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

Saturday, 30 November 2024

BBC News

• Worker shortage 'slowing up Belfast roadworks'Staff vacancies of nearly a third are holding up roadworks, Belfast City Council is told.
• Train derails 'inches from family's garden'An investigation has been launched after a high-speed train derailed in Kent.
• Case made in Westminster for Witney railway lineAn Oxfordshire MP has said a railway line between Oxford, Eynsham, Witney and Carterton could cut journey times by up to 70%.
• Louise Haigh's swift resignation prompts questionsPolitics, with a big majority government, will be much quieter, some said.

ITV News

• Swindon South MP Heidi Alexander appointed Transport Secretary after Louise Haigh resignsHeidi Alexander has been appointed Transport Secretary after the resignation of Louise Haigh over a undisclosed criminal conviction.

Financial Times

• Stockpickers: Airlines fly higher as consumers get the desire for travel again Plus: EasyJet, Jet2 and Halfords — companies analysis from Investors’ Chronicle, our sister publication

The Guardian

• Louise Haigh ‘told to quit by No 10 over possible breach of ministerial code’Sources say UK transport secretary was advised by Keir Starmer’s chief of staff it would be best for her to resign. Louise Haigh was advised to resign by No 10 for a possible breach of the ministerial code, after she did not declare her spent conviction for fraud to the government when she became a cabinet minister. Multiple sources said Morgan McSweeney, Keir Starmer’s chief of staff, delivered the message to the UK transport secretary on Thursday night that it would be best for her to resign.
• The joy of ‘winterrailing’: my off-season rail adventure in France, Germany and SwitzerlandGolden landscapes, cosy cafes and crowd-free sightseeing are just some of the highlights of exploring central Europe by rail in the cooler monthsYou’ve got broadly two options when planning an off-season rail trip in Europe. Hop on a sleeper train and speed as far south as you can in the hope of finding some sunshine, or lean into the oncoming winter.With an October half-term holiday looming, our family decided to embrace the second option, planning a “winterrailing” itinerary that would take us on a nine-day loop through central Europe, stopping off at cities that know a thi...

The Independent

• Heidi Alexander appointed new transport secretary after Louise Haigh resignsOn Friday, Downing Street said Haigh resigned after new information emerged
• Avanti train guards vote in favour of strike actionTrain guards typically work a four-day week but staff shortages mean that rest-day shifts are common

The Telegraph

• 'Ulez architect' Heidi Alexander appointed as new Transport Secretary [subscription]Trade union Aslef welcomes appointment of Swindon South MP after resignation of Louise Haigh
• Rail nationalisation thrown into chaos after Louise Haigh quits [Subscription]Resignation threatens to delay the launch of state-owned Great British Railways

Labour List

• New Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander: Who is the PM's newest cabinet member?... The Swindon South MP was previously an MP for Lewisham and deputy Mayor of London for transport, serving as deputy chair of Transport for London too. But she was only re-elected to Parliament in July, making the promotion a rapid rise to the heart of government.

Bolton News

• The Bee Network transformed into 'festive wonderland' with SantaPassengers across Greater Manchester should be on the lookout for Santa, who will be ditching his traditional red attire for a special yellow outfit.

Bradford Telegraph & Argus

• This is how many bus journeys were taken in West Yorkshire last yearPassengers in West Yorkshire took more bus journeys last year, though the total number remains below pre-pandemic levels, according to latest statistics.
• Phone signal improvement solutions for EV stations put forwardPoor mobile phone signal at public electric vehicle charging stations has been suggested as a factor in need of redress by Marc Dal Cin.

Bristol Live

• FirstBus closes loophole allowing customers to stockpile £2 tickets before price cap riseThe loophole allowed customers to purchase single journey tickets for £2 prior to the price cap rise in the new year

Derby Telegraph

• Leader wants changes as Derby station entrance 'doesn?t do city justice'Councillor Nadine Peatfield says the regeneration plan is crucial for Derby moving forward

Wales Online

• A new transport hub could be built in Neath town centreThe project is named as part of the local authority's corporate plan

Other Regional Press

• Planned rail improvement disruption to train services into CornwallTrain services in and out of Cornwall will stop for five days with replacement buses on all journeys
• Councillors asked to think again on support for East West Rail routeBedford borough councillors have been asked to reconsider their support for East West Rail?s Route E which a resident said will ?have a devastating effect on the environment?.
• Hereward?rail partnership ?Try a Train? trip for GuidesA Guides group has been the latest group to enjoy a day out organised by an initiative which aims to boost young people?s confidence in rail travel. ?
• Cheshire East ?must benefit? from potential new rail proposalsTWO?potential new rail schemes which would directly impact Cheshire East look set to be ?provisionally supported? by the council ? but only if they?re re-worked so Crewe and the wider borough benefits.
• Troublesome youths shouldn't get free bus travel says Fife MSPAn MSP has called for free bus passes to be taken away from young people who cause trouble on public transport.

Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport

• Heidi Alexander appointed new Transport SecretaryIt has been reported that Heidi Alexander has been named the UK's new Transport Secretary following the resignation of Louise Haigh. Alexander, MP for Swindon South since July 2024, previously served as Minister of State for Justice.  She is recognised for her tenure as London's Deputy Mayor for Transport, where she oversaw the launch of the Elizabeth Line and tackled critical funding challenges for Transport for London (TfL). CILT(UK)’s Director of Public Policy and Communications, Daniel Parker-Klein said: "CILT(UK) welcomes Hei...

Rail Advent

• Rail income growing slower than passenger numbers, report findsThe Office of Rail and Road (ORR) has released figures showing that train fare revenue rose more slowly that passenger journey numbers between April 2023 and March 2024, that government funding to the industry is falling, and that train operating companies have nearly doubled their dividend payments to shareholders.
• Rail income growing slower than passenger numbers, report findsThe Office of Rail and Road (ORR) has released figures showing that train fare revenue rose more slowly that passenger journey numbers between April 2023 and March 2024, that government funding to the industry is falling, and that train operating companies have nearly doubled their dividend payments to shareholders.
• Rail income growing slower than passenger numbers, report findsThe Office of Rail and Road (ORR) has released figures showing that train fare revenue rose more slowly that passenger journey numbers between April 2023 and March 2024, that government funding to the industry is falling, and that train operating companies have nearly doubled their dividend payments to shareholders.

Rail Business Daily

• ?1.75bn Midlands Rail Hub plans ?benefit Lichfield?Dave Robertson, MP for Lichfield, has met with representatives from Midlands Connect to discuss how his constituency will benefit from the Midlands Rail Hub.
• ?1.75bn Midlands Rail Hub plans ?benefit Lichfield?Dave Robertson, MP for Lichfield, has met with representatives from Midlands Connect to discuss how his constituency will benefit from the Midlands Rail Hub.

Rail Magazine

• Northern set to reduce Sunday timetable in December after unions reject offerNorthern?is set to introduce a reduced Sunday timetable in the North West after conductors rejected an offer to work on Sundays.
• London site earmarked for rail freight campus which will create up to 5,000 jobsNetwork Rail has received unanimous approval from the London Legacy Development Corporation for a masterplan to transform the 30-acre Bow Goods Yard brownfield site into a rail freight campus and last-mile logistics hub.

Railway Supply

• DB Cargo UK Introduces Innovative ETCS Training Hub in DoncasterDB Cargo UK introduces cutting-edge ETCS training facilities at its Doncaster headquarters, setting a new benchmark for industry excellence.

road.cc

• New Transport Secretary ? and cyclist ? Heidi Alexander backed to put ?cycling front and centre? after shock resignation of Louise Haigh over decade-old phone fraud offenceThe new Secretary of State for Transport, Heidi Alexander, has been backed by cycling campaigners to put riding bikes ?front and centre? of the Labour government?s new integrated transport strategy, in the wake of the shock resignation of Louise Haigh on Friday morning, following reports that she pleaded guilty to a fraud offence over a decade ago.

Route One (Bus and Coach)

• Heidi Alexander named Transport Secretary after Louise Haigh quitsHeidi Alexander has been appointed Secretary of State for Transport following the overnight resignation of Louise Haigh from that role.

Transportxtra

• Co-operative company gets go-ahead to launch West Country rail serviceFourteen years after it first announced plans to operate passenger trains, Go-op Co- operative Ltd has been given permission to introduce services on several West Country lines. The company will first have to fund enhancements at eight level crossings.

Other News Sources

• Heidi Alexander is new UK transport secretaryThe appointment follows the resignation of Louise Haigh over a criminal offense.
• 'There is no consultation about what East West Rail is offering' claims mayor as Bedford faces 'a lot of pain?The subject of East West Rail (EWR) has ?troubled? Bedford Borough Council for ?a very long time?, Bedford?s mayor has said.
• French rail freight chief upbeat on Hexafret?launch, despite strike threatSNCF rail freight chief Fr?d?ric Delorme has sounded an upbeat note on the growth prospects for Hexafret, the new rail freight company borne out of the breakup of Fret SNCF.
• European rail leaders address infrastructure resilience and funding challenges in ViennaEuropean rail leaders gathered in Vienna to address resilience challenges, funding needs and collaboration strategies for creating a sustainable, high-performing rail network across the EU.