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

Tuesday, 04 February 2020

The Guardian

• HS2's northern critics: 'We don't need it but we'll be paying for it'In the north of England, the arguments over whether to push on with the HS2 project are as polarised as they are in Westminster. Amy Walker speaks to those opposed to HS2
• HS2 will spark regeneration, say city leaders on the routeHS2 is one of the most controversial and costly rail projects of the modern era. There are strong views for and against – and Boris Johnson could decide its future as early as this week. Here, we look at the economic arguments for HS2The case against: At £307m per mile of track, can HS2 be justified? With the escalating cost of HS2, a changed political landscape and greater awareness of environmental concerns, the arguments for high-speed rail are having to be remade.But the underpinning belief articulated by the Conservative-led coalition government in backing HS2 should still hold sway, argu...

The Independent

• Amsterdam to London Eurostar - LIVE: What it's like onboard the first direct Netherlands-UK train serviceAfter launching its first direct London-Amsterdam service in 2018, Eurostar is finally ready to offer a direct return train from the Dutch capital back to the UK.

Birmingham Post

• Train leasing giant Porterbrook secures long-term future of major Midlands rail depotPorterbrook wants to develop Long Marston into a global hub for rail innovation and expertise

London Evening Standard

• Train crash avoided by 75 seconds in south west London after 'poor communications'A train came within 75 seconds of potentially crashing into a track maintenance machine, an investigation has found.
• Charing Cross delays: Commuters face rush-hour chaos after Southeastern trains suspended to two London stationsCommuters face rush-hour chaos this morning after trains were suspended to two London railway stations.

Newcastle Evening Chronicle

• Life-size replica of new £362m Metro trains will tour the North East this summerMetro bosses say passengers will be treated to an "immersive" look at the new trains, which will have wifi, USB charging points, and air conditioning

East Anglian Daily Times

• Greater Anglia’s last diesel trains head west as new Stadlers complete takeoverGreater Anglia has lost all but one of its fleet of diesel trains as more of its new Stadler-built bimode electric/diesel trains come into services across the region.
• Rail travel chaos this evening after electrical faults on main lineSuffolk rail commuters are facing disruption this evening due to electrical supply problems at Manor Park.

New Civil Engineer

• HS2 CEO bullish about project’s future ahead of government decisionHigh Speed 2 (HS2) chief executive Mark Thurston has remained bullish about the project’s future ahead of the government’s decision on whether to progress with the rail line.

Railway Gazette

• Polarteknik acquires Train Door SolutionsEUROPE: Finnish door and partition wall manufacturer Polarteknik Oy has acquired UK pneumatic and electrical door systems servicing specialist Train Door Solutions Ltd under a deal completed on January 31.

Other News Sources

• West Midlands Trains survives West Midlands Mayor Andy Street's threat of losing franchiseTHE train operator handling services between Worcester and Birmingham could still lose its franchise, despite making improvements set by the West Midlands Mayor.
• Campaigners calling for passenger services to be restored on Totton to Fawley branch lineCAMPAIGNERS calling for a Hampshire railway line to be reopened are celebrating a £500m scheme unveiled by the government.
• 30-year-old trains to stay with LNER for now30-year-old electric trains will stay in service on the East Coast Main Line through York and Northallerton until at least the end of 2021.