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

Sunday, 06 October 2024

BBC News

• The funding top five: Roads, railways and reservoirsThe government delay in deciding whether or not to go ahead with the Lower Thames Crossing has drawn attention to the need for infrastructure investment across the East of England.
• City's driverless bus project delayedThe arrival of self-driving buses in a city centre has been delayed until 2025. The Sunderland City Council-backed vehicles were meant to transport people between the city's transport interchange and hospital from May.
• Service marks Ladbroke Grove crash 25 years onFamilies bereaved by the Ladbroke Grove rail disaster have laid flowers at the memorial to honour those killed in west London 25 years ago - each remembered as "precious and loved".
• Warning of delays due to Sydenham Bypass worksHeavy congestion was being caused on the first weekend of major roadworks as part of a £3.8m scheme.
• TfL staff take laurels in gardening competitionTransport for London's amateur gardeners have won several prizes in the annual In Bloom competition.

Financial Times

• ‘They’re just mad’: Boeing strikers prepare for long haul Tens of thousands of picketing machinists dig in as plane maker reels from latest crisis
• How I learnt to stop worrying and (mostly) love the e-bikeUnsightly kerbside debris to some, eco-friendly cycles for hire have improved urban journeys

The Guardian

• Families lay wreaths to mark 25 years since Ladbroke Grove rail crashCollision of two trains in west London killed 31 people and was one of worst rail disasters in recent UK history
• Bristol parking wars: Greens gear up for fight with drivers over pavement ban on carsThe party has plans to prevent cars from hogging the city’s walkways, but expect a backlash from motoristsIsmail Mohammad pushes a buggy down the centre of a narrow road in east Bristol. His two sons stay close as vehicles could come from either direction at any moment. “There are cars [parked] on the pavement. We have to go on the road,” says Mohammad as he hurries to the boys’ primary school in Easton.
• Less haste more speed will win Labour the race to fix 21st-century BritainRebuilding existing infrastructure is key for the government rather than rushed policymaking for new projects There is an air of panic about how to fix Britain. We need to move quickly, shift the dial and jump up the rankings of rich countries. Investment is needed in new stuff to make the UK modern and its services delivered on time.It’s a political imperative that galvanised Boris Johnson and then propelled Liz Truss from obscurity to becoming an almost revolutionary prime minister.

Times Online

• Ban teenage drivers from giving friends a lift, says RAC [subscription]Young motorists are four times more likely to be involved in a fatal crash if they're with people of a similar age
• Coming to the UK: 'aggressive' pick-up trucks that duck safety rules [subscription]Dodge is launching a right-hand drive model of a car so tall that drivers can't see young children in front of them

Birmingham Mail

• Motorway speeds fall to 57mph as RAC says 'frustrating'The latest data from the Department for Transport found that average road delays last roughly 11 seconds per vehicle per mile

Nation. Cymru

• Transport for Wales records big improvements in punctuality and customer satisfactionRecent data from the Office of Rail and Road (ORR) shows significant improvements in Transport for Wales (TfW) rail services, with notable gains in punctuality, reliability, and customer satisfaction over the past year.
• New HS2 scandal, with train delays between south Wales and London until 2032Fresh concerns have been expressed about the negative impact of the HS2 rail route on Wales following confirmation that train services from south Wales to London will be disrupted during its construction phase.

Northern Echo

• Government urged to scrap £1.4bn A66 dualling scheme over 'staggering' costWork had been expected to start in early 2025 on upgrading the notorious 50-mile stretch between Scotch Corner and Penrith to a full dual carriageway.

Wales Online

• Transport for Wales say service has improved with 'more trains'Transport for Wales said they have made "significant progress" over the last year. New figures from the Office of Rail and Road show the reliability and punctuality of its services over the last year has improved.

Bucks Free Press

• Speed limit change from 60 to 20 mph rejected in Bucks despite 9,000 signaturesAn attempt to change the speed limit on a road in Bucks from 60 to 20 miles per hour has been rejected.

Cambridge News

• The abandoned £13 billion scheme to expand CrossRail to CambridgeThe scheme failed to get backing from the Mayor of London and Department of Transport

Other Regional Press

• 'Any Bus' smart card scheme could enable travellers to hop hassle-free between busesTransport bosses at Lancashire County Council hope to roll out the initiative in phases and aim to cover the whole area by 2029
• Councillo''s plea over bus service heard by StagecoachA NEW bus service will be created in Darfield after a local councillor took residents concerns to Stagecoach's head office.
• Southampton travellers warned as rail replacement buses cutPassengers have been warned of disruption as rail replacement services are cut due to a bus shortage.

Railway Gazette

• Interview: Technology migration holds key to a sustainable railwayCo-operation between suppliers, operators and regulators is essential if technical advances are to deliver an efficient, cost-effective and competitive railway, incoming UNIFE Director General Enno Wiebe tells Chris Jackson.

Other News Sources

• Hydrogen Engine Deutz: The Future of Sustainable TransportDeutz presented its latest hydrogen engine at InnoTrans 2024, marking a significant step toward sustainable transport, this is reported by the railway transport news portal Railway Supply.
• India Set to Launch Hydrogen-Powered Trains, Paving the Way for Sustainable Rail TravelIndia is poised to debut hydrogen-powered trains, marking a significant leap toward sustainable rail transportation. If successful, this initiative will enable the country to join Germany, France, Sweden, and China as the fifth nation in the world to operate hydrogen-powered trains. Indian Railways plans to commence trial runs in December 2024, which will be a crucial step in this innovative project.
• Hitachi launches AI-powered railway maintenance service with NvidiaHitachi Ltd. has launched a new railway maintenance service using the artificial intelligence technology of U.S. semiconductor giant Nvidia Corp., seeking to attract railway operators worldwide.
• Rail Scooters by Railscooter for Railway MaintenanceRailscooter continues to innovate, introducing their new rail scooters at InnoTrans 2024, this is reported by the railway transport news portal Railway Supply.
• Plymouth and Tavistock rail link push gathers paceBorough councillors want funding for business case and line reinstated The push for a rail link between Tavistock and Plymouth is gathering pace as the reality of hundreds of extra homes hits

News from Europe

• New M1 rail line among proposals considered by Iarnród Éireann over rising congestion woesA brand new train line along the M1 from Drogheda to the capital that may help to deliver faster journey times is among a number of proposals the Department of Transport is considering to help solve the ongoing congestion problems on the Northern rail network,