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

Friday, 11 October 2024

Government

• New body to 'get a grip' on infrastructure delaysIn speech at Skanska's national HQ, Chief Secretary to the Treasury sets out vision for the future of the country's infrastructure.

BBC News

• Transport charity 'likely' to fold by end of monthA transport charity fears it is "highly likely" it will cease trading by the end of October.
• TfL accidents not all unique, crash victims saySally Sivas, whose friend died in a bus crash, is one of three people calling for improved safety.

Financial Times

• Stellantis announces management shake-up at global car brandsChief executive seeks to turn fortunes around amid falling profits, production issues and fights over EVs

The Guardian

• UK must prepare for widespread road pricing, says infrastructure tsarSir John Armitt says charging per mile ‘inevitable’, with move to electric vehicles likely to create £35bn tax shortfallBritain must prepare for the widespread use of road pricing to make up a £35bn shortfall in tax revenues from the transition to electric vehicles, the country’s top infrastructure adviser has said.Sir John Armitt, the chair of the National Infrastructure Commission (NIC), said it was time for a “proper public debate” about the future funding of the road network and other critical projects. Continue reading...

Local Government

• Caerphilly residents invited to be part of shaping the future of town's transport networkVolunteers are being invited to help explore a new way to count pedestrian, bike, and car movements in Caerphilly.

Birmingham Post

• Boost for Cardiff Airport as it lands major freight operatorEuropean Cargo is investing in a freight operation at the Rhoose-based airport with initially three flights a week to China

Bradford Telegraph & Argus

• Northern shares preparations for autumnal compressed leaf 'black ice'The man tasked with preparing Northern for the autumn problem of fallen leaves on the line has shared some insights into the train operator's efforts.
• New transport director appointed to West Yorkshire Combined AuthorityA new transport director has been appointed to the West Yorkshire Combined Authority.

London Evening Standard

• Sadiq Khan: Extending Night Tube to run on Thursday nights 'under review'Proposals for the Night Tube to run on Thursday nights are being kept 'under review', Sadiq Khan has said.

Manchester Evening News

• Manchester Airport reports record-breaking year with 30 million passengersThe airport is joining the exclusive '30 Million Club', joining travel hubs in new York, Melbourne and Istanbul

Nation. Cymru

• Shadow transport minister blasts Welsh Government for backtracking over HS2 fundingThe shadow transport minister has insisted the Welsh Conservatives always campaigned for fair HS2 funding when the Tories were in power in Westminster and has slammed Labour for not doing the same.

Oxford Mail

• Chiltern Railways' first revamped class 168 train in serviceThe Class 168 fleet is undergoing a refresh programme to improve customer journeys. The first upgraded train is now operational, with the entire fleet expected to be completed and back in service within two years.

Other Regional Press

• Land near Colnbrook By-Pass targeted for 1000-space Heathrow car parkA long-stay car park for Heathrow Airport featuring more than 1,000 spaces could be built near the Colnbrook By-Pass.
• Kent Politics Podcast: Labour’s first 100 days and Lower Thames Crossing delaysIn this week’s Kent Politics Podcast our reporters discuss what Labour has managed to achieve in its first 100 days in power.
• Greater Manchester to introduce London-style 'tap in' payments for public transportGreater Manchester is set to introduce a similar 'tap in tap out' payment system across its buses next spring.
• Coleg Cambria removes free post-16 transport amid rising costs and budget constraintsColeg Cambria is no longer offering free transport to post-16 students from September 2025 due to rising costs and budget constraints
• Work on new £10.5m Heckmondwike bus station will finally begin next weekThe scheme now comes with a price tag of £10.5m, compared to the £4.97m that was forecast in 2021
• More EV charging bays come to M6 services near RugbyThe new bays are said to reduce range anxiety for electric car owners, and even more will be on the way

Bus and Coach Buyer

• Alexander Dennis reveals more about Enviro200EVAlexander Dennis has revealed more details of its next addition to its new generation of buses, the Enviro200EV electric single-decker. The vehicle is due to hit the roads in 2025, with launch customers already identified.

Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport

• Lorry facilities and green freight innovation receives £14 million boostThe UK government has announced a significant investment to improve rest areas for lorry drivers and drive innovation in the freight sector. Future of Roads Minister Lilian Greenwood revealed that 23 successful applicants will receive up to £4.5 million in government funding to enhance truckstops and working conditions for HGV drivers. The investment, which totals £12.5 million when combined with £8 million from industry, will create 430 new lorry parking spaces across England. This expansion aims to reduce congestion in town centres and roadside parking. Nota...

Coach and Bus Week

• Stagecoach puts spotlight on decarbonisation and accessibilityStagecoach recently welcomed Under-Secretary of State for Local Transport Simon Lightwood MP, along with Bus Users UK, to its Barnsley depot in celebration of Catch the Bus Month. Also in attendance was South Yorkshire Mayor Oliver Coppard and representatives from local disability user group Transport for All.

New Civil Engineer

• New transport select committee chair says aviation doesn't compensate for climate impactThe new chair of the Parliamentary transport select committee Ruth Cadbury has told NCE she doesn't think the aviation sector properly compensates for its climate impact.
• Treasury details 10-year infrastructure plan and new delivery body to be launched in springHM Treasury has confirmed that its 10-year infrastructure strategy and new body combining the National Infrastructure Commission (NIC) and the Infrastructure and Projects Authority (IPA) will launch in spring 2025.

Rail Advent

• Chiltern Railways unveils refurbished Class 168 trainTrain operator Chiltern Railways has revealed the first of its refurbished Class 168 trains.

Rail Magazine

• GWR make test runs to EustonFor periods over the next four years, GWR trains will be unable to pass Old Oak Common, while a new station is built to connect the Great Western with HS2 services.

Railnews

• Transport campaigners call for rail fares freezeThe chancellor should freeze rail fares next year, and make the announcement in the Autumn Budget at the end of this month, according to the Campaign for Better Transport.

Railway Gazette

• Consultancy forms Rail Infrastructure sectionUK: Rail consultancy AARC Professional Services has expanded its portfolio by launching a Rail Infrastructure unit.

Route One (Bus and Coach)

• Transport Minister addresses Women in Bus and Coach summitUnder-Secretary of State for Transport Simon Lightwood addressed the Women in Bus and Coach (WiBC) summit in Manchester on 8 October to mark the contribution of women in the industry and discuss the barriers they still face.
• Alexander Dennis reveals details of next-generation Enviro200EVAlexander Dennis has revealed details of its next-generation Enviro200EV battery-electric single-decker ahead of a discovery theatre for the model on the manufacturer's stand at Euro Bus Expo on 12-14 November.
• Government further hints at Budget for £2 bus fare cap newsThe government has given a further indication that a decision on the future of the £2 bus fare cap in England will be announced in the Budget on 30 October.
• UK Bus Manufacturing Expert Panel set to be establishedA UK Bus Manufacturing Expert Panel is to be created. It will bring together industry experts and local leaders to explore ways of ensuring that the UK remains a leader in bus building; help local authorities to deliver transport ambitions; and begin to seize opportunities to embrace zero-emission transport technologies, the Department for Transport (DfT) says.

Aviation Industry

• Almost Too Many To Count: Examining London's Ever-Growing List Of AirportsFor centuries, London was the center of global trade, the center of the global economic order, and remains today one of the world's most important financial hubs. With nearly 15 million people in the greater London area, the city remains one of the largest in Europe, and, more importantly, for this analysis, one of the world's wealthiest.

Other News Sources

• Sadiq Khan calls for more regulation of dockless e-bike Wild WestThe Mayor responded to concerns raised by a London Assembly member and by many of his fellow Londoners
• Consultants appointed for Bakerloo Line extension studies 1 hour Construction consultant Aecom and architect Weston Williamson & Partners (WWP) have been appointed to deliver a feasibility study for the proposed Bakerloo Line extension.
• Siemens Mobility Starts Rolling Stock Manufacturing in UKFollowing an investment of up to $252.5 million, Siemens Mobility is opening its Train Manufacturing Facility as a key part of its new Goole Rail Village in the United Kingdom.
• Greens Pressure London Mayor to Ban Fossil Fuel Ads on Public TransportLondon Assembly member cites a DeSmog investigation that documented hundreds of fossil fuel ads on the city's transport network.
• Government will publish ten-year infrastructure strategy in the spring, minister revealsA treasury minister has revealed that the government will publish its promised ten-year infrastructure strategy in the spring and a new Whitehall body tasked with overseeing national infrastructure delivery will also be 'operational by then.
• Bus route axed within months of starting could returnA bus company which axed a service between two tourist spots because it was not earning any money has hinted that it may make a return...
• Brighton should consider a car-free city centreI would like to start by congratulating Pedal People - a local charity that provides piloted bike rides for elders living in care - for attaining the MBE Kings award for voluntary service.

EIN News Subscription

• Etihad Rail signs 10 deals, agreements during Global Rail 2024The event saw the signing of 10 MoUs and agreements with international companies specialising in railways, transport, and infrastructure, aiming to shape the future of the transport and infrastructure sector

News from Europe

• Step closer to linking Portugal and Spain by railThe Minister of Infrastructure and Housing, Miguel Pinto Luz, has announced that the government has authorised the expenditure so that CP Comboios de Portugal can be certified to operate in Spain, as part of an internationalisation strategy.
• Transport in Europe: Some signs of progress but difficult journey ahead to sustainabilityThe EU is making progress towards climate neutrality but reductions in greenhouse gas emissions from transport are relatively stagnant. According to a report by the European Environment Agency (EEA), published today, the transport sector's transition towards sustainability is made difficult by the increasing transport demand and sluggish growth in sustainable transport modes for moving both people and freight.