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

Monday, 09 December 2024

BBC News

• Expanded bus network sees 100 new drivers trainedMore than 100 new bus drivers have been trained ahead of the rollout of the final stage of Greater Manchester's Bee Network.
• Calls made to scrap Blackwall and Silvertown tollsA petition containing more than 37,000 signatures calling for proposed tolls on the Blackwall and Silvertown tunnels to be scrapped has been presented at City Hall.
• Trains running again after Storm Darragh disruptionA fallen tree on a railway line which led to journeys being cancelled has now been removed.
• County mayor proposes keeping bus fares at £2A mayor has proposed keeping the £2 bus fare cap. Dr Nik Johnson, who is Labour mayor for Cambridgeshire and Peterborough, has made the suggestion, which will be discussed at a meeting next week.

The Guardian

• Eurostar the worst-performing rail service in Europe, campaigners findFirm disputes Transport and Environment's findings, which also ranked Deutsche Bahn as one of the least reliable

The Telegraph

• Labour transport advisers back Extinction Rebellion and 20mph zones [subscrption]Appointment of 'anti-motorist activists' who want to bring traffic to a halt is a kick in the teeth for drivers, say Tories

Daily Express

• Work begins on giant machines that will build huge new £57bn tunnels under LondonTwo tunnel boring machines (TMBs) named Karen and Madeleine will dig the final stretch of tunnels to bring HS2 into Euston station.
• The crucial £161m station upgrade in pretty UK city that 'can't handle more passengers'A railway station in one of the UK's most famous cities is undergoing a huge £161million upgrade as it cannot cope with any more passengers.
• The incredible new £211m train station in one of the most beautiful UK citiesThe project will also enhance the local railway network, including installing two track loops to accommodate the four-platform station

i News

• HS2 'lite' replacement between Manchester and Birmingham kicked into long grassThe project backed by northern mayors will have to wait until after HS2 is completed

London Evening Standard

• Transport for London confirms when Tube and buses will run over Christmas and new yearMost services are operating normally over the festive period apart from on the bank holidays but TfL advises passengers to check before they travel

Plymouth Herald

• Plymouth's 'safe bus' extended over ChristmasThe service will be available during the evening and late nights in December

Other Regional Press

• Cumbrian MP meets with minister to make case for A66 upgradeCumbrian MP Tim Farron has met with the Roads Minister to make the case for the A66 upgrade to go ahead.
• Ullapool - Stornoway summer 2025 ferry timetable released by CalmacA FERRY operator providing a lifeline service in Wester Ross has published its summer 2025 timetables.
• A&P Falmouth in new five-year agreement with ferry companyA&P FALMOUTH, part of the APCL Group, has entered into a new five-year framework agreement to provide annual ship repair services to Red Funnel, the ferry company which operates services between Southampton and the Isle of Wight.

Construction Index

• Essex footbridge design shortlist revealedBridge designers were invited back in July to produce innovative, sustainable designs for a crossing over the A127, close to the northern end of the Lower Thames Crossing route in Essex.

New Civil Engineer

• Lower Thames Crossing reveals more details about tunnelling plansEngineers on the Lower Thames Crossing (LTC) are expecting to get notice to proceed construction, which will include using with largest diameter tunnel boring machine (TBM) in Europe, in August 2026, according to the project director.

Rail Magazine

• John Prescott obituary: A man passionate about transport who tried to push through big investment promisesAs well as some great achievements, Lord (John) Prescott will be remembered by the transport industry for making profound multi-billion-pound investment promises that were well-intentioned but amounted to very little.

Railway Supply

• Stadler US to Operate Independently as a New DivisionSwiss train manufacturer Stadler announced that Stadler US will become an independent division. This strategic move emphasizes its rapid growth and strengthens its position in the market. This was reported by the railway transport news portal Railway Supply.

Route One (Bus and Coach)

• Jersey trial with LibertyBus for Alexander Dennis Enviro400EVJersey operator LibertyBus is trialling an Alexander Dennis Enviro400EV demonstrator to evaluate the suitability of battery-electric vehicles on route 15 between the island's airport and St Helier.
• Almost four million passengers for First Solent electric fleetA fleet of 62 Wrightbus GB Kite Electroliner battery-electric buses with First Solent have covered over 1.3 million miles and carried almost four million passengers since launch in April, the operator has revealed.

Trafnidiaeth Cymru [Transport for Wales]

• Have your say on A494 River Dee Bridge Replacement SchemeA consultation opens today on a shortlist of options for a replacement of the A494 River Dee Bridge in Flintshire.

Aviation Industry

• Doncaster Sheffield airport reopening updates 'to come in new year'Further updates in the new year on the planned reopening of Doncaster Sheffield airport can be expected in early 2025.

Other News Sources

• Lower Thames Crossing reveals shortlisted designs for low-carbon footbridge contestThe Lower Thames Crossing the UK project to build a new tunnel under the river Thames has unveiled the five designs that have been shortlisted for its low-carbon footbridge contest.
• East Riding Leader Quizes Chancellor on £300m Promised FundingThe leader of East Riding Council has quizzed the Chancellor, Rachel Reeves on £300m of funding that was 'promised' to Hull and East Yorkshire.
• Most and least used train stations in PembrokeshireThe most and least used train stations in Pembrokeshire have been revealed through new data.
• Buses boost for students as Stagecoach announces major fleet expansionWarwick students will soon benefit from a major £140 million project modernising Coventry's bus fleet.
• Two Wiltshire railway stations remain closed after damageBoth Chippenham and Westbury railway stations will remain closed tomorrow (9 December) following damage.
• Fourteen new Uk manufactured trains to drive first rail open access growthHitachi Rail has entered into a contract with FirstGroup plc and Angel Trains Limited to lease 14 new, UK manufactured, five-car Hitachi electric or bi-mode trains.
• Pricey Tickets, Poor Service: Rail Ranking Exposes the Best and Worst in EuropeItalian operator Trenitalia, Swiss operator SBB and Czech company RegioJet come out on top of a new first-of-its-kind ranking of rail operators, while Eurostar ranks last. The findings highlight that overall, rail services in Europe fall short of expectations and that expensive ticket prices don't necessarily translate to higher quality of services. Operators, Member States and the European Commission must improve reliability, affordability and booking experience, green group T&E says.

News from Europe

• Eurostar is Europe's worst-ranked rail operator, Trenitalia the bestEurostar, which links France, Britain, Belgium and the Netherlands, charges prices that are twice the European average, yet fails to deliver better services.