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

Wednesday, 17 July 2024

Government

• King's Speech to unlock growth and "take the brakes off Britain"Improving living standards for working people through economic growth will be the central focus of new laws set to be unveiled by His Majesty The King today [Wednesday 17 July].

BBC News

• £5m pot for 20mph roads review after backlashA minister says reversing parts of the policy came after concerns raised by
• Troubled shipyard given another £14m - but no ferry contractFerguson Marine will not be directly awarded a deal to build small ferries, which the yard's boss had previously hoped for.
• Harland & Wolff ‘reworks’ call for government helpThe shipyard proposes a deal for a standard 80% loan guarantee to give the firm financial stability.
• Avanti West Coast talks over 'unacceptable performance'The operator was called in to meet Labour's new transport secretary to discuss its poor performance.
• Train services suspended after landslipTrain services between Huddersfield and Penistone have been suspended due to a landslip. National Rail said all lines between the two towns have been closed, external with disruption expected to last until the end of the day.
• Increased airport drop-off charges 'ridiculous' Several UK airports have raised fees for so-called

Financial Times

• Sales of used electric cars soar in UK as prices tumblePrices of many secondhand electric vehicles now similar to those for petrol equivalents, says Auto Trader
• UK transport minister demands ‘immediate action’ on rail reliabilityLouise Haigh calls in train operators, Network Rail and unions as cancellations reach record highs

The Guardian

• Buses, trains and bicycle paths: Labour's mission to decarbonise UK transportEnvironment experts call for bold action as party attempts to revamp creaking infrastructure to hit net zero. Bolster bus services, build cycle paths, impose frequent flyer levies and reopen old railway lines to decarbonise the UK transport system, environment experts are urging, as the Labour party begins to lay out its plans. The government's proposals for rail nationalisation are likely to feature in the king's speech on Wednesday“ but experts warn far bolder steps will be needed to overhaul the UK's creaking infrastructure to meet the net zero carbon goal.

The Herald

• ScotRail train drivers to be balloted for strike actionASLEF's Executive Committee has today agreed to ballot its ScotRail members for action short of strike and strike action.

The Scotsman

• How Labour will ’take the brakes off Britain’ with King's Speech - devolution, GB Energy, railways, spendingLabour will today promise to “take the brakes off Britain” in a King’s Speech focusing on economic growth.

Times Online

• Wales to scrap blanket 20mph speed limit after only one year [subscription]Ministers admit ’errors were made’ when the road safety scheme was introduced
• Cycling to work halves risk of early death — if you aren’t run over [subscription]Researchers find that cycling to work improves mental health, with cyclists less likely to be prescribed psychiatric drugs than ’inactive’ commuters

Daily Record

• Avanti West Coast summoned to account for ’woeful’ service during general electionA railway boss has been summoned by the Transport Secretary to account for the company’s “woeful” service, the Government said.

The Mirror

• Labour's transport chief warns failing rail firms could have contracts ripped upTransport Secretary Louise Haigh said the King's Speech will 'fire the starting gun' on renationalising the railways with two bits of legislation to bring it back into public hands

Labour List

• King’s Speech policies aim to ’take brakes off’ Britain in growth driveRailways, planning reform and devolution are set to take centre stage in the government agenda announced in the King’s Speech today.

Sky News

• King's Speech key announcements - from the economy to public transportThe new government is unveiling a packed legislative agenda that will prioritise economic growth.

Bradford Telegraph & Argus

• Steeton and Silsden station art by Oastlers School studentsAN impressive piece of art now welcomes passengers at a rail station, thanks to five gifted GCSE art students from Oastlers School in Bradford.

London Evening Standard

• Avanti West Coast summoned to account for ’woeful’ serviceA railway boss has been summoned by the Transport Secretary to account for the company’s “woeful” service, the Government said.

Manchester Evening News

• Boss of Avanti West Coast summoned by Transport Secretary over 'woeful' train service'Britain's railways are failing passengers day-in, day-out'

Northern Echo

• New Sunderland train station compared to a 'wet carrier bag'A newly constructed North East train station has been compared to a "wet carrier bag" and labelled one of the worst in the country by a travel writer.

The York Press

• Railways building to be demolished in Network Rail plansA historic railway building could be demolished and another remodelled under plans for a new Network Rail site which would also free up land for the York Central development.

Oxford Mail

• London Road crossing: Bicester MP writes to rail ministerThe Bicester and Woodstock MP has written to the rail minister to ask for a meeting to discuss the importance of the London Road crossing in Bicester.

Other Regional Press

• Plans to make Kirklees' railway stations more accessible revealedWork has been approved at Huddersfield Railway Station, and plans have been submitted for Dewsbury
• North Wales business leaders call for Branson's help with trainsBUSINESS LEADERS want Sir Richard Branson to come to the rescue after an investigation revealed over 20% of direct trains between North Wales and London get cancelled.
• 'Nothing more TfL can do' about London Underground screeching noiseTransport for London (TfL) can't do anymore to tackle Tube noise on a section of track in South London, says Sadiq Khan. The Kennington Loop is said to be giving off 'noise pollution'.
• North Wales business leaders call for Branson's help with trainsBUSINESS LEADERS want Sir Richard Branson to come to the rescue after an investigation revealed over 20% of direct trains between North Wales and London get cancelled.
• Decision yet to be made on reopening Totton-Hythe railwayCampaigners say they are waiting to learn if the new Labour government will approve plans to reopen a Hampshire rail route.

Rail Advent

• New look trains for East Midlands Railway passengersHaving released images of the upcoming class 360 EMU refurbishment programme earlier last week, East Midlands Railway (EMR) has now also released images ahead of the planned refurbishment of the Class 158 and Class 170 Diesel Multiple Units (DMUs).

Railnews

• Plans unveiled for Leeds Bradford tramsPlans have been unveiled for the first two lines on the proposed West Yorkshire tram system, after former Prime Minister Rishi Sunak announced funding for the scheme as one result of abandoning Phases 2A and 2B of HS2 between the West Midlands, Crewe and Manchester.

Railway Gazette

• Study looks at how to increase international capacity at London St PancrasEUROPE: High speed line concessionaire HS1 Ltd has appointed ’experience design’ agency Active Thinking to undertake an in-depth study into expanding passenger capacity at London St Pancras International station to cope with increased demand for international travel and the potential arrival of competitors to Eurostar.

Other News Sources

• New rail station means all change at Liverpool’s Baltic TriangleThe new Liverpool Baltic Station is set to become a catalyst for regeneration across the southern fringe of the city and the wider region, according to city leaders.
• Baltic Hub adds fourth RMG to rail operationsBaltic Hub has added a fourth rail mounted gantry (RMG) crane to its rail operations, thereby raising its capacity to more than 800,000 teu per year.