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

Thursday, 14 September 2023

BBC News

• Lichfield MP complains over HS2 road and footpath closuresRoad and footpath closures for HS2 works have created ongoing problems for residents in Lichfield, the prime minister was told.
• Liverpool bus lanes scrapped in 2014 set to returnBus lanes scrapped in Liverpool almost a decade ago are set to return. Former mayor Joe Anderson got rid of almost all the city's priority bus lanes in 2014 after a year-long trial.
• Bishop Auckland passengers confused over 'missing' bus stopsA council has apologised after temporary stops were not in place following the closure of Bishop Auckland bus station for redevelopment.
• Lincolnshire rural on-demand bus service to cap fares at £2An on-demand bus service serving rural communities in Lincolnshire has announced it is capping fares at £2 for single journeys.
• A further 40 miles of London's roads to have 20mph limitThe speed limit is to be introduced in parts of London including Bromley, Lambeth and Southwark.
• Peak ScotRail fares to be scrapped in pilot schemeCommuters travelling between Glasgow and Edinburgh will see the price of their tickets drop by almost half from next month.
• Qantas illegally fired 1,700 workers during pandemic - top courtThe Australian airline has been embroiled in several scandals since the pandemic began.

Financial Times

• Levelling up agenda has stalled under Sunak, says think-tankIfG warns flagship policy to bridge regional divides is not a priority for the government
• American Airlines: bumpy economic landing set to jostle carrier shareholdersThe stock price has fallen by more than 40% despite rising flyer volume
• Maersk forms green methanol start-up in decarbonisation pushContainer shipping group prepares to welcome its first vessel powered by the alternative fuel

The Guardian

• Mick Lynch calls consultation on railway ticket office closures a ’sham’Shutting most in England will leave network where people will ’not want to travel once the sun’s gone down’, RMT leader tells MPs

The Independent

• Rishi Sunak and Jeremy Hunt in talks to scrap phase two of HS2 as costs spiralExclusive: PM and chancellor discuss halting ’unachieveable’ leg of rail line from Birmingham to Manchester
• Train operator ScotRail scraps peak tickets in six-month trialPeak fares are to be abolished for the winter by ScotRail, with the operator hoping to “encourage people to ditch the car and travel by train”.
• What is HS2, where will it go and when will it be completed?The government is rethinking plans for part of Britain’s biggest rail infrastructure project, much delayed and well over budget

Times Online

• Tory revolt over station ticket office closures. [subscription]Minister jeered from his own benches amid fear for vulnerable

Daily Record

• Scotrail trial sees peak train fares scrappedThe Scottish Government announced that all peak rail fares will be scrapped for a six-month trial, beginning in October.

Bradford Telegraph & Argus

• Lack of disabled access at stations in the North 'worrying'THE fact that over half of the rail stations in the north are not fully accessible for wheelchair users has been described as “very, very worrying.”

Daily Post (North Wales)

• Mark Drakeford taunts North Wales Tory MS over apparent 20mph u-turnThe First Minister quoted Janet Finch-Saunders 'common-sense' support for a lower limit in 2020

London Evening Standard

• Are rail passengers being overcharged by apps? Can you claim back money ?Rail passengers are being overcharged by up to £100 for long-distance train journeys from London by ticketing apps, an MP claimed in Parliament on Wednesday.

Newcastle Evening Chronicle

• Northumberland club granted licence to stay open until 1am despite reports of patrons 'urinating' in carparkCouncil officers said there had been no concerns raised by police or public protection

Northern Echo

• Flying Scotsman to pass through Darlington in secret tomorrowThe world's most famous steam train is set to pass through the North East this week - but it will move in secret, to protect the safety of the public. 

The York Press

• Buses will be a 'priority' in York, declares city transport bossBuses will be a 'priority' in York, declares city transport boss

Wales Online

• 'Llandeilo has to have a bypass - there is no other answer,' says councillor as fresh call is made for relief road A bypass has been talked about for decades, but never happened

Cambridge News

• Campaigners rally against East West Rail route in fresh bid to get Government to cancel scheme The letter was signed by councillors and organisations across the county

Oxford Mail

• Oxford Tube to run coaches from Carterton and WitneyThe Oxford Tube will introduce direct journeys from West Oxfordshire to London by next month.

Other Regional Press

• £4 million investment sees twenty new buses for Nottinghamshire routesBrand new buses have started appearing on trentbarton’s the threes service connecting Nottingham, Hucknall, Kirkby, Sutton and Mansfield.
• TfL chiefs told to sort out buses that are ’saunas on wheels'TRANSPORT chiefs copped a Routemaster roasting this week as London’s buses were branded “saunas on wheels”.
• Brighton to London commute could top £6,000, new study showsCommuters could see the price of their annual season ticket reach more than £6,000, if price rises are consistent with last year's.

Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport

• Amazon’s new electric cargo bike fleet expands into Glasgow for the first timeScotland’s largest city is getting a sustainable delivery boost as Amazon expands its electric cargo bike fleet, following the launch of fleets in London and Manchester last year. Glasgow customers will receive packages from Amazon’s electric cargo bikes as they extend into Scotland for the first time. Located in Baillieston in the East of the city is the new Glasgow delivery hub and is part of Amazon’s £300 million investment in the electrification and decarbonisation of our UK transportation network. UK Country Manager at Amazon, John Boumphrey said: “With mo...

Construction Enquirer

• Longest HS2 green tunnel aims to avoid faults of the firstHS2 chiefs said “lessons learned” during the troubled construction of the project’s first green tunnel will be applied as work starts on a longer similar structure.

New Civil Engineer

• Court date set for challenge to A57 Link Roads schemeA judge will next month decide the future of Balfour Beatty's controversial £108M Trans-Pennine road project.
• ’Raac’ style roads crisis warning as resurfacing levels plummetEngland's roads could face a similar crisis to its schools unless investment is stepped up quickly, an expert has warned.
• EKFB begins assembly of HS2’s longest ’green tunnel’Works to assemble High Speed 2’s (HS2’s) 2.7km Greatworth ’green tunnel’, the longest of its type for the project’s Phase 1, have commenced in West Northamptonshire.

Rail Business Daily

• RIA calls for the Government to make immediate decisions on the building and upgrading of rolling stockFollowing news today that the government is working urgently with train manufacturer Alstom to secure the jobs of its staff and suppliers in its Derby factory, due to recent stop-start decisions on rolling stock orders, the Railway Industry Association (RIA) and all train manufacturing and refurbishment members with ambitions in the UK are justifiably concerned about what the future holds.

Rail Technology Magazine

• Fully electric cargo route now available between England and ScotlandA fully electric rail cargo route between Birmingham and Glasgow has been launched. The partnership between Carousel Logistics and Varamis Rail, the UK's first electric-only express rail freight operator, will see former passenger trains converted to carry cargo at speeds of up to 100 miles per hour.

Railway Gazette

• Union calls for train refurbishment contracts to be brought forward to safeguard jobsUK: The Unite trade union has called on the government to bring forward rolling stock refurbishment contracts to secure jobs.

Other News Sources

• Leicestershire: Calls to pause discussions on Hinckley rail parkA council leader has called for a pause in discussions to decide whether a huge rail freight park will be built.
• Worcestershire Parkway plan gets backing from Malvern MPA Worcestershire MP has backed plans for more train services to run from Worcestershire Parkway train station.
• New bridge lifted into place as part of South Wales Metro transformationTransport for Wales has released images of the moment a brand new bridge was lifted into place as part of the South Wales Metro transformation.
• RIA calls for UK Government to make immediate decisions on rolling stockWith train manufacturing jobs threatened and factories at risk of closure, RIA has called for the Government to make immediate decisions on the building of rolling stock.
• Bus Service Improvement PlanCouncils and bus operators in Greater Nottingham have joined forces to bid for Government funding to improve services for passengers.