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

Friday, 31 January 2020

Government

• Progress for Oxford-Cambridge Arc as government announces preferred East West Rail central sectionAnnouncing the preferred route, route E, for the Bedford to Cambridge section of the East West Rail line.

BBC News

• East-West rail link: Bedford, St Neots and Cambourne in planThe preferred route has been announced as part of the third and final stage of the East-West rail link.
• HS2: Chancellor Sajid Javid backs project ahead of crucial meetingThe chancellor is expected to tell Boris Johnson he supports the London to Birmingham rail link.
• HS2: Government review 'advises against cancelling' projectThe review, seen by the BBC, advises against cancelling the high speed rail scheme.

ITV News

• Preferred route for Bedford to Cambridge section of East West Rail line announcedThe Government has announced its preferred route for the central section of the East West Rail line.

Financial Times

• Boris Johnson faces backbench rebellion over HS2As crucial meeting looms, MPs against the project make their voices heard

The Guardian

• HS2 decision may be made next week after PM holds final talksTransport secretary tells MPs they ‘won’t have to wait long’ amid continuing opposition

Times Online

• Southeastern in line for first part-devolution [subscription]Powers to run commuter trains will be devolved to big cities under plans to make services more responsive.

i News

• Tory MPs threaten mutiny over Boris Johnson's decision to give HS2 the go-aheadChancellor Sajid Javid throws weight behind the vast rail scheme

Birmingham Mail

• Rail privatisation is failing and here's what the government plans to do about itTransport Secretary Grant Shapps said: 'The current model is now struggling to deliver ... a number of franchises are failing to provide the reliable services that passengers require'

Bradford Telegraph & Argus

• New £20 fine for train users who buy on board Transpennine Express RAIL users have hit out at a decision by Transpennine Express to introduce a new penalty fare of up to £20 for passengers who do not buy their tickets before a train journey.

Daily Post (North Wales)

• Billions spent on HS2 'is immoral when there are people on the streets'Gwynedd’s Homelessness Service has seen a rise in the number of applicants

Morning Star

• ‘What planet is Tory Rail Minister Heaton-Harris living on?’Rail workers perplexed by minister's claim that train fares, which have risen 40% since 2010, are ‘not bad value’

Northern Echo

• Teesside Airport railway station to see potential £6m investmentPLANS for a £6m investment in the redevelopment of the railway station at Teesside International Airport have been announced as part of plans to invest almost £40 million to improve transport across Teesside, Darlington and Hartlepool.

Sheffield Star

• Sheffield City Region mayor welcomes nationalisation of Northern rail franchiseThe decision to nationalise the ailing Northern rail franchise following years of delays, disruption and passenger anger has been welcomed by Sheffield City Region mayor, Dan Jarvis.

Cambridge News

• All the stations a new train line from Cambridge to Oxford will stop atThere will likely be new homes built along the Oxford to Cambridge Arc too

East Anglian Daily Times

• East-west rail line route chosen for new track to midlandsProposals for a new rail link between East Anglia and the south midlands have taken a major step forward - 40 years after they were first suggested.

Other Regional Press

• Marie Rimmer MP calls for fresh investment after stripping Northern of franchiseMARIE Rimmer MP has urged the government to put its “money where its mouth is” after announcing it will be renationalising the Northern rail franchise.
• Could any closed East Anglian railway lines be reopened as the government seeks to 'reverse Beeching?'The government has announced it wants to 'reverse Beeching' by reopening long-closed railway lines - and has allocated a £500m to look at possible projects. Two lines in northern England have so far been identified.
• Welwyn Garden City station appoints new station managerWelwyn Garden City's new train station manager is hoping to inspire others to pursue railway careers following his own progression through the ranks.
• Transport minister 'interested' in plans for TfL to take over Southeastern servicesA TRANSPORT minister has said he is “very interested” in proposals to allow Transport for London (TfL) to take over parts of the beleaguered South Eastern rail route.
• Colne Valley MP Jason McCartney urges government to back HS2Tory politician calls for transport chiefs to spend big on rail projects across West Yorkshire
• MP writes to Network Rail with concerns over railway realignment plansAnne Marie Morris, the MP for the area, has now written to Network Rail with a raft of concerns about the proposals, including the loss of the beach, whether they will work, and the ‘cold and featureless’ designs for the iconic section of Brunel’s railway.
• Greenwich could get new rail links with north London New railway lines connecting Greenwich to boroughs across the Thames are among plans now open for public consultation.

British Trams Online

• Building work begins on depot for Cardiff tram-trainsThe UK’s second fleet of tram-trains will soon have a home to call their own with work having now commenced on building a depot at Taff’s Well in Cardiff. 36 Citylink tram-trains are on order from Stadler for use on the South Wales Metro with delivery set to begin in 2022.

Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport

• West Midlands Trains to recruit more driversA train operator that has seen its passenger satisfaction levels plummet says it is recruiting more drivers to help improve services. West Midlands Trains previously acknowledged a drop in performance since May with passengers experiencing delays and cancellations. Its managing director has said he hopes to recruit 46 drivers and 40 conductors to create a

Rail Technology Magazine

• Norwood Junction station upgrade receives significant support The development of Norwood Junction station has been given the green light by residents, passengers and businesses in the area. With a 94% backing, the upgrade would allow trains to run more dependably and more frequently. The proposals to upgrade the station were presented by Network Rail at...

Railway Gazette

• Faulty Bombardier Subway cars returned to serviceUSA: Bombardier has recalibrated the door mechanisms of 298 New York City Transit R179 Subway cars following two isolated instances of train doors opening between stations.