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

Monday, 01 May 2023

BBC News

• Cardiff: Disabled people's 20-year railway station access fightOne of Wales' busiest railway stations has no lift and steep stairs between platforms.
• Strangford MV II ferry hasn't sailed in more than a yearIn Strangford and Portaferry locals are annoyed and worried about the current ferry issues.
• Rail strikes cynically targeting Eurovision, transport minister saysTransport Secretary Mark Harper says a

The Guardian

• Country diary: A small train with a very big viewAfon Mawddach, Gwynedd: This route is vital to day-to-day life here, and affords spectacular views of land and sea. It is now finally upgraded and secure

The Scotsman

• UK Transport Secretary Mark Harper takes helm of Ferguson Marine ferry Glen Sannox in City of Glasgow College shipping simulatorUK Transport Secretary Mark Harper has tried his hand at a state-of-the-art ship simulator during a Glasgow college visit – only to find himself at the helm of the ill-fated CalMac ferry Glen Sannox.

The Telegraph

• SNP ’cutting off rural Scotland after litany of transport failures’Sandy Easdale says Humza Yousaf and Nicola Sturgeon have forced public away from bus journeys
• Rail union boss hits out at Transport Secretary. [subscription]Mark Harper implying Aslef does not support Ukraine because of strike on eve of Eurovision is 'ridiculous', says Mick Whelan

Times Online

• Elizabeth Line takes fliers away from Heathrow Express. [subscription]The opening of the Elizabeth Line has eaten into the revenues of Heathrow Express, the country’s most expensive railway service per mile travelled.
• £40m for cycling charity behind low-traffic zones. [subscription]A cycling and walking charity that has lobbied councils to approve the introduction of low-traffic neighbourhoods (LTNs) has received huge sums in local government contracts to design and implement the schemes.
• Low-emission zone won’t forced cabbies off the road, says Glasgow transport chief. [subscription]Glasgow’s transport chief has pledged no taxi will be taken off the road when the city imposes a new low-emission zone next month.

The York Press

• Latest move in transport plans for Harrogate and SelbyCOUNCILLORS will discuss part of a £42 million investment to improve transport in three North Yorkshire towns later this week.

Cambridge News

• Cambridge's Dutch roundabout slammed as 'vanity project' after more crashes than past layoutDespite an increase in usage from cyclist and pedestrians residents have criticised the need for the Dutch-style roundabout and have labelled it as "dangerous" as well as a "waste of money"

Wirral Globe

• Green Lane railway station “could soon get a full service returned”A MERSEYRAIL train station “could soon get a full service returned” after services were controversially reduced last year.

Other Regional Press

• Transport group given £25k by Strathclyde Partnership for TransportLOCAL charity Inverclyde Voluntary Council for Social Services has been awarded £25,000 to help run its voluntary transport service.
• Bid launched to stop new Burton-to-Leicester train line being builtProtesters say bringing back the Ivanhoe Line would see their houses' value plummet
• Osney Island bus stop 'completely inadequate' says councillorNetwork Rail has shut Botley Road in Oxford at the rail bridge meaning buses are forced to terminate at Osney Island.

Calling All Stations - The Transport Podcast

• Calling All Stations with Christian Wolmar, Episode 15A preview of Christian's next book - 'The Liberation Line' - telling the story of the Allies' amazing reconstruction of railways in France and beyond following the Normandy landings of 1944 is followed by an in-depth interview with Anthony Smith, Chief Executive of Transport Focus, the principal consumer watchdog organisation for rail, bus and road users in Great Britain, after which Christian asks whether BBC Radio should still have to broadcast the Shipping Forecast in an increasingly digital age.

RMT

• Bus workers survey reveals nearly half have experienced abuse at work48% of bus workers have experienced incidents of workplace abuse in the last two years, an RMT survey has revealed.

Other News Sources

• Monmouthshire councillors unite in heated debate on bus cutsIn an impassioned plea, Cllr Richard John recently urged fellow Monmouthshire councillors to join forces and oppose the Welsh Government's proposed cuts to bus funding. These cuts, set to begin on July 24, could reduce bus services in Wales to a 'skeletal' level.
• Oxford MP urges Network Rail to deal with Botley Road closure’s ’serious safety concerns’Layla Moran has written to Network Rail over the “serious safety concerns” of her constituents regarding the closure of Botley Road.
• Arts group unveils stunning mural at Blackburn Railway station tunnelA Blackburn arts group has helped to bring some colour and vibrancy to Blackburn Railway Station.

News from Europe

• Germany launches €49 monthly ticket for nationwide public transportGermany launches on Monday a new flat-rate public transport ticket valid across the country, but the 49-euro ($54) price point has raised doubts about the pass's potential impact.