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

Saturday, 08 February 2025

BBC News

• Rail lines reopen after car plunges onto tracksDisruption is still expected until the end of Friday as trains and crews have been displaced
• Miliband refuses to say whether he personally backs HeathrowChancellor Rachel Reeves has announced the Labour government will support airport expansion plans.
• Cheaper China e-bikes 'kick in teeth' for UK firmsBritish makers of e-bikes are worried after the government scraps tariffs on Chinese e-bikes .

Financial Times

• Ministers oppose Virgin and FirstGroup bids to open new rail servicesDfT has ‘significant’ concerns over applications by private operators to compete with nationalised network
• Ackman takes $2.3bn stake in UberRide-hailing group is ‘one of the best managed and highest quality businesses in the world’, activist investor says

The Guardian

• Trains restart after suspected drink-driver crashes on to tracks in SalfordNational Rail says incident will continue to cause major disruption to services between Manchester and LiverpoolRail lines between Manchester and Liverpool have reopened after a car driven on to train tracks by a suspected drunk-driver was cleared.Major disruption is still expected until the end of Friday because trains and crews have been displaced. Services operated by Northern, TransPennine Express and Transport for Wales are affected. Continue reading...
• UK rail passengers face ‘significant’ disruption as weekend strike goes aheadThe strikes, which were called in a dispute over rest-day working, will affect Avanti West Coast servicesPassengers will face “significant” disruption on busy rail routes this weekend as train managers stage another strike in a dispute over rest day working.Members of the Rail, Maritime and Transport union (RMT) at Avanti West Coast are due to strike on Sunday. In addition to strike delays, vital engineering work will stop trains in their tracks between Rugby and Stafford via Nuneaton on Saturday and Sunday, leading to some Avanti services being diverted, resulting in longer journe...

The Independent

• Ed Miliband U-turns on Heathrow expansion after previous oppositionEnergy secretary insists expansion can be compatible with government's net zero commitments

The Scotsman

• Alex Salmond was dead right about HS2 rail link: Why UK struggles to build infrastructureA bloated planning system, a London-centric approach, and frivolous political stories about cats all help turn major infrastructure projects like a third runway at Heathrow and the HS2 high-speed rail link into decades-long endeavours that struggle to get going

The Telegraph

• Richard Branson locked out of railways in battle to secure state control [subscription]Department of Transport opposes Virgin Trains on basis it would take revenue from government

Network Rail

• Cutting edge signalling system ready to run trains on new East West Rail infrastructureNetwork Rail signallers are poised to welcome trains on the new East West Rail route between Oxford and Milton Keynes using some of the latest technology to help make rail journeys reliable.

Sky News

• Ed Miliband declines to criticise Heathrow expansion after opposing plans for third runway for yearsMr Miliband had previously threatened to resign over the proposals to build a third runway at the airport in 2009 and voted against the expansion in 2018.

Birmingham Post

• Work to start on Merry Hill tram extensionLatest section of metro network will run from Dudley town centre to famous shopping centre in Brierley Hill
• Shortlist revealed for £269m HS2 contractTwo companies are vying to win major tender to supply new people mover at Interchange station

Daily Post (North Wales)

• Welsh rail line closure for £15m track work, bridge renewal and embankment projectA major investment will see a rail line close over a number of weeks. Passengers are being urged to check before they travel on the Cambrian line from mid-March to early April.

Northern Echo

• Six weekends of major rail works to kick off in North EastPassengers are being warned to expect disruption as major updates at the town's station get underway, meaning the line is closed in both directions for six consecutive weekends.

Bucks Free Press

• Labour tries to take credit for new 1.1-mile road being delivered by Bucks CouncilLabour has tried to take credit for a new 1.1-mile dual carriageway being delivered by Conservative-led Bucks Council.

Other Regional Press

• New Shrewsbury-to-London rail service given a 'boost' - here's when services could beginA new rail service connecting Shrewsbury to the capital has received the backing of the Department for Transport, an MP has said.
• Grimsby compared to Italy as MPs discuss Cleethorpes to London rail linkItaly and Austria were given as examples of places where the benefits of commercial rail operators could be clearly seen

Bloomberg

• Why London Heathrow's Third Runway Is So ControversialA third runway at London Heathrow Airport is an idea that's been kicking around since the 1980s. But it remains elusive, having divided politicians in the UK for decades.

Airportwatch

• Miliband told to get on board with Heathrow expansion [subscription]Rachel Reeves has told Ed Miliband she is prepared to move 'further and faster' to promote growth with projects like a third runway at Heathrow.

Highways Magazine

• Lower Thames Crossing: National Highways given deadline for updated funding statementNational Highways has to provide a revised funding statement for the £9bn Lower Thames Crossing by 27 February, following the chancellor's announcement that the Government is exploring private finance options.

New Civil Engineer

• Graham and Aecom appointed for £332M Didcot infrastructure schemeOxfordshire County Council has confirmed contracts with Graham Construction and Aecom for the second stage of the Didcot and surrounding areas major infrastructure scheme.

Rail Technology Magazine

• Spades in the ground on £295 million West Midlands Metro extensionTransport Secretary Heidi Alexander recently visited the West Midlands to kick off the extension of the West Midlands Metro tram network in the Black Country. This project, funded by the Government's £1.05bn City Region Sustainable Transport Settlement, aims to significantly enhance connections for communities that have been underserved.

Rail UK

• Work begins on second phase of the Black Country Metro extensionWork to extend the West Midlands Metro further into the Black Country, linking even more communities to rapid and reliable tram services, is set to begin within weeks following confirmation of Government funding.

Railway Gazette

• Wabtec plans closure of Doncaster siteUK: Wabtec has announced plans to close its Doncaster site and withdraw from the UK rolling stock maintenance market, with up to 300 jobs at risk.

Railway Supply

• New Shrewsbury-to-London Rail Service Approved: Launch Expected SoonThe New Shrewsbury-to-London rail service has received government backing, marking a significant milestone. If approved, operations could commence this spring, enhancing regional connectivity and economic growth. This was reported by the railway transport news portal Railway Supply.

Other News Sources

• Heathrow third runway fails to get backing from Ed Miliband who says decision on it 'some years off'A bigger Heathrow is enthusiastically supported by Chancellor Rachel Reeves