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

Wednesday, 08 November 2023

BBC News

• New car park opens at Castle Cary rail stationA much-needed new car park at a railway station has now opened after local residents complained about congestion.
• London transport: Google Street View goes underground on the TubeStations including Waterloo and Kings Cross St Pancras feature on the interactive panoramic maps.

ITV News

• King's Speech: Derby-based 'Great British Railways' promised in draft billA draft Bill to create a new public sector body to overhaul Britain’s railways, headquartered in Derby, was included in the King’s Speech today.

Financial Times

• Oil price gives up gains since start of Israel-Hamas warHedge funds exit long positions as traders bet conflict is unlikely to spread to oil-rich states

The Independent

• Concerns over speed of rail reforms as Great British Railways is in draft BillThe establishment of the public sector body to overhaul Britain’s railways was included in a draft Rail Reform Bill.

Times Online

• Airline ’extras’ ban could push up fares by £80 [subscription]Carriers insist add-ons are not ’drip-pricing’ as government announces legislation in King’s Speech

Daily Record

• New bus service for two West Lothian villages gets go aheadNew bus services for two West Lothian villages have been given the green light.

Network Rail

• Major refurbishment of historic Dovey Junction viaduct along the Cambrian line is completeThe major refurbishment of Dovey Junction viaduct in North Wales has been completed ahead of schedule after Network Rail teams worked through months of extreme weather and around the tides.

Daily Post (North Wales)

• Transport for Wales bus route changes will hit students Councillor calls out Transport for Wales

Other Regional Press

• Denbighshire: Councillor calls out Transport for Wales over new bus routeCllr Gwyneth Ellis criticised Welsh Government owned TfW after they changed the T3 Barmouth to Wrexham bus service route to a new T3C route.
• Transport and skills key priorities for Labour challenger to Ben Houchen for Tees Valley MayorCouncillor Chris McEwan, deputy leader of Darlington Council, has been selected as Labour's candidate for next year's mayoral election

Bus and Coach Buyer

• Autonomous bus legislation announced in Kings SpeechNew legislation outlining the further roll-out of autonomous vehicles, including buses, has been announced in the King’s Speech

Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport

• Former train driver appointed as Northern’s new Head of Operational StandardsMark Gardner has been appointed as the new Head of Operational Standards at Northern.
• Freight operator successfully trails new brake monitoring technologyGB Railfreight (GBRf) announced a successful four-week test of an innovative news solution for monitoring wheel and brake issues. The system developed was in collaboration with Icomera, DG8 and SENSEi, creating a world first system enabling battery powered sensors to remotely share status.

Intelligent Transport

• Aberdeen City Council highlights success of new bus priority routesThe new bus priority routes have resulted in better service punctuality and predictability in the city centre, and are helping operators to gather key data to support future enhancements to service.

New Civil Engineer

• Disappointment at slow implementation of Great British Railways as King’s Speech confirms ’draft’ Rail Reform BillThe King’s Speech has highlighted industry figures' disappointment with the slow process of implementing Great British Railways (GBR).

Rail Business Daily

• Draft Rail Reform Bill in the King’s SpeechThe government has included a Draft Rail Reform Bill in the King’s Speech which sets out some of the key pillars of industry reform including the creation of Great British Railways. A Parliamentary committee will oversee pre-legislative scrutiny of the provisions of the Bill.
• Without legislation to create Great British Railways – what’s next for rail reform?Andy Bagnall, Rail Partners’ Chief Executive Sometimes what isn’t in the King’s Speech is as important as what is and that is certainly the case for the rail industry this week as the government has recommitted to establishing Great British Railways – or GBR – and published a draft bill but will not be giving that bill a legislative slot this side of the next General Election.

Railnews

• Great British Railways included in King's Speech A draft Rail Reform Bill which would set up the new guiding mind Great British Railways has been included in the King's Speech in the House of Lords today.

Railway Gazette

• Disappointment as railway reform bill now unlikely before electionUK: The government’s decision to publish a draft rather than full railway reform bill is a missed opportunity, rail industry bodies said following the King’s Speech at the opening of Parliament on November 7.

Route One (Bus and Coach)

• Coaches part of RHA report on sustainable road transport futureRHA has published a report, Driving Forward, which the trade body says puts forward a pathway “to a successful, sustainable future” for road transport sectors including coaches.

The Business Desk

• East Midlands Railway announces multimillion-pound investment for seat refurbishmentA £3m project is underway to upgrade over 5,500 seats on East Midlands Railway (EMR) trains.

Other News Sources

• Amey welcomes Danny Gilbert as transportation strategy directorDanny Gilbert has joined Amey as a director in its London office. He will oversee the long-term strategic expansion of its transport infrastructure offering.
• Transport Leaders Doubtful New Rail Bill Will Deliver Reform Soon EnoughRail industry leaders have described draft transport plans included in the King's Speech as a “missed opportunity”, and are doubtful that they will deliver reform promised by government.
• 'Huge honour' to serve as Secretary of State for Transport - Forest MP Mark Harper (cloned)LAST week marked one year since I was appointed as Secretary of State for Transport in Rishi Sunak’s Government, writes Mark Harper.
• Dozens of electric buses not in use due to lack of charge pointsDozens of zero-emission electric buses ordered by the National Transport Authority (NTA) 18 months ago are not yet in service, partly due to delays in installing charging infrastructure at two Dublin bus depots.
• Farnborough Airport bosses make net zero pledge amid plans to double weekend flights and backlash from eco activistsThe airport has announced plans for solar installation- meanwhile Extinction Rebellion protested outside the airport against the proposed expansion

Other Subscription Services

• King's Speech soft pedals on transport measuresThe Government will bring in an automated vehicles bill in the new parliamentary session and legislate to deal with unlicensed pedicabs, King Charles has announced in a King’s Speech that also included a pledge to publish a rail reform bill in draft form.