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

Wednesday, 08 March 2023

BBC News

• Politicians call for upgrades on Ely and Haughley rail junctionsPoliticians from the East of England have told the chancellor there was "an overwhelming case" for upgrading two railway junctions.
• Safety fears for women on public transport - studyResearch for Transport Scotland finds many women adapt their behaviour to guard against threats.
• Community Transport: 'Lifeline' for isolated rural passengers at riskA community transport service has only been guaranteed government funding to the end of April.
• RMT members suspend strike action at Network RailThe announcement follows a new pay offer to the union - but other staff are still set to walk out.

Financial Times

• VW prioritises US battery plant over Europe as it seeks 10bn from Biden administrationEurope's largest carmaker is waiting for an EU response to American subsidies
• US authorities sue to block JetBlue takeover of Spirit airlinesTakeover combining fierce rivals would eliminate competition and is ‘presumptively illegal’
• Rail union calls off part of strike action after improved pay offerRMT to consult members ahead of planned Network Rail walkout on March 16

The Guardian

• RMT suspends train strike next week after Network Rail breakthroughUnion suspends planned strike on 16 March after receiving fresh pay offer from Network RailThe RMT union has called off a strike at Network Rail next week, fuelling hopes of a significant breakthrough in the long-running dispute.The union said it was suspending the strike planned for Thursday 16 March and all other industrial action, which was to include an overtime ban, after it received a fresh offer from Network Rail.
• Is hydrogen really a clean enough fuel to tackle the climate crisis?Backers say hydrogen projects should be first in line for almost $26bn in US taxpayer money “ but should we believe the hype? Hydrogen is the smallest, lightest and most abundant molecule in the universe. On Earth, it does not occur by itself naturally, but can be separated from water (H2O) or hydrocarbon compounds (fossil fuels) like gas, coal and petroleum to be used as an energy source.

Times Online

• RMT suspends next week’s strike after pay offer. [subscription]Rail strikes planned for next week were suspended by the RMT union last night after a new pay offer was put on the table.

The York Press

• York woman's success after 'Mind the Gap' schemeNetwork Rail reports a growing number of women succeeding in a male-dominated industry.

Wales Online

• Buses will no longer stop in this part of Swansea after 6pm because of repeated vandalismOperator First Cymru has said the move is necessary to protect the safety of drivers, customers, and its vehicles

Cambridge News

• Cambridge Mill Road car ban approved after tight votePlans to restrict who can use Mill Road bridge, Cambridge, have been agreed by Cambridgeshire County Council. Drivers not exempt will face fines.

Other Regional Press

• Welsh Conservatives to hold Wales’ transport minister to account over its decision to scrap road projectsWelsh Conservatives are to hold Wales’ transport minister to account over its decision to scrap the majority of new roads being built in Wales. ‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​
• TfL to stop selling paper tickets entirely as contactless soars and sales of season tickets plummetTransport for London (TfL) bosses confirmed today (Tuesday, March 7) at the world’s largest public transport ticketing conference that the end is near for paper tickets. The city’s transport authority will instead look to integrate barcode “e-tickets” which are being sold by National Rail operators into its system. It is now expected that the final paper tickets will be removed from 2024.

Airportwatch

• 'Grave concerns' about Hereford's transport plansThe new masterplan for Hereford will drive potential visitors away from the city, it has been claimed.

New Civil Engineer

• Sustainable travel experts believe England must adopt a similar traffic reduction target as other UK nationsSustainable travel experts have argued that England needs to adopt a traffic reduction target as seen in Scotland and Wales instead of continuing to build more roads.
• Scottish leadership race: what do the contenders say about infrastructure?A decision is expected this month on who will replace Nicola Sturgeon as leader of the Scottish National Party – and by extension first minister of Scotland.
• Bridge row resolution clears way for Midland Main Line electrification workNetwork Rail will begin work to remove a bridge as part of the £1.3bn project to electrify the Midland Main Line (MML) after a safety row has been resolved.

Other News Sources

• £44 million investment into Nottinghamshire’s highways, transport and environment in 2023/24Improvement schemes, road and path repairs, traffic signal upgrades, drainage schemes and road safety measures are all included in the county council’s plans for the year ahead.
• South Western Railway waiting rooms in Farnham and Horsley revamped with new seats and wireless chargersSWR says new features will help passengers 'relax and work' including improved seating and heating and new workstations
• Brighton 'liveable neighbourhood' scheme 'may be dead'A low-traffic neighbourhood scheme may have been “killed” by a decision made by councillors at a budget meeting.