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

Monday, 11 September 2023

BBC News

• Rail services reduced between Hereford and Shrewsbury for track workPassengers are being warned of the nine-day closure of a busy railway line. Reduced rail services are set to run between Hereford and Shrewsbury due to the works.

The Guardian

• When the flight data software says noMartyn Thomas and David Griffiths on the air traffic control failure in August that led to more than 2,000 flight cancellations

Times Online

• Glasgow congestion charge risks harming city businesses, SNP told. [subscription]Motoring organisations have warned that Glasgow city council risks damaging businesses and penalising commuters if it introduces congestion charging for drivers from outlying areas.

Daily Record

• Controversial Edinburgh bus gate rakes in £100,000 of fines over just two monthsFigures released by Edinburgh Council revealed in the first full month it was active, 2298 fines were dished out - equalling a sum of £50,730.

Local Government

• Huge funding boost for zero emission busesEven more people will be able to make greener and cleaner journeys thanks to another huge funding boost for zero emission buses (ZEBs).

Manchester Evening News

• TransPennine Express will mothball fleet of new trains and cut services from DecemberThe company - nationalised in May because of poor performance - said simplifying its operations would 'deliver improved punctuality and reliability'

Yorkshire Post

• Why all efforts should be made to save Doncaster Sheffield Airport - Jayne DowleDoncaster’s mayor Ros Jones is throwing everything, including ’the kitchen sink’ at the latest bid to save Doncaster Sheffield Airport, so all power to her elbow.

East Anglian Daily Times

• Repairs for tower at Stowmarket railway station in SuffolkPlans are being made to renovate a Grade II listed tower at a Suffolk railway station to repair a leaking roof. 

Other Regional Press

• AMBITIOUS plans have been unveiled for a 30-year rail revolution across the West Midlands, following the Covid pandemic.AMBITIOUS plans have been unveiled for a 30-year rail revolution across the West Midlands, following the Covid pandemic.
• Cllr Paul Donovan on changes needed in transport systemThere need to be some radical measures taken to change the transport system of the UK.
• Formal confirmation from the bus operator has been receivedTOWNLYNX Bus Services has officially reversed its decision to stop all transport operations following an announcement on Friday, 8.
• Rail Minister officially opens Thanet Parkway railway station (and it now has toilets…)Rail Minister Huw Merriman formally opened Thanet Parkway station on Friday (September 8), Kent’s first new railway station in eight years and Thanet’s first in almost 100 years.
• ’A failure to read the room’ - union calls for government to scrap plans to close railway ticket officesThe union for railway ticket office staff has called on the government to immediately scrap plans to close almost every ticket office on England’s railways.

Calling All Stations - The Transport Podcast

• Summer catch-up with awesome HS2 site visit (part 1), air trafficWe're back!   Christian Wolmar and Mark Walker launch Season 2 bringing you up to date with three of the summer's biggest transport stories - air traffic control in crisis [1:49], Greater London's ULEZ extension [5:19] and England's main line rail booking office review [8:58] - including the take on the latter of ASLEF union leader Mick Whelan [13:51].   We then take listeners on the first part of our audio visit to the HS2 high speed rail line construction sites - this time the Colne Valley [19:30].  Christian finally asks what needs to be done to protect the 'turn-up-and-go' railway in Great Britain.

New Civil Engineer

• Planning permission granted for new Preston railway stationLancashire County Council has granted planning permission for a new railway station 4km from Preston city centre.

Rail Advent

• TransPennine Express appoints new Operations Development ManagerTransPennine Express (TPE) has appointed Anita Wright to the role of Operations Development Manager.
• Merseyrail signs up to new BTP safety appPassengers travelling on Merseyrail services can look forward to an additional security feature.  The train operator – which is centred on Liverpool and serves 69 stations, from Southport in the north to Chester in the south – has signed up to Railway Guardian, a new app introduced by British Transport Police (BTP).

Aviation Industry

• Lufthansa Cargo Becomes The 1st Airline To Carry A Rolls-Royce Trent XWB Engine On A Boeing 777Last week, Lufthansa Cargo announced that it transported a Rolls-Royce Trent XWB engine as a commercial load in the main deck of a Boeing 777F for the first time. Previously, only specialized freighters such as the Airbus Beluga, Boeing C-17, or Antonov An-124 have flown the engine commercially.
• British Airways Will Trial Letting Its Most Premium Passengers On The Plane First British Airways is testing a new boarding process, introducing Group 0 for its highest-status frequent flyer members on select long-haul routes.
• Could Dangerous Concrete Cause Issues At Heathrow & Gatwick Airport? London Heathrow and London Gatwick have discovered potentially dangerous reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete (Raac) in their terminals, but both airports assure that the affected areas are currently safe.

Other News Sources

• UK carrier EE boosts 5G coverage on London UndergroundEE also noted it will soon be delivering 4G and 5G at other London Underground stations
• Network Rail kicks of £33M land reinforcement work in County DurhamNetwork Rail has started a £33M land reinforcement project that involves major piling work to stabilise a landslide at Browney Curve in County Durham.