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

Saturday, 31 August 2024

BBC News

• New Navy frigate makes first journey on giant bargeHMS Cardiff is the second of eight Type 26 frigates being built by BAE Systems in Glasgow.
• Nationalised shipyard faces 12 rivals for ferry contractFerguson Marine hops to win an order for seven small CalMac ships but must compete with overseas yards.
• Busy Glasgow bridge reopens after £12.6m makeoverShields Road had been shut to traffic since August last year while the structure was replaced.
• Will sustainable aviation fuels take off?Sustainable aviation fuels work, but can they be made in sufficient quantity to replace fossil fuels?

The Guardian

• Improving disabled access to UK’s public transport ‘almost impossible’Experts say ‘sprawling’ system, negative attitudes and lack of staff support makes equal access hard to ensure‘Shocking experiences’: disabled people describe UK transport failuresWhen Tanni Grey-Thompson was left stranded at London’s King’s Cross station on her way to the opening ceremony of the Paralympic Games in Paris this week, she had to crawl on to the platform.Lady Grey-Thompson, a former Paralympic athlete and crossbench peer, said she and other disabled passengers frequently suffered humiliating incidents travelling by train. “The system is j...

The Independent

• Confused over EU cabin baggage rules? Here’s what they actually mean for your allowanceExclusive: Airlines including Ryanair are hoping to unify baggage dimensions – but don’t expect to take your roll-along for free on a budget carrier
• NASA announces crew members cut from SpaceX flight to free up seats for stranded Boeing Starliner astronautsThe Dragon Capsule will launch from Florida’s Cape Canaveral Station to the International Space Station in late September

Times Online

• Edinburgh airport passengers criticise AI-generated parking prices [subscription]Holidaymakers are being quoted different fees for the same stay under a trial that experts say should not involve the travelling public
• Chinese electric vehicles lose spark in Europe after tariff rise [subscription]Registrations fall after the European Union imposed import duties of up to 37 per cent last month

Daily Express

• The incredible bridge that's the longest in UK and stops traffic chaos on major motorwayThis bridge may not be the most glamorous but it is a vital piece of infrastructure - and is a core part of the local commuter network.
• Pilot reveals what bizarre noises on your flight mean - and when it's time to panicPilot Brian Smith shared what lies behind the creaks, dongs, announcements and other frightening sounds a plane makes while in the air.

Mail Online

• Sir Keir Starmer accused of fast tracking plan to re-nationalise Britain's railways to please union 'paymasters'Sir Keir Starmer was last night accused of fast-tracking his flagship transport policy of re-nationalising the railways to please his union 'paymasters'.
• Revealed: Sir Keir Starmer had heated exchange with Labour Transport Secretary amid concerns she was 'failing to get a grip' on rail strikesThe Prime Minister gave his Transport Secretary a dressing down after being left red-faced by rail union barons.

This is Money

• Confidence in Tesla shares remains thanks to energy storage businessTesla's futuristic-looking $100,000 cybertruck may make headlines. But batteries will arguably play a greater role in its future.

Birmingham Mail

• Car owned by 1.5 million people named as the most stolen - as all owners warnedPopular family model remains at the top of the car theft charts

Birmingham Post

• Uber teams up with Wayve on self-driving cars - but doesn't say where you can use themThe San-Francisco-based giant has already announced tie-ups with self-driving group's Waymo and Cruise this year, as it looks to become the go-to ride-hailing platform for consumers seeking to experience self-driving cars

Bolton News

• Calls made for higher barriers on motorway bridge in Bolton after tragediesCalls for higher barriers on motorway bridge after deaths
• Bolton's night bus service launches this weekend as part of trialBuses will run 24/7 in a Greater Manchester first from this weekend - starting with Bolton

Bradford Telegraph & Argus

• Steam train to operate over iconic line this weekendA STEAM train is set to operate over the famous Settle & Carlisle line this weekend.
• Part of heritage railway to close for three weeks for £1.25m projectPart of the Keighley & Worth Valley Railway will close for three weeks so a major £1.25 million civil engineering project can be completed.

Bristol Live

• Brits face fines of £1,000 and a driving ban if they do this one thing at traffic lightsNew drivers also face immediately losing their licence if caught doing this

Burnley Express

• New bus service between Blackburn and Chorley unveiledA new bus service is set to be introduced linking residents in Blackburn with a Lancashire hospital.

Cambridge News

• Busway capacity to 'significantly increase' as new Stagecoach timetable startsThe new timetable is in place from Sunday
• Cambridge South station update as bus replacements scheduled this autumnThere are important days for rail passengers to be aware of this autumn

Other Regional Press

• Major Oxfordshire road to remain shut 24/7 throughout OctoberA reminder has been issued by Oxfordshire County Council that a major Bicester road remains closed 24/7 until the end of October.

Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport

• First Bus achieves Net-Zero status at three UK depotsCILT (UK) Organisational Partner, First Bus, announced that its sites in York, Leicester, and Norwich are now verified as net zero-emission depots. This follows the full electrification of their bus fleets and are among the first in the country to reach this milestone, First Bus says. First Bus achieved this target by investing the necessary additional carbon reduction requirements to claim net zero status. Isabel McAllister, Chief Sustainability and Compliance Officer for First Bus expressed how proud the company is about achieving this goal, describing it as a ‘huge step&rsq...

Railnews

• LNER strike threat lifted following ASLEF agreement A series of weekend strikes which had been called by ASLEF on LNER has been suspended after a resolution was reported by the union. LNER had already published a reduced timetable for this weekend but said it would now see how it could strengthen its service. The operator said the latest talks with ASLEF had been ‘constructive’ and that it was pleased the strikes had been suspended.

EIN News Subscription

• Airlines reveal plans for new hand luggage rules – and it’s good news for budget fliers … size fits all solution. 1 Airlines could soon introduced a standard … misinformation spreading as no upcoming EU regulation foresees changes to hand … option. The European Commission Department for Mobility and Transport stakeholder workshop took …
• How London-Heathrow usurped Croydon Airport and stole its aviation crown … Historic Croydon Airport site, newly established airlines such as Aircraft Transport and Travel … with its European rivals.    The newly combined airline, subsidized by … called British Airways began operating European flights from the airport.  In November …