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

Tuesday, 13 February 2024

BBC News

• Doncaster-Sheffield Airport vote set to free £138m towards reopeningDoncaster-Sheffield Airport is expected to take a major step towards reopening later this week, with a vote to release £138m of public money to fund it.
• Airport under microscope after lapse, say expertsBirmingham Airport faces questions from airlines across the world after security agents missed vital training, experts said.
• Taunton park and ride to get new double decker busesDouble-decker buses will be used for park and ride sites as a new operator takes over the service.
• Battery-powered train disruption refunds cost revealedThe cost of refunding rail passengers who suffered delays on the UK's first battery-powered fleet of trains has been revealed as more than £280,000.
• New railway stations proposed for three areasTransport bosses are developing proposals for three new railway stations in the West Midlands.
• Footage shows demolished bridge making way for HS2Time lapse photography condenses the 52-hour project to knock down a 4,000-tonne motorway bridge.
• Public asked for views on transport improvementsResidents in Keighley are being asked what improvements would make it easier to travel around the town.

Financial Times

• Ships avoid Suez Canal as fear of Houthi attacks lingersAlso in this newsletter: Trump ahead of Biden on economy, UK jobs data still unreliable, ‘quiet hiring’

The Telegraph

• Quantum supercomputer to tackle train delays in UK trial. [subscription]Department for Transport to test algorithm designed to improve timetables and reduce disruption

Daily Express

• Older people above 66 years old will not get new transport scheme under Government plansOlder people above the age of 66 will not be handed free tickets to public transport services across the country despite calls from politicians and campaigners.

Local Government

• Transport Safety Officers launchedThis week sees the launch of new Transport Safety Officers across public transport in Essex, Thurrock and Southend. This pilot scheme, developed in collaboration between Thurrock Council, Southend-on-Sea City Council, and councils under Essex County Council, has received funding from Department for Transport (DfT), totalling £490,000.
• Proposals for three new West Midlands railway stations to be developedTransport bosses have earmarked £1 million funding to develop proposals for new railway stations at Castle Bromwich, Coventry East and near Tettenhall.

Network Rail

• Smoother journeys for passengers at Manchester Oxford Road stationNetwork Rail is investing £2.7m to upgrade Manchester Oxford Road station, giving passengers a smoother experience as they travel through the city centre.

Bradford Telegraph & Argus

• First Bus workers set to benefit from rise in wagesA Bradford workforce is set to to benefit from a rise in wages with every employee to earn at least £12 per hour.
• Work begins on scaled back West Bradford Cycle SuperhighwayWORK has started on a multi-million pound cycle way that will link Bradford city centre to the West of the city.
• Hydrogen refuelling site could attract businesses to cityA HYDROGEN fuelling station planned for Bradford could play a key part in attracting new businesses to the city – Councillors have been told.

Carlisle News & Star

• Leaders welcome new chapter if Carlisle Lake District Airport is soldCUMBRIA's leaders have welcomed a potential new chapter for Carlisle's airport as discussions regarding its sale are still progressing.

Kent Online

• Sevenoaks Railway Station named the worst for London commuters, with Gravesend, Tonbridge and Chatham rankings revealedA Kent railway station has been named the worst for commuting into London. Trains in Sevenoaks are more likely to be delayed by more than five minutes or cancelled, than be on time.

Other Regional Press

• First glimpse of the new East West Rail track in Milton KeynesTrack laying is nearly finished along first connection stage of East West Rail (EWR) that will enable passengers to travel between Oxford and Milton Keynes for the first time for 50 years.
• Harrogate bus boss says town is to get the 'most modern and passenger oriented network in Britain'The boss of Harrogate’s biggest bus operator says the town will have the “most modern and passenger oriented network in Britain” when it moves to an all electric fleet in a few months’ time.
• The old railway that’s only used by freight but set to be part of London OvergroundProponents of the scheme say the Elizabeth line, ULEZ and HS2 have meant the project is needed now more than ever

Business Live

• Siemens Mobility to produce more London Underground trains in GooleThe new order has extended security for the factory, which is part of a 700-job 'rail village' in the east Yorkshire town

Rail Advent

• £2.7m upgrade for Manchester railway stationNetwork Rail has announced a £2.7m project at Manchester Oxford Road, which will help passengers as they travel through the city.
• End of the line for Class 503 Wirral trainIt has been decided that the restoration of the three-car Class 503 ’Wirral' EMU will not be pursued.

Rail Business Daily

• £1.2bn WMCA budget will help safeguard outcomes in transport, skills, and housingWest Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA) has announced its budget for 2024/25, stating that hundreds of millions of pounds will be invested in driving economic growth, cutting carbon, raising skill levels, and improving the transport system.

The Business Desk

• Multimillion-pound railway station renovation beginsWork has started on a plan to renovate Leicester’s historic railway station and restore its hidden Victorian features.

Other News Sources

• MoniRail wins funding to develop quantum-based navigation system for railwaysUniversity of Birmingham spin out MoniRail has been awarded a prestigious contract by the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology and Innovate UK.
• Shields Ferry to reveal behind the scenes of the iconic transport service for radio documentaryThe Shields Ferry is set to feature in a brand-new behind the scenes radio documentary named ’Ferry Tales’.
• Chester-Liverpool train via Runcorn to resume after Covid pauseA LONG-awaited direct hourly train service between Chester and Liverpool will finally resume this week after being suspended during the pandemic.

News from Europe

• A green transition in transport is about more than just emissionsIn this perspective, the JUSTIT project serves as a cornerstone, illustrating how Sweden’s pursuit of a greener transport sector must also consider the socio-economic implications for its workforce.
• Europe’s hydrogen plans reliant on uncertain imports – reportMost of the countries Europe is relying on for imports are not ready to scale up production, new study shows