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

Sunday, 24 September 2023

BBC News

• Wales 20mph limit: Cardiff protest march as petition tops 400kHundreds of protesters gather in Cardiff to oppose the change to Wales' default speed limit.
• HS2: Johnson warns against 'mutilated' version of rail linkThe former PM airs concerns as firms seek clarity over the government's commitment to the rail link.
• Superloop: North Finchley to Harrow and Walthamstow services to startTransport for London says two new bus routes will serve Harrow and Walthamstow from North Finchley.

The Guardian

• Net zero, housing, HS2 - all delayed. In modern Britain, short-termism rules | Sonia SodhaOur leaders seem incapable of getting beyond'˜jam today' politics. Then again, could you or I do better?Walk through the Houses of Parliament and it is impossible to ignore the signs of decay , crumbling masonry, cordoned-off zones, water dripping down walls, leaking pipes, danger signs. It's costing taxpayers £2m a week in repairs to keep the Palace of Westminster running, and not even that has prevented sewage leaks and vermin infestations. Worse still, 'there is a real and rising risk that a catastrophic event will destroy the palace before it is ever repaired and restored, according to th...
• Rishi Sunak pushes to axe northern HS2 rail line ahead of Tory conferenceSources say the PM wants to scrap the section to Manchester before the party's annual gathering in the city next weekendRishi Sunak is facing a huge backlash from senior Tories and business leaders amid signs he is ready to scrap the northern section of the HS2 high speed rail line before the Conservative conference opens in Manchester next weekend.Several sources told the Observer on Saturday that a meeting was scheduled to take place involving the prime minister and the chancellor, Jeremy Hunt, on Monday or on Tuesday, with a decision to be announced by Sunak by the middle of this week. Cont...

The Herald

• 'Hell on wheels': The bitter battle to complete Edinburgh's tram lineThe project was labelled “hell on wheels” and has left a bitter legacy costing more than £1 billion. Edinburgh now has its complete first tram line, and a damning inquiry into the scandal has finally shed light on a dark chapter in the capital’s history.
• Ferguson Marine under fire over safety failures over fiasco ferriesConcerns have been raised that regulatory clearances for two ferries at the centre of Scotland's ferry fiasco were not made in good time - after it emerged they failed to comply with safety rules that are seven years old.

Times Online

• What the net zero U-turn really means for the electric car industry [subscription]Sunak’s delay to the petrol and diesel ban is dividing carmakers. Meanwhile, Chinese brands are poised to race ahead
• HS2 pain risks leaving millions with trains that can’t take the strain [subscription]Andy Street, Andy Burnham and Sadiq Khan rail against plans to curtail route

City AM

• Miliband hits out at Sunak over net zero policy shift Rishi Sunak 'does not give a damn' about climate change, Ed Miliband claimed following the Prime Ministerâ' decision to postpone a series of green policies. The shadow net zero secretary said Mr Sunak saw the drive to cut emissions as an obligation forced on him rather than an economic opportunity. Addressing the online conference of [...]

Mail Online

• Drivers may soon be able to charge electric cars using bins and street lamps as ministers examine proposals to convert ordinary street objects into 'smart' versionsA pilot has been launched, with six councils across the UK given funding to find new uses for 'street furniture'. They will begin by rolling out street lamps with free internet access and EV charging.

This is Money

• Airbus backing Britain with plan to create 1,100 jobsMany of the roles will be in high-tech fields including cyber security, software engineering, cryogenics and robotics.

Sky News

• 'Out of control' costs: Northern HS2 line set to be scrapped, Sky News understandsThe northern section of the HS2 high speed rail line looks set to be scrapped by Rishi Sunak, Sky News understands.

Birmingham Post

• Race to buy Evans Halshaw and Stratstone group hots up as rival bidders raise offer to almost £450mPendragon rejected an initial bid, but will put new offer to shareholders despite being in talks with a US business

Bolton News

• No Northern trains to run in 2 out of 5 days due to driver strikesThere will be no Northern trains running in two out of five days amid strike action over a pay dispute, the rail operator has said.
• Northern to trial British Sign Language announcementsNorthern is set to interpret its announcements into British Sign Language (BSL) on some of its services.
• Bolton buses come under public control today under shake-upBuses in Bolton are brought back under public control in Greater Manchester for the first time in nearly 40 years today (Sunday, September 24).

The York Press

• Northern to run NO trains on one day of ASLEF strikes next weekA RAIL firm, which operates in York, has announced it will run NO trains on one day of striking next week.

Wales Online

• Hundreds gather as 20mph speed limit protest held in CardiffGroups gathered at the National Museum in Cardiff's civic centre to protest about Wales' new default 20mph speed limit

Other Regional Press

• Concern about closure of West Dorset Ring and Ride ServiceAs readers may be aware the Axe Valley & West Dorset Ring and Ride Service has been operational for several years and offers a lifeline to many people who do not have access to public transport.
• Coventry residents furious over 'unreliable' bus route in the cityIt is the 'most unreliable route'
• Clashes over Coventry cycle lanes as residents said to be 'concerned' about fundingOthers say the lanes are well used - and money comes from government

Other News Sources

• Left to play dodgems on Herefordshire's diabolical roadsI HAVE just read the distressing letter from Carol Jones regarding the state of Herefordshire's roads (Letters, September 14).
• Boris Johnson warns Rishi Sunak against 'mutilating' HS2 railway projectThe UK has been building the HS2 high-speed railway line since 2017. Years of delay, billions of pounds over budget and now Rishi Sunak is thought to be considering axing part of the HS2 High Speed rail project linking London with the North. Two former Tory prime ministers in David Cameron and Boris Johnson have…
• HS2 railway scrap plans 'economic vandalism' says Labour West Yorkshire mayorWe spoke to the Labour West Yorkshire mayor Tracy Brabin and the Conservative MP Greg Smith, who’s described HS2 as a financial catastrophe. We started by asking Greg Smith if he supported axing the second leg of the high speed railway.