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

Wednesday, 23 August 2017

BBC News

• Electrification means UK ministers cannot be trusted, says JonesThe UK government cannot be trusted on Brexit after it cancelled a planned upgrade of the railways for Swansea, First Minister Carwyn Jones has said.
• China relaunches world's fastest trainThe high-speed trains will be able to run at speeds of 350km/h following safety checks on rail lines.
• North should 'take control' of transport, says GraylingTransport Secretary Chris Grayling says the north of England must design and manage its transport.
• Labour MP says 'merit' in women-only train carriagesShadow minister Chris Williamson calls for consultation two years after Jeremy Corbyn drops policy.
• HS3 rail for northern England 'will happen', says MPPowerhouse minister Jake Berry says the government is committed to improving transport links.
• London Euston HS2 exhumation plan prompts memorial serviceUp to 60,000 people are buried in St James' Gardens, which is close to London Euston station.

The Guardian

• ‘Tory’ is a swearword in the north. Is George Osborne a strange exception?I wasn’t sure about his northern powerhouse. But the former MP for Tatton is right to tell Theresa May that improving transport links is vital
• Why England’s north is still waiting for its powerhousewill start with a confession: I was the chief secretary to the Treasury who brought together the funding package for London’s £15bn Crossrail 1 project.

The Herald

• Osborne urges May to press ahead with Liverpool to Hull HS3 rail line to boost GEORGE Osborne has called on Theresa May, as she “relaunches her premiershipâ€� this autumn, to commit to building a high-speed rail link, dubbed HS3, across the north of England to unlock its economic potential.

The Telegraph

• China to relaunch world’s fastest bullet train after deadly 2011 crash
• Women-only train carriages could offer a 'safe space' on public transport, Labour politician says 

Network Rail

• New images of extended Waverley platforms releasedNetwork Rail has today released new images showing how Edinburgh Waverley’s extended platforms will look once complete.

Sky News

• Northern leaders demand fair deal from Government on transportAs political and business leaders prepare to gather, one says the summit shows the patience of people in the North has "run out".

London Evening Standard

• Women-only train carriages could be used to tackle sexual assaults, male MP saysChris Williamson said it would be “worth consulting” on the policy after figures revealed such crimes doubled in the last five years.
• Euston closure: no trains in or out of rail terminal over Bank Holiday weekend due to HS2 engineering worksAll trains to and from Euston station are to be halted during the Bank Holiday weekend due to engineering works for HS2.

Manchester Evening News

• Transport secretary complains to mayor Andy Burnham about northern leaders summit 'snub'The government complains that it wasn't asked to attend meeting on northern investment plans

The Press and Journal (Aberdeen)

• Women-only train carriages could curb sex attacks – MPWomen-only train carriages should be considered to combat increasing sexual violence on public transport, a Labour frontbencher has said.

Other Regional Press

• Welsh MPs band together to call for more cash for railTHE UK government has "neglected" south Wales' rail system, a group of Welsh MPs have claimed.
• Study to see if reopening disused railway line is feasibleThe Newton Abbot to Heathfield Railway Revival Group wants to reopen the line between Newton Abbot and Heathfield
• Initial findings into Ely freight train derailment to be releasedThe Rail Accident Investigation Branch launched an inquiry into the derailment of a 33-wagon freight train near Ely last week

politics.co.uk

• Labour MPs attack shadow minister over female-only train carriages ideaLabour MPs have hit out at shadow minister Chris Williamson after he said women-only train carriages may be needed to tackle a rise in sex attacks.

Rail Magazine

• First GWR High Speed Train off-lease this monthGWR sends first ScotRail-bound HST off-lease at the end of August.
• PICTURE: UK's fleet grows at Newton AycliffeAlmost 7,000 new vehicles on order for UK market

Rail Technology Magazine

• Easing the capital's cramped carriages We’ve all been there – you’re standing on the platform on the way to work, hoping to board the next train that pulls up, before seeing the crowd of packed passengers in front of you, crammed into the carriage like sardines. It’s a problem found all over Britain’s...
• Osborne: Ministers must ensure HS2 redesigns include HS3 plans Former chancellor George Osborne along with lobby groups representing the interests of business leaders in the north have today joined the call for investment in HS3, also known as Northern Powerhouse Rail (NPR). Osborne, along with the Northern Powerhouse Partnership, which he is chair of, has...

Railnews

• Former Chancellor George Osborne ignites high speed row Former Chancellor George Osborne has triggered a new controversy by urging the government to build a high speed line across the Pennines between Manchester and Leeds, which has often been dubbed ˜HS3™.

The Business Desk

• Business and political leaders lobby for ‘fair transport deal’ for the NorthDemands for the Government to deliver a “fair deal” on transport for the north of England will be be made in Leeds today by political and business leaders.

Other News Sources

• ScotRail is the best performing large train operator in the UKThe new figures reveal that the ScotRail Alliance’s moving annual average (MAA) - the average performance for the year to 19 August 2017 – is at 90.9 per cent. This is ahead of the performance improvement plan target of 90.5 per cent, and ahead of the other large operators in the UK.
• Balfour Beatty wins Bristol-Cardiff rail electrificationThe contract award follows a four-month collaboration with Network Rail on an early contractor involvement (ECI) basis to agree scope, programme and cost (which has yet to be disclosed).