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

Wednesday, 23 September 2020

BBC News

• Heathrow rail link to be delayed by up to two yearsNetwork Rail says the coronavirus pandemic has delayed talks about the line from Reading to the airport.

The Guardian

• Electric cars won't solve our pollution problems – Britain needs a total transport rethink | George MonbiotAll vehicles create carbon emissions and cause congestion. The coronavirus crisis should help us break our dependence on themCould it be true? That this government will bring all sales of petrol and diesel cars to an end by 2030? That it will cancel all rail franchises and replace them with a system that might actually work? Could the UK, for the first time since the internal combustion engine was invented, really be contemplating a rational transport policy? Hold your horses.Before deconstructing it, let’s mark this moment. Both announcements might be a decade or two overdue, but we should ba...

Network Rail

• Preston station’s historic glazing gets identical looking modern replacementA major restoration project on Preston station’s glazed frontage is complete making it safe and reliable for passengers on the West Coast main line.

Edinburgh Evening News

• Caledonian Sleeper staff to stage 48-hour strikesPassengers using overnight trains between Scotland and London face four days of disruption after the Rail Maritime and Transport union (RMT) announced two walkouts over rest areas on trains for staff.

Manchester Evening News

• Equipment marking cycle lanes on A56 stolen overnightA large number of cones, signs and trellises were in place last night, now, they're gone

The York Press

• York rail firm Grand Central plans to cut 51 jobs - says union A YORK rail firm is planning to cut 51 jobs in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic, according to a union leader.

Cambridge News

• £4m plans to extend Cambridge station for new luxury commuter trains The new Bombardier trains have more seats, air conditioning, fast free Wi-Fi and underfloor heating

Other Regional Press

• Spalding Rail Station now served by new liftsA £2.25 million project to improve Spalding Rail Station is nearing completion, with new lifts now in place.
• Goring and Lancing train platform extensions to reduce level crossing congestionExtended platforms have been installed at Goring-by-Sea and Lancing railway stations in a move that could reduce waiting times at level crossings.
• Letter: 'Weymouth is losing its history with removal of tram lines' Well, whoever they are they seem to have got their way.

Construction Enquirer

• £900m Heathrow rail link bid race delayed two yearsNetwork Rail has delayed the tender race for the £900m Western Rail Link to Heathrow until Summer 2022 because of Covid-19.

New Civil Engineer

• Blow for north London station plansTransport for London (TfL) has said it cannot fund plans to modify the under-construction Brent Cross West station to enable a connection to the proposed West London Orbital (WLO) railway.

Rail Advent

• £2.2m investment as Conwy Valley Line set to reopenTrains are set to run again from Llandudno to Blaenau Ffestiniog on the Conwy Valley Line.

Rail Technology Magazine

• £2.2m to better protect Conwy Valley Line North Wales’ Conwy Valley Line, which runs from Blaenau Ffestiniog to Llandudno, is set to reopen next Monday (28th Sept) following the completion of Network Rail’s £2.2m investment into protecting the railway from severe weather and flooding. The line was washed away because...
• Rail Minister sees new deep cleaning equipment and thanks volunteersRail Minister Chris Heaton-Harris has today (22nd Sept) thanked ‘Journey Makers’ volunteers whilst visiting Norwich Rail Station and seen first hand the new deep cleaning equipment in use by Greater Anglia. Mr Heaton-Harris met Greater Anglia staff at Norwich station to launch a new...
• HS2: Low carbon concrete to be used to reduce carbon emissions As part of HS2’s goal of constructing the most sustainable high-speed railway in the world, HS2 contractors in London have commenced using a new low carbon concrete product which provides a reduction of 42% in CO2 in comparison to a standard concrete. Furthermore, the remaining carbon...

Other News Sources

• German Rail CEO touts cooperation to deliver greener European railwaysGERMAN Rail (DB) CEO Dr Richard Lutz has urged for further cooperation and a “shared vision” for rail to meet European Union Green Deal targets, following the signing of a declaration of political support for rail freight on September 21.
• Rail minister praises volunteer scheme which is ‘rebuilding’ passenger’s confidenceReassurance and advice offered to passengers by volunteers at Norwich railway station have been praised by the country’s rail minister.
• £900m Heathrow rail link bid race delayed two yearsNetwork Rail has delayed the tender race for the £900m Western Rail Link to Heathrow until Summer 2022 because of Covid-19.
• New partnership seeks shift from road to rail in the South East – and an end to diesel trainsA new partnership between Network Rail and regional transport body Transport for the South East aims to encourage people out of their cars as part of a long-term plan to improve rail services, boost capacity and cut carbon emissions.
• Transport for Wales says 78 per cent of people complying with face coverings on trainsTRANSPORT for Wales (TfW) statistics habe shown that 78 per cent of their rail customers are now complying and wearing face coverings on trains.
• London Waterloo and Clapham Junction SWR line to be part-closed over Christmas and New YearMajor works are being carried out on the vital stretch of railway