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

Tuesday, 18 April 2023

BBC News

• Leeds Railway Station introduces British Sign Language serviceLeeds Railway Station has launched a scheme to provide the latest passenger information using British Sign Language (BSL).
• Derry to London flight route switching to HeathrowLoganair says moving the flight route to Heathrow Airport is a
• Air pollution causes harm at all stages of life - reportThe study found exposure to certain particles can lead to miscarriages and stunt children's growth.

Financial Times

• India’s ‘unknown’ biggest airline pushes for global expansionIndiGo’s new chief is seeking to transform the domestic powerhouse into an international brand
• Air France and Airbus acquitted over deadly 2009 crashParis court clears the companies of criminal wrongdoing but finds them liable for civil charges
• Ministers urged to lay out plan to decarbonise UK road haulage sector Trade group calls for rollout plan for electric chargers ahead of 2035 ban on smaller diesel-engined lorries

The Independent

• We must reimagine the future of the railway to help it succeedFor more than a century, and thanks to the rise of the internal combustion engine, Britain’s railways have been in an almost constant state of decline. The leak of sensitive information on Network Rail’s plans for the upkeep of the infrastructure over the next few years confirms that the forced neglect of the system continues to be one of its defining features.
• Misery for millions as leaked Network Rail report predicts more train cancellations and delaysExclusive: Internal report seen by The Independent reveals pitiful state of our national train service

Times Online

• Why can’t British trains cater for parents and small children? [subscription]o other mothers have a vision of themselves as Linda Hamilton from Terminator as they move through a world that makes little concession to those trailing pint-sized, vulnerable timebombs? Catching a train to Sheffield last week - solo with two small kids, a suitcase and buggy - I strapped on a rucksack full of snacks as though it was a Kevlar vest and all but ran screaming at the ticket barriers.

Daily Record

• Air France and Airbus cleared of manslaughter over flight 447 crash that killed Scot Graham Gardner died in the devastating crash in 2009.

Network Rail

• Rail passengers advised to plan ahead as Midland Main Line electrification work affects servicesPassengers in the East Midlands are being advised to plan ahead on the weekend of 22 and 23 April as electrification work means changes to services between Kettering and Corby.

Birmingham Post

• Why Cardiff is right on plans for a new car user chargeCardiff council has launched a consultation on a vehicle charge which it said if approved would be introduced in 2027
• Asda trials self-driving vehicles for home deliveriesIssa brothers' company testingthe technology at West London superstore

Bolton News

• Bolton: Stagecoach Manchester win school franchise contractsStagecoach Manchester have been selected to operate a number of school contracts including Bolton, as part of the first phase of franchising.

Northern Echo

• FlixBus launching in Middlesbrough offering £2 coach ticketsA new budget coach service will be launching in a North East town today offering £2 tickets.

The York Press

• Northern tracks more than 100,000 reports of fare evasion on servicesA RAIL firm, which operates in York, has warned ‘modern-day fare dodgers’ on its network that they are leaving a trail of digital breadcrumbs - after investigating over 100,000 reports of fare evasion last year.

Wales Online

• Congestion charges being considered for drivers in CardiffThe council said the money raised would go towards public transport but would not come into effect for several years

Cambridge News

• Developer told to build cycle and bridleways in South Cambs estate after trying to amend plansThe planning inspector said removing the routes would ‘diminish’ the quality of the development in Highfields Caldecote.

Other Regional Press

• Billionaire bus tycoons blast 'dogmatic' SNP/Greens for lack of support while ploughing money into ScotRailJames and Sandy Easdale reckon the SNP/Greens are failing the 70 per cent of bus travellers with 'dogma', failed thinking and 'illogical' finance commitments
• Oxfordshire parents call council's bus apology letter a 'joke'Oxfordshire parents set to have their Spare Seats Scheme bus services withdrawn are 'appalled' at Oxfordshire County Council's letter
• HS2 work to close M42 overnight near CoventryJunctions 9 and 6 will be closed to enable HS2 works to take place

New Civil Engineer

• How road building plans could change with £1bn smart motorway money savingsThe Department for Transport (DfT) could bring forward a number of delayed road schemes using the £1bn earmarked for future smart motorway construction.
• HS2 confirms that work on the Euston Tunnel is to be pausedSpeculation has ended as to whether HS2 Ltd’s 7km long Euston Tunnel, part of the main works civils contract awarded to the Skanska Costain Strabag joint venture (SCS JV), will be delayed.

Railnews

• No Marston Vale trains before autumn, says operator Trains on the Marston Vale line in Buckinghamshire and Bedfordshire which were withdrawn when their supplier Vivarail went into administration at the start of December are unlikely to be replaced before the autumn. Operator West Midlands Trains, which uses the brand London Northwestern outside the West Midlands, said the Class 230 units on the Marston Vale line could no longer be used, because the lack of Vivarail staff at Bletchley depot would make maintenance difficult.

The Business Desk

• Mayors say Government should not renew TransPennine Express contractMayors in the North of England have urged the Government to not renew the contract of train company TransPennine Express (TPE) when it expires next month.

Other News Sources

• Survey: 28% of Seafarers Were Charged Illegal Recruitment FeesNew research has found that of almost 5,000 seafarers surveyed, almost 40% have experienced at least one form of unethical or illegal action in violation of international standards relating to worker rights either during the recruitment process…
• M3 smart motorway plans between Winchester and Southampton scrappedSMART motorway plans for the M3 between Winchester and the M27 have been scrapped by the government.