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

Sunday, 19 May 2024

BBC News

• Workers at East Midlands Airport face 'unacceptable abuse' - unionAirport workers are facing "unacceptable" levels of abuse, a union has claimed.
• Doncaster Sheffield Airport: Timescale to find investor for closed site extendedThe timescale to find an investor to help re-open Doncaster Sheffield Airport has been extended, the Mayor of Doncaster Ros Jones has said.
• Bus firm set to take over axed routes seeks driversA bus company stepping in to run services that are due to be axed is recruiting for more drivers.
• New mayor outlines bus reform plansNewly elected Richard Mayor states he is looking to help taxpayers and passengers.
• Smoke fills street as London bus catches fireFirefighters tackled huge flames from the blazing bus on Saturday as people looked on.

Financial Times

• British investor in talks to buy 49% share in Teesside International AirportMichael Flacks wants to transform the facility into a cargo, repair and maintenance hub

The Guardian

• Eurostar reverses wheelchair policy that left user stranded, after Observer campaignPassengers were left abandoned and humiliated after operator banned staff from providing assistance. Eurostar has reversed a new accessibility policy that left a wheelchair user stranded and has retrained its London staff following pressure from the Observer.

The Telegraph

• Bus reduced to burnt-out shell after catching fire in London. [subscription]A Transport for London bus has been reduced to a burnt-out shell after catching fire in south-west London on Saturday.

Times Online

• Virgin Trains to take on Avanti as Branson returns to west coast line. [subscription]Sir Richard Branson’s Virgin Group is to return to Britain’s railways by launching services on the west coast mainline — the route that the billionaire was booted off by ministers five years ago.

Daily Express

• The new £117m bridge which had to be 'floated' into position finally completedRenfrew Bridge will open in autumn becoming the first road bridge to open for ships in Scotland and link the town to Yoker.

Mail Online

• Not a great day for London's buses: Three are wrecked, with one bursting into flames, a second crashing into a house and a third hitting a bus stopLondon's bus network was thrown into chaos on Saturday as three buses were taken out of action by fire and crashes.

The Mirror

• Network Rail staff spend £13,000 per week on planes rather than trains - as they are cheaperAs rail users continue to be hit with some of the highest fares in Europe, bosses at Network Rail have been spent almost £250k last year on flights despite boosting trains as a greener travel option

Northern Echo

• Work started to transform Eaglescliffe Train StationWork to transform a train station and make it more accessible for passengers has begun after funding was agreed for the project.

Yorkshire Post

• Public transport in Yorkshire Dales falls 'far short', say campaignersCampaigners are calling for lasting improvements to public transport in the Yorkshire Dales amid criticism services fall “far short” for local people and visitors.

Other Regional Press

• What we know so far ahead of Belfast Grand Central Station opening this autumnSome intensive engineering work is now in progress to realign the rail track to serve the new station.
• Transport secretary Fiona Hyslop urged to listen over roads funding for CaithnessA Caithness roads campaigner has urged Scottish Transport Secretary, Fiona Hyslop, to “get something done about the utterly appalling state” of council-maintained roads in the far north.

Rail Advent

• Train operator’s Chief Medical Officer shares top tips for mental health awarenessGovia Thameslink Railway (GTR) has appointed Dr Danielle Eaton as its new Chief Medical Officer following similar roles at Network Rail where she was Head of Health and Wellbeing and the NHS.
• Accessibility project makes progress at Glasgow railway stationStep-free access at Anniesland station in Glasgow is moving forward, as Network Rail is nearing the stage when it will install two new lifts.

Other News Sources

• easyJet to open 10th UK base at London Southend Airport next spring signalling continued UK growtheasyJet has today announced it will be expanding its UK network by opening a three-aircraft base at London Southend next March. The investment will create around 130 direct jobs for pilots and crew in the UK and support many more indirect jobs.
• Evanton road awarded £191,000 for upgrading works to improve timber transport£191,000 of funding has been awarded to upgrade an Evanton road, in a bid to improve timber transport in the Highlands.