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

Thursday, 08 February 2024

BBC News

• Public virtual reality event to show new rail networkMembers of the public have been invited to see how a new rail network will connect Cornwall. People can take part in a virtual reality balloon ride over the planned Mid Cornwall Metro route from Newquay to Penryn.
• Transport for Wales rail fares to rise by 4.9%Increase is needed to meet costs, says Welsh government, amid fears it may hit passenger numbers.
• Mayors unveil rail options after HS2 line scrappedThree alternatives are drawn up to improve connections between the North West and West Midlands.
• Tube station to shut for building worksThe station will close in June so that a new building, ticket hall, stairs and lift can be built.

The Guardian

• Mayors put forward alternatives to HS2 scrapped northern sectionAndy Burnham, the Labour mayor of Greater Manchester, and Andy Street, the Tory mayor of the West Midlands, have joined forces on alternative and cheaper plans for the scrapped section of HS2, warning that “to do nothing is not an option”.

The Scotsman

• Housing expansion and transport planning should go hand in hand - David AlexanderEdinburgh Council have announced ambitious plans for an enormous transformation of the city centre transport system. The proposal, entitled ’Our Future Streets,’ is planning for forthcoming transportation needs with the aim of reducing car usage in the centre of the capital. This new proposal is an attempt to shift society away from the car toward public transport, walking, and cycling.

The Telegraph

• Latest on Wortley Curve after its purchase by Network RailNETWORK Rail’s decision to buy back a disused stretch of rail line “leaves options open” for rail improvements in Bradford, a councillor has claimed.

Times Online

• Rowan Atkinson blamed for slump in EV car sales. [subscription]The actor said he felt ’duped’ by electric cars, a claim cited as an example of misleading reporting in a House of Lords report
• Edinburgh airport baggage: travellers warned of summer disruption. [subscription]Chief executive has ’very low confidence’ that the issue of mislaid luggage from inbound flights will be resolved

City AM

• Why does Britain suck at building major infrastructure?  An overzealous planning system and disjointed supply chains are reasons why the UK lags behind on building major infrastructure, a report has found.

Daily Record

• Ex Justice Secretary calls for crackdown on public transport youth disorder after bus driver deathMP Kenny MacAskill has made the calls after the death of a Stagecoach driver following an alleged assault in Elgin on Saturday, February 2.

Sky News

• West Midlands and Greater Manchester mayors outline options to revive rail after axing of northern leg of HS2Andy Burnham and Andy Street cannot rule out the need for some public investment, but claim their alternatives could offer "huge benefits" between the conurbations in the Midlands and North West England.

Birmingham Mail

• New private-funded 'HS2 alternative' from Birmingham to Manchester plan unveiledMayors of West Midlands and Greater Manchester host press conference to unveil more about bid to replace HS2 north

Birmingham Post

• Government risks 'putting motor manufacturing industry under water' with EV targets, Vertu CEO saysNew Government incentives must be brought in to encourage private electric vehicle sales, Robert Forrester says

Manchester Evening News

• The three options for an alternative to HS2 - as Andy Burnham insists they're not 'pie in the sky'One of the options is to build a new line between Greater Manchester and the West Midlands that would cost 'considerably less' than HS2

Nation. Cymru

• Transport for Wales pilots contactless ’tap in, tap out’ payment on key routesTransport for Wales has launched the pilot of a new contactless tap in, tap out payment service on key routes across south east Wales.

The York Press

• Green Party calls on York council to speed up transport planCouncil chiefs in York are being urged to "fix our transport networks" by the city's Green Party - while also taking steps to help tackle the current climate crisis.
• Northern announces York man James Wade as regional directorNorthern's former head of retail operations, Jason Wade, has been announced as the regional director for the North East.

Wolverhampton Express and Star

• 'Doing nothing is not an option!' Andy Burnham says Black Country and Staffordshire key to HS2 alternativeThe Mayors of the West Midlands and Manchester have pinpointed Staffordshire as key to the replacement of HS2.

Cambridge News

• Busy Cambridge road where 'pavements used as car parks' sees just 301 tickets issued last yearMill Road 4 People is campaigning for action to tackle anti-social parking on Mill Road

South Wales Argus

• Transport for Wales launches 'pay as you go' faresRAIL customers can “pay as they go” on key routes in South East Wales after the launch of a tap-in, tap-out payment service.

Other Regional Press

• 'Time to open up the old Boscombe railway station?'WITH our local football team AFC Bournemouth becoming a settled Premier League team, which gets millions in revenue from sponsorship deals in TV, and now with a owner having a long term plan for the club with a new training ground, and prospects of a future new stadium on the current training pitch.
• Steps are on the cards for railway station close to World Heritage Site at Pontcysyllte - MPPlans are afoot to create step-free access at a railway station on the Shrewsbury to Wrexham route.

Airportwatch

• A9 dualling not at odds with Scotland’s net-zero plan, says minister. [subscription]The road upgrade is expected to be completed in 2035, a decade later than initially planned

Bus and Coach Buyer

• Transport UK London Bus wins more routesTransport UK London Bus (formerly Abellio) has mobilised the contract for routes 133 and N133. It now operates these routes on behalf of TfL. With the addition of these busy Central and South London routes, Transport UK London Bus now operates nearly 11% of the TfL bus network, serving customers across London.

Intelligent Transport

• Driving sustainable progress: Harnessing the potential of alternative power in public transportJoin this exclusive webinar, brought to you by Intelligent Transport, to gain insight into the transformative shift in public transport power sources. Industry experts will discuss the adoption of alternative power solutions and the challenges faced in implementation, and will share their key learnings from their own experiences, providing valuable perspectives on sustainable mobility and successful integration of diverse technologies in reducing environmental impact.

New Civil Engineer

• Jacobs to provide strategic planning and advisory services to Ireland’s National Transport AuthorityJacobs has been awarded a contract to provide strategic planning and advisory services to Ireland’s National Transport Authority to help develop sustainable transport infrastructure.

Route One (Bus and Coach)

• Newport Transport to double FlixBus commitment by summerNewport Transport will double its existing commitment to the FlixBus scheduled coach network by summer 2024.

Other News Sources

• Stopping HS2 at Birmingham a ’missed opportunity for the North’ – Transport for the North ChairLord McLoughlin, the Chair of Transport for the North, has responded to the Public Accounts Committee report on the HS2 phase 2 cancellation.

News from Europe

• Advancing European road transport towards a greener futureOver 70 projects took to the stage at the seventh conference on Results from Road Transport Research to exchange experience and highlight achievements