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

Friday, 08 March 2024

BBC News

• Millions affected by German air and rail strikesMillions of travellers in Germany are facing severe disruption to transport services because of strikes by rail and airport staff.
• East West Rail lays final clips in Oxfordshire trackThe final parts of a railway track, that is part of a multi-billion pound project, have been laid between Bicester and Bletchley.
• Plans for £2bn West Yorkshire tram system publishedPlans have been unveiled for a tram system connecting Leeds and Bradford, which regional leaders say will "revolutionise" the transport network.

ITV News

• Mayor Tracy Brabin sets out plan for tram network connecting Leeds and BradfordDetails of a proposed tram network connecting towns and cities across West Yorkshire have been released.

Department for Transport

• National Networks National Policy StatementThe National Networks National Policy Statement provides planning guidance for nationally significant road, rail and strategic rail freight interchange projects.

Financial Times

• Lufthansa profit growth outlook clouded by labour disputesFrankfurt-based carrier lowers guidance on margins

The Guardian

• Health gains of low-traffic schemes up to 100 times greater than costs, study findsResearch looked at three London boroughs to value overall health benefits of active travel over 20 years at up to £4,800 per headPolicies to help people walk and cycle such as low-traffic neighbourhoods can create public health benefits as much as 100 times greater than the cost of the schemes, a long-term study of active travel measures has concluded.
• New train services between London and Scotland get go-aheadGrand Union to run services from next year in move that regulator says would increase choice for passengers
• Government failing targets to fix UK railway system, watchdog reportsAll ’high level benefit’ targets missed and only three-quarters forecasted to be achieved by 2024/25, according to NAO

The Independent

• Rail competition on West Coast main line as London-Stirling link gets green lightGrand Union Trains will connect the English capital with Crewe, Carlisle and central Scotland

The Telegraph

• LTN scrapped after three-mile bus journey took two hoursLabour-run Lambeth axes scheme at Streatham Wells, south-west London, after it caused major congestion

City AM

• Sadiq Khan: TfL in the black but no hope of tube extensions without Whitehall dealThe government must still provide more funding for Transport for London (TfL) despite turning around £162m in annual profit, London’s Mayor Sadiq Khan has said.
• Great British Rail ’not on track’ and billions in savings at risk, spending watchdog warnsGovernment plans for major reform of Britain’s railways and the launch of Great British Rail are “not on track,” with billions in potential savings at risk, the UK spending watchdog has warned.
• New London to Scotland rail service gets the go ahead with cheaper fares expectedA new rail service between London and Stirling has been given the green light by the regulator and is expected to lower fares on the West Coast Mainline.

i News

• On the wrong track: 1,000 trains cancelled a day as Britain’s railways crumbleRail passengers are expected to pay more for less,' passengers say as the figures show performance keeps declining
• Delays to proposed UK rail body which still doesn’t exist set to cost £1.5bnGreat British Railways is still years away from being up-and-running, according to the National Audit Office

The Mirror

• Flight MH370 final report: Plane was deliberately turned round - and may have been hijackedThe Malaysian Airlines plane disappeared from radar ten years ago today with 239 people on board while en-route from Kuala Lumpar to Beijing in one of the greatest aviation mysteries of our time

The National

• New train service between Stirling and London set for 2025A NEW train service between central Scotland and London has been given the go-ahead.

Network Rail

• ’East meets West’: rail project connects Oxford with Bletchley for first time in 50 yearsThe final section of track connecting Bicester and Bletchley has been laid today (Thursday 7 March) as part of the East West Rail (EWR) project to improve rail connectivity between Cambridge and Oxford. The project began by rebuilding Bletchley flyover, the first phase of the track work started in 2021. Since then 66 kilometres of new track has been laid. Passenger services are expected to start next year.

Sky News

• Middle lane hogging targeted by national campaignEngland's roads authority has launched a campaign aimed at drivers who hog the middle lane on motorways.

Bradford Telegraph & Argus

• More detail of new tram line linking Bradford and LeedsTrams are the most likely form of transport that will be used in a planned mass transit system linking Bradford to Leeds.
• Huge 'BUS GATE' message painted across Bradford street Hall IngsMotorists should no longer be in any doubt that they are entering a restricted section of road - after a thick red stripe containing the words 'BUS GATE' was painted on a city centre street. 

Wolverhampton Express and Star

• Whitehall watchdog warns over ’limited progress’ in rail reformsThe National Audit Office found the Department for Transport has made ’limited progress’ on rail transformation plans published in 2021.

Yorkshire Evening Post

• First look at Leeds route for planned major tram network as lines could serve Elland Road and White RosePlans to build a mass transit system in Leeds connecting across West Yorkshire that would "revolutionise the region's transport network" have been shared, offering an insight into proposed routes for tram lines.

Yorkshire Post

• West Yorkshire Mass Transit: First two routes for new tram system are revealed - with Elland Road among stops servedThe first phase of the transport project would be a tram and light rail route linking Leeds and Bradford, with future extensions reaching Wakefield, Dewsbury and Halifax.

Blackpool Gazette

• Blackpool Transport facing legal action from manufacturer Wrightbus over zero emission bus orderBlackpool Transport is facing legal action over its order for new zero-emission buses as part of a Government-backed scheme.

Cambridge News

• Locals back petition to reinstate 'vital' Cambs bus routeThe petition was launched earlier this month as locals have been asked for views on new bus routes in the county

Other Regional Press

• Bus petition handed in amid fresh franchising callsFRESH calls for franchising buses which would mean current operators would have to bid to run services have been made this week after passengers handed in a 1,000-strong petition.
• Brighton buses and Metrobus owners reach £2 fare milestoneA bus company which runs one of the country's busiest networks has sold more tickets than the population of England.
• Mayor Rotheram on why he wants to build three new railway stationsLast week, in the first policy pledge of his campaign for re-election to four more years as Metro Mayor, Steve Rotheram announced his intention to build new stations at Woodchurch in Wirral, Carr Mill in St Helens, and Daresbury in Halton by 2030.
• Metro Mayor hints at new public transport connection to Liverpool AirportSteve Rotheram talked about a transport solution to key locations after announcing his plan for three new Merseyrail stations
• New service between Stirling and London approved by UK ORRRail minister John O’Dowd has again stated a revived Derry to Portadown train link proposed under the All-Island Strategic Rail Review will be 200 kilometres per hour if it does go ahead.
• UK's first vertiport set to be developed in BicesterThe UK's first vertiport testbed is set to be developed at Bicester Motion in Oxfordshire.
• Oxford trialling free electric cargo bike deliveriesBusinesses throughout Oxford are trialling eco-friendly electric-cargo bike deliveries within the city.
• Network Rail's new route director for North and EastNetwork Rail has appointed a new route director for the north and east.
• Isle of Wight rail network Island Line shut for flood defence worksISLE of Wight rail network Island Line is to close for maintenance work over a five-day period starting today (Friday).
• New Siemens rail centre in Chippenham praised by Jeremy HuntPlans for a new £100 million state-of-the-art rail centre in Wiltshire have been labelled a “big boost” for the local and national economy.
• Mayor sets out plan for tram system as Wakefield, Calderdale and Kirklees to be part of mass transit networkPlans for a tram system running in West Yorkshire have been set out as the West Yorkshire Mayor Tracy Brabin aims to revolutionise the region's transport network.

Bus and Coach Buyer

• VEV preparing Shuttle Buses’ fleet for electrificationElectric fleet solutions provider, VEV, is collaborating with Ayrshire-based operator Shuttle Buses.
• NCT to show off electric YutongsNottingham City Transport (NCT) is to display seven of its new electric Yutong single-deckers entering service in the Old Market Square in Nottingham on 9 March, btween 10am and 3pm.

Calling All Stations - The Transport Podcast

• Promoting cycling mobility in London and social mobility in Britain's railways [S2, Ep 16]A double interview edition where Christian discusses expanding active travel across the capital with Greater London's Walking & Cycling Commissioner, Dr Will Norman [1:39] and a new initiative to promote social mobility through railway employment with Steve White, Managing Director of Southeastern [21:27]. Christian also reflects that the big tech companies might have saved billions in wasted development costs on driverless cars if only they'd read his book on the futility of the concept [29:49].

Construction Enquirer

• £2bn Leeds to Bradford tram plan unveiledPlans for a tram system running between Leeds and Bradford have been set out today by West Yorkshire Mayor Tracy Brabin.

New Civil Engineer

• DfT responds to Transport Committee’s scrutiny on revised road and rail National Policy StatementThe Department for Transport (DfT) has responded to the Transport Committee’s inquiry of the revised National Networks National Policy Statement (NNNPS) for building road, rail and freight networks.
• East West Rail chief hunts savings as next phase fast-trackedThe head of East West Rail has pledged to find cost savings in the scheme's design after ministers allocated £240M to fast-track part of the final section of the project.

Rail Advent

• MPs and freight operators discuss opportunities to grow rail freightAt a reception held at the House of Commons yesterday evening, Tuesday, 5 March, politicians from across the political spectrum, freight operators, and their customers gathered to discuss how to maximise the opportunity to grow rail freight, both now and in the next Parliament.

Rail Business Daily

• Freight belongs on railMPs representing the Conservative, Labour and the Liberal Democrat parties have all given their support to increasing the amount of freight transported by rail.
• International Women’s Day: “Let us redefine the tracks we tread and demonstrate the different routes available”This International Women’s Day, the rail industry is celebrating the inspirational women working on Britain’s railways – and encouraging more women to pursue a career in rail.
• Prime Minister urged to secure the land around Leeds railway stationThe Mayor of West Yorkshire and Leader of Leeds City Council have written to the Prime Minister, urging him to ensure land around Leeds Station continues to be safeguarded.
• Plans for West Yorkshire tram system unveiledWest Yorkshire Mayor Tracy Brabin has laid out plans for a tram system that will connect Leeds and Bradford.

Rail UK

• ORR green lights open access services between London and StirlingThe latest access decision by the Office of Rail and Road (ORR) provides more services for rail passengers travelling between London and central Scotland.

Railnews

• Open access approved on WCML, but �24m will be abstracted Open access services are set to run between London and Stirling next year, after the Office of Rail and Road approved an application for four trains a day from Grand Union Trains, whose managing director is Ian Yeowart. The ORR has already approved new Grand Union services between Carmarthen and London Paddington. The regulator calculated that Grand Union will abstract revenue worth �24.4 million a year from existing operators, mainly Avanti West Coast, but the ORR said this abstraction would be offset by airline passengers who are attracted to the new services.

Railway Gazette

• Rail sector welcomes step towards emissions calculation standardisationEUROPE: The European Parliament’s Environment and Transport committees have jointly adopted a draft report on a proposed EU Regulation which would establish a common methodology to enable fair comparisons of the greenhouse gas emissions from different modes of transport.
• Porterbrook purchases Long Marston Rail Innovation CentreUK: Porterbrook has purchased the freehold of the Long Marston Rail Innovation Centre from St Modwen.
• RailX freight booking app targets growthUK: RailX has secured a £150 000 loan from NPIF Mercia Debt Finance to enable it to further develop its rail freight booking app and target new customers.

Route One (Bus and Coach)

• Go-Ahead aims for gender equality among bus driversGo-Ahead has unveiled a plan to recruit 1,500 women drivers and achieve 50% gender equality among its bus drivers by 2035.
• Lukewarm coach and bus response to budget announcementsChancellor of the Exchequer Jeremy Hunt’s budget of 6 March drew a tepid response from the coach and bus industry and its representatives, with those announcements that have a direct impact on the sector generating a mixed reaction.
• Bus franchising in South Yorkshire is recommended as path of reformFranchising of bus services in South Yorkshire has been recommended as the preferred path for reform by the South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority (SYMCA).

Transportxtra

• Harper says rail changes already underway as GBR plans outlined in draft Rail Reform BillThe DfT has published the draft Rail Reform Bill, which, it says, “sets in motion the plan to deliver a bold vision for future rail customers – of punctual and reliable services, simpler tickets and a modern and innovative railway that meets the needs of the nation”.

Other News Sources

• Rail reform: the rail transformation programmeThe reforms set out in government’s rail transformation plans are facing delays, and there remain long-standing issues with the rail sector that need to be addressed, such as its financial sustainability and service to passengers, according to a new National Audit Office (NAO) report.
• Revealed: The local area with the worst bus service in the countryThe local area with the worst bus service has been revealed in a new report from the Department for Transport.
• First Bus pledges to double women in workforce by 2028, aiming to reach “20% business made up of females”First Bus takes the opportunity of International Women’s Day to announce new commitments and recruitment pledges to double number of women in business by 2028
• The Subplot | Who is driving Northern transport policy?Welcome to The Subplot, your regular slice of commentary on the business and property market from across the North of England and North Wales.
• London’s St Pancras station could soon get even biggerThe international rail hub needs to expand to keep up with rising demand from Eurostar and other international rail operators
• Idea of super-high-speed railway line for the west of Ulster is 'ridiculous' overkill says transport professorThe notion of creating a 200kmph (124mph) rail link between Portadown and Londonderry city is simply “ridiculous”, says an expert in transport policy.
• Rail project steams ahead as final Bicester to Bletchley section of East West Rail track laidThe final section of track connecting Bicester and Bletchley has been laid today (Thursday) as part of a project to improve rail connectivity.
• Figures show fall in China to Europe rail freight volumes as volumes into Russia increaseLast year saw a decline in volumes on the rail freight route from China to the European Union, according to data from the UTLC Eurasian Rail Alliance. However, the enLast year saw a decline in volumes on the rail freight route from China to the European Union, according to data from the UTLC Eurasian Rail Alliance. However, the end of 2023 and the beginning of this year indicate that the route will regain volumes.