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

Tuesday, 01 August 2017

ITV News

• Wheelchair user was 'left on the train for 20 minutes': has accessibility on trains improved?There has been an increase in the number of people with disabilities who are choosing to use the rail network to get around. There has also been an improvement in the accessibility of rail services and train stations.

The Guardian

• UK trains are more overcrowded than ever before, says LabourAnalysis shows worst routes carry double their capacity and party says situation is ‘national disgrace’ that is set to get worseBritain’s trains are the most overcrowded since records began, with the worst routes carrying double their passenger capacity, according to analysis by the Labour party.Andy McDonald, the shadow transport secretary, said overcrowding on railways was a “national disgraceâ€�, with the top 10 most packed train lines on average carrying 190% of their capacity – an increase of almost a third since 2011. Continue reading...

The Independent

• Train overcrowding is at its worst since figures first collected, warns LabourTrain overcrowding is at its worst since figures were first collected and is a “national disgrace”, Labour warns today.

City AM

• Remember, growth in the regions does not come at the expense of the capitalRather than go to an emerging market outside of Europe, to the likes of Asia or Latin America, this visit took me a little closer to home. –– ADVERTISEMENT –– Home being the operative word here, as I returned to my northern roots and paid visits to the Isle of Man, my hometown of Blackpool, my birthplace of Manchester, as well as Liverpool, Leeds, and Sheffield.

Belfast Telegraph

• Businesses asked to drive efforts into new railway investment projectsPrivate companies are being encouraged to bid to deliver railway investment projects following a series of reforms.

Birmingham Mail

• Don't take a tumble, take a lift - Network Rail's warning for holidaymakersHeavy luggage? Network Rail's new video will remind you to stay safe in stations and take the lift

London Evening Standard

• Residents support Bakerloo line extension from Elephant & Castle to LewishamThe extension of the Bakerloo line into south-east London received a boost today after two-thirds of local residents and businesses backed the scheme.

Wales Online

• A futuristic looking new train arrived in Swansea station for the first time todayHitachi's new Intercity Express is said to be inspired by the bullet trains of Japan and will start serving passengers in South Wales this autumn

Wolverhampton Express and Star

• New college launches high speed rail certificate The UK’s first certificate of Higher Education in High Speed Rail and Infrastructure has been launched by the National College for High Speed Rail – due to open in Birmingham in September.

Yorkshire Post

• UntitledAs soon as I read Chris Grayling’s article in The Yorkshire Post, I knew I had to invite him out with me for a day on Yorkshire’s railways. Come on up Chris, and think of it as a typical day in the life for me and anyone else here in Yorkshire who depend on the trains every day.

Other Regional Press

• East West Rail given boost after Network Rail encourages third party investmentTHE proposed rail line between Oxford and Cambridge has been given a boost after Network Rail made it easier for third parties business to invest in the project.
• Work taking place on strategy for Mid Cheshire Rail LinkA STRATEGY for the proposed Mid Cheshire Rail Link is expected by the end of summer. A campaigner confirmed that Cheshire East Council, Cheshire West and Chester Council and the Local Enterprise Partnership have taken the project on board and are working on plans for a rail-strategy.
• Tatton MP secures meeting to look at improving transport links in the areaTATTON MP Esther McVey has secured a meeting with the Government and the Mid Cheshire Rail Users Group to look at improving transport links in the area.

Rail Technology Magazine

• Level crossings: why are people still running the risk? Level crossings represent one of the rail sector’s biggest safety concerns. Why, despite the numerous warnings and, tragically, deaths, are people still running the risk?
• Is the end near for Europe’s passenger night trains? Night train services have seen dramatic cutbacks in recent years, and many fear that a lack of investment, dwindling passenger numbers and competition from other travel sectors could spell the end for them entirely. European Parliament recently publi…
• Public back latest proposed plans for Bakerloo Line extensionPlans to extend the Bakerloo Line have been largely backed by the public, who have also suggested some changes to the proposed works. A public consultation into TfL’s proposed works held earlier this year revealed that two-thirds of the 4,800 responses supported the extension. It follows...
• NR routes to publish 'pipeline' of third party opportunities by year endA number of major reforms, including the publication of a ‘pipeline’ of opportunities for third parties by Network Rail’s routes by the end of the year, have been announced to enable companies in the private sector to be more directly involved in major infrastructure...
• Hansford: Contestability offers chance to unlock capacity and improve quality on networkThe review of contestability undertaken by Professor Peter Hansford has today been released, concluding that a contestable market has few barriers to entry, and can lead to greater innovation and better value and delivery for customers.

Railway Gazette

• TGV resurgence in SNCF first half resultsFRANCE: The SNCF group reported a €119m net profit in the first six months of 2017, driven by...
• Network Rail announces ‘sweeping’ reform to attract private sector participationUK: Infrastructure manager Network Rail announced ‘sweeping new reforms’ on July 31 which are...

Other News Sources

• Network Rail renews legal panel and support contracts until 2019Network Rail has taken the option to renew its legal panel for a further two years which see the five firms continue to work with the company until 2019.
• Rail improvements key to unlocking region's economic potentialImproving Wrexham and Flintshire’s rail infrastructure is key to unlocking north Wales’ huge economic potential.
• Tory rail privatisation plans slammed by TSSA boss as a risk to passenger safetyThe Tories obsession with “flogging off Britain’s national assets is breathtaking”, the general secretary of TSSA has said upon the publication of the Hansford report