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

Thursday, 24 October 2024

BBC News

• Campaign hopes to end child exploitation on trainsVulnerable children are at risk and can be exploited when using transport networks, claims a multi-agency group.
• Concern over airport's bid for more night flightsBirmingham airport is seeking permission for more flights to take off and land at night.
• Birmingham Airport back open after evacuationFlights were grounded and passengers told to leave the building as police investigated a suspicious vehicle.
• Ferguson shipyard shortlisted for new small ferries contractThe Port Glasgow yard is among six firms are invited to bid for the contract for seven CalMac vessels.
• Striking Boeing workers reject 35% pay rise offerEarlier, Boeing's boss warned the firm was at a "crossroads" as losses surged to roughly $6bn.

Financial Times

• Tesla’s upbeat earnings and bullish forecast propel shares 12% higherElon Musk’s carmaker predicts ‘slight growth’ in 2024 deliveries despite sluggish start to the year
• Heathrow says resumed dividends ‘probable’ as it raises forecastsAirport’s peak summer season boosted by passengers transiting to Paris for Olympics
• Tokyo Metro is not offering a high-speed rideWith longer-run growth prospects limited, investors should not count on a long-term rally
• Addison Lee to be bought by Singapore-listed group in £269mn dealUK private-hire taxi company is due to undergo its third change of ownership in just over a decade

The Guardian

• Local transport funding at risk as Reeves considers big budget cutsExclusive: England mayors fear bus, tube and tram plans could be scrapped if Treasury reneges on agreed budgets
• Bring in pay-per-mile road pricing across UK, urges Tony Blair’s thinktankRachel Reeves urged to shelve fuel duty plans and overhaul taxes amid expected switch to electric vehiclesA pay-per-mile road pricing system must be brought in now, according to Tony Blair’s thinktank, which is urging the chancellor to overhaul motoring taxes.Rachel Reeves is widely expected to confirm the end of a temporary 5p cut in fuel duty, and possibly announce an inflationary rise in the tax paid on petrol and diesel at the pumps, in her budget next Wednesday.

Times Online

• UK car production down a fifth as makers switch to electric [subscription]September saw a 20.6 per cent decline as manufacturers continue to wind down current models in a shift to zero-emission vehicles
• Heathrow mulls dividend payments as passenger traffic hits record. [subscription]Summer of music and sport puts airport on course for its busiest ever year

The Mirror

• Free bus passes and prescriptions for pensioners won't be scrapped in BudgetChancellor Rachel Reeves is expected to shield the benefits for the elderly in next week's Budget, with Keir Starmer telling reporters that pensioners will be 'properly protected'

Birmingham Mail

• Midlands motorway junction named as UK's worst speeding hotspot - with half of all drivers ignoring speed limitNew data reveals the roads which have the biggest problems with speeding - with three in the West Midlands making the top five

Bolton News

• Roads could see 'thousands of extra vehicles' around expanded industrial estateRoads around a massive industrial estate expansion could see “thousands of extra vehicles” over the coming years, representatives say

Bradford Telegraph & Argus

• Council seeking operator for new Bradford e-bike hire schemeBRADFORD Council is seeking an operator to run a new e-bike hire scheme that is due to begin next year.

Bristol Live

• Bristol Airport launches £400m upgrade to improve passenger experienceNew technology, sustainability, and expanded facilities are set to transform Bristol Airport over the next five years

London Evening Standard

• Decision on Heathrow Airport third runway expected 'within a few months'Heathrow is on course for its busiest ever year as it upgraded its forecast number of passengers for 2024 to a record 83.8 million A decision on whether Heathrow will revive its controversial plans for a third runway will be made ?hopefully in the next few months? the airport?s finance chief said today.
• Heathrow vs Gatwick. The tricky runway choice heading Labour's way in 2025Soaring passenger numbers mean that both Heathrow and Gatwick can make a strong case for a once in a lifetime increase in capacity

Nation. Cymru

• Levy hefty fines for disability access failures on trains, urges Baroness Tanni Grey-ThompsonTrain operators should be slapped with heavy fines for failing disabled passengers, Paralympic champion Baroness Tanni Grey-Thompson has said.

Carlisle News & Star

• Campaign for Border Rail conference to be held in CarlisleThe campaign for Borders Rail is set to hold its annual conference in Carlisle on Saturday, October 26.

Other Regional Press

• Council ?confident? transport network can cope with 4,200 new homesWARRINGTON Borough Council says it is ?confident? that the transport network will be able to accommodate the additional demand generated by thousands of new homes in part of the town.
• Plans for new London Overground station next to HS2 'under consideration'It is hoped that these transfer options will aid passenger flow
• Call to reverse 'stark' cuts to Aberdeen-Inverurie trains as axe sees 1,300 fewer services runningServices from the Granite City to Inverurie have been reduced by almost 1,300 following a timetable rethink, with a drop of nearly 2,000 in passengers following the axing of some services.
• Nuneaton A47 cycle scheme 'paused' as it questions 'community support' for planIt would have seen a link created on the Longshoot

British Trams Online

• West Midlands Metro celebrate more Global Light Rail Awards successThe West Midlands Metro have been celebrating following more recognition at October?s Global Light Rail Awards, held in London. Their recent increases in service frequency and improved reliability led to the judges recognising their efforts with commendations.

Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport

• CILT(UK) react to the government’s new plans for quicker, quieter and cleaner flightsFollowing the government’s announcement of new plans to modernise UK airspace, including a consultation on the proposal to establish a UK Airspace Design Service, Paul Le Blond, Chair of the Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport UK's (CILT(UK)) Aviation Policy Group, has shared his views on the initiative. Paul Le Blond, CILT(UK) Aviation Policy Group Chair said: “The consultation and proposals to establish a UK Airspace Design Service is a welcome step forward as we explore simpler, more effective ways to accommodate sustainable growth i...
• ComfortDelGro acquires Addison Lee in £269 million dealMultinational transport group ComfortDelGro Corporation Limited has announced that its wholly-owned subsidiary CityFleet Networks is acquiring Addison Lee, London's premium private hire, courier and black taxi provider, for £269.1 million. ComfortDelGro said this acquisition serves as a catalyst for the company's expansion into an attractive premium mobility segment. The multinational transport group hopes this will strengthen its overall point-to-point proposition in the UK and globally. Upon completion, 7,500 drivers and 5,000 vehicles from Addison Lee's ...

Railway Gazette

• MTR launches scholarship programme for students interested in rail careersCHINA: To celebrate 45 years of metro services in Hong Kong, MTR Corp is offering 45 scholarships for local students who are interested in pursuing a career in the railway sector.

The Business Desk

• Government urged to power up 4,300 jobs with Midland Mainline electrificationRegional leaders, MPs and the biggest business organisation in the East Midlands have joined forces to urge government to power up plans to electrify more sections of the Midland Mainline railway.

Aviation Industry

• Heathrow Airport Needs Urgent and Strategic Regulatory Reforms to Optimize Investment OpportunitiesHeathrow Airport is a fundamental part of the UK?s aviation landscape, underscoring the urgent need for an Autumn Budget that can fully unlock its potential. With coordinated government policies, Heathrow can play a significant role in advancing the nation?s growth ambitions, supporting hundreds of thousands of jobs and facilitating ?186 billion in trade through exports. Continued investment in British Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) via a revenue certainty mechanism, along with essential regulatory reforms, will foster necessary investment while keeping passenger interests at the forefront. These efforts are critical for achieving the government?s objectives of economic growth and positioning the UK as a leader in clean energy.
• Heathrow urges Autumn Budget to set aviation up for successLondon?s Heathrow Airport (LHR) has called on the labour government to consider the aviation industry ahead of next week?s Autumn Budget.

Other News Sources

• £106,500 of grants awarded to support community transport in OxfordshireNine organisations are to share £106,530 to help them continue to provide community transport in Oxfordshire.