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

Saturday, 13 July 2024

BBC News

• Dover port warns of up to two-hour waits at peak timesNew EU border checks and travel for the Olympics will increase congestion at the UK's busiest port.
• Rail conductors spat at and threatened - NorthernDeath threats, homophobic comments and being spat at are examples of abuse faced by rail conductors, a train operator has said.
• Transport schemes may hit the buffers - reportA series of major transport schemes in the West Midlands are at risk - including expansion of the Metro and new railway lines - because of cost pressures involving hundreds of millions of pounds, bosses have warned.

Financial Times

• Air traffic control issues risk disrupting summer travel, warn airlinesDelays are on the rise due to bad weather, staffing issues and more planes in the sky

The Guardian

• Labour summons bosses of worst-performing train operators to meetingsNetwork Rail route directors will also attend next week as UK government aims to reform railways quickly

i News

• HS2 Manchester route not sold off yet as Labour weighs up rail optionsThe Government has a looming dilemma with climbing costs and pressure from supporters to bring back the Birmingham to Manchester line

Local Government

• Statement in response to Network Rail's announcement about Botley RoadOxfordshire County Council is extremely frustrated that Network Rail is postponing the replacement of Botley railway bridge at the end of this month and is unable to reopen Botley Road in October as a result. The council is in discussion with Network Rail to understand the implications of this.

Network Rail

• Rail freight contributes billions to the UK economy annually while keeping supermarkets stocked, builders building and medicine moving. We’re committed to accelerating the shift to rail over the next five years and beyond because of freight’s environmental, social and economic benefits.

Birmingham Mail

• New car tax rules 'impossible to control' and charges will be 'off the scale'Traffic and travel experts have hit out at experts calling for the new Labour Party government to introduce a new system.

Yorkshire Post

• Rachel Reeves hails ’huge potential’ of long-awaited Leeds mass transit system ahead of its consultationRachel Reeves hailed the “huge potential” a Leeds mass transit system will have for jobs and opportunities ahead of the launch of its consultation
• Chancellor Rachel Reeves casts doubt over future of Rishi Sunak's Network North transport planRachel Reeves has cast doubt over whether the new Labour government will fulfil Rishi Sunak’s Network North transport plan.

Other Regional Press

• Fears for future of Heart of Wales rail line after cutsCOUNCILLORS in Carmarthenshire have criticised a reduction of services on a rail line named as one of the best in Europe, fearing its long-term future could be in jeopardy
• Stratford’s transport strategy aims to cut congestion and pollutionIT’S been two years in the making and is based on lots of research, data and debate, but now Stratford Town Transport Group’s strategy is ready for public appraisal. The aim is to get Stratford moving and provide services and infrastructure that cut cars and pollution in the town centre.

New Civil Engineer

• HS1 Ltd commissions study to expand St Pancras International StationA study has been commissioned to look into the options available for expanding St Pancras International Station to increase capacity.

Railway Gazette

• Rail and tram-train in Manchester’s Bee Network expansion plansUK: Local rail services around Manchester are to be brought into the region’s expanding Bee Network by 2028 as part of a public transport development strategy unveiled by Mayor of Greater Manchester Andy Burnham on July 10.

Route One

• National Express offers European coach travel via BlaBlaCar BusNational Express is collaborating with European coach operator BlaBlaCar Bus to sell tickets for journeys to the Continent.

Route One (Bus and Coach)

• Joan Aitken appointed to Bus Users UK Board of TrusteesFormer Traffic Commissioner for Scotland and longstanding routeone Awards judging panel member Joan Aitken OBE has joined the Bus Users UK Board of Trustees.
• Port of Dover outlines procedures for ’demanding’ summer peakThe Port of Dover has formalised plans for processing coach and other traffic during what it expects will be a “demanding” summer peak period from 18 July.
• David Mullan named Traffic Commissioner for North West EnglandDavid Mullan has been appointed to take up the vacant role of Traffic Commissioner for North West England on 19 August.

Transport Scotland

• £5.5 million contract award for A83 ground investigation workAs the design work for the long-term solution to the landslip risks at the Rest and Be Thankful continues, detailed ground investigations are expected to get underway next month.

News from Europe

• Euroviews. Uniting Europe through rail is the key to a greener, more passenger-focused futureEurope’s rail system must embrace a total systems approach, where silos are broken down, and all stakeholders collaborate for transformative outcomes, TC Chew writes.