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

Friday, 20 December 2019

Government

• Rail Vehicle Accessibility: Metro systemsBaroness Vere of Norbiton’s letters to operators of metro systems in London, Glasgow and Newcastle on rail carriage accessibility.

BBC News

• Avanti West Coast promises more trains between Holyhead and LondonThe new operator of West Coast Main Line rail services has launched, promising greener trains and more frequent services in Wales.
• Cambridge station plans to go on public viewA third railway station for Cambridge could be built within six years, under plans announced by Network Rail.
• South Western Railway strike: Commuter 'exhausted and stressed'Alison Bunce says her commute from Surrey to London is now a five-hour round trip.
• Rail law proposal 'amounts to draconian strike ban'Unions criticise government plans to require provision of minimum services during industrial action.

Reuters News

• Paris commuters jump on scooters as transport strikes block metroPARIS (Reuters) - Electric scooter rental companies in Paris have seen a flood of new customers as strikes against the government’s pension reform plans crippled metro, bus and train networks.

The National

• Abellio could re-apply for ScotRail contractTRAIN operator Abellio could bid for the ScotRail franchise in 2022 - despite the Scottish Government calling a halt to its current contract three years early.

Birmingham Mail

• The new rail law every train passenger and worker needs to knowAny strike will be unlawful unless a minimum service agreement is in place, and if it is not honoured, a strike shall be unlawful and injunctions or damages may be sought against unions

Birmingham Post

• East Midlands Gateway rail terminal on track to open at start of 2020Operator Maritime Transport says ‘rapid progress’ has been made on construction work

Daily Post (North Wales)

• Rail chiefs hit with safety warning after North Wales train went twice the speed limitA software glitch meant some trains on the Cambrian Coast line were unaware of a temporary speed restriction
• Rail bosses promise new era of travel and better journeys in North WalesAvanti West Coast has taken over the operation of long-distance train services across the region

Liverpool Echo

• Travel chaos after Manchester Victoria rail staff walk out after 'abuse from public'The station announcer reportedly told travellers there was “a serious threat of violent assault"

London Evening Standard

• Waterloo rail chiefs warn of New Year's Eve disruption as festive getaway begins with drivers trying to beat rushRail chiefs at London's busiest station today warned New Year's Eve revellers not to rely on trains to get them home.
• Train chaos as Manchester Victoria station staff 'leave platforms after verbal abuse from passenger'Trains were brought a standstill at Manchester's main railway station after workers reportedly left platforms due to a passenger's verbal abuse.

Manchester Evening News

• Train chaos after as union boss confirms staff at Manchester Victoria refused to work over passenger's verbal abuseThe station was closed temporarily, with a union boss saying staff 'removed themselves from a position of danger'

Nottingham Evening Post

• Government support for project to reduce train journey times between Nottingham and BirminghamBoris Johnson's Conservative government will invest in a £2 billion rail hub which could slash travel time between Nottingham and Birmingham to just 59 minutes.

Wales Online

• Live updates as Transport for Wales cancels more trains due to staff shortageA dozen services have been cancelled so far

Yorkshire Evening Post

• Prime Minister hints at new transport system for Leeds after Queen's SpeechLeeds could be set for a new mass transit system as Prime Minister Boris Johnson hinted he would address the fact the city is the largest in Western Europe without a light railway.

Yorkshire Post

• The National Railway Museum's new Pacer has arrived - ironically earlier than expectedThe National Railway Museum's new Pacer has arrived less than a week after its final journey on the mainline.
• Queen's Speech: Legislation on HS2 but Leeds link not mentionedLegislation proposed in the Queen’s Speech to allow parts of HS2 to go ahead fails to mention the link up to Leeds from Birmingham.

East Anglian Daily Times

• ‘Not fit for purpose’: Business boss slams rail servicesBusiness leaders have slammed disruption to train services, describing the region’s rail infrastructure as “not fit for purpose”.

Leeds Live

• TransPennine Express boss issues apology to passengers amid winter timetable chaosManaging director Leo Goodwin said he is "truly sorry" for the cancelled and delayed services this week

Other Regional Press

• No more first class tickets on many Greater Anglia trains across the regionGreater Anglia has officially abolished first class tickets in its rural and cross-country trains across the region.
• Police and Crime Commissioner calls rail chaos ‘a danger to public safety’ Pressure could be put on those running the regional transport system

Rail Advent

• New chairman for GB RailfreightGB Railfreight has announced that they have appointed James Cooper as Chairman. James commenced his new role on 29 November 2019

Rail Technology Magazine

• MoU signed by Network Rail and Strukton Rail Network Rail and Strukton Rail have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to support Network Rail’s £245m research and development portfolio in Control Period 6. The two organisations were represented by Network Rail’s chief engineer Jon Shaw and CEO of Dutch rail and...
• Northern welcome new link between East and West YorkshireRail Operator, Northern Railway, is celebrating the improved links between East and West Yorkshire today (Dec 19) following the introduction of a new service on the network, providing a direct service between Halifax and Hull. The new route comes as part of Northern’s newly published...

Railnews

• ˜Deeply frustrated minister issues slap on wrist to rail operators Rail minister Chris Heaton-Harris has told Rail Delivery Group chief executive Paul Plummer that it is ˜extremely disappointing that the rail industry and train operators will fail to meet the deadline to provide accessible trains by the end of the year. A number of non-compliant Pacer units are among the trains which will be staying in service from 1 January, in spite of new accessibility regulations, because new trains to replace them have been late arriving. Mr Heaton-Harris continues: ˜Owners and operators have had 10 years to prepare for the 31 December 2019 deadline. It is deeply frust...

Other News Sources

• Consultation on Cambridge South railway station welcomed - but mayor James Palmer condemns proposed opening date A consultation on plans for a Cambridge South railway station has been announced by Network Rail - and has prompted the region’s mayor to reiterate demands that it needs to be built more quickly.
• Northern introduces new Halifax to Hull train serviceNorthern has announced that it has introduced better train links between West and East Yorkshire thanks to a new direct service between Halifax and Hull.