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

Tuesday, 31 October 2023

BBC News

• Plans to close rail ticket offices in England scrappedPlans to close hundreds of rail ticket offices in England have been scrapped.
• Guildford station pedestrian bridge access withdrawn due to fare dodgingPedestrian access across a Guildford railway station footbridge is being withdrawn due to fare evasion and attacks on rail staff.
• New £500k electric buses 'will improve city's air quality'A city’s first fleet of electric double decker buses will offer "significant environmental benefits", transport bosses have said.
• Council overturns legislation to allow free school transportA council has changed legislation to allow parents free transport for their children attending their nearest secondary school with available places.
• Yousaf and Sturgeon asked for A9 dualling evidenceThe first minister and former FM have both had responsibility for the delayed roads project.
• Heathrow plans cause environmental fears for parkThe airport wants to increase the number of flights over Richard Park in south-west London.
• General Motors deal clears way for end to US car strikeThe move follows agreements at Ford and Chrysler-maker Stellantis, the other two carmakers hit by walkouts.

Financial Times

• Boom time for the $110bn a year industry keeping airlines flyingRepair and maintenance specialists are working overtime as supply chain issues persist

The Guardian

• Rail ticket office closures in England scrapped in government U-turnRailway station ticket offices in England will not be closed, in a government U-turn.

The Herald

• Glasgow Airport needs a rail link or it will be left behindGlasgow is one of the few major cities in the UK that does not have a direct rail link between its airport and its centre.

The Independent

• Government U-turns on rail ticket office closure plansMinisters have U-turned on plans to close hundreds of rail ticket offices. The Department for Transport (DfT) made the announcement as the passenger watchdog, Transport Focus, said it was “objecting to all of the current proposals to close ticket offices”.

Times Online

• Airships could provide zero-carbon travel for the Highlands and Islands. [subscription]Travel around the Highlands and islands could be transformed by huge zero-carbon airships, a new report has concluded.

City AM

• ’Riddled with inconsistencies’: Government urged to reform rail faresThe government is under fresh pressure to reform the UK’s “bizarre” rail fare system, amid ongoing hikes and industrial action.

Network Rail

• First part of 21-day railway closure set to begin in one week to allow Network Rail to complete vital reliability upgrade to the West of England Line between Yeovil Junction and AxminsterThe first of a two-part closure of the West of England line will see the railway closed for five days between Yeovil Junction and Axminster starting next week followed by a 16-day closure between Salisbury and Yeovil Junction in late November.

Newcastle Evening Chronicle

• Minister calls for new talks to put an end to 'devastating' Go North East bus strikesRichard Holden said that transport bosses and the Unite union were not 'a million miles apart' in their negotiations

The Press and Journal (Aberdeen)

• Disused Aberdeen railway platform could be reinstated to boost Central Belt linksA disused platform at Aberdeen Railway Station could be on track for a comeback as plans to provide more journeys to the Central Belt build up steam.

The York Press

• YORK: It could take 30 years for transport plans to be in useIt could take up to 30 years to see York's new transport plan in action.

Bucks Free Press

• Chiltern Railways: Trains overcrowding in BucksAn MP has urged the government to help Chiltern Railways to tackle ’persistent’ overcrowding on trains in Buckinghamshire.  

Chester Standard

• Cheshire railway station closed since 1966 could make returnA CHESHIRE railway station which has been closed for over half a century could soon be brought back to life.

Other Regional Press

• Andy Burnham eyes new Manchester Airport station and underground Piccadilly Station after HS2 axeAt the latest meeting of the Greater Manchester Combined Authority he also hailed the launch of the Bee Network.
• Potential return for Cleethorpes to London train route edging nearerHopes for the end of a more than 30 year wait for the return of a direct Cleethorpes to London train are higher than ever before, with MPs suggesting that a government decision on the route could be just weeks away, and getting the service back running as early as next year.
• Plans revealed to transform train station near GlasgowPlans have been revealed to transform a major train station near Glasgow.
• New electric trains to be introduced on Barrhead lineNEW electric trains are set to be introduced in December along the Barrhead to Glasgow railway line as part of ScotRail's upcoming timetable change.
• Transport for Wales is offering free travel for childrenTRANSPORT for Wales is making life easier this half term with their 'kids go free' scheme.

Campaign for Better Transport

• A fare future for rail: a blueprint for fares and ticketing reformThe fares and ticketing arrangements on our railway today are over-complicated and unfair. Reform is long overdue. With the urgent need to tackle the cost-of-living crisis, reduce congestion on our roads and drive down carbon emissions, it is more vital than ever that people find it easy, affordable and appealing to use the railway. This report untangles rail fares, and offers a clear blueprint for creating better value, simpler ticketing, easier booking and a fairer system.

New Civil Engineer

• Network Rail East to engage with supply chain on £30M minor civils frameworkNetwork Rail has published plans for a £30M civils framework covering signalling and level crossings in the East of England.

Rail Advent

• “Encouraging” statement from Rail Minister for reopening Lancashire – Yorkshire railway lineThe Rail Minister Huw Merriman has agreed to talk to Red Wall MPs as a step in getting approval for the restoration of the strategic trans-Pennine railway line from Skipton to Colne railway line.
• “Encouraging” statement from Rail Minister for reopening Lancashire – Yorkshire railway lineThe Rail Minister Huw Merriman has agreed to talk to Red Wall MPs as a step in getting approval for the restoration of the strategic trans-Pennine railway line from Skipton to Colne railway line.
• MP welcomes HS2’s support for more women in constructionJess Phillips, Labour MP for Birmingham Yardley, has made a visit to the headquarters of HS2 to show her support for its Young Adults programme which is designed to provide women who are out of work with the skills they need to start a new career in construction.
• Hitachi Rail given clearance for £1.4bn takeover of Thales rail signalling businessHitachi has announced that it has been given clearance to proceed with the €1.66bn (£1.4bn) acquisition of Thales Ground Transportation Systems.

Rail Technology Magazine

• Transport for the North launch new strategy to bring seamless connected journeys across the NorthTransport for the North (TfN) has launched its Connected Mobility Strategy for the North, aimed at supporting simple and seamless journeys for the region.

Railway Gazette

• Hitachi Rail’s acquisition of Thales GTS approvedEUROPE: The European Commission has approved Hitachi Rail’s proposed Ђ1·66bn acquisition of Thales’ Ground Transportation Systems business, subject to agreed divestments to preserve competition in the signalling market.

Railway Technology

• What’s next for Alstom’s Derby factory?Uncertainty remains as to the jobs of 2,000 Derby workers at Alstom’s Litchurch Lane Works.
• Transport for London admits platform “changes” needed for new rolling stockDesigns and specifications of the new rolling stock have been online since 2021.

Transport Focus

• Transport watchdog objects to proposed ticket office closuresTransport watchdog London TravelWatch has today (Tuesday 31 October) published its objections to train company proposals to close ticket offices.
• Transport Focus response to changes in Avanti West Coast services“After previous poor performance, leading to missed meetings, appointments and leisure events, passengers will be dismayed that Avanti have once again chosen to make timetable changes and reduce the number of services during one of the busiest months of the year. This indicates that the rail industry still cannot provide a full, robust timetable.

Other News Sources

• Khan says Sunak’s private sector plans for HS2 Euston ’verging on fantasy’London mayor Sadiq Khan has said Rishi Sunak’s plan to get private developers to pay for the final leg of HS2 from west London to the Euston terminus is “verging on fantasy”.
• Guildford train station staff 'scared to come to work' after tirade of abuse forces closure of footbridge Staff claim they have received stab threats, being grabbed by the neck and told they will be followed home