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

Thursday, 28 November 2024

BBC News

• Liverpool Street Station plan still unacceptableA new proposal for the redevelopment of Liverpool Street Station does not answer objections raised by the previous plan, a heritage charity has said.
• Car speed limits could be cut but raised for HGVsUnder government plans, the car limit would go from 60mph to 50mph on single carriageways and from 40mph to 50mph for lorries.
• Ford calls for incentives to buy electric cars as backlash growsThe government faces pressure from the industry to make changes to electric vehicle sales quotas.

Department for Transport

• Transport Secretary unveils her vision for integrated transport across EnglandThe Integrated National Transport Strategy will set out a 'people first approach' to getting people around the country.
• Annual bus statistics: year ending March 2024This statistical release presents the latest annual statistics on the local bus sector, which are based on survey data collected from local bus operators. Local bus services use public service vehicles (PSVs) to carry passengers paying separate fares over short distances

The Guardian

• Prosecuting passengers for pocket change? Rail ticketing in Britain has become an absolute farceThe transport secretary, Louise Haigh, is right: innocent people should never feel like criminals for merely buying a ticket
• Constituencies that elected Reform UK candidates blighted by poor roads, report findsAbsence of good transport links now an emblem of areas that feel ‘left behind’ and failed by major parties, report claims. Every constituency that elected a new Reform UK candidate at the general election has experienced long delays to road improvement schemes and resulting congestion, a report has found, in a possible clue to the growing appeal of populist parties.

The Independent

• UK airports warn of higher air fares and fewer routes if business rates soarCurrent business rates at Heathrow equate to £1.40 per passenger

The Telegraph

• Back third runway now or we'll give up, Heathrow tells Starmer [subscription]Airport unable to continue investing without Government support, warns chief executive

Times Online

• TfL suspends Elizabeth Line for a second day after IT failurePassengers told to expect delays as other lines also face disruption due to flooding, fallen leaves and points failures
• British car production slows for eighth consecutive month [subscription]Pressure builds on industry struggling with plans for zero emission future
• Carrier on course as pilot hands over. [subscription]EasyJet chief Johan Lundgren steps down leaving the budget airline in the ascendant again following years of turbulence
• Give drivers more help to switch to electric cars, ministers urge [subscription]The car industry is warning that demand from consumers does not match the government's net-zero targets

Mail Online

• Tube drivers are handed inflation-busting pay hikes - after Sadiq Khan caved in to union barons' demands to stop London Underground strikesThe RMT union hailed a 'substantial victory' after its members were given a 4.6 per cent pay hike with no strings attached such as reform of working practices.

Local Government

• Crewe and Nantwich MP joins others on rail plan and HS2 talksCrewe and Nantwich MP Connor Naismith has met with MPs across Cheshire and Staffordshire to discuss rail development and projects that could benefit the counties.
• Nature above the bus sheltersMicrohabitats are buzzing with life above the heads of passengers in Reading while waiting for their bus.

Birmingham Post

• Easyjet to more than double dividend after profit surgeThe airline, which has its base at Luton Airport, has enjoyed more resilience to troubles thanks to its holiday arm, which recorded a 56 per cent rise in pre-tax profit to £190m in the 12 months
• easyJet expands at Liverpool with 8th aircraft and new European destinations for 'leisure and business travel'Airline will base an additional plane at the airport from next summer
• Ford UK calls for urgent government incentives to boost electric vehicle salesFord UK boss Lisa Brankin has said that the government needs to act fast on its proposed EV sales mandate and that incentives are "urgently" needed to avoid missing net zero targets.
• Wizz Air ad that claimed it is 'one of the greenest' airlines is bannedThe low-cost airline says it is making significant efforts to decarbonise
• Apology from Northern as town's trains labelled 'worst performing' in the UKCOO Matt Rice, admitted the firm had "under-delivered" for passengers across the Liverpool City Region
• Budget airline easyJet to add two new aircraft at Birmingham AirportCarrier has announced latest expansion plans following boost in annual profits
• Nissan's '12-14 months to survive' amid search for investors, reports suggestThe Japanese firm has been facing poor sales and has already announced plans to shed jobs

Daily Post (North Wales)

• Transport secretary Ken Skates talks A55, 20mph and flooded roads North Wales Live quizzes Transport Secretary on region's most pressing issues

Newcastle Evening Chronicle

• Bus mileage 11% below pre-pandemic levels in blow for local authoritiesThe total distance travelled by buses in the year to the end of March was 1.01 billion miles, according to a Department for Transport (DfT) report.

Wales Online

• The 'significant' but not 'overly flashy' bridge that will connect two parts of Cardiff The bridge will be 165m long and link two city parks
• Bristol Airport has been put up for sale by its current ownerThe transport hub is one of five airports the Ontario Teachers' Pension Plan is looking to offload as part of a £10bn mega deal, according to reports
• The major Welsh roads where speed limits could be changed during 20mph reviewA review of 20mph includes Wales' trunk roads
• E-scooters 'are often used for drug runs' in Welsh city, MP saysLabour's Jessica Morden has called for a review of legislation in order to make roads safer

Other Regional Press

• Tap-in, tap-out fares introduced for rail passengers on TfW South Wales MetroRail passengers travelling across the South Wales Metro system, which includes the Rhymney and Ebbw Valley lines, can now use their bank card or mobile to 'tap in and out' to pay for their journey.
• Vote to be held on 'proposed design' for Linthorpe Road cycle lane removal next weekAfter online heated exchanges between Middlesbrough Mayor Chris Cooke and Tees Valley Mayor Ben Houchen, there is potential for progress next week

Train Operators

• Southeastern and Network Rail Alliance celebrate the completion of £2.6 million station improvements programmeThe package of enhancements at over 20 stations across the Southeastern network has restored historic elements and upgraded customer facilities.
• UK Transport Minister inspired by Keolis DijonTo get rid of our traffic jams, Dijon trams cut the mustard | The Sunday Times Louise Haigh, the transport secretary, is looking to France for inspiration as she heads to Leeds to unveil her strategy to get Britain moving

Forbes

• Could French Trams Inspire A British Transport Revolution?Thanks to a transport nerd of a minister, the UK has another shot at trams and it's sensibly looking to France for inspiration ? but transport watchers note we've heard such promises from a Labour government before.

Rail Business Daily

• Scotland?s Railway lands prestigious White Ribbon statusThe commitment of everyone at Scotland?s Railway to tackling gender-based violence has been recognised with the award of the prestigious White Ribbon status.  ?

Rail Magazine

• ORR begins ticket enforcement review as it confirms scope and deadlineThe Office of Rail and Road (ORR) has begun its independent review of how train operators tackle fare evasion.

Railnews

• Heritage branch line could provide link to park and rideThe Government is being asked to pay for a business case setting out plans to use part of a heritage branch line in Somerset for a park and ride service.

Transport Action Network

• Five tests for integrated transportThe announcement of the vision for an Integrated National Transport Strategy on 28 November 2024 marks the first time in decades that England has sought to join up different ways of getting about. This is a welcome move as the last government failed badly in this area1. However, just publishing a vision will not automatically deliver the change needed, so Transport Action Network (TAN) is setting out the following tests to judge whether this strategy could make a real difference, both for people and businesses.

Other News Sources

• New travel routes planned from Sidbury, Sidford, Ottery A consultation to gauge the public's opinion on two proposed walking routes from Sidbury and Sidford and Ottery St Mary and Feniton has been launched.
• Rail operator announces improved Sunday servicesEast Midlands Railway has announced it is to offer ?significantly improved? Sunday Intercity journey times.
• Trains featuring pop anthems and illuminated carriages coming to HampshireA railway line is running special illuminated steam trains featuring pop anthems.
• ‘They’ve let people down badly’ – Nadine Dorries on church abuseWe spoke to former Tory MP and Culture Secretary Nadine Dorries - who has revealed that she was abused by an Anglican vicar when she was a child.
• New train line name evokes mixed feelings in light of the Windrush scandalThe Windrush Line on the Overground system goes through areas where many Black Caribbean immigrants first made their homes in the UK after World War Two.
• Electric car crisis: Government to review rules after backlashThe government has promised to look again at how it plans to phase out petrol and diesel vehicles, following complaints from the motor industry that current proposals are too stringent and too expensive. 
• Slowing down EV transition a ‘recipe for job losses’, says ECIUSTORY 7: EVS DEBATE / TULL - Tom RossColin Walker is head of transport at the Energy and Climate Intelligence Unit.