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

Friday, 31 July 2020

BBC News

• Video shows passenger train on disused Fawley branch lineA time-lapse video shows the first passenger train to run on a branch line for 54 years.

Times Online

• Rail decision set to bring public control a step closer [subscription]Britain’s railways are on the verge of being formally renationalised with billions of pounds of financial liabilities carried by the train operating companies being taken on to the public books.

Belfast Telegraph

• Court of Appeal to rule on Chris Packham legal challengeThe Court of Appeal is set to rule on a bid by Chris Packham to bring a legal challenge against the Government over the controversial HS2 rail scheme.

Bradford Telegraph & Argus

• ‘Don’t let rail upgrade opportunity slip’TRANSPORT bosses have been urged not to let a golden “opportunity” slip for rail upgrades between Leeds and Manchester. A £580m project to revamp the transpennine route was announced by Transport Secretary Grant Shapps last week, and is now another step closer following talks between regional leaders and the government.

Other Regional Press

• Burnham has been unwilling to meet to discuss region’s clean air plan, say environmental lawyersGREATER Manchester mayor Andy Burnham has been unwilling to meet with environmental lawyers about the region’s Clean Air Plan, it has been claimed.
• Greenfield Rail Action Group still on track despite change in transport useAs a result of the pandemic, the government has advised the country to use public transport, including trains, for essential travel only and instead to travel by car, bicycle or on foot.
• Calls for better bus and rail services across DorsetPUBLIC transport campaigner David Redgewell has pressed Dorset Council to better support local bus and rail services.
• Government announce Longannet rail hub intentionsDUNFERMLINE and West Fife is set to be "at the heart of the future rail industry in Scotland" with plans for a centre at Longannet.
• Transport for Wales passengers travel 'at their own risk' according to Dyserth retireeA PASSENGER has protested to her MP and First Minister of Wales about two packed rail journeys which she says made a mockery of social distancing.
• Train services to resume on Abbey Line in AugustA rail company has announced when it will begun running services on a line again.

British Trams Online

• West Midlands Metro seeks to decorate worksite hoardingsAs preparation continues towards the main construction phase of the West Midlands Metro extension between Wednesbury and Brierley Hill, the Midland Metro Alliance are seeking talented “colour-iners” (pretty sure that isn’t a word but you get what we mean!) to help to decorate hoardings along the route.
• Still Standing! Guiseley Tram Depot, LeedsWhereas most of this series has been one side of the Pennines today we head across to Yorkshire and take a look at a surviving tram depot in Leeds – Guiseley Depot.

New Civil Engineer

• HS2 | Alternative eastern leg tabled including direct link to NottinghamInfrastructure thinktank Greengauge21 has called for alterations to the eastern arm of High Speed 2 (HS2).
• New Crossrail opening date to be announced in AugustA new opening date for the central section of Crossrail – known as the Elizabeth Line – is set to be announced after the project’s August board meeting.
• Motts begins project to assist Network Rail signal failuresMott MacDonald has begun its first job under Network Rail’s design services framework.

Rail Technology Magazine

• Ep.14 Leaving a lasting legacy, Harriet Glen Harriet Glen, Head of Programme Close Out at Crossrail, joins us on this week’s episode of RTM’s Track Talk to discuss the largest construction project in Europe. Harriet gives us an update on the project that was brought to a standstill during lockdown but her “team are...
• £81m signalling scheme hits halfway marker in South London As the London Bridge Area Signalling Centre ends operations, an £81m scheme by Network Rail (NR) to renew infrastructure in the Hither Green area of South London reaches the halfway mark and is on track to deliver an improved railway for passengers. The project means the entire main line...

Other News Sources

• Plans for rail testing centre progressPlans for a state-of-the-art rail testing centre in South West Wales have progressed further, with the submission of an outline business case as well as local approval for the land.