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

Tuesday, 08 January 2019

BBC News

• Protestors call for Abellio to be stripped of rail contractProtesters demand Dutch firm Abellio is stripped of its contract to run ScotRail services amid ongoing disruption.

ITV News

• Greater Anglia warn drivers to be vigilant at level crossings as they prepare to test new trainsGreater Anglia are warning drivers in Norfolk to be extra careful at level crossings over the next fortnight as they prepare to take their new trains on test runs.

The Independent

• Silent, water-emitting trains fuelled by hydrogen ‘to be introduced to UK railways in two years’Upgrading existing rolling stock means diesel can be phased out without costly electrification of railways

The Scotsman

• ScotRail passenger compensation deal branded ‘a gimmick’ Hard-pressed rail passengers in Scotland are to be offered extra compensation by train operator ScotRail amid growing anger over delays and cancellations.

City AM

• Loan taken out by GLA to save Crossrail would have put pressure on TfL's credit rating, finance boss admitsThe Greater London Authority (GLA) agreed to take on a £1.4bn loan to save Crossrail to protect Transport for London's (TfL) less robust credit rating, it has been admitted.

London Evening Standard

• Tube lifts out of action for 306 days in year 'is insult to disabled people'Step-free access was unavailable at London Underground stations for a combined 306 days last year due to faulty lifts.

Manchester Evening News

• A revolution in Greater Manchester travel: New tram stops, train stations and the birth of the tram-trainAndy Burnham said the plan was crucial to change the way people move around, bring levels of road congestion under control and achieve legal obligations to clean up the air.

Other Regional Press

• Calderdale campaigners tell rail bosses to stop making excuses over Calderdale electrificationCampaigners are demanding that rail chiefs stop making excuses and create a modern railway that is truly and modern and sustainable for the people of Calderdale and the north.
• Overcrowding on Exmouth to Exeter trains to improve, hopes MP“It is clearly unacceptable for GWR to insist that the people of Exmouth pay a full fare for standing room only on a service which is so often uncomfortably cramped that passengers can hardly move.”
• Bridging the gap on the railwayA tourist railway is hoping to close the gap on its plans to finish its extension.
• North-east MSP calls for rethink on £200 million rail improvementsThe Scottish Government should go back to the drawing board on a promise to improve rail links, an MSP has claimed.
• Colchester MP Will Quince calls for clear action plan on railsCOLCHESTER’S MP has called for Greater Anglia to publish a “clear plan of action” so commuters can see when improvements are coming to their train service.
• Rail campaigners launch 'Day of action' protest on Cambrian LineA 'day of action' is planned by rail campaigners on the Cambrian Line between Shrewsbury and Aberystwyth in response to an increase in rail fares and what they describe as 'continual disruption' on the region’s trains.

New Civil Engineer

• London to Cardiff rail electrification delayed againElectrification of the Great Western Mainline between Paddington and Cardiff faces further delays, it has been revealed.
• 65 transport projects set out in five-year Manchester planA delivery plan released by the Greater Manchester leaders has identified more than 65 transport projects that will be delivered in the next five years for the Greater Manchester area.
• Euston HS2 works ramp up with towers demolitionA pair of tower blocks are set to be demolished at London’s Euston station as works ramp up to make way for High Speed 2 (HS2).

Rail Technology Magazine

• HS2 project part of new East Midlands manufacturing zones schemeA north Derbyshire HS2 project has been named as one of the locations of the UK’s first manufacturing zones in the East Midlands. Communities secretary James Brokenshire has announced that four projects have been chosen to form the new and innovative East Midlands Manufacturing Zones...
• Stagecoach took £35m from rail franchise before abandoning East Coast Main LineTransport giant Stagecoach took out £35m from the East Midlands Trains franchise before it abandoned the London-to-Edinburgh East Coast Main Line (ECML) less than a year later, it has been revealed. The massive dividend represents a £20m increase on the previous year’s payment...
• Northern owner Deutsche Bahn wants compensation from Network Rail over extensive delays and disruptionDeutsche Bahn has demanded Network Rail pay compensation for the extensive delays in electrifying its under fire Northern rail franchise. First reported in the Telegraph, the parent company of Arriva Rail North, who run the struggling operator, blames Network Rail for plunging profits reported...
• New hydrogen 'Breeze' trains unveiled by Alstom and EversholtHydrogen trains will be introduced in as little as two years after a deal has been struck to convert more than 100 trains into the first fleet powered by hydrogen fuel cell technology. The new trains, to be called “Breeze” trains, are due to be employed on commuter and suburban lines...

Other News Sources

• MSP says Aberdeen commuters losing faith in ScotRail after weeks of disruptionA north-east MSP today said commuters were starting to “lose faith” with ScotRail over travel disruption – after the operator had to apologise again over its performance.
• Waboso to leave Network RailDavid Waboso, the managing director of Network Rail’s Group Digital Railway (DR), is to retire in March.
• Train stations at Parkstone, Hamworthy and Wool were affectedSOME railway station ticket offices have been closed for full days because of staff shortages, while at least one locally has shut for entire weeks.
• ScotRail say sorry with free travel for "unacceptable" service ScotRail has apologised for its "unacceptable service" by offering free travel for season ticket holders over six weekends.
• Planning permission granted for new £10m railway stationPlans to build a new £10.55 million railway station in east Durham have been given the go-ahead.