to back specific technologies to decarbonise transportUK's current technology agnostic approach to greening transport is slowing investment, MPs on the Transport Committee warn

News from Europe

• German transport minister supports pan-Europe transport ticketVolker Wissing said he can imagine mutual recognition of national transport tickets across Europe.