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

Thursday, 25 January 2024

BBC News

• First new bus delivered as Fareham depot goes electricBus services across Portsmouth, Fareham and Gosport are about to go electric.
• East West Rail: Councillors ask mayor to make alternative routes publicPotential alternative East West Rail routes through Bedfordshire should be made public, councillors said.
• Flooding could 'sever' Bristol's transport networkBristol's transport network could be "severed" by flooding, a report says. The city council has been warned that climate change could cause problems on the road network, leading to city centre "gridlock".
• HS2: Work on Birmingham Curzon Street station gets under wayThe first services between Birmingham and London are expected between 2029 and 2033.
• Community explores re-opening rail stop closed in 1960Residents of Edderton in Easter Ross have been asked about the possible return of train services.
• Historic dry dock to open for first time in 36 yearsThe dry dock - one of three built between 1869 and 1898 - will operate as a ship repair and maintenance facility
• Boeing boss faces Washington grilling after blow-outA whistleblower calls Boeing manufacturing a
• 737 Max 9: Boeing jets cleared to fly after mid-air incidentHowever, the US aviation regulator will not yet allow Boeing to expand production of its best-selling plane.
• Tesla warns of 'notably lower' sales growth in 2024It is the latest car company to forecast sagging demand for electric cars.
• HS2: Mayors to meet minister about alternativesWest Midlands mayor Andy Street said the plan could involve a dedicated line between the cities.

Financial Times

• EasyJet forecasts shrinking losses despite £40mn hit from Middle East conflict Shares rise as low-cost carrier says summer season travel demand building well
• German rail network at near standstill as drivers begin six-day strikeThe longest stoppage in Deutsche Bahn's history could cost the economy up to €1bn, warn business chiefs
• Regulator blocks expanded production of Boeing's 737 Max Head of FAA says it won't be back to business as usual for plane maker
• ‘Opportunistic’ Chinese lines send ships to serve Red Sea portsVessels advertise their Beijing connections to avert Houthi attacks that have driven away rivals

Times Online

• Boeing boss says aircraft will fly ’only with 100% confidence’. [subscription]Company’s 737 Max 9 jets have been grounded by America’s aviation regulator after a cabin door plug blew out in mid-flight
• Eurostar sets timetable for 30m passengers a year by 2030. [subscription]The cross-channel rail operator has reported a return to pre-pandemic traveller numbers

i News

• Inside Labour’s plans to replace HS2 north of BirminghamA privately funded rail link from the Midlands to Manchester will be considered - and influential voices are likely to back it

Mail Online

• Railway station rip-offs exposed: How passengers face shop prices up to 23 per cent higher than just yards away on the High Street - it's no wonder they are stocking up before they travelShops in Britain's busiest railway stations are charging as much as 23 per cent more for products compared to shops just a few minutes away on the high street.

Local Government

• Multi-million-pound improvements at major Staffordshire transport gateway beginA scheme bringing major improvements to a key Staffordshire gateway junction and support long-term future economic growth begins in February.

Bradford Telegraph & Argus

• Bradford Interchange concrete fall happened in late DecemberTHE collapse of a section of concrete at Bradford Interchange happened two weeks before the station was shut for safety reasons – Councillors have been told.

Nation. Cymru

• Funding urged for Network Rail’s congested Wrexham to Bidston lineBusiness and local authority leaders from north Wales, the Wirral and Cheshire West and Chester are urging UK Government Ministers to adopt the proposals of Network Rail to resolve congestion on the Wrexham to Bidston, Borderlands Line.

The York Press

• YORK: Date to submit Haxby station application delayedNetwork Rail has been told to “get on with it” after the target to submit a planning application for a train station in Haxby was delayed.

Other Regional Press

• Mayor to fund new bus service to link Huddersfield Royal Infirmary and Calderdale Royal HospitalBus services between hospitals in Huddersfield and Halifax are being improved, thanks to investment by Mayor of West Yorkshire Tracy Brabin.
• £70 million update to Metro depot completed as work towards new trains continuesThe development is another huge step towards new trains across the system.
• M62 bridge near Huddersfield is corroding say highways chiefs leading to delays for driversRed Lane Dike Bridge carries the A640 New Hey Road over the M62
• Huddersfield getting extra buses, new services and routesConnections between Huddersfield and local hospitals are set to be improved

Rail Business Daily

• Anas Sarwar MSP visits Alstom’s Polmadie depot in GlasgowAnas Sarwar MSP has visited his local rail depot in Polmadie, Glasgow, to gain further insight into the workings of Scotland’s rail supply chain.

Rail Magazine

• Rail is to become a key election battlegroundMark Walker, chief executive at public affairs company Cogitamus reveals why rail will be pushed to the fore at Westminster, ahead of the General Election.
• LNER climbdown leaves new Government strike laws 'stillborn'An ASLEF spokesperson described new minimum service levels legislation as 'seemingly stillborn' today, after LNER withdrew its plans to enforce new minimum service levels.

Railway Gazette

• Hydrogen high speed train to be developedSPAIN: A group of Spanish companies has been awarded funding for the Hympulso project to power a Talgo 250 gauge-changing high speed trainset using renewable hydrogen.

Aviation Industry

• What are the likely non-CO2 impacts of hydrogen planes?Hydrogen aircraft face many challenges. The aircraft technology is still being developed and tested, early market entrants are likely to operate only short to medium-haul routes, airports would need to be redesigned to provide the right infrastructure for refuelling, and customers would need persuading that the planes would be safe to fly in

Other News Sources

• Titagarh Rail Systems and Amber Group’s partnership paves way for cutting-edge railway components and subsystems in India and ItalyKolkata-based Titagarh Rail Systems and Delhi-NCR’s Amber Group announced a significant strategic alliance to venture into the railway components and subsystems business through a joint venture/SPV. Each company will invest approximately INR 120 crores, obtaining a 50% stake in the SPV. The agreement includes setting up a new facility in India and fresh equity investments in Italy’s Firema.
• Work underway on gateway to Ashley Down stationConstruction work on the new entrance of Bristol's newest railway station is underway at Ashley Down.