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

Thursday, 26 October 2023

BBC News

• Leamside line: cross-party MPs united in campaign for reopeningMPs have met the Rail Minister Huw Merriman to make their case that a disused train route should be restored.
• Public transport for under-25s 'should be free' in WalesPublic transport should be free for under-25s, the body made up of 60 young people from across Wales has said.
• City of Wolverhampton Council tests vegetable oil fuel for vehiclesThe council seeks to reduce its carbon emissions and has begun a trial with the alternative fuel.
• Hayes: Network Rail site used for 'industrial scale' fly-tippingWitnesses say about 50 van loads of rubbish have been dumped on the Elizabeth line building site.

Financial Times

• Network Rail not consulted before plan to move £36bn to HS2 replacementsSunak cancelled northern leg of UK high-speed link in favour of list of projects that have since been questioned

The Independent

• Heathrow’s third runway expansion in the hands of private sector, minister saysThe project has been delayed by legal challenges and the pandemic.
• ’No one came to help’: Anger as lack of staff on London transport ’is putting women at risk’Calls for more to be done to improve safety comes after woman targeted at north London tube station, Holly Evans writes

Times Online

• Scottish road deaths total is highest for seven yearsThe number of people killed on Scotland’s roads has reached its highest level for seven years.

Local Government

• Three in four rural authorities roll out new ’demand-responsive’ transport, but warn that they are not a substitute for traditional bus servicesA survey of England’s largest rural councils has revealed that three in four are rolling out demand-responsive transport (DRT) – a type of bus service that users can book – to fill the gap left by dwindling mainstream bus services.
• Public transport investment makes bus journeys easierNew digital bus timetable screens have been installed across Scunthorpe to make it simpler for passengers to check route information.

Birmingham Post

• Port of Tyne turns to gamers in bid to support its long term business ambitionsA hackathon event will see teams develop basic, 2D games that help engage staff with the Ports strategy

Bradford Telegraph & Argus

• Network Rail railway crossing warning as CCTV video releasedNetwork Rail have released the shocking CCTV footage as a warning to parents about the dangers of letting their children play on railway crossings

Daily Post (North Wales)

• Squeeze on cars in seaside town revamp sounds warning for rest of North WalesRevised proposals for Colwyn Bay place a greater emphasis on walking and cycling

London Evening Standard

• Heathrow’s third runway expansion in the hands of private sector, minister saysThe project has been delayed by legal challenges and the pandemic.
• Heathrow’s third runway expansion in the hands of private sector, minister saysThe project has been delayed by legal challenges and the pandemic.

Northern Echo

• New name for Darlington's revamped railway museum revealedTHE new name for Darlington’s historic railway visitor attraction is being revealed today.

The Press and Journal (Aberdeen)

• Campaign for North East Rail throws weight behind Cove and Newtonhill station plansRail activists say reopening the city stations 'has to happen' in a major boost for the Aberdeen economy.

The York Press

• HS2 money to boost York bus service improvementsRedirected cash is making its way to York and the counties neighbouring it to improve bus services.

Other Regional Press

• Transport Minister Richard Holden launches the second-year logistics campaign at DIRFT’s HubThe Minister talks about the campaign that received £645,000 in government funding and defends the logistics industry's growth
• Siobhan Baillie at Cam and Dursley railway stationSTROUD MP Siobhan Baillie met with a member of a transportation group following recent calls which were put forward to improve passenger facilities at Cam and Dursley railway station.
• Eco-friendly train launched in ChesterfieldPositive Traction has launched the UK’s first re-engineered battery-powered shunting locomotive. The eco-friendly train is free from carbon and particulate emissions.
• Prime Minister confirms commitment to Pant bypass and A5PRIME Minster Rishi Sunak has told the House of Commons that a long-awaited bypass on the Powys-Shropshire border will be in its next round of investments in the UK's roads.
• Government announce £1.2 Million of HS2 funding for WarringtonWARRINGTON will be the recipient of £1.2 million in funds from the scrapped northern leg of HS2 to put towards bus services, with MPs clashing over what this means for the town.

Train Operators

• Greater Anglia extends excellent performance record, annual punctuality at 94.4% with four routes at 97.8% or aboveFigures released by Greater Anglia (GA) today show that it is continuing to deliver very high levels of punctuality, on an ongoing basis, for customers across East Anglia.

New Civil Engineer

• Future of Bridges | How Network Rail managed to repair key railway bridge in just 66 daysNetwork Rail’s 66 day reinstatement of the Nuneham Viaduct in Oxfordshire relied on a tightly planned, just-in-time operation.

Rail Advent

• Transport for Wales announce changes to Barmouth replacement bus serviceThe route of a Transport for Wales rail replacement bus service that is currently running between Machynlleth and Pwllheli while Network Rail carries out work on Barmouth Bridge is set to change early next month because a road in Barmouth is set to be closed for sewer works.

Rail Business Daily

• RAILPOOL expands fleet in Germany as it orders 45 Modula locomotivesRAILPOOL, the rail vehicle rental company and Vossloh Rolling Stock have signed several contracts for the delivery of 45 Modula locomotives in two versions, with the option to purchase a further 142 locomotives.

Rail UK

• Network Rail confirms appointment of Lucy McAuliffe to run the railway in SussexNetwork Rail’s Southern region has appointed Lucy McAuliffe as its permanent Sussex route director to lead the operation of one of the busiest rail networks in the country.

Other News Sources

• MP hits out at ’idiotic’ school transport planMCC respond to MP's comments, after David Davies expressed fears that a lack of buses will drive students into their cars to make the journey to school.
• I have no regrets in planning HS2 - Andrew AdonisAs transport secretary during the last Labour government, I only wish we had more time in office to see the project through
• Chief executive of Greater Manchester Combined Authority and Transport for Greater Manchester to retireThe chief executive of two key organisations in Greater Manchester has announced his plans to retire after 42 years in public service.
• Miles better: Improving public transport in the Glasgow City RegionResearcher Matthew Coombes and Guilherme Rodrigues set out why bus franchising offers Glasgow an opportunity to help Scotland reach its economic potential.

News from Europe

• Biofuels industry criticises ’inconsistent’ transport decarbonisation policyNew EU rules to green the maritime and aviation sectors prohibit the use of crop-based biofuels on sustainability grounds, though the same fuels play a major role in decarbonising the bloc’s vehicle fleet.