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

Thursday, 22 February 2024

BBC News

• Northants community bus service triples number of journeysA community bus service has seen the number of its passenger journeys more than triple in three years.
• 'Human bollards' block vehicles from Exeter buses-only roadCampaigners in Exeter acting as so-called human bollards have blocked 70 vehicles from using a buses-only road.
• Boeing 737 Max boss out after blowoutThe company says leadership changes are meant to improve the quality and safety of its planes.

Financial Times

• Rolls-Royce profits double as aviation sector recoversEnginemaker also boosted by strong defence spending
• Heathrow looks to expand capacity as it records profit for first time since pandemicUK airport forecasts passenger numbers this year reaching all-time high
• Boeing ousts head of 737 Max business after door-panel blowoutEd Clark managed Seattle-area factory where plane involved in Alaska Airlines incident is built
• Pirates targeting ships diverted from Red Sea, warns UN shipping chief Maritime body fears resurgence of vessel seizures in Gulf of Guinea and off Somali coast after fresh piracy incidents

STV

• Leaders meet to discuss anti-social behaviour after bus driver's deathLocal leaders and politicians have met with Stagecoach to discuss tackling anti-social behaviour following the death of one of its drivers at a bus station in Elgin.

The Guardian

• Heathrow returns to profit with record passenger numbers forecast for 2024Heathrow has returned to profit, with record passenger numbers forecast for 2024, as the airport’s new boss signalled that its controversial third runway remains firmly in its plans.

The Independent

• Heathrow airport makes first profit in three years but warns of ’tough choices’ on investment’We have a great foundation on which to build an even stronger hub for the United Kingdom’ – Thomas Woldbye, CEO

Times Online

• Boeing executive sacked after 737 Max mid-air blowout. [subscription]Ed Clark is being replaced by Katie Ringgold as vice-president and general manager

City AM

• Heathrow chief: Scrapping London tourist tax is ’critical for the UK’ Retail businesses and a host of airports have since pleaded for the government to reinstate the tax break, with wealthy international shoppers choosing to splash their cash elsewhere.

Mail Online

• Government spends £352,000 to unblock historic Victorian railway bridge - after spending £124,000 to fill it in in the first placeNearly half a million pounds was blown by a bungling government agency which filled in a Victorian railway bridge with concrete before being told to remove it.

The Mirror

• Nearly half of Brits admit they lack knowledge about Britain's train and railway historyIn fact, only a fifth have heard of Richard Trevithick - and just 14% are aware that he played a key role in designing the world's first steam-powered locomotive
• Council forced to fix 'optical illusion' road markings after people keep making same mistakeThe town made headlines last year after complaints about an 'optical illusion' new cycle lane which was making people suddenly trip over in the street went viral

Local Government

• Gainsborough’s big bus bonusThere’s a new, brilliant boost to the area’s bus services. Bus users in Gainsborough can now get around on an improved bus service delivering longer hours and more frequent runs.

Network Rail

• West Midlands transport partners working together on plans for a new Aldridge stationNetwork Rail is working with Transport for West Midlands (TfWM) and the West Midlands Rail Executive (WMRE) to build and open Aldridge station – restoring passenger rail services to the town for the first time in 60 years. 

Birmingham Post

• Britishvolt administrators in talks with 'additional parties' keen to buy North East battery siteRecharge Industries remains the preferred bidder - but is still in default on the deal to take on the site, potentially paving the way for other interested buyers

The Press and Journal (Aberdeen)

• Could Cove and Newtonhill FINALLY be getting their own train stations?Review launched into plans for two new rail stations each with a potential price tag of £20 million.

Yorkshire Post

• Doncaster Sheffield Airport: Yorkshire MP doubles down on airport closure claims dubbed 'blatant lie' by mayorA Yorkshire MP has launched five days of claims against local and regional mayors after he was asked to apologise for claims he printed in a campaign leaflet.

Kent Online

• Southeastern to staff £44m Thanet Parkway station seven days a weekA new £44million train station – previously dubbed a “mugger’s paradise” – will now be staffed seven days a week.

Peterborough Telegraph

• Peterborough bus company ranked as the top environmental transport operatorStagecoach, the largest bus operator in Peterborough, has ranked higher than any other in the Road Transport group globally in the latest external assessment of company performance on addressing climate change.

Other Regional Press

• Bus services protected in £1m council planThirty-three essential bus services in Swansea that provide public transport routes to and from city hospitals, leisure venues and the city centre are being protected for the next five years.
• Council and First Bus South agree to save Somerset bus routesLast autumn, the council stepped in with Government money to launch a campaign to increase passenger numbers on the routes. Although numbers did increase, the services still weren't seeing enough use to negate the ongoing need for financial support.
• Welsh Government challenged over Arriva bus services in North Wales in face of 20mph speed limitsThe provision of bus services in North Wales has come under the spotlight in the Welsh Parliament on Wednesday.

Construction Enquirer

• HS2 viaduct blunder over wonky concrete segmentsA concrete joint on the HS2 Colne Valley viaduct is being drilled out this week after two giant segments on the crossing were misaligned.

Rail Business Daily

• Rail Partners’ annual George Bradshaw AddressRail Partners has hosted the annual rail industry event, the George Bradshaw Address, where it called on the main parties to ’follow the evidence’ backing a public private partnership for the railway, and ’get on with reform’. 

Rail Technology Magazine

• Siemens Mobility to deliver up to 250 locomotives in Europe after new agreementSiemens Mobility and leading rail vehicle rental company, Railpool, have reached a framework agreement for the delivery of up to 250 locomotives.

Railway Gazette

• Porterbrook takes stake in Brodie EngineeringUK: Rolling stock leasing and asset management company Porterbrook has agreed to take a 49% stake in Brodie Engineering, which specialises in the heavy maintenance, refurbishment and overhaul of passenger and freight vehicles.

Other News Sources

• Network Rail station upgrade work delayed by historical minesNetwork Rail has discovered historical mine shafts beneath Walkden railway station, Greater Manchester, during a multi-million-pound accessibility upgrade.
• Revitalizing the Rails: Brodie Engineering and Porterbrook Forge a Path for UK's Railway FutureExplore the transformative partnership between Brodie Engineering and Porterbrook, driving innovation in UK railway engineering. Learn about the visionary leaders, strategic goals, and collaborative efforts shaping the future of rail infrastructure.
• Porterbrook takes stake in Brodie EngineeringThe UK’s leading rolling stock financier and asset management company Porterbrook have agreed a deal with Brodie Engineering.
• Bradford Interchange bus station: Initial survey has been carried outThe initial survey of damage which led to the closure of Bradford Interchange bus station has been carried out.
• York: Council agrees to ’heartbreaking’ cuts to bus services“Heartbreaking” cuts to bus services will save the City of York Council £200,000.
• Wrightbus boss looks to Europe as zero emission bus maker on track to hit 2,000 staff this yearBallymena manufacturer expects to achieve half a billion pounds in revenue in 2023
• Railway extension continuing to progressA new extension to a railway in Mid Wales is continuing to progress. 
• Bradshaw Address: UK modal shift port incentives should be extended, says Rail MinisterThere is a pioneering scheme at the Port of Southampton, encouraging intermodal logistics customers to switch their loads from road to rail. That scheme should be rolled out across the UK. Rail minister Huw Merriman wants that if the ruling Conservative Party is returned to power in the forthcoming general election. That was a key takeaway from his side of the George Bradshaw Address in London on Tuesday, 20 February.
• The George Bradshaw Address [video]The 2024 George Bradshaw Address: Election special took place on the evening of Tuesday 20 February at One Great George Street, London. With an election due within the next year, the event took an election special format, offering both main political parties an opportunity to set out their vision for the railway, before taking part in a Q&A facilitated by the chair.