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

Wednesday, 14 June 2023

BBC News

• Didcot self-driving bus starts commute on public roadsThe UK's first fully electric self-driving bus has begun a commuter service on public roads.
• Track work complete on historical Derbyshire rail tunnelsMajor work on two historical Derbyshire railway tunnels is now complete, Network Rail has said.
• Driverless cars: Researcher disguises himself as car seat in studyA study to test people's reactions to driverless cars has used a "ghost driver" to record their responses.
• Màiri McAllan appointed new Scottish transport secretaryMàiri McAllan is taking overall responsibility for transport after the resignation of Kevin Stewart.

Financial Times

• France seeks to rally support for emissions levy on shippingEmmanuel Macron pushes nations to back green charge ahead of finance summit
• Safran chief says aircraft makers have unprecedented supply crisisFrench jet engine maker warns constraints on production are likely to last into 2024

The Guardian

• Blind man who fell on to rail tracks sues Network Rail over lack of tactile pavingA blind man who fell on to rail tracks and was nearly hit my a freight train is suing Network Rail for failing to put in place tactile paving to protect him.
• Rail route of the month: the Mont-Blanc Express from Switzerland to FranceOur slow travel expert takes the off-peak train, discovering along the way that the cross-border ’express’ train is actually delightfully slow. Martigny enjoys a beautiful setting where the waters of the River Dranse tumble down to join the Rhône in Switzerland’s Valais canton. The town is a natural way station for travellers following the classic Grand St Bernard route south into Italy. The chic set stop off in Martigny en route to Verbier.

The Herald

• CalMac to review strategy after 'Highland Clearances' ferry chaos rowCALMAC has been accused of providing a catalyst for a new version of the Highland Clearances - with a ferry deployment policy that fails to take account of the economic and cultural impact of Scotland's islands.
• CalMac chief 'can't get car on ferry' on route to meet angry islandersThe chief executive of the Scottish Government-owned ferry operator CalMac did not take his car on a busy ferry after being forced on a long detour to meet angry islanders over service chaos.
• Scrapping CalMac and CMAL a 'non-starter' if SNP wants to be in EURADICAL plans to scrap Scottish Government-controlled ferry operators and owners CalMac and CMAL to form one organisation are being described as "a non-starter" if the nation has ambitions to rejoin the EU.

The Telegraph

• Russian hackers steal data of thousands of Ulez drivers. [subscription]Up to 13,000 drivers on the Ulez and Congestion Charge databases have been warned that their data was stolen by Russian hackers in a cyber attack on Transport for London (TfL).

Times Online

• Merge ferry groups for people’s CalMac, urges union boss Lynch. [subscription]The union leader Mick Lynch has criticised the “chaotic way” ferry services in Scotland are being run as he called for a “people’s CalMac” to be created.

The National

• CalMac: Mick Lynch blasts ’chaotic’ ferry servicesRMT general secretary Mick Lynch hit out at the “chaotic way” ferry services in Scotland are being run as he called for a “people’s CalMac” to be created.

Birmingham Post

• Luxury car maker Bentley launches environmental fund to help combat climate changeIn March, BusinessLive reported that Bentley had enjoyed its best-ever financial year with its profits surging past £600m
• Nissan demonstrates automatic anti-collision tech The manufacturer has been working on sensors that are due to be installed on nearly all of its new cars by 2030

Bradford Telegraph & Argus

• 'Data hoover' trains could improve rail line maintenanceNORTHERN is looking to equip as many as 40 of its trains with kit that will enable them to become ’data hoovers’ to help transform the way the rail network is maintained.

London Evening Standard

• Staff in line for big payouts from first TfL bonuses since pandemicTransport for London is reintroducing staff bonus payments, the Standard can reveal

Manchester Evening News

• Manchester Airport warns of fake account impersonating them and responding to customer enquiries"If you receive a message from the account in question, please do not reply"

Cambridge News

• Should Cambridge cyclists be forced to have licence plates as part of congestion charge rules?We want to know if you think Cambridge should follow the lead of Italy and introduce stricter rules for cyclists

Other Regional Press

• Artificial intelligence (AI) is increasingly becoming a driving force behind the transformation in many industries, and the rail industry is no exception.This article will discuss how AI is transforming the rail industry, highlighting examples of AI use cases, benefits and potential challenges. Finally, I will provide actionable recommendations for businesses in all industries looking to implement AI technology.
• Ely rail junction improvements vital for Norfolk and SuffolkBusiness leaders have made a fresh plea for the government to tackle a railway bottleneck which they say is preventing Norfolk and Suffolk from unleashing their full economic potential.
• Proposed Oxford to Cambridge railway line compared with Britain’s bendiest roadThe twists and turns of a new rail link between Oxford and Cambridge competes with Britain’s bendiest road, ministers have heard.
• Plan for publicly-run buses in the West Midlands explainedTHE West Midlands bus network could be removed from the control of private companies and into the hands of councils depending on the outcome of an investigation.

New Civil Engineer

• Report reveals government is making insufficient progress on rail decarbonisation targetsInsufficient progress is being made on vital rail decarbonisation commitments from the government, according to a new report from the Railway Industry Association (RIA).
• South Downs National Park declares opposition to £220M M3 junction 9 rebuildThe South Downs National Park Authority (SDNPA) will submit a report to the Planning Inspectorate opposing National Highway's planned major revamp of the M3 junction 9 near Winchester in Hampshire.
• CECA brands Transport Scotland ’worst’ client in UK over A9 delaysCivil Engineering Contractors Association (CECA) for Scotland chief executive Grahame Barn has branded Transport Scotland as the “worst” client body to work for in the UK over the lengthy delays to the A9 dualling project.
• TfL puts larger transport infrastructure projects on hold amid funding uncertaintyTransport for London (TfL) has confirmed that transport infrastructure projects earmarked as immediate priorities prior to the pandemic, including Crossrail 2, will remain on a safeguarding footing amid inflationary pressures and funding uncertainty.

Rail Business Daily

• ’A chance to imagine the railway of tomorrow’ – GCRE throws open its doors to rail innovation teamsThe Global Centre of Rail Excellence offered a glimpse of the future this week as it hosted rail innovation teams from across the UK at its South Wales site.
• Network Rail appoints David Davidson to run the railway in Kent and South East LondonNetwork Rail Southern region has appointed David Davidson to lead the operation of one of the busiest rail networks in the country.
• Businesses encouraged to diversify to win a share of upcoming HS2 contractsHS2 is gearing up for the next phase of delivery by beginning the search for more UK-based companies to help build its fleet of new high speed trains.

Other News Sources

• New director to lead railway improvements in the West MidlandsExperienced rail industry leader Mal Drury-Rose has been appointed to the twin role of Director of Rail for Transport for West Midlands (TfWM) and Executive Director of the West Midlands Rail Executive (WMRE).