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

Thursday, 06 September 2018

BBC News

• PM says Borders Railway extension promises 'great benefits'The "great benefits" of extending the Borders Railway have been recognised by the prime minister.
• Unions fight London Overground 'ticket office closures'Arriva Rail London says it is reviewing its ticket offices due to 'new technology'.

The Guardian

• Hong Kong cedes part of rail station to China in secretive ceremonyAbout 1m sq ft of West Kowloon terminus will be controlled by mainland China

Times Online

• Getting Britain’s railways on the right track [Subscription]Theresa May is considering a significant review of Britain’s railways after a series of high-profile blunders have led to a collapse in public trust in the system. But will it bring tangible change? Or is it designed only to kick the woes of the privatised rail industry into the political long grass?

London Evening Standard

• London's top Tube-free areas to rent in for great transport linksMove a stop or two along the 'Ginger' Overground East London line to save a packet in rent.

The Press and Journal (Aberdeen)

• Full steam ahead for major upgrades at Aberdeen and Inverness train stationsThe Scottish Government has committed to starting the projects, which aim to “improve facilities, access and connectivity” at both stations, in its programme for 2018-19.

Bucks Free Press

• 'Improved transport' needed to 'maximise potential' of county's heritage sites Sustainable transport options linking the county’s heritage sites and new hotels may be needed in order to encourage more people to embrace Bucks’ “cultural offeringâ€�, according to a council report.

Peterborough Telegraph

• £1.8 billion Network Rail deal to see faster trains with more capacity between Peterborough and London King's CrossNetwork Rail is seeking a partner to take on a £1.8 billion deal to transform the stretch of railway between London King's Cross and Peterborough.

Other Regional Press

• Councillors demand Renfrew bus link to hospital reinstatedA PETITION calling for the return of a direct link between Renfrew and the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital in Govan has been backed by councillors.
• Rail depots south of Northampton should not be built because East Midlands is already over capacity, says borough councillorA motion to be put forward at a Northampton Borough Council meeting will argue that existing rail depots in the region mean there is no need to go ahead with plans for one or two more on land south of the town.

Train Operators

• Derby Business Working Together to Deliver 'New Look' High Speed TrainsThe first of three newly refurbished High Speed Trains (HST) has been unveiled in Derby today (Wednesday 5th September), providing extra capacity and a more comfortable customer experience.

New Civil Engineer

• Transport bosses to be grilled over Crossrail delayThe heads of Crossrail, Transport for London and the Mayor of London Sadiq Khan are today set to face the London Assembly for questioning over why Crossrail is delayed by up to a year.
• Network Rail's £1.8bn 'northern project' to start in the SouthThe man in charge of the East Coast Main Line (ECML) upgrade has insisted that the £1.8bn scheme is “a northern project” despite initial route upgrades taking place in the South.

Rail Technology Magazine

• ORR report into May timetable chaos to be published later this monthThe much-awaited report led by Office of Rail and Road (ORR) chair Professor Stephen Glaister into the May timetable disruption will be released on 20 September. Prof Glaister was chosen by Chris Grayling to lead the inquiry into the introduction of new timetables on 20 May that was marred by...
• Potential rail franchise shake-up in the works as PM pushes for reviewThe government is considering leading what has been described as the biggest review of the UK’s rail franchising system for two decades in efforts to prevent collapses such as that of the East Coast franchise back in May. According to reports by the Financial Times, Theresa May has given...
• Railway Industry Association looks to cut membership fees for 'smaller players' in supply sectorThe Railway Industry Association (RIA) has announced it will slash membership fees in a bid to encourage sector entrants and “smaller players” to join the body. The new membership cost, which began yesterday, will be half of the current minimum £1,750 level at an annual rate of...

Railnews

• Major franchising shake-up could be on the wayA MAJOR inquiry into rail franchising could be on the way, and reports claim it is set to be the biggest shake-up of the passenger railway since privatisation began more than 20 years ago.

Other News Sources

• Drive to improve railway stations is ready to take the next step forwardSince the North Notts & Lincs Community Rail Partnership (NNLCRP) commenced in February 2017, it has achieved much without the benefit of an officer or money, writes Barry Coward.
• The great train wreck - Christian WolmarA couple of weeks ago I met David Grime and Alan Noble, members of the Lakes Line Rail User Group, over a very good dinner in the Brown Horse pub in Winster in the heart of the Lake District. They had contacted me in despair at the collapse of services on their beloved ten-mile Windermere branch line. This once-reliable and well-used service is now a shadow of its former self: characterised by cancellations, rampant overcrowding, bus replacement services and – sometimes – an absence of any trains at all.