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

Thursday, 05 December 2024

BBC News

• Town sees more people travelling by busBus usage in a town has increased by more than 11.4% in the last year according to newly published government figures.
• M4 Severn bridge roadworks to go on until summerResurfacing on the Prince of Wales Bridge will take more than six months longer than planned.
• Rocket firm shelves plan for Highland spaceportOrbex announces it will instead launch its first rockets from SaxaVord in Shetland.
• Rail fares to rise despite renationalisation plansThree rail operators will be renationalised next year but fares are due to go up as outlined in the Budget.
• What difference will rail nationalisation make?South Western Railways will be the first train company to be nationalised in May 2025.
• TfL contactless refunds return after cyber attackTfL says all online fares services have been reinstated, following a security incident in September.
• Busiest London stations visually mapped by GoogleThe images could help those, like wheelchair users, who need to plan their route through the station.
• Airbus cuts nearly 500 UK jobs to reduce costsIt has made the cuts mostly to its space division and says there are no "compulsory" losses planned.
• Ferry terminal final cost still being calculatedThe final cost of the Isle of Man ferry terminal in Liverpool remains unknown, the Treasury Minister has said.

Department for Transport

• Public ownership: railway passenger services -StatementSouth Western Railway and c2c will be the first to transfer into public ownership when their national rail contracts expire in 2025.

The Guardian

• Rail renationalisation should reduce delays but may not cut fares, says UK ministerHeidi Alexander refuses to confirm cost of setting up Great British Railways but insists it is lower than fees paid to train operators
• Rail renationalisation should reduce delays but may not cut fares, says UK ministerHeidi Alexander refuses to confirm cost of setting up Great British Railways but insists it is lower than fees paid to train operatorsThe renationalising of train companies will not necessarily bring cheaper rail fares but should reduce cancellations and late trains, the UK transport secretary has suggested.South Western Railway is to become the first train operator nationalised under the Labour government, ministers announced on Wednesday. Greater Anglia and C2C will also be brought into public ownership next year. Continue reading...

The Independent

• What's the point of publicly owned railways if train fares don't go down?Labour's manifesto promise to take the railways back into state ownership was superficially popular but, given the industry is already mostly renationalised, commuters won't feel much benefit, says John Rentoul

The Telegraph

• State-owned rail will inevitably be worse [subscription]Renationalisation is a political solution rather than a practical one, and will eventually increase costs and lead to poorer services

Times Online

• Edinburgh's 20mph limit will put bus passengers in slow lane [subscription]The proposed changes would affect 66 roads and add more than a minute to some journeys for public transport operators

Sky News

• What is Labour's rail nationalisation plan and will it make train tickets cheaper?The UK currently has some of the highest rail ticket prices in Europe - something critics have blamed on privatisation. But it isn't clear if potential savings made from nationalisation will be used to subsidise ticket fares.

Bradford Telegraph & Argus

• Rail station upgrade hit by delay and £1m cost rise as pictures show latest progressTHE long-awaited upgrade of a major railway station will not be fully complete by the end of this year as originally planned, it has emerged.

London Evening Standard

• Network Rail tight-lipped on redevelopment plans for London Victoria StationLondon Victoria Station dates back to the Victorian era and is a key link for those heading out to Gatwick Airport

Metro

• Women facing ?epidemic? of abuse on public transport across LondonThe Mayor of London has weighed in on the alarming rate of abuse and violence women and girls face while out and about in the capital.

Wales Online

• Welsh Secretary Jo Stevens on rail investment, Cardiff Parkway and economic growthShe said her new economic advisory group would help shape the narrative of Wales' role in the UK Government's new industrial strategy

Yorkshire Post

• Solving Northern Rail's problems is a 'big priority', the new Transport Secretary saysThe new Transport Secretary has said that solving the problems with Northern Rail is 'a big priority' for her and the department.

Cambridge News

• Police stop 20 cyclists in 60 minutes in crackdown on busy Cambridge roadThe cyclists were issued with tickets

Doncaster Free Press

• Jet2 to explore flights out of Doncaster Sheffield Airport when it re-opensAirline giant Jet2 is seeking talks with Doncaster Sheffield Airport to explore flights when it re-opens.

Other Regional Press

• Transport bosses to look at cost of Western Link bypassTRANSPORT bosses will re-calculate the cost of the proposed Western Link bypass in Warrington after the estimated price ballooned ? as uncertainty remains over whether it will be built.
• Fears more than 80 acres of green space will be lost to latest Bristol Airport expansion planCAMPAIGNERS have voiced their concerns over the potential loss of more than 80 acres of green belt land could be lost to Bristol Airport expansion plans.
• Local rail stations rated as Oxford ranked one of UK’s worstOxford Rail Station has been ranked as one of the busiest and worst in the UK.

Rail Magazine

• Government to take over from train operators at 'average rate of one every three months'Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander has announced that passenger train operations will be transferred to government control at an average of one every three months.

Route One (Bus and Coach)

• What does new Transport Secretary hold for coach and bus?A surprise to many was the pace with which Louise Haigh came, saw, and went as Transport Secretary. While she no doubt now regrets promising during her early days in post to move fast, her fall from grace proves that today?s minister is tomorrow?s anonymous backbencher.
• Minister calls for better bus accessibility on Brighton and Hove visitUnder-Secretary of State for Transport Simon Lightwood has urged bus operators to make further improvements to accessibility of services.

The Business Desk

• Airport unveils multimillion-pound plans for new departure lounge improvementsLiverpool John Lennon Airport (LJLA) has unveiled a multimillion-pound improvement programme for its departure lounges in time for next summer.

Aviation Industry

• What's Next For Cardiff Airport?Cardiff Airport (CWL) has been in the news for a few things recently, from its new cargo service from Urumqi (UMC) to PLAY Airlines introducing flights to Reykjavik (KEF). What further growth do you see happening at the airport?

Other News Sources

• The secret cuts in Shona Robison's budget as rail, bus and courts funding slashedShona Robison was quick to point out a series of record funding deals during her budget, including for the NHS, culture sector and for benefits. However, what she didn't talk about was the series of cuts being made to vital public services as a result of spending decisions made by the SNP.
• Slough MP Tan Dhesi calls to resurrect Western Rail Link to Heathrow projectSlough MP Tan Dhesi is leading calls to resurrect the long-awaited Western Rail Link to Heathrow project.
• Plans for new rural railway station for Herefordshire move forward - quietlyPlans to open a railway station to serve Herefordshire’s Golden Valley are still on track – though few details are being made available.
• South Western Railway set to be first rail operator renationalisedSouth Western Railway is to be the first rail operator to be renationalised by the government

News from Europe

• Portuguese mayors urge Spain to press ahead with high-speed rail worksWhat can't happen is 2040 If we don't start now, we'll finish later and later.