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

Thursday, 29 August 2024

BBC News

• Bus station could close permanently - reportBradford Interchange bus station may only have a "finite operational life remaining", a meeting heard as a date was set to review its future.
• Jersey tourism boss welcomes scenic bus routesA tourism boss has praised the introduction of several scenic routes that will promote the "exploration of Jersey?s picturesque landscapes".
• Rail firm launches soundscape series for commutersA rail company has released a free series of nature soundscapes to help commuters switch off. Train Tracks by South Western Railway (SWR) has been launched in response to a new study that suggested nature sounds relax rail commutes more than music or podcasts.
• Progress for transport hub as building demolishedA former Farmfoods supermarket is knocked down to make way for the Dudley Interchange.
• Level crossings close so more trains can runFootpaths across railways in north Wales to close so more trains can run on the line.

The Guardian

• Ex-Network Rail chair threatened firm over engineer?s Euston criticismLetter shows Peter Hendy, now the rail minister, threatened to withhold public contracts until firm disciplined worker

Times Online

• Scrap 5p cut in fuel duty, says RAC ? drivers aren?t benefiting. [subscription]Motorists are being denied the benefit of a 5p cut in fuel duty and it should be scrapped, the RAC has said.
• AI?s road ahead from driverless cars to carbon capture [subscription]In part four of the Times series on the most promising AI companies, we look at the progress being made in transport and infrastructure

Senedd Cymru

• Ken Skates: securing rail safety upgrades will mean 50% more services and ?real transport choice?Transport for Wales will increase rail capacity by 40%, with 50% more timetabled services, supported by an ?800m investment in brand new CAF trains and the recruitment of additional drivers and train crew.

Daily Record

• Call for shared e-scooters in Scotland's cities as 'cheap and green' transport optionThe Scottish Government is being urged to introduce shared e-scooters to cities and towns to help the nation meet its climate change targets.

Network Rail

• Boost for rail freight as Network Rail cuts prices for new traffic flowsTrain operators have been offered the opportunity to gain discounts on their track access charges by Network Rail in a bid to encourage new business to the railway, particularly freight.

Bradford Telegraph & Argus

• Mirfield canal improvement plans shared by Transpennine Route UpgradeTranspennine Route Upgrade has unveiled plans to upgrade the canal towpath from Shepley Bridge Marina to Station Road.

Daily Post (North Wales)

• North Wales councils asked to change 20mph limits on hundreds of roadsCouncils have been deluged with requests to make amendments to speed limits in the region

Nation. Cymru

• Major boost to North Wales Mainline services confirmedThe Welsh Government has confirmed plans to significantly boost capacity on the North Wales Mainline by 2026.

Wales Online

• Hundreds of millions of pounds will be spent on new trains in WalesHundreds of millions of pounds will be spent on new trains, drivers and crew to increase rail services on one Welsh rail network by 50%, the Welsh Government has announced.
• Councils deluged with requests to change 20mph limit on hundreds of roadsResidents are allowed to ask councils in Wales to review the speed limits on 20mph roads as part of a review of the new default speed limit

Oxford Mail

• Botley Road rail scheme could be postponed in 'nuclear' optionNetwork Rail bosses are considering a series of options for the Botley Road rail works project in Oxford,- and one involves postponing the project indefinitely.

Other Regional Press

• Project manager for Borders Railway to be appointedCouncillors will this week be recommended to endorse three-year funding of ?220,000 for the appointment of a senior project manager to ensure the extension of the Borders Railway from Tweedbank to Carlisle remains right on track.
• The Essex railway station that has the longest platform in the UKAn Essex train station with the longest physical platform in the UK has been revealed as one of the most popular in the East of England, according to Google searches. Colchester Railway Station (known as Colchester North) has come out top in a list of stations across the region in a new study.
• Finchley Road station new entrance lined up despite O2 plansA future second entrance to a Tube station is still planned despite work to build 1,800 new homes nearby.
• Businesses in Glasgow concerned over peak rail fares returnThe return to peak rail fares is a cause for concern for business leaders in Glasgow.
• North Wales mainline to receive ?800m boost with new trainsTransport for Wales will increase rail capacity by 40%, with 50% more timetabled services, supported by an ?800m investment in brand new CAF trains and the recruitment of additional drivers and train crew.
• Railway reopened after major track work in preparation for HS2The work is intended to to improve journeys and is in preparation for HS2
• Electric single-decker bus trial for National Express Coventry Every one of National Express Coventry's 140 double decker buses is already fully electric.

Train Operators

• Southeastern becomes the first UK train operator to set up a WhatsApp Channel for sharing travel updatesSoutheastern has become the UK?s first train operator to create a WhatsApp Channel for broadcasting its travel updates.

Trafnidiaeth Cymru [Transport for Wales]

• Transport for Wales launch NHS Staff discounted bus fare schemeTransport for Wales will now offer discounted fares for Hywel Dda staff on certain TrawsCymru bus services.

Other News Sources

• UK rail minister got engineer sacked for raising safety concernsPeter Hendy threatened to withhold public contracts while seeking disciplinary action.
• Cardiff Airport welcomes six new electric vehicles as it continues efforts to cut carbon emissionsCardiff Airport is continuing its journey to reduce CO2 emissions with the addition of six new electric-powered vehicles to its operational fleet. The Maxus T90EV?s are the first electric pick-up vehicles available in the UK.
• HS2: Bromford Tunnel TBM reaches halfway point to BirminghamThe tunnel boring machine (TBM) excavating the first bore of High Speed 2?s (HS2?s) 5.6km Bromford Tunnel into Birmingham has reached the halfway point.