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

Saturday, 15 February 2025

BBC News

• The steam train that could power the futureThe locomotive could help move the railway industry away from fossil fuels, those behind it say.
• Network Rail fined £4m after workers killed by trainA judge found safety improvements were not good enough before two rail workers died at Port Talbot.
• Roadworks to close lanes on M62 over two daysNational Highways says the work will target a bumpy stretch of the motorway near Manchester.
• Change Heathrow funding or third runway won't happen - businessesBusinesses want a review of the regulations that govern what Heathrow Airport can charge.
• Avanti West Coast strikes suspended for talksMembers of the Rail, Maritime and Transport union planned to walk out on the next three Sundays.
• Why don't Europeans buy more American cars?Trump wants US vehicles to be more popular in Europe, but it's a difficult market for them to crack.

The Guardian

• Network Rail fined £3.75m for health and safety breaches that led to death of track workersGareth Delbridge and Michael ‘Spike’ Lewis died after being hit by a train near Port Talbot in July 2019Network Rail has been fined £3.75m for health and safety breaches that led to the death of two track workers in south Wales in 2019.The workers were killed when struck by a train after starting an “unnecessary maintenance activity” on the south Wales mainline while it was still being used, with no lookouts posted to warn them. Continue reading...

The Herald

• Motorists warned of lengthy delays on M8 with major roadworks to beginDrivers travelling between Scotland?s two biggest cities are being warned to expect lengthy delays due to a series of works planned for the M8 motorway in March and April.

The Independent

• Helicopter crew in collision with plane may not have heard key instruction from tower, NTSB saysInvestigators say the crew of the helicopter that collided midair with an American Airlines jet near Washington D

City AM

• Office cycle bays risk being spectacular 'eco-own goal' A property group has warned that London's cycling policy is actually harming the environment, with too many cycle bays and not enough cyclists to fill them. The City Property Association (CPA) has calculated that under the current London Plan, the City of London’s target to deliver 1.2 million sqm of new office space by 2040 [...]

Daily Express

• Network Rail workers die after being hit by train as massive £3.5milllion fine issuedTwo Network Rail workers were carrying out 'unnecessary' maintenance on the track when they were struck by a passenger service in July 2019

Daily Record

• British Airways flight forced to make emergency landing in Scotland after pilot issues alertThe passenger plane - which was travelling from Reykjavik in Iceland to London Heathrow - had to stop in Inverness on Friday afternoon.

Mail Online

• Sydney Airport in chaos as flights are cancelled and hundreds of passengers are left stranded - after ONE staff member called in sickAn unexpected staff shortage has resulted in the cancellation of more than 50 flights at Australia's busiest airport.

The Mirror

• Two Network Rail workers killed on tracks doing 'unnecessary' work as £3.75million fine issuedGareth Delbridge, 64, and Michael 'Spike' Lewis, 58, were carrying out maintenance on the track when they were struck by a passenger train

This is Money

• EVs 50% cheaper to run than a petrol car... but with a higher upfront cost, here's how many years you'll need to drive it to break evenAndersen EV found that the overall cost of an EV can be as little as £1,154 per annum but it'll cost £2,316 to run an equivalent petrol car.

Birmingham Post

• Nissan's Sunderland plant not identified in global restructuring plans The Japanese car maker is planning to shut three plants, with Thailand the only named location so far

Bradford Telegraph & Argus

• Start date announced for £7.8 million scheme to improve travel in SkiptonA start date has been announced for a £7.8 million scheme to improve travel in Skipton.

Daily Post (North Wales)

• New Gwynedd train route scheme 'lacks ambition' and would stifle entire regionCampaigners have been left disappointed by preferred options for a railway linking Bangor with the Cambrian line

Manchester Evening News

• MP set to meet Andy Burnham over 'unacceptable' school bus servicesTransport bosses under fire over 'issues'

Newcastle Evening Chronicle

• easyJet passengers warned over two 'hidden' rules costing them £45easyJetpassengers are being warned over two rules which are costing them £45 as the big summer getaway approaches - with the budget airline used by dozens of holidaymakers
• Drivers warned thousands of cars set for DVSA 'recall' causing MOT chaosMore than five million cars could be affected as franchise dealers lose contact with their customers and those failing to respond to initial recall notices, it has been warned

Wales Online

• Network Rail fined £3.75m after 'systematic' failings led to two workers' deaths on tracks at Port TalbotGareth Delbridge and Michael "Spike" Lewis were hit by a train and killed as they worked on the railway tracks near Port Talbot in July 2019
• Council's £1.4m funding pot for contentious cycle path will be reallocatedThe scheme is still not being ruled out completely

Bucks Free Press

• MP meets railway company director to discuss local concernsAn MP has met with the managing director of a railway company to discuss residents' concerns

Cambridge News

• New A10 bridge deemed 'total waste of money' as work starts this monthThe bridge is designed to connect the new homes at the former barracks to Cambridge Science Park, Cambridge Regional College and on to the city.
• £6.5m boost for Cambridgeshire's walking, cycling and wheeling routes 'This investment is fantastic news for those who walk, wheel or cycle'

Other Regional Press

• 'At least' 500 rail industry jobs set to be created with launch of new training centreHundreds of new jobs are set to be created with the launch of a specialist infrastructure and rail training centre this week.
• Delays expected as new speed limits introduced on one of South West's busiest roadsDelays and closures expected as new speed restrictions are introduced on one of the South West's busiest roads.
• Passengers will no longer need to unpack at Southampton Airport securityPassengers at Southampton Airport will soon be able to walk through security without unpacking their electronics, as new scanners are introduced
• Controversial plans to axe free parking will go aheadControversial measures to scrap free car parking in Southampton suburbs will go ahead after council leaders were quizzed over the plans.
• Plans revealed for new electric vehicle charging stationA new drive-through electric vehicle charging station could be coming to a major Oxfordshire road.
• Full steam ahead as green light given for trains on new routeNetwork Rail signallers are ready to welcome trains on the new East West Rail route between Oxford and Milton Keynes.
• Fears Hebden Bridge parking changes will 'wreak havoc on people’s lives'But the council says it'll will make things better
• Hollywood actor praises railway crossing u-turnHollywood actor Edward Fox has welcomed Dorset Council's decision to drop its support for plans to shut a level crossing at Wareham railway station
• Second phase of major junction works under wayThe second phase of major works to improve the layout of a busy junction are under way, with temporary traffic lights installed in the area
• Birmingham Airport issues advice to anyone travelling for 'busiest' half termThe airport is preparing for its busiest February half-term on record with a 20% increase in passenger numbers compared to a similar period last year

New Civil Engineer

• Liverpool to Manchester rail plan isn't just about building a railway, says board memberA partner member of the Liverpool-Manchester Railway Board has said how the plans to connect the two north west cities are not just about building a railway.

Railnews

• RMT suspends Avanti strikes but Elizabeth Line drivers plan walkouts Talks between the RMT and Avanti West Coast over the terms of rest day working have reached an ‘intensive’ stage. according to the union, which has called off walkouts by train managers which had been planned for the next three Sundays. However, ASLEF has announced strikes by its members on the Elizabeth Line in London after 95 per cent voted in favour on a turnout of 88 per cent.

Other News Sources

• Drivers warned having a dog in your car could result in £5,000 finesBeing in breach of this can see drivers facing on the spot fines of up to £1,000, a maximum fine of £5,000, nine points on their licence and even a driving ban

EIN News Subscription

• ‘I’m a Labour Councillor and This Is Why My Party Should Ground Heathrow Plans and Rejoin the EU Instead’Britain’s relationship with the EU. The Case Against Heathrow to Heathrow, however, is air pollution. Exposure to ultrafine particles research last year from the Transport & Environment group. The s clear that leaving the European Union has been a