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

Monday, 20 May 2024

BBC News

• Airport update on 100ml liquid rule changeNew scanners are being rolled out at Bristol Airport ahead of the government lifting rules around liquids.
• What happens when councils take control of buses?Buses are the most commonly used form of public transport in England - yet in recent years routes have been disappearing at an alarming rate.
• Roadworks start in Matlock as part of transport hub revampRoadworks are expected to last four weeks on a Derbyshire road to improve bus access as part of a transport improvement scheme.
• New mayor outlines bus reform plansNewly elected Richard Mayor states he is looking to help taxpayers and passengers.
• Virgin Trains targets West Coast in return to railVirgin Group has applied for a licence to run trains on the route it lost to Avanti in 2019.

Financial Times

• Lex in depth: how the hydrogen hype fizzled outOnce viewed as a superfuel that could decarbonise large chunks of the economy, the likely uses are shrinking dramatically

The Guardian

• Ships in some UK port cities create more air pollution than carsMilford Haven, Southampton and Immingham top the list for emissions of gases and particulates. Ships calling at the UK's most-polluted ports produce more nitrogen oxides than all the cars registered in the same cities or regions, analysis has shown. A report from Transport & Environment (T&E) said that ships were continuing to discharge huge quantities of air pollutants at ports, with Milford Haven, Southampton and Immingham topping the list for emissions of harmful sulphur oxides and fine particulate matter (PM2.5) as well as nitrogen oxides (NOx).

The Herald

• Transport Secretary accused of snubbing constituents ’left in the lurch’ by curtailed bus serviceTHE NEW Transport Secretary has been accused of “ignoring constituents” who have been left “in the lurch” after a bus service was curtailed.
• Glasgow 'shambles' as nearly half of council vehicles don't comply with LEZGlasgow's low emission zone has been branded a "shambles" after it emerged some 40% of the city council's own vehicles still fail to comply with the regulations a year after they were introduced.

The Telegraph

• Virgin Trains targets return to West Coast Main Line. [subscription]Pressure grows on Avanti as Virgin Group submits open-access application for rail route

Times Online

• Ineos lobbies Labour for hydrogen fuel cell strategy. [subscription]Sir Jim Ratcliffe has turned to Sir Keir Starmer in frustration at the government’s ’lack of engagement’ on an infrastructure for the green technology
• Edinburgh motorists hit with record £8m in finesThe city is also introducing a low-emission zone from the start of June that will charge drivers of non-compliant vehicles £60

City AM

• China’s BYD nears deal to supply London’s electric double decker busesRapidly expanding Chinese automaker BYD is close to a deal that would see it supply all-electric double decker buses in London.

Daily Record

• Car insurance in UK has risen much higher than other European countries since 2015EXCLUSIVE: SNP-commissioned analysis has shown that the average price of UK insurance has more than doubled.

Mail Online

• Widower says cycling lobby hidden in Government tried to stop his fight for tougher penalties for killer riders after his wife was knocked over and killed by racing bike being ridden illegallyIt comes after the House of Commons backed an amendment this week to create three new offences for dangerous cyclists.

Birmingham Mail

• Hundreds of Virgin Atlantic cabin crew take legal action and say 'it is unfair'A tribunal in London set to take place will hear claims Richard Branson’s airline used Covid redundancies to target older staff during the pandemic.

Bradford Telegraph & Argus

• Bradford Council hits back at 'diabolical' bus system commentBRADFORD Council insists it is working as fast as possible to end the current city centre disruption amid criticism over "diabolical" traffic chaos and confusing changes to bus services.

Sheffield Star

• Doncaster Sheffield Airport: Investor now expected to be selected in late summer ahead of reopeningMayor Ros Jones shared that the timescale to find a new investor to reopen Doncaster Sheffield Airport has been pushed back.

Wolverhampton Express and Star

• Canal and River Trust could hand over land next to waterways to pave way for huge metro extensionPockets of land next to waterways will be transferred to new owners as part of plans to extend Black Country trams services.

Plymouth Herald

• Massive economic bonanza from reopened Plymouth airport, study predictsConsultants say disused airfield could be transformed into vibrant hub using fixed-wing electric and vertical take-off aircraft

Other Regional Press

• Redcar Central Station transformation set to begin on Grade II listed buildingThe Grade II listed Redcar Central Station will be redeveloped into a 'vibrant, leisure and retail hub, as well as a key transport link, providing rail facilities and food and drink outlets'

Train Operators

• c2c’s sustainability targets validated by SBTic2c has today announced that its near-term (2030) and net-zero science-based targets (2050), outlined in the company’s Decarbonisation Strategy, have been validated by the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi), the global body responsible for enabling businesses to set ambitious emissions reduction targets in line with the latest climate science.
• March rail station receives ’Wildlife Friendly Station’ statusMarch rail station has received a ’Wildlife Friendly’ accreditation recognising the work of community volunteers to improve biodiversity and support nature there.
• Northern recycles over 10,000kg of old uniforms in first year since turning environmental mission to employee clothingNorthern has recycled over 10,000kg (10,390kg) of old uniforms in the last 12 months.

Rail Advent

• Northern offers £100k to social mobility groupsThe funds are set to help a range of community projects in the North of England
• Ten tonnes of uniform recycled by Northern train operatorTrain operator Northern has marked the first anniversary of its recycling deal with Avena by revealing that it has recycled over ten thousand kilogrammes of old uniforms in the last year.
• New integrated rail services group formedBuckland Rail will concentrate on providing bogie overhaul, maintenance of freight wagons, and supply of materials.
• Passenger numbers continue to grow on important Lancashire-Yorkshire routeDuring the last year, there has been a continuing increase in passengers using the Leeds to Morecambe route, commonly known as the Bentham Line.

Other News Sources

• £9m Stoke Station bus gate works start TODAY The revamp - which includes the relocation of the Josiah Wedgwood statue - will cause disruption until autumn 2025