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

Tuesday, 13 August 2019

BBC News

• Northern's outdated Pacer trains still used in South Yorkshire in 2020Northern has admitted that some of its heavily-criticised Pacer trains will be used in South Yorkshire next year, despite a pledge to remove them. The rail firm began rolling out its £500m fleet of new trains in June, saying it would take all Pacers out of use by 2020.

ITV News

• The end of the Northern pacer trainsPacers in the North West have been running since the 1980s and were only ever intended to have a lifespan of 20 years.

The Guardian

• ‘Smells of sick’: tube users ponder the Kennington pongCould it be an undeclared chemical spill by a secretive branch of the military? Or perhaps even the stench from bodies left over from the Black Death? Or is it just … burgers? Deep below London it is a mystery that been getting up the nostrils of tube users already struggling in recent weeks from rising temperatures.
• National Grid 'had three blackout near-misses in three months'National Grid had experienced three blackout “near-misses” in as many months before Friday’s major outage left almost a million homes in the dark and forced trains to a standstill around the UK.

The Independent

• London King's Cross estate admits using facial recognition technologyWatchdog expresses concern tools could 'undermine people's privacy'

The Scotsman

• Greater Anglia cancel Ipswich-Felixstowe trains as trees fall on lineEdinburgh Festivals predict 'total disaster' over plan to sever ... disaster” over plans to sever the city's main rail link with London over ..
• Edinburgh Festivals predict 'total disaster' over plan to sever London rail link

Times Online

• King’s Cross station uses face-recognition cameras to spy on passengers [subscription]A company that uses facial recognition technology to track tens of thousands of people in one of the busiest parts of London has been criticised by experts and human rights organisations.
• ScotRail’s extra magic for Harry Potter scenic journeys is delayed [subscription]It promised to deliver tourism ambassadors and bring the magic of Harry Potter to some of Scotland’s most scenic rail routes.
• Brakes failure caused runaway Caledonian Sleeper train to miss platform [subscription]The Caledonian Sleeper rail service made an emergency stop after its brakes failed and caused it to shoot through Edinburgh’s Waverley station, investigators have confirmed.

Yorkshire Post

• Leeds to Manchester rail line must include Bradford station to unlock potential in city - Susan HinchcliffeBoris Johnson’s support for a new line between Leeds and Manchester as part of Northern Powerhouse Rail, announced in his recent speech at Manchester’s Science and Industry Museum, is very welcome.

Blackpool Gazette

• Councillor's call over Fleetwood rail petitionA Fleetwood councillor who is campaigning for the return of the town’s rail link is preparing to hand a petition over so it can be presented in parliament.

Lancashire Telegraph

• Labour's pledge to upgrade an East Lancashire railway lineTHE East Lancashire railway line from Preston to Colne would be upgraded and extended across the Pennines to Skipton under a Labour government, the Shadow Transport Secretary promised yesterday.

Other Regional Press

• First Pacer train retires - and the rest should depart Teesside by end of the yearFirst Pacer train retires - and the rest should depart Teesside by end of the year
• Birmingham roundabouts to make way for HS2Ring road roundabouts will be flattened and turned into signalled-controlled junctions as part of high-speed line project

The Economist

• Why trains are not always as green as they seemThe “flight-shame” movement encourages travellers to go by train instead of plane. But not all rail lines are environmentally friendly

Other News Sources

• LEADERS MEET FOR HS2 DISCUSSIONThe chief executives of Manchester Airports Group (MAG) and HS2 Ltd have met to discuss progress on the development of the proposed line to the city.
• TSSA Statement on Caledonia Sleeper Brakes FailureTSSA has called for speedy action after the Rail Accident Investigation Branch found a closed break valve was to blame for the overrun at Edinburgh Waverly by a Caledonian Sleeper train on 1st August.