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

Monday, 11 February 2019

The Guardian

• Labour calls for contactless payment across rail networkIndustry criticised for lack of reform as ministers demand overhaul of ticketing system

Times Online

• From ferries to trains, Chris Grayling is making a mess of the transport system - Andy McDonald MP [Subscription]It emerged over the weekend that the government has cancelled its much-derided contract with the ferry operator Seaborne Freight which was agreed before Christmas. The development reflects a growing sense of chaos engulfing the Department for Transport over its approach to Brexit contingency planning.
• Cost of HS2 never properly analysed, warns rail expert [Subscription]The £56 billion earmarked for HS2 may have been better spent on other projects, according to the former head of the rail watchdog.

Mail Online

• Ministers are 'keen to kill off' HS2 amid growing concern the rail project's annual costs could rise by 40 per cent to £6billion a yearGovernment ministers are 'keen to kill off' HS2 as costs threaten to spiral out of control, it was claimed today.

Lincolnshire Echo

• Big announcement made on rail services in Lincoln, Gainsborough and Retford after 47 days of union actionRail passengers could see Saturday services return to normal after a rail union suspended long running strike action.

Liverpool Echo

• MORE Merseyrail stations are closing this week - here's what you need to knowCommuters in Liverpool have had to deal with closures across the region's Merseyrail routes over the last few months.

Bucks Free Press

• MP Dominic Grieve lauds the work of making train stations secure to reduce crimeThis week, Beaconsfield MP Dominic Grieve writes exclusively to Bucks Free Press readers:

Construction Enquirer

• Amey cutting jobs on cash row rail projectAmey is set to make another 100 staff redundant on the Great Western mainline project.

New Civil Engineer

• Exclusive | HS2 London stations losers ponder challengeLosing bidders for High Speed 2’s (HS2’s) key London stations contracts are considering challenging the contract award decisions, New Civil Engineer can reveal.

Railway Gazette

• Long-life screwbolts developed for CrossrailUK: The bespoke corrosion-resistant PLUS bolt was developed by screwbolt specialist Excalibur to meet the demanding requirements of the Crossrail project in London.

Other News Sources

• Beaconsfield set for £1m upgradeNetwork Rail has announced that nearly 700 metres of railway track through Beaconsfield is planned to be replaced.
• Landslip blocks south east London rail linesSignificant amounts of debris and trees are reported to have fallen onto a rail line following a landslip in Barneshurst in south east London overnight.
• MP demands nationalisation of historic St Rollox railway works to save 200 jobsGemini Rail Services announced proposals to close the St Rollox depot in Springburn in December.
• Rail Operator left reeling by demand for quick improvementsWith two railway stations, one serving Scotland’s busiest line, Falkirk could be argued to be the perfect place in which to decide if Scotrail is getting it right.
• 12-week inquiry into East West Rail underway The next phase of Buckinghamshire's new railway got underway last week.