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

Tuesday, 11 February 2025

BBC News

• Final funds agreed for Portishead to Bristol lineConstruction is set to begin in summer to bring back a railway line axed 60 years ago after an agreement was reached with the government over funding.
• Firms owed by Harland and Wolff 'to get 2p in pound'Spanish shipbuilder Navantia bought Harland and Wolff out of administration for £93m.
• Over 100 e-bikes seized to combat pavement blockingThe City of London says it seizes the bikes for 24 hours after complaints by pedestrians.

The Guardian

• On board the maiden sleeper from Brussels to Venice: we got there in the endAffordable couchettes, wonderful scenery and good company make up for the teething problems en routeAt 6.45pm on Wednesday, the Good Night Train trundled out of platform 3 at Brussel-Zuid station. It departed 40 minutes late due to trespassers on the tracks, but the train soon picked up pace, the golden lights of the Belgian capital sweeping through the carriages where groups were stashing skis, families were settling young children and solo travellers stood at the open windows swapping names and stories amid the clamour and confusion on board.

The Independent

• Heathrow records busiest January with 5% rise in passenger numbersMore than 6.3 million passengers travelled through the west London airport's four terminals last month.

Welsh Government

• More than 50% of brand-new trains are running as part of £800m investmentMore than 50% of brand-new trains are now running on the Wales and Border lines with more coming down the tracks this year.

City AM

• City of London seizes dockless e-bikes in Lime and Forest crackdown The City of London Corporation has seized more than a hundred dockless e-bikes as part of a crackdown against operators; Lime and Forest. The Square Mile';s local authority said it had confiscated bikes that were found to have obstructed or caused immediate danger to others, over a two-week enforcement period.

i News

• New tunnel to ease M25 gridlock faces legal threats that could delay project againConservationists are threatening legal action against a number of Labour-backed growth projects to protect England's National Parks and Landscapes

Birmingham Post

• Cornwall Airport's finances under scrutiny after transport hub makes £4.3m profitMPs have branded owner Cornwall Council's behaviour as 'smoke and mirrors' accounting and a 'cover-up culture' as it tries to find a private funding partner
• Virgin Atlantic and IAG lead call for urgent reform at Heathrow amid escalating passenger feesHeathrow has become the world's most expensive airport over the last 15 years and airlines are calling for change - but the airport says it makes 'little sense'
• HS2 launches latest apprenticeship driveHigh-speed rail project marks National Apprenticeship Week with bid to find next generation of project workers

Bradford Telegraph & Argus

• Transpennine Route Upgrade counts more than 346 apprentices since 2019The Transpennine Route Upgrade has surpassed the halfway mark in its quest to recruit 590 apprentices.

Bristol Live

• Row as two new bus stops cost 'more than a flat in Hanham'Councillors were divided over whether the bus stops were a good use of taxpayer money
• £10 million Bristol footpath branded a 'scandalous waste' after delaysThe proposed Harbour Walkway has been dubbed a "fiasco" and a "scandalous waste of money" by Bristol Live readers - and many do not believe the council will learn from its mistakes

Daily Post (North Wales)

• A55 and A470 link plan a 'total waste of money' some readers sayThe path would run from the layby between Glan Conwy and the Black Cat garage before crossing the Conwy Valley rail line and Afon Ganol, meaning it would require two bridges

London Evening Standard

• TfL 'wants to double' number of Elizabeth line trains serving Heathrow airport Terminal 5At present, only two Lizzie line trains an hour arrive at and depart from the biggest of Heathrow's terminals

Newcastle Evening Chronicle

• Calls to reschedule engineering works on East Coast Mainline amid Carabao Cup final clashRail operators say they will work to ensure as many services run as possible

The York Press

• York Central MP Rachael Maskell to host free public transport meetingYork Central MP Rachael Maskell is inviting constituents and operators to a public meeting to discuss transport improvements in the city.

Other Regional Press

• The area east of London 'denied investment for centuries' as Sadiq Khan backs Lower Thames CrossingHe compared the regeneration opportunities the tunnel would bring, to how Stratford's Sadler Wells East theatre has kickstarted the £600m transformation of the Newham neighbourhood
• Calls to extend key bus route to Oxford station and for Templars Square minibusOxfordshire Labour have backed calls to extend a key bus route to go all the way to Oxford station and to introduce new minibuses to and from Templars Square.
• 'It's not too late to change your mind': MP writes to council boss over new Yarm parking chargesStockton West MP Matt Vickers has expressed 'deep concerns' about the negative impact of the charges, £1.50 for three hours, on Yarm businesses

Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport

• TfL launches new safety guidelines to support growing Cargo Bike sectorTransport for London (TfL) has published the new London Safety Standard for Cargo Bikes, delivering on commitments in its Cargo Bike Action Plan (CBAP), published in March 2023.   The paper issued on 6 February, has been developed through engagement with industry stakeholders. It is expected to encourage good conduct and set out safety expectations for the growing cargo bike industry in London. TfL’s Director of Transport Strategy & Policy, Christina Calderato said: “Increased cargo bike usage can bring significant benefits to London, reducing v...

Highways Magazine

• Graham and AECOM combine on £332m Didcot schemeContractor Graham and consultant AECOM have been signed up by Oxfordshire County Council to deliver the second stage of a £332m major highways scheme in Didcot.

New Civil Engineer

• Trump declares California High Speed Rail 'worst managed project' and vows to investigateUS president Donald Trump has said the scheme to build a new high-speed rail line between Los Angeles and San Francisco is the 'worst managed project' and has vowed to investigate what he claims are hundreds of billions of dollars in overruns.

Rail Business Daily

• Railway Industry Association to be Green Signals Programme SupporterThe Railway Industry Association (RIA) has announced that it will be an official Programme Supporter of Green Signals, the widely known and well-respected railway podcast and YouTube video channel.
• Foundations complete for HS2's Old Oak Common high speed stationThe foundations for Britain's newest high-speed railway station have been completed at Old Oak Common in London, marking a significant step forward for the HS2 project.

Railnews

• Monday essay: More open access? It looks like thumbs down Transport groups have a long history, and they are still playing a major part in the industry at the moment. Whether they will still be doing so in Britain in a few years from now is another matter, says Sim Harris.

Railway Gazette

• DB Cargo UK's royal warrant renewed by KingUK: King Charles III has awarded DB Cargo UK a new warrant for the operation and maintenance of the royal train.

Transport Scotland

• A9 Dualling: Tomatin to Moy significant temporary traffic management measuresWork to install significant temporary traffic management measures on the A9 between Tomatin and Moy will commence on Monday 10 March 2025, ahead of major construction works starting.

Aviation Industry

• Heathrow to submit third runway proposal by summerHeathrow has pledged to deliver a scheme for a third runway to government by the summer.

Other News Sources

• Pictures show how 'vital' engineering work should make Guildford to Gatwick rail journeys 'smoother and more reliable'The works have meant the dreaded replacement bus service for rail passengers