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

Tuesday, 18 June 2024

BBC News

• Plans announced for new development next to airportLand next to East Midlands Airport (EMA) could become a new logistics and manufacturing park, new plans show.
• Southeastern to hire 600 new staff over next yearSoutheastern has launched its "biggest ever" recruitment drive to hire 600 new starters over the next year.
• Rail services cancelled amid staffing shortageA rail operator has warned of "ad hoc cancellations" in Devon and Cornwall throughout Sunday amid staffing shortages.
• Calls for direct trains from Kent to GatwickRail travellers and tourism groups are calling for the reinstatement of a direct rail service from Kent to Gatwick Airport which was scrapped more than 15 years ago.
• Aer Lingus pilots move closer to strike action Irish Airline Pilots' Association (IALPA) members voted 99% in support of action.
• Boeing boss admits culture 'far from perfect'Dave Calhoun will face questions on the firm's safety record from US lawmakers on Tuesday.

The Guardian

• Doctors call for English drink-drive limit to be cut to equivalent of a small drinkBMA to lobby next government to change limit, which is one of the highest in EuropeDoctors have called for England's drink-driving limit to be reduced to the equivalent of a small glass of wine or beer, in a proposal supported by a number of medical and road safety organisations.England's legal limit for getting safely behind the wheel is one of the highest in Europe at 80mg of alcohol per 100ml of blood, a law established in 1967.
• BYD: China's electric vehicle powerhouse charges into EuropeThreat of EU tariffs may not be enough to slow carmaker in its attempt to challenge Tesla on global stage. How will tariffs on Chinese EVs work?

The Herald

• Government must keep rail travel affordable and accessibleAs thousands of Scotland fans plotted out their Euro2024 adventures there would have been much uncertainty about who might make the final squad, will they be able to get match tickets and will we finally escape the group stages.

The Independent

• Dozens of trains cancelled ahead of England’s opening Euro match as a result of rail staff shortage“DO NOT TRAVEL” – that was the stark warning from Northern Rail to passengers in northwest England on Sunday afternoon and evening.

Times Online

• Death of the commute? Train season ticket sales fall to lowest ever. [subscription]While rail passenger numbers are rising, only 13 per cent of journeys are now made using season tickets as more people work from home

Network Rail

• Lift towers successfully installed at Anniesland stationNetwork Rail engineers worked through the night to install the steel structures at Anniesland railway station on Saturday (June 15).

Birmingham Mail

• Birmingham Airport explains why parking company 'suspended' operationsAirport bosses confirm what took place after independent airport parking provider Blue Circle Parking stopped its meet-and-greet service

Bradford Telegraph & Argus

• Bradford trains disrupted as crews refuse to work during England matchBradford train passengers faced disruption on Sunday evening as drivers and on-board staff refused to work overtime shifts on the day of England's opening Euro 2024 football match.

The Press and Journal (Aberdeen)

• Aberdeen bus gates: Council co-leader admits bosses ’lost the narrative’ before they were even installedAberdeen City Council “lost the narrative” on the city centre bus gates even before they were installed, the authority’s co-leader Ian Yuill has admitted.

Other Regional Press

• Timeline firmed up for Doncaster Sheffield AirportAs the deadline for tenders is reached, Doncaster’s cabinet will be asked to approve delegated powers for the appointment of an airport operator by year end.
• Labour candidate urges ’end to rail travel misery’Labour’s parliamentary candidate for Scarborough and Whitby has called for an “end to rail misery” with a new Great British Railways.
• Greater Anglia partners with the Campaign for Better Transport as part of Better Transport Week 2024THE main train operator for the East of England, Greater Anglia, is proud to partner with the charity, Campaign for Better Transport, as part of Better Transport Week 2024 and support the charity’s #ScenicRailView competition.

Train Operators

• Used coffee cups are NOT litter insist some rail users: Train operators probe ’the science of littering’The cleanliness of trains across the country is a topic often in the spotlight, with operators battling to keep their carriages clean for the thousands of people who step aboard every day.

New Civil Engineer

• Revealed: £64M spent by little achieving Great British Railways Transition TeamThe Great British Railways Transition Team (GBRTT) has spent more than £64M in under 18 months since it was set up, New Civil Engineer can reveal.

Rail Business Daily

• Managing Director of West Coast Partnership Development awarded OBEManaging Director of West Coast Partnership Development (WCPD), Shamit Gaiger, has been awarded an Order of the British Empire (OBE) in the King’s Birthday Honours list.
• Alstom signs a £370 million contract for 10 Aventra trains with associated maintenance for the Elizabeth lineAlstom has signed a contract worth around £370 million for ten new nine-car Aventra trains – and maintenance – for Transport for London’s (TfL) Elizabeth line.

The Business Desk

• East Midlands business leaders recognised in King’s Birthday HonoursElaine Clark, chief executive of Derby-based Rail Forum – a membership organisation representing 390 companies – has also received an OBE.

Other News Sources

• Saudi government to buy larger stake in Heathrow airportIn November 2023, Paris-based Ardian announced it had entered an agreement to buy 15% of FGP TopCo – Heathrow’s holding company – from the airport’s majority shareholder, Ferrovial.
• Andrew Haines on GBR and the future of railNetwork Rail Chief Executive Andrew Haines says the industry needs to change after 30 years of stagnation, in an interview conducted before the General Election was called.
• Luton bus operator calls for communication with other road usersStagecoach East, the Luton bus operator, has called for improved communication to tackle the scourge of local traffic congestion, after figures highlighted the role that buses play in shrinking jams, cleaning up our air, tackling climate change, and improving our health and local economy.
• BETTER TRANSPORT WEEK 2024: CHARTING A SUSTAINABLE FUTURE FOR RURAL COMMUNITIESBetter Transport Week, an annual event dedicated to celebrating and advancing sustainable transport, commenced this week.