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

Tuesday, 17 October 2023

Government

• CMA issues final determination in Heathrow Airport appealsThe CMA has found that the CAA was not wrong on most of the issues that were appealed to it, but has ordered the CAA to reconsider 3 parts of its pricing decision.

BBC News

• Bus shelter artwork returns to TamworthArtists have transformed three bus stops with their colourful designs in a project organisers hope to expand.
• Tyne and Wear Metro cars to be scrapped instead of donatedPlans to donate Tyne and Wear Metro cars for community use on decommission have been abandoned.
• HS2 scrapping a 'kick in the teeth' for Wolverhampton apprenticesLosing the northern leg of the railway has left those hoping to work in the sector confused.
• HS2: Labour criticises 'back of fag packet' transport planThe party says the government's alternative plans after scrapping the northern leg of HS2 are an
• Twelve hurt as bus crashes into cafe in ManchesterThe driver has been arrested after the bus veered into a bubble tea cafe in Manchester city centre.

Times Online

• Rolls-Royce to cut up to 2,500 jobs. [subscription]Rolls-Royce Holdings, the aircraft engine manufacturer, has confirmed plans to cut up to 2,500 jobs today as part of the new chief executive’s plan to simplify the company’s management structure.
• This seems a good time to get on board FirstGroupirstGroup may be the stock market’s ultimate 2024 general election bet. It is the chosen operator for the rump of HS2, which the Labour Party seems happy to press on with if it wins power, and is the only big quoted company running both buses and trains. That puts it at the heart of the climate change movement, amid growing signs that higher costs are making younger motorists ditch cars.

City AM

• Heathrow: CMA tells aviation regulator to look at price cap again as row rumbles onThe UK competition watchdog has largely upheld a decision by the aviation regulator on the amount Heathrow can charge airlines for using the hub, but ordered it to make some adjustments following a heated, three year-long dispute in the sector.
• Rolls-Royce slashes up to 2,500 jobs in bid to ’create more agile business’Rolls-Royce has announced plans to cut up to 2,500 jobs worldwide in a cost-cutting drive, as it looks to streamline the business under new CEO Tufan Erginbilgic.
• Strict EV targets risk increasing reliance on China, ex-Britishvolt boss warns Europe risks depending on China to meet its needs for EVs unless it waters down its targets, one of the founders of Britishvolt has warned.
• Former Abellio chief: Here’s how to get British rail back on trackHalf a year on from leading a management buyout of the major rail and bus operator Abellio from its Dutch owner, Dominic Booth is surprisingly modest about what some would consider a career-defining moment.

Daily Record

• New calls to extend free bus pass for older people to include more transport optionsA new online petition is calling on the UK Government to extend the concessionary travel scheme for people of State Pension age to include free tram travel alongside the current offering of free bus journeys. This is the second petition in recent months proposing a change to the concessionary travel scheme.

Network Rail

• Mayor of Cambridgeshire & Peterborough tracks progress of railway improvements on tour of networkOn Friday 13 October, the Mayor of the Cambridgeshire & Peterborough Combined Authority, Dr Nik Johnson, joined partners from the rail industry on a tour of Cambridgeshire’s network.

Birmingham Post

• Leeds Bradford Airport embarks on £100 terminal regenerationThree-storey 9,500 sq ft expansion to be delivered by Farrans Construction

London Evening Standard

• Competition regulator orders rethink on Heathrow chargesThe Competition and Markets Authority said it has ordered the Civil Aviation Authority to reanalyse some aspects of its decision earlier this year.

Newcastle Evening Chronicle

• Rail disruption to last until next month after Northumberland's Plessey Viaduct found damagedApproximately 30 tonnes of masonry and concrete has become displaced from the Grade II listed bridge in Northumberland with urgent repairs under way
• Metro trains set for scrapyard as bosses ditch plans to donate old carriages to communitiesJust two of the Metro carriages that have served the North East for more than 40 years will be saved, with proposals to turn others into community assets deemed too costly

Wolverhampton Express and Star

• MP calls to save 'vital' bus route into Wolverhampton set to be axed in coming weeksThe campaign to save a bus route into Wolverhampton that is set to be axed by its current operator has been backed by an MP.

Other Regional Press

• Crewe councillor calls on Cheshire East to promote extension of £2 bus fare capA Crewe councillor has called on Cheshire East to make the public more aware that the £2 bus fare cap has been extended.
• Preston's railway station area revamp 'shouldn't be derailed by HS2 scrapping'There is no reason for a major redevelopment of the area around Preston station to be derailed by the cancellation of the northern leg of the HS2 link. That is according to a city property expert.
• Oxford school says LTNs causing teachers to resignMagdalen College School has urged Oxfordshire County Council not to make the LTNs in Divinity Road, St Clement’s, and St Mary’s permanent.
• Ongoing HS2 roadworks south of Coventry as track construction ramps upPhase 1 is in full construction mode with a number of compounds set up in Warwickshire

New Civil Engineer

• Span’s arrival a ’milestone’ for £29.5M Govan-Partick BridgeThe main span of Glasgow’s £29.5M Govan-Partick Bridge has arrived at Yorkhill Quay in Glasgow and is set to be installed within days.
• Government to fund 85% of £251M Norwich Western Link roadThe government has approved the outline business case for Norfolk County Council’s Norwich Western Link project and committed £213M funding to the project - 85% of its £251M budget.
• Plans unveiled for five new Welsh railway stationsTransport for Wales’ plans to improve public transport have moved a step closer, with proposals unveiled for five new railway stations.

Rail Business Daily

• Work to improve reliability of line between London Waterloo and Portsmouth continues on SaturdayFrom Saturday 21 to Saturday 28 October, the railway between Guildford and Petersfield will be closed, extending to Havant on Sunday 29 October only, with buses replacing trains.
• Cairngorm funicular works set to continue into next monthCairngorm Estate owner Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) has announced that engineering works to address technical issues on the Cairngorm funicular railway will continue into November.
• Ground-breaking project shows rail’s vital role helping young people combat lonelinessAn innovative pilot project that engaged 400 young people through grassroots ’community rail’ activities has shown how rail and public transport can be used to unlock opportunity, boost confidence, and forge social bonds.
• A £2.7 billion boost for transport in the West Midlands confirmedTransport for West Midlands (TfWM) has welcomed a £2.7 billion investment into the region’s transport infrastructure to fund a wide range of improvements including delivery of the transformative Midlands Rail Hub project.

Other News Sources

• A WEEK-LONG CELEBRATION OF THE IMPACT OF COMMUNITY TRANSPORT!Between October 16 and 21, 2023, communities across the UK will celebrate the vital role and inspiring work of Community Transport in helping millions of people to stay independent, participate in their communities and access essential public services and employment.