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

Saturday, 18 January 2025

BBC News

• Harland & Wolff in administration as part of rescue dealThe shipyards will enter administration and the company's new owner will not inherit legacy debts.
• Decision to cut road safety GCSE reversedGrants to schools to teach a GCSE in Motor Vehicle and Road User Studies were axed in 2023.

Financial Times

• UK to raise price of travel permits for EU visitors by 60%Increase aims to reduce reliance of migration and borders system on taxpayer funding, says Home Office
• Virgin Atlantic targets BA frequent flyers after loyalty scheme changesAirline angered many customers after announcing controversial shake-up to its executive club points system

The Guardian

• UK’s 20mph speed limits ‘are cutting car insurance costs’Controversial safety policy has helped drive down premiums to 18-month low, says Confused.comThey have proved hugely controversial, but 20mph speed limits appear to be making car insurance cheaper.This week a leading price comparison website reported the biggest annual drop in UK car insurance prices in more than 10 years, with the average cost of cover falling by £161 – or 16% – in the past 12 months.
• Dozens of UK transport police stations may close despite rise in assaultsBritish Transport Police say hiring freeze and £8.5m shortfall in funding will lead to a ‘reduced presence’. Dozens of British Transport Police (BTP) stations across Britain face possible closure, leaving fewer officers protecting the railway at a time when assaults on passengers have reached record levels.BTP officials have imposed a hiring freeze and warned that some bases will have to close, signalling possible job losses after failing to secure enough funding to meet current commitments.

Times Online

• Digital driving licence to be available on phones this year [subscription]ID on the government app will be accepted as proof of identity for voting, boarding domestic flights and buying alcohol

City AM

• British airline pilots body win landmark appeal against Ryanair The British Airline Pilots Association has achieved a win in the Court of Appeal today over over illegal blacklisting practices at Ryanair

Daily Express

• The 'world's most dangerous airlines' the banned from flying to the UKCurrently, 138 airlines are banned from entering the UK.

Local Government

• PCC joins MP to meet Transport Secretary to discuss street racing scourge and road safetyTougher punishment for reckless street racers causing misery to people's lives and retaining locally issued fixed penalty notice driving fines in the West Midlands, to be invested in improving road safety measures were just two items discussed, as the Police and Crime Commissioner joined MP Sarah Coombes to welcome Transport Secretary, Heidi Alexander, to West Bromwich this week.

Birmingham Post

• Devon electric vehicle battery firm agrees lithium dealAltilium recently opened a recycling facility in Plymouth to recover lithium and other battery metals

Bolton News

• Bolton railway station 'worst' out of UK's busiest in category amid pay deal disputeA rail operator says the failure for a pay deal to be agreed has contributed to Bolton railway station being named the "worst" in the country for punctuality, out of the 500 busiest

Bradford Telegraph & Argus

• Leeds Bradford Airport regeneration 'on track' as figures sharedThe first phase of a £100 million terminal regeneration project at Leeds Bradford Airport is said to be "on track" for completion.

Yorkshire Post

• Why we should not get too hung up on bus regulation in Yorkshire - Graham VidlerThere is no better way to see Yorkshire than from the top deck of a bus. Whether it's a scenic journey through the Dales, a high-frequency route through Sheffield city centre or an open-top jaunt in Scarborough, the bus is our most democratic, accessible and affordable way to travel.

East Anglian Daily Times

• Stansted Airport set to implement new vehicle systemLondon Stansted is set to implement a barrier-free vehicle system for its Express Set Down (ESD) area.

Oxford Mail

• https://www.herald.wales/north-wales/flintshire/flintshire-council-urged-to-focus-on-public-transport-and-air-quality-in-climate-strategy/The county's transport chief has slammed a railway company over the closure of Botley Road as the authority distances itself from the repeated delays.

Other Regional Press

• Teesside Airport: Jet2.com signs deal to check Boeing 737sWillis Aviation Services Limited (WASL) has entered a long-term agreement with leading leisure airline Jet2.com to carry out 'in-depth C-Checks on 737s' at its Teesside base.
• Keighley MP to meet Transport Secretary for rail route talksKEIGHLEY MP Robbie Moore is stepping up his support of a campaign to reopen a railway line.
• Flintshire Council urged to focus on public transport and air quality in climate strategyIMPROVED public transport and air quality should be Flintshire County Council's key climate change priorities according to residents.
• New parking rules affecting millions of drivers introduced in FebruaryA grace period of five minutes for road users to pay for parking could be extended under new rules set to be introduced by February 2025

New Civil Engineer

• Mayor of London pressed to campaign against Heathrow Airport expansionA Green Party London Assembly member (AM) has accused the mayor of London of going back on a campaign promise to block the expansion of Heathrow as he will not pressure the government to suspend the Airports National Policy Statement (ANPS).

Transport Network

• Campaign groups call for strict new rules on LTNsFifteen campaign groups have joined forces for the first time to call for strict new rules for councils seeking to introduce low traffic neighbourhoods (LTNs).

Aviation Industry

• Heathrow: Swissport to take over ground handling for Lufthansa Group from 2025From April 2025, Swissport will take over full ground handling for the Lufthansa Group airlines at London Heathrow International Airport

Other News Sources

• Swindon town centre bus interchange to have 20,000 plantsThe £33 million redevelopment of Swindon's town centre bus interchange includes plans to plant 20,000 shrubs.
• Deaths and serious injuries by type of road userRoad accidents are a major source of preventable death, serious injury and psychological trauma. Personal safety concerns can also force people to avoid certain areas that are perceived as dangerous, or can prevent them from using certain modes of transport altogether.