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

Saturday, 17 October 2020

BBC News

• Stonehaven derailment: Track damaged in fatal train crash replacedEngineers are laying 500m of track at the scene of the incident in Stonehaven in which three men died.
• Coronavirus: TfL secure two-week extension of bailoutThe government continues the terms of the current £1.6bn bailout package, due to run out on Saturday.
• Manx Electric Railway sign to be dismantledThe Manx Electric Railway sign in Douglas is to be removed, the Department of Infrastructure (DOI) has said.

The Guardian

• Protester HS2 wanted jailed gets suspended sentenceElliott Cuciurean’s case is seen as important ruling about right to protest An environmental protester who HS2 asked to be imprisoned has was given a suspended sentence in a landmark case about the right to protest.Elliott Cuciurean, who is described by fellow environmental activists as a “conscientious protectorâ€�, was accused by the high-speed rail company of repeatedly breaching an injunction not to trespass on an HS2 site at Crackley Woods in Warwickshire. Continue reading...

Times Online

• Trial to cut diesel fumes at train stations [subscription]Diesel train engines will be deactivated in stations under government-backed plans to cut levels of air pollution on platforms.

Wolverhampton Express and Star

• Delight as Willenhall and Darlaston railway stations plans approvedIt’s full steam ahead for plans to reopen railway stations in two Walsall areas for the first time in more than 50 years.

Bucks Free Press

• HS2 ‘traffic forecast’ could spell misery on roads between Wendover and AmershamA SIGNIFICANT rise in traffic along a by construction vehicles next year could force road users to exploit other routes resulting in “massive chaosâ€� for neighbouring communities.

Get Surrey

• Passenger numbers dropped by 92% at Surrey stations during lockdown Even since restrictions were eased in July, footfall at Guildford and Woking stations is down by a third

Other Regional Press

• Free London Underground and bus travel for pensioners and children now looks even more likely to endTransport for London (TfL) and the Government are in talks regarding funding for the future of the city's public transport system - and there could be some consequences that hit many Londoners in the pocket.
• Isle of Wight train pulled from service following damageUPDATED: South Western Railways said the train had a fault, not damage, as was first thought.
• Cumbria County Council insists Carlisle railway station development on right trackAMBITIOUS development plans for Carlisle Railway Station are on the right track.

Railnews

• DfT awards new contract to Arriva CrossCountry The Department for Transport has awarded a three year contract to Arriva to continue running CrossCountry until October 2023. The new deal will not include significant commercial risk for Arriva, because the terms of the contract are those which apply to the new Emergency Recovery Measures Agreements, with the DfT paying the costs and collecting the revenue. Arriva will be paid a ˜performance-linked™ fee. The RMT has greeted the news by calling for full renationalisation.
• TfL emergency funding extended by two weeks Talks between Transport for London and the Government have resulted in an additional two weeks of emergency funding, which will take TfL to the end of October.

Railway Gazette

• New CrossCountry contract includes capacity, accessibility and environmental improvementsUK: The Department for Transport has directly awarded incumbent Arriva a new contract to operate CrossCountry services for a further three years. CrossCountry Managing Director Tom Joyner tells Rail Business UK about the operator’s plans, saying ’the good thing is the longevity, which CrossCountry really needs as it gives us ...

Transportxtra

• Nexus Metro staff transfer to Stadler Swiss trainbuilder Stadler has taken over the employment of 120 Nexus staff responsible for servicing and maintaining the Tyne and Wear Metro fleet. Stadler is responsible for maintaining the fleet as part of its contract to build 42 new trains for the Metro, which are scheduled to replace the existing fleet from 2023
• SLC Rail granted a licence to run trainsRail consultant SLC has been awarded a non-passenger train licence by the Office of Rail and Road.
• Edinburgh’s tram firm wary of merger with bus companyEdinburgh’s council-owned tram company has voiced concerns about a plan to merge it with bus operator Lothian Buses.
• Dire consequences if Crossrail £1.1bn hole not filled, says TfLTransport for London has warned of dire consequences for the Crossrail project if an agreement with Government is not reached soon for an additional £1.1bn needed to complete the project.
• Ramsden joins Crossrail from MHCLGHelen Ramsden has been appointed head of programme controls at Crossrail Ltd, joining from the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government where she was deputy director for planning and performance.